Hazard 4 has introduced the Coyote color to their popular Badger ID holder, previously available only in Black. It not only features a full 3″ x 5″ loop fastener field to attach badges but also a basic wallet/organizer on the reverse. It also incorporates a neck-lanyard but it can also be worn on a belt or woven into MOLLE on modular packs/bags.
hazard4.com/products/accessories/badger
The Connecticut SWAT Challenge has developed a reputation as the premier tactical law enforcement event in the Northeastern United States. In fact, participants come from as far afield in the US as California and internationally from Brazil. Maybe it’s the beautiful scenic setting, but my bets on the fact that they’ve put together one hell of a venue for training, interaction, and competition. Lots of shooting, feats of strength and using good judgement. That’s what it’s all about.
Since 2005, the Connecticut SWAT Challenge has grown from 16 teams to a field of 28 this year, all vying to negotiate three days of competition. In fact, for the participants, this is a top-off event, showcasing the prior year’s worth of training. Lt. Jeremy Clark, West Hartford CT and Director CT SWAT Challenge explained, “NFL Players don’t just show up on a Sunday and play. They don’t just employ one method of training. They watch tape, they lift weights, and they run and run plays. In the same way competition is only one tool for the SWAT Officer.” But he went on to explain that it isn’t a be-all-end-all either but rather, an element of training, “If all that you do is train for contests you are missing tools. If all that you do is bringing in professional trainers you are missing tools. The same can be said for running force on force. You need to work with all of the tools available to react with decisive action in a stressful and chaotic environment. Do you want to realize that you are unskilled in a particular method or piece of equipment in a real life bad situation? The CT SWAT Challenge offers a team the opportunity to discover these deficiencies in a safe environment and work towards correcting those deficiencies.”
Lt. Brad Connor, Warwick, RI SWAT echoed this sentiment stating, “This is an event that we plan for months in advance. The training that we do in preparation for the CT Challenge complements our existing training regimen. Nothing can completely prepare a team for the unexpected events that will occur in an actual call out. In our opinion the dynamic and unpredictable events of the CT SWAT Challenge are the next best thing to real missions and the lessons learned from them.”
The need for events like this is quite evident. With 115 companies participating in the associated vendor show, even they have seen the impact this week has on the readiness of the organizations they support. David Walsh, FNG Velocity Systems and Mayflower Research and Consulting commented to SSD, “We now face a global battlefield. The military and intelligence communities have evolved significantly since the start of the war. Local, state, and federal law enforcement is, and will continue to follow the changing threats. Events like the CT SWAT Challenge offers industry the opportunity to engage SWAT law enforcement officers and incorporate that input into the design and development of products. There is little time between the training evolutions and the feedback. At this time the challenges are fresh and the solutions present themselves more clearly.”
Interestingly, PTLM Mike Long, from Cranston, RI pointed out, that as an observer, he attended the event to learn from both participant and vendor alike, “I came down this week to witness the combination of equipment vendors and actual end users. This is the culmination of years of training in a job where performance goes largely unrewarded. It’s great to see teams recognized for their performance under pressure and on demand.”
For those of you who are unfamiliar with this event and others like it, this video is a good overview.
Photos courtesy: Velocity Systems, Inc.
War Sport Industries provided us with these photos of the new Wilcox Industries mount for the upcoming Team Wendy EXFIL carbon fiber bump helmet. It consists of injection molded shroud with an Army-style machined aluminum mounting mechanism to lower weight.
During 2010-2011 the Army fielded a limited number of XM25 Individual Semi-automatic Airburst Systems to troops in Afghanistan. PEO Soldier described the weapon as a game changer, and the troops gave it the monicker “Punisher.” Unfortunately, we didn’t get many glimpses of the weapon’s deployment. But here are a few to tide you over until we hear more about the XM25.
This trailer ought to stir some debate. It’s for a real movie featuring a group of 12-13 year olds who fight out a real war in their neighborhood.
Shellback Tactical’s Banshee PC (Black) is now officially approved by the LAPD. It was added late last week to the Official LAPD Approved gear list and is now officially approved by the Los Angeles Police Department for individual purchase. According to the program coordinator at the LAPD, the upcoming New Banshee QD Hybrid is also considered approved as part of the Banshee Family along with the accessory products.
In addition to Black the Banshee rifle Plate Carrier is also offered in Coyote Tan, Ranger Green, A-TACS and MultiCam.
American Safety Equipment Co out of Virginia Beach has added S&S Precision to their GSA schedule which can make procuring their wares a much simpler process.
The following items are already listed on the schedule with additional items added regularly –
Manta Strobe
V-Lite
M-ax Mount
M320 Holster
Kangaroo Insert
Weaponlinks
Post or send US Tactical Supply a picture of any US Tactical Supply Sticker on your Gun Safe, Rifle, Vehicle, Rocket Launcher, Howitzer or what ever!! The pictures with the most likes and shares on Facebook wins Qty 1 Tannerite – 10 Pack of 1 Pound Explosive Targets & Qty 1 Package of White-Lightning Rim-fire Exploding Targets (ustacticalsupply.com/tannerite-2) OR a $100 Gift Certificate.
Current picture supplied by Kramer Custom Knives
(Tannerite Prizes open to U.S. address only)
