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Rob Anderson Buys US PALM

April 2nd, 2014

Pretty exciting new for Rob. He and I are old sparring partners and I know he has been working on this for awhile now so I’m glad to hear that his dream has come to fruition. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for US PALM.

Scottsdale, AZ – US PALM, the industry leader in AK47 accessories and soft armor solutions, is pleased to announce that founder Robert Anderson has purchased US PALM [US Primary Armament Logistical Manufacturing] from its holding company SGC Global Industries. Anderson founded US PALM in the spring of 2009 and has seen successful growth each year since its creation. With flagship products such as the AK30 magazine and the Defender soft armor solutions, US PALM looks forward to long term continued growth under Anderson’s direction as President of US PALM, LLC.

With US PALM entering its 5th year of business, the transition away from SGC Global Industries comes during a growth cycle for each company. “The timing was right on both sides to execute the break-away,” Anderson stated, “PALM will benefit from more individualized attention and a more focused organizational structure. My goal with PALM has always been to fill the gaps that exist in the industry with quality gear and I look forward to returning to US PALM’s roots”

Anderson will apply a renewed focus and energy to US PALM by realigning with the original goals of the company: to create gear for the modern warfighter and innovative solutions with real world purpose. US PALM will release information on product launches and new partnerships in Q2 of 2014 and looks forward to capitalizing on new and existing opportunities under Anderson’s ownership.

During the transition period, US PALM will continue normal operations from their current Scottsdale facility. In late Q2 2014 US PALM will relocate to a new larger facility in North Phoenix, currently under construction, to meet expanded production needs.

www.USPALM.com

Tags: US PALM
Posted in Industry | 11 Comments »

Erik Lawrence Launches New Company

April 2nd, 2014

Erik Lawrence has launched a new endeavor, Vigilant Security Services. He sold Blackheart International last year and felt he was ready to concentrate on VSS, a firm he founded in 2005 but just didn’t have the time to do much with.

Staffed by former SOF personnel, VSS provides the following services:

» Personnel Protective Services
• Executive Protection for VIP’s
• Private Security Details for Hostile Environments
• Counter-Surveillance

» Facility Security Services
• Site Vulnerability Assessments
• Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM)
• Risk Assessments & Security Analysis
• Physical and technological security
• Corporate Security Reviews & Audits
• Information and intelligence gathering
• Defensive Strategy Evaluations

» Security Training
• Security Awareness & Individual Protective Measures (IPM) Training
• Safety Training for Traveling Abroad
• Security Staff Training
• Firearms and Tactical Training

Tags: Vigilant Security Services
Posted in Industry | 2 Comments »

Mini Kit MK-7 In A-TACS AU

April 2nd, 2014

This is an announcement from PredatorBDU regarding the availability of 20DollarBandit’s Mini Kit MK-7 in A-TACS AU.

We are excited to announce that PredatorBDU will be offering the Mini Kit MK-7 EXCLUSIVE in A-TACS AU!

We have been big fans of 20DollarBandit Mini Kit MK-7 since we first saw it on Kickstarter. In case this is your first time seeing the MK-7 it is a Custom 5.5″ x 5.5″ pouch designed to hold small pieces of gear and fit into your cargo pocket, EDC backpack, automobile glove box or bug out bag. The inside of the pouch provides tons of organizational space giving you endless options for stowing gear such as knives, cash or cards, chem lights, smart phones, flashlights or headlamps, compass, paracord, maps, multi-tools, fire starters, first aid kits, pens, notepads, and just about anything else that you would normally find loose in your cargo pocket.

The Mini Kit MK-7 is small, modular and works great as an EDC cargo pocket organizer for everyday carry. The Mini Kit MK-7 does not require fine motor skills to open under stress as there are no zippers and the clamshell design allows you to add as much gear as you want to the pouch without having to worry about it closing. If you have a few MK-7’s then you could modularize your EDC and simply grab the MK-7 appropriate for the day’s activities and go.

The Mini Kit MK-7 is manufactured 100% in the USA by Ares Armor using 1000D Nylon. Eric (20$Bandit) spent a good deal of time working with Ares Armor over the last two years on the design of the pouch. The MK-7 indicates it is the 7th prototype created with a plethora of field testing along the way to perfect the final production model. If you are interested in the history of the pouch you can check out Eric’s YouTube video below for his Kickstarter Campaign.

