FirstSpear TV

Magpul Releases SIG P320 EHG Grips & Enhanced Mag Release

December 26th, 2024

Magpul now has four different grips available for the SIG P320: two full-sized frames and two compact frames.

Each EHG SG9 grip size comes in a variant with or without a manual safety, and all frames include their own custom extended Magazine Release, a pic rail for lights and lasers, an integral flared mag well, and are covered in Magpul TSP texturing.

EHG SG9 Compatibility:

Holsters:

• Safariland models: 7390-7TS, 7362-7TS, 7360-7TS RDS
• Bladetech: Total Eclipse
• Raven Concealment models: Vanguard, Perun, Perun-LC
• Blackhawk models: ARC, SERPA CQC
• Fobus: Evolution

Lights:

• Surefire X300 Family/XH Family
• Streamlight TLR family
• LMD Pistol Enhancer (LMD-PE-IR-1)

Now, a little about the SG9 Enhanced Magazine Release (comes preinstalled on the EHG SG9 grips) which is also available as an aftermarket part; it’s installed in seconds, features a durable QPQ finish, and is reversible for left- and right-handed shooters.

The Magpul EHG SG9 SIG P320 grips released in black last week with FDE showing up on their site this week.

Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care Updates Guidelines for 2024

December 26th, 2024

EuroMedics alerted us that the Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care issued updated protocols for BLS/ALS Clinicians in late November.

While there are numerous updates to the TECC guidelines, these standout.

MASSIVE BLEEDING

The section on hemorrhage control includes the direction to covert or relocate the TQ within 2 hours of application, which is consistent with current CoTCCC recommendations. The guidelines do not mention a time where conversion is no longer recommended.

AIRWAY MANAGEMENT

Here identified the most prominent choices that diverge from the TCCC guidelines. Apart from recommending the SGA as a viable option for Warm Zone Care, the guidelines also recommend oro- and nasotracheal intubation, which is an interesting choice.

MEDICATIONS

Another interesting aspect is the selection of NSAIDs, namely Celecoxib, which has a more GI-protective profile as well as a more pronounced COX-2 preference than Meloxicam which is recommended in the TCCC guidelines.

Also intersting is the lack of recommendations on antibiotic choices, whereas the TCCC guidelines recommend 2 options for POI antibiosis.

There are numerous orher changes in the guidelines so we encourage you to have look and familiarize yourself with them!

There are a lot of links to older versions out there but here are the latest guidelines as of this publication.

WWII US Army Training Film – Ski Equipment

December 26th, 2024

This 1942 US Army training film is a great snapshot in time, depicting various clothing and equipment issued at the time to ski troops, specifically members of the 10th Light Division.

Merry Christmas from Bu Dop Special Forces Camp (A-341) December 1969

December 25th, 2024

Bu Dop Camp was located some four kilometers south of the Cambodian border in South Vietnam and far from any friendly forces. Deep in enemy-held territory, A-341 was under constant attack and the only access to the camp was from the air. It was manned by a Green Beret A-Team from 5th Special Forces Group and a force of CIDG troops (indigenous Nungs and Montagnards).

Bu Dop was also home to a top-secret team of Army Security Agency Green Berets from the 403rd Special Operations Detachment (SOD) who monitored and collected communist communications for its intelligence value. The ASA men were fully-qualified Special Forces soldiers and required to fulfill their Green Beret duties in addition to their intelligence duties.

Photograph: Christmas at Bu Dop – 1969 – On the left is Lt. Dietz (aka Santa Claus), 5th SFG, and on the right is Gary Lamberty of the 403rd SOD. (© thespecialforce.com now defunct)

Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men

December 25th, 2024

Some of you will recognize this Nativity scene from the movie “Threads” which paints a very bleak future at the hands of nuclear Armageddon. Released at the height of the Cold War in 1984, a year after the US TV movie, “The Day After,” it is a much more frank and horrifying look at the subject by British production by the BBC, Nine Network and Western-World Television, Inc.

We should all thank our forebears on both sides of this tense period who loved us so much that they pulled us back from the brink. They had survived the deprivations of a global depression and at least one world war. They didn’t want us to experience something worse.

