Aquaterro

Remember Task Force Ranger And The Battle Of Mogadishu

October 3rd, 2016

Today actually marks two major anniversaries in the history of US Special Operations. First, is the creation of the 75th Ranger Regiment through the activation of its 3rd Battalion. It’s also the date of 1993’s Battle of Mogadishu during which, elements of TF Ranger which was deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, conducted an operation on that city’s Olympic Hotel in order to capture key leaders of the Aidid Militia.

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Unfortunately, during the exfil portion of the raid a battle ensued that claimed the lives of 18 Americans and wounded another 73. Additionally, CW3 Michael Durant was captured by the militia. Fortunately, Durant was later repatriated and went on to retire from the 160th. Of the men killed that day, two would be awarded the Medal of Honor, Delta Operators Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart for their selfless efforts to protect Durant after his aircraft, callsign Super 64 was shot down.

For those of you unfamiliar, one of the best accounts of the battle is contained in the book, “Blackhawk Down” by author Mark Bowden. Much of the information was serialized prior to the book’s publication in the Philadelphia Enquirer. Later this was made into a movie bearing the same name.

If you want to here more from a man that was there in the thick of it, check out Panteao Productions‘s “Battle of the Black Sea” featuring MSG Paul Howe (USA, Ret).

Please take a moment to remember these men and their sacrifice.

INVISIO receives follow-up order from existing army customer within NATO

October 3rd, 2016

Stockholm, September 30, 2016

INVISIO (IVSO) has received an order worth approximately SEK 7.0 million from one of the company’s existing army customers within NATO. The order is a follow-up order and includes the INVISIO V60 communication and hearing protection system. Delivery is planned to take place in 2016.

The customer has been using INVISIO’s equipment since 2012 and earlier this year ordered products valued approximately 6.5 million.

INVISIO’s advanced communication systems with hearing protection enable professionals working in noisy and mission-critical environments to communicate and collaborate effectively. The systems consist of headsets and control units connected to an external team radio or a vehicle’s intercom system, for example.

www.invisio.com

You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up

October 3rd, 2016


Greeting Eric,
Had a few drinks before doing the Sharkfest 1 Mile rough water ocean swim the next morning…. then back for a pint or two after the swim. Hooah. Hello to my brothers and sisters in SECFOR.
DS

Thanks for the photo and Happy Birthday to you as well.

BE Meyers & Co – GLARE RECOIL

October 2nd, 2016

This is the GLARE RECOIL™ from BE Meyers & Co. This green laser hail and warning system is the sole-source winner for the MARCORSYSCOM Ocular Interrupter (OI) Program ($49M IDIQ), and is also under evaluation for several other US and International programs, including the US Navy Hailing Acoustic Laser & Light Tactical System (HALLTS) program. It is the proven design.

The GLARE RECOIL™ is the only truly eye-safe Escalation of Force laser dazzler for hail and warning, with an NOHD of 0 meters due to the integration of a laser rangefinder into the safety controls of the system. The GLARE RECOIL™ can easily envelope both short-range and long-range target areas through the motorized zoom functions. It is an amazing piece of technology.

This video explains how the GLARE RECOIL differs radically from any other hail and warning system by illustrating how their patented “SmartRange™” technology works. Watch the video at bemeyers.com/media/videos.

SmartRange™ technology identifies the range to target and automatically regulates the power to correspond with output that is safe for that distance. If the target moves, the systems self-regulates power on target accordingly.

Designed for combat applications, the GLARE RECOIL™ incorporates groundbreaking safety technologies in a ruggedized package that performs in demanding land and sea environments, with impactful hail and warning capabilities able to safely alert targets anywhere from 3 meters to beyond 16 kilometers (10 miles).

Law Enforcement, BE Meyers hasn’t forgotten about you. The GLARE HELIOS™ is the Law Enforcement specific version of the GLARE RECOIL™ which provides identical controls in the same compact form factor, with FDA variances approving the GLARE HELIOS™ for use by all Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement agencies and others meeting specific defense and security criteria.