The interior the Mini Kit MK-7 features two large pockets with one pocket having a clear plastic window for visibility. There are three double-layered reinforced bungee loops with 2″ bungee at the base and 1″ bungee on top creating multiple retention options for your tools and kit. A retention pouch at the base holds any extended length tools from sliding out of the pouch. There is also an ITW Plastic D-Ring for retention that lays flat within the pouch when closed, this stops the D-ring from hanging-up as you remove it from your cargo pocket. On the exterior there is a strip of Velcro loop for nametape, ID, or other morale patches. The 1” bungee retention strap pulls over the pouch once closed to retain all of your gear.

In addition to the Mini Kit MK-7, we are offering the optional Mini Medic pouch, designed by 20$Bandit to fit in the clear plastic pocket of the Mini Kit MK-7. It comes in watertight re-sealable bag from Loksak and contains a comprehensive “bobo” style first aid kit. This is a great add-on for those that want to outfit their Mini Kit with a robust first aid kit right out of the box. The Mini Medic kit comes complete with Personal Anti-Microbial wipes x 4, one roll of .5″ adhesive tape, Burn Jel 3.5 g x 2, Moleskin x 2, Oval Eye Pad, Wound Closure Strips .25″ by 4″, Sheer Strips 1″ by 3″ x 10, Sterile Gauze Pad 3″ by 3″ x 4, Knuckle Bandages x 5, Hydrocortizone 1% Creme 1.5 g x 2, Mylar Space Blanket, and Triple Antibiotic Ointment, .9 g x 2.

You can order the Mini Kit MK-7 in A-TACS AU Camo at PredatorBDU.com with the Mini Medic available as an add-on item.

www.predatorbdu.com/mini-kit-mk-7-a-tacs-au

Tags: 20DollarBandit, A-TACS, PredatorBDU
Posted in Load Carrying | 6 Comments »

Tarsier Eclipse 9 Month Review

April 2nd, 2014

In the last year there have been several night vision enhancement devices or focus enhancement devices which have come to market. Given the expensive price tag associated with Night Vision Devices, it is reasonable to only desire the best capability and durability available in an enhancement device.

Recently I had the opportunity to run Matbock’s flagship Tarsier Eclipse night vision focus enhancement device in southwest Texas during several evenings outdoors with various lighting sources from natural ambient light to artificial sources. This opportunity was extremely beneficial because the terrain was completely unknown to me and the necessity of simultaneous focus at varying distances was essential for both target recognition and safety while walking through fields and thick brush without the use of white light.

For my own edification, I also took advantage of this opportunity to use the Tarsier Eclipse on one tube while equipping the leading competitor’s enhancement device on the other tube. The Tarsier Eclipse proved far superior at varying distances without requiring readjustment or mechanical movement once focused initially.

After my trip, I made contact with the guys at Matbock in order to dial into some of the feedback from guys I knew were running them during pre-deployment work-ups over the course of the past 9 months. The latest version of the Tarsier Eclipse has been with various units, but a particular group of SOF operators has been providing feedback to Matbock along the way. This unit has been in a variety of environments including mountainous, arid climates with dust-like sand as well as roughly 30 hours of saltwater underwater diving operations.

To this point, the only negative feedback provided by the unit stemmed from the diving evolutions in which the unit reported an increasingly difficult action of the iris. A couple of drops of lubrication easily remedied this and quickly restored the action back to new conditions.

In the last few days Matbock reached back out to say the unit using them during pre-deployment work-ups provided the Tarsier Eclipse’s back to them and each was sent back to the iris manufacturer. After breakdown and examination of all the parts, the iris manufacturer reported the following:

– No dust / debris inside the housing
– No signs of rust or pitting
– Minor scuffs on the Corning glass sacrificial lens (nothing that would impede vision or clarity)

With a couple drops of lubrication, the units were put back together and “like new”.

-AV

www.matbock.com

MATBOCK products are also available through GSA Advantage

Tags: MATBOCK
Posted in Optics | 3 Comments »

5.11 Kilts Are Coming Back

April 2nd, 2014

Born in an April Fool’s Day prank from yesteryear, the 5.11 Tactical Duty Kilt is making its big comeback. Here’s your first look:

Although details are scarce, what we can tell you is $10 from every kilt will be donated to FBINAA and We Salute You Veterans. There will also be a contest/giveaway run through social media.

