(Photo by SSG Marcus Butler, USASOC Public Affairs)
This photo shows (From left to right) NASCAR President Mike Helton, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue, USASOC Commanding General Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland and Executive Director of the North Carolina Military Foundation Lance DeSpain. They were all together last week at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida to announce the historic partnership to make military vehicles safer for Special Operations Soldiers and to share innovations benefiting all parties involved.
It’s an interesting proposition. The NC ‘automotive’ industry aka NASCAR will share technical data with USASOC (and vice versa) that might assist the other. In my opinion, there may well be some safety technologies or TTPs that come out of this but considering the drastic difference between a GMVS and a highly modified sprint car, I wouldn’t expect much more. This just feels ‘gimmicky’.
Maybe that’s why everyone in the photo looks so unhappy to be there.
SOTech is looking to expand its sales and design staff. They are looking for tactical gear users who have a passion for designing new gear, working with military and law enforcement customers, and carrying the designs back to SOTech’s engineering studio. Applicants need to be willing to travel out to elite units, attend trade shows, talk gear, and relocate to sunny Southern California. Real military or law enforcement experience is required. Send queries and resumes to TMartinez@SpecOpsTech.com for more details.
Tags: S.O.Tech Posted in TacJobs | Comments Off on TacJobs – SOTech
We’ve covered BE Meyers line of GLARE devices in the past and even mentioned ways they are employed. Now, ADS and BE Meyers have teamed up to produce this video that gives you a great perspective on how the gear is used and what it looks like, not only from the user’s standpoint but from the target’s as well.
The video depicts the use of the GLARE MOUT Plus at a Traffic Control Point (TCP), and how use of this non-lethal laser enables the TCP to engage the vehicle at a safe distance and determine the intent of the approaching vehicle. Not only does it attract the attention of the target but it also helps conceal the locations and actions of the personnel manning the TCP from the target.
You may notice a couple of interesting facts concerning the decrease in checkpoint deaths in Iraq starting around 2005. The sources of this information are articles in the NY Times and the Wall street Journal. At this point you might consider the information dated, but it comes from the time when these lasers were first fielded and the results are astonishing when you consider going from seven deaths a week to just one, that is a big deal. BE Meyers has related to us that the one death a week cited was often shown to be hostile intent toward US forces and the Escalation Of Force lasers actually discovered the intent and allowed for earlier and decisive engagement.
Also shown in the video are the LA-9/P and the GLARE Enforcer. The LA-9/P is the primary non-lethal EoF laser used by the US Marine Corps and Navy, and the most powerful EoF laser available. It provides greater than 1,500 meters of stand-off range in daylight, 4,000 meters at night, and it is the only non-lethal military laser that incorporates a safety control module to secure the laser, should anyone enter into the eye hazard area.
Jeff Bradbury, Marketing Executive, BE Meyers told SSD, “Our GLARE LA-9/P and GLARE Enforcer are the only devices with integrated safety modules that automatically control the laser if targets are in danger of exceeding permissible laser exposure limits. This gives our military and law enforcement users a truly long-range non-lethal option, with stand-off distances up to and beyond 500 meters. That kind of power and safety provides an escalation of force capability to communicate with and engage targets on land or at sea across all operating scenarios.â€
GLARE MOUT Plus
“The GLARE MOUT PLUS combines all of the positive attributes of the original GLARE MOUT device, and adds a training mode to further protect users, nearly doubles the power providing much greater standoff distance, and extends its environmental performance from -20° C to +50° C. The improvement in standoff distance is particularly valuable to the warfighters, providing a non-lethal escalation of force option that is effective at 500m in daylight, providing valuable time to make the right decision and take effective action,” said Bruce Westcoat, VP Business Development, BE Meyers.
GLARE Enforcer
BE Meyers continues to improve their products and expand their offerings. Additionally, they have not only improved the capabilities of our military but adapted the technology for use by law enforcement, providing safe, EoF capabilities. For example, the GLARE Enforce is the only non-lethal visual disruption laser FDA approved for law enforcement organizations. This green laser relies on Eye Safe technology which automatically adjusts the output power depending on the target distance, ensuring the delivery of maximum safe power at all times while maintaining the safety of all nearby personnel against accidental eye injury.