On this Christmas, let us all pray for peaceful times.

WC-135R Conducts Atmospheric Testing in the CENTCOM AOR

December 24th, 2024

In a rare occurrence, the USAF has released photos of a WC-135R Constant Phoenix conducting sampling operations in an undisclosed location within the CENTCOM AOR.

WC-135 is the only aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory that conducts air sampling operations and collects particulate and gaseous effluents and debris in the atmosphere in support of the 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty which ensures signatory nations adhere to prohibited above ground nuclear weapons testing.

Assigned to the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, 55th Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, Constant Phoenix is used worldwide to conduct radionuclide baseline flights. The aircraft’s onboard atmospheric collection suite allows mission crew assigned to the Air Force Technical Applications Center at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, to detect radioactive “clouds” in real time through its internal compressor system.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zeeshan Naeem

Tactical Concealment LLC x Sniper Dynamics Introduce Arctic Warfare System

December 24th, 2024

Tactical Concealment LLC, has developed the Arctic Warfare System of concealment items In a collaborative effort with Sniper Dynamics LLC,.

Featuring Sniper Dynamic’s new StalkLand VOID Arctic concealment pattern, the Arctic Warfare System has been designed using end-user input, offering an effective Arctic terrain individual visual & nIR spectrum signature reduction solution.

StalkLand VOID was developed in collaboration with Brookwood Roll Goods, a leading U.S. textile manufacturer. The product uses Brookwood’s “Eclipse” 2-ply Durable Water Resistant (DWR) coated 70D textile as the base material. This same Eclipse fabric is currently utilized as the exterior shell material for the U.S. Army’s Gen 3 Level 7 Parka.

The Arctic Warfare System features three primary item sets meticulously designed to offer a total of five distinctive variations. Each variation aims to deliver a diverse array of concealment solutions, catering to various operational needs in challenging Arctic environments.

– Cobra

– Surgeon

– Helmet Cover

TC Cobra Hood

The Cobra Hood combines Tactical Concealment’s proven Cobra design with Over-White-Weight textiles to create a highly effective, breathable, and lightweight option. It features easy access for the end user to the lower chest mounted kit, removable sleeves, and an oversized hood that accommodates larger dual-tube night vision goggles (NVGs) such as the PVS-31. The Cobra is available in both sewn-on and removable hood variations.

To address the extreme cold of Arctic conditions, which can drop to -30°F, the traditional Cobra ITW Fastex buckle chest closures have been replaced with ITW metal G-Hooks. Additionally, based on input from cold-weather subject matter experts, all Velcro fastenings have been replaced with button configurations.

TC Surgeon Hood

The Surgeon hood is specifically designed for snipers and reconnaissance personnel. It features a bar-tacked white

550-cord grid for attaching jute and natural vegetation. Additionally, the Surgeon includes an integrated hook-and-loop quick-disconnect veil for enhanced concealment of precision weapon platforms or observation equipment.

TC Helmet Covers

The Arctic Warfare System offers two variations of helmet covers: the Recce and the Assaulter. Both are designed to fit a Gentex / Ops Core High-Cut ballistic helmet and have been confirmed to fit over a medium/large USMC-issued ECH.

The Recce was designed for maximum user concealment and features a grid made from 550 cord with bar-tacked points. It also includes quick-disconnect mounting points for vegetation, crafted from 550 cord and cord locks. Additionally, a roll-over, one-wrap cable management system has been integrated along the top left and right sides of the cover, as well as a rear loop section for securing NVG battery packs.

The Assaulter was designed with infantry troops and close-quarterscombat in mind. It provides ample space for mounting various items such as flags, unit identifier patches, IFF strobes, rear NVG battery packs, cameras, and other equipment that users may choose to attach to their helmets based on their operational needs.

USASOC Year In Review

December 24th, 2024

Soldier/Journalist Sarah Blake Morgan spoke with United States Army Special Operations Command, Command Sergeant Major JoAnn Naumann about what the command has been up to this year.