The TDK will be available April 15th.

int.511tactical.com

Tags: 5.11, FBINAA, We Salute You Veterans
Posted in Charity, Clothing | 1 Comment »

Philadelphia Police Department Receives Safety Equipment Grant From The Spirit Of Blue Foundation

April 2nd, 2014

Ryan T. Smith, Executive Director of the Spirit of Blue Foundation (left), presents the $10,000 Safety Equipment Grant to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey (right) during the formal grant presentation at the department’s 35th District Headquarters on March 21, 2014.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – March 31, 2014 – The Spirit of Blue Foundation announced today that it has awarded a $10,000 Safety Equipment Grant to the Philadelphia Police Department for the purchase of at least 24 ballistic vests. The grant was given in memory of fallen Officer Charles E. Cassidy who was killed in the line of duty while attempting to stop an armed robbery in 2007. The ballistic vests will be purchased in conjunction with the US Department of Justice’s Ballistic Vest Program, which provides federal matching funds for ballistic vest purchases, and will be issued to members of the 35th District where Officer Cassidy served.

“We appreciate this generous gift that is being donated to our department in an effort to keep our members safe. A ballistic vest is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a police officer because it can save his/her life,” stated Commissioner Charles Ramsey of the Philadelphia Police Department. “We want to thank the Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation and the Spirit of Blue Foundation for this grant; and we thank you for honoring the memory of one of our fallen heroes, Officer Charles Cassidy.”

“We expect so much of our police officers. We need them in many ways to hold our society together,” commented Ryan T. Smith, Executive Director of the Spirit of Blue Foundation. “But there is an unwritten social contract that we will protect those who protect us. That is what we have to be about. So, it is an extreme honor to award this grant to provide ballistic vests to these fine men and women, so they can hopefully end each shift safely and return home to their families.”

The Safety Equipment Grant was enabled by a generous gift from The Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation who partners with organizations that work to support public safety officers, in addition to a number of other community initiatives.

2014 statistics preliminarily released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund show that 29 law enforcement officers have already lost their lives this year, an increase of 16% from the same period in the prior year. On average 56 firearms related deaths occur annually. The reality of these statistics, and the increasing number of underfunded law enforcement agencies across the country, fuel the Spirit of Blue safety grant initiative.

www.spiritofblue.com

Tags: The Spirit of Blue Foundation
Posted in Charity, LE | 1 Comment »

Hyde Definition Announces PenCott BlackOps

April 1st, 2014

Today, Hyde Definition has announced the latest addition to the PenCott family, the PenCott BlackOps “urban” pattern – first seen as a sneak-preview for SPARTANAT at the IWA exhibition in Nuremberg.

Designed for LE, Government agency, and Military Special Operations units, in addition to functioning as a “lifestyle pattern”, PenCott BlackOps enables the tactical operator to “own the night and dominate the fight.” BlackOps will compliment units’ existing black kit, and is the “perfect pattern for disappearing into the shadows of the man-made landscape, and for projecting a an intimidating, show-of-force image to visually and psychologically dominate your opponents.”

In the above photo, Lawrence Holsworth, Hyde Definition’s Director of Business Development and Marketing, is seen wearing a Tactical Polo in the BlackOps pattern. BlackOps will be available exclusively on Silent Knight noiseless, stain-resistant, static-free, knit fabric.

www.hydedefinition.com/latest/?p=1212

Tags: Hyde Definition, PenCott
Posted in Camo | 7 Comments »

Canadian Army ‘Land Operations Temperate Boot’ Program – Soldiers Can Keep Old Boots But Need CO’s Permission To Wear Them

April 1st, 2014

In a previous article, we mentioned that Kodiak Group Holdings of Cambridge, ON were awarded 2 contracts, and L.P. Royer Inc. were awarded one contract to develop what is called the ‘Land Operations Temperate Boot’ which is intended to replace the in-service combat boots used by the Canadian Army; Mk III Combat Boot, General Purpose Boot, and Temperate Combat Boot.

Well, according to Canada’s Department of National Defence, through ‘Ottawa Citizen’, those serving in the Canadian Army will be allowed to retain their current boots, with a catch: it will be limited to a local chain of command decision if soldiers will be permitted to wear their old boots when the new boots are issued.

It’s also worth mentioning that Soldiers will be issued two pairs of boots, either two pairs of one style, or one of both styles:

“The Kodiak Group Holdings boot is a lace-up while the L.P. Royer has a zipper as well as laces,” She [Chelsey McLellan, a spokeswoman for DND’s Materiel Group] noted. “Both styles will be a shade of brown as this has proven better in camouflage testing than a black colour. The suede-nubuck leather and textile upper materials are more comfortable and breathable than full grain leather previously used on in-service Land Forces footwear.”

Source: blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2014/03/26/each-canadian-soldier-to-get-two-pairs-of-new-boots-they-can-keep-the-old-boots-but-need-commanding-officers-permission-to-wear-them

Posted in Boots, Foreign | 7 Comments »