Ops-Core FAST Helmets are showing up all over the place, but up until now there haven’t been any covers for them. Time was, guys didn’t think they needed a cover and were more than satisfied with just painting them. Now, they’ve come to the realization that covers aid with camouflage (particularly when wet) as well as noise discipline. Additionally, as FAST helmets can be had in a variety of finishes, a helmet cover is a low cost way to modify the helmet’s camouflage without destroying the finish or purchasing an additional helmet.
FirstSpear currently offers two styles of helmet covers for the Ops-Core family of FAST Helmets. In both cases, the design is the same and it’s more a matter of material choices.
The Helmet Cover was introduced at SHOT Show and already units are ordering them. It’s made from four-way stretch material to conform to the helmet’s lines.
FirstSpear has also just introduced the Helmet Cover – Hybrid. This cover utilizes a combination of mesh and four-way stretch material. This gives a different look and is more accommodating for those who want to add garnish or local vegetation to enhance camouflage.
FirstSpear covers are manufactured from Mil-Spec materials in Black, Ranger Green, Coyote, MultiCam and White. They incorporate color matched Velcro strips across the crown and around the rear of the helmet to attach strobes, ID and other IFF systems. Additionally, the covers are cut high enough to accommodate the Accessory Rail Connector and also feature cutout for NVG mounts. The covers are easy to attach and work in a similar manner to the ACH cover via dual-sided Velcro strips that are trapped in between the helmet and pads.
FirstSpear offers these covers to accommodate both FAST Ballistic and Maritime cut helmets. Covers for other helmets can be custom created. Contact FirstSpear for details.
Military Working Dogs and their Handlers have served in all branches of the United States Armed Services since World War II. By US law (Public Law 110-181, Section 2877), there is a move to create a National Monument to these teams of men and dog. The tentative location is Lackland AFB TX home of the DOD MWD Training Center.
Our favorite way to support a great cause is when you get something for your efforts that can be used or worn. Generally, others see it and want to help as well. I mean sure, it feels good to help out with something of this magnitude but Garrett Container Systems has sweetened the pot with their Benchmade 375 Adamas knife promotion.
The knife is engraved with the Monument logo as well as Garrett’s Top Dawg logo. When you purchase this knife, GCS will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument. But this gets even better because Benchmade will donate a portion of funds from Adamas sales to the Ranger Assistance Foundation.
Regardless of whether you purchase a knife, your tax free donation will help build a National Monument that will forever honor service and sacrifice of our K9 teams to save American lives.
For more information on the National Monument to US Military Working Dog Teams visit www.jbmf.us.
Previously we wrote about the Core Survival HEL-STAR 5 which you can see in the photo above. It was designed specifically to work with the Gentex PM HALO helmet. It’s been used by a wide variety of military units. One of those DoD customers asked Core Survival to develop a new model that would increase lateral visibility. The result is the HEL-STAR 6.
For Core Survival HEL-STAR 6 is a natural progression of the HEL-STAR family, starting with HEL-STAR 4 and later evolving to the HEL-STAR 5. All three product lines were designed and built around user input, addressing user requirements.
It offers any combination of white, green, blue, red, and IR lights (either flashing or steady). Additionally, they offer variable flash rates and coded signals for IFF.
It can be turned on, while mounted and while wearing gloves. According to Core Survival the light also features, “Positive visual and tactile confirmation of ON/OFF and operating status with no guesswork.” Additionally, it is powered by a CR123 battery and Made in USA!
There are four models with different functions based on various user profiles.
HEL-STAR 6 Models
610 – Two Function
620 – Four Functions (Two Secure Firewalled, Two Overt Firewalled)
630 – Three Functions with secure lock out mode
640 – Four Functions (All for available with switches)
The button at the top of the light is either a nose plug or switch, depending on the model. It is used to change operating modes (e.g., overt/covert). The units are preprogrammed at the plant.
Extreme Outfitters has just introduced a new 32 oz Wide Mouth water bottle. These BPA Free bottles are Grey with Black lids and made from Eastman Tritan, a material that offers clarity, toughness, heat resistance and chemical resistance. The coolest thing about these is that they come with the spillguard insert. Ok, maybe this is the coolest thing; they are only $4.99 through the end of this month.