If you’re going to be at AUSA this week, be sure to stop by BE Meyers & Co (booth #2342) to check out the GLARE RECOIL and MAWL for yourself!

Revision Military Unveils Submission For SOCOM Next–Generation Helmet Program

October 2nd, 2016

Tomorrow Revision Military will officially unveil its submission for USSOCOM’s Next–Generation Helmet Program, but you get a sneak peek here at SSD. If you’re attending AUSA be sure to stop by their booth and check it out.

Essex Junction, Vermont (October 3, 2016) – In July of this year, Revision Military, a world leader in head protection solutions, was awarded a development contract (H92222-16-R-0017) by the Department of Defense for their next-generation helmet platform program. Tomorrow, Revision will unveil its submission for this contract—Revision’s Family of Tactical Headborne Systems (FTHS). In fulfillment of the development contract, Revision has delivered several-hundred samples for testing.

Revision’s unique multipurpose helmet suite consists of Coastal Marine, Riverine, Ground Ballistic, and Ground Bump systems. Revision has also developed a new set of accessories that will be provided with the FTHS suite kits. These specially-designed accessories enhance the multiuse helmet systems for Boat, Vehicle, and HALO/HAHO, as well as mountain, river, and direct action operations.

The bump helmet Revision developed for the FTHS is the first bump helmet in the industry that can be can be ballistically-enabled with add-on armor, for blunt force and ballistic protection during specialty operations. This novel operational approach also reduces the neck load burden during highly dynamic operations while still providing the protection required to accomplish the mission. This, coupled with the skeletonization of all system components, has significantly reduced the overall weight compared to helmets on the market today.

“We can’t wait for the warfighter to get their hands on these helmets,” said Eric Hounchell, Vice President, Armor and Global Operations, Revision Military. “This is a very exciting opportunity for Revision, and this project continues to drive innovation within our Armor Business Unit. It’s a very aggressive program and I believe Revision has proven itself more than up to the challenge, building a full-suite, custom solution from the ground up. All of the significant resources at the company’s disposal were called upon to produce this cutting-edge helmet, resulting in a product that will give some of our country’s most elite forces the protection, versatility, and maneuverability they require for demanding operations. We firmly believe the solutions we’ve created here advance helmet technology as we know it.”

Revision was one of only three companies awarded a development contract. Revision will also be delivering several hundred systems to a third-party test lab to support witness testing. Overall, Revision’s FTHS also includes a headborne signature PSM (Personal Signature Management) package, blunt/ballistic mandibles, daytime visors, a NVG splash shield, and Revision’s new multilayer liner comfort system with a removable fit band and a concave shell design to support NVG use. Revision’s FTHS suite of products and accessories will be available commercially in 2017.

www.revisionmilitary.com

Yeti Coolers – Brick Bottle Opener

October 2nd, 2016

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Yeti Coolers has released the Yeti Brick, a limited edition bottle opener well deserving of its name, and they sent us one to take a look at.

Made of 3/4 lbs. of cast stainless steel, the Brick can easily function as well a bludgeon as a bottle opener, but its definitely built to last. An included rear lanyard loop also means you can hang it in a convenient location, or keep it on your person; it might be a bit big for EDC, but, hey, we don’t judge.

Before anyone asks, yes, that is a twist top.

Again, the Brick is a limited edition release, so if you’re looking to get your mitts on one, act fast.

yeti.com/brick-bottle-opener

SSD Saturday Night At The Movies Presents “The Challenge”

October 2nd, 2016

This 1970 made-for-TV movie stars Darren McGavin and Mako as two warriors chosen to represent their countries in a fight to the death on a deserted island in order to avert war.  Intrigue ensues, as was the tradition during the Cold War.  

Thanks to TominVA for the find!

Visit Gentex at AUSA

October 1st, 2016

www.ops-core.com