Country singer Keni Thomas was a Ranger serving in Mogadishu on Oct 3rd, 1993. Here, he speaks about his experience and his life now.
Thank you NRA Life of Duty.
Oct 3rd Raid Veteran Talks About The Battle of Mogadishu
October 3rd, 2011SOG Specialty Knives & Tools Responds
October 3rd, 2011SSD spoke on the phone this afternoon with SOG to discuss our article criticizing the “Faces of SOG” program. SOG spokesman Chris Cashbaugh explained their position and we suggested that they prepare a statement for our readers explaining their side of things. We understand that SOG didn’t intend to send a questionable message but rather were attempting to celebrate SGT Holubz’s service. We applaud SOG’s dialogue with us as well as with our readers and continue to support their products.
We received the story from Sergeant Holubz and immediately connected with his story as I am sure most people who have read it do. The story is harrowing and I thought we should share it with our fans and the world. Honestly, I appreciated everything that service men and women do for our country and think that they are not recognized enough. This was sort of my way to spread a little appreciation and thanks to him and the community.
A short time later we received the picture of him in in his Class A’s. We though that it would be a perfect candidate for our Faces of SOG program that we have been running through facebook for the past six months or so. Typically these have been a photo of a fan that was chosen by other fans to be our profile picture for a couple days. In his case we chose not to have a contest and just run his photo. Again we thought it was a great way honor his sacrifice and thank him. We were not intending this to be an endorsement of SOG just a way to thank one of our fans that happened to be military service member who had a harrowing experience and one of our
products played a key roll in his safety.
Not being a military person myself I was not aware of the Ethics regulations that Soldier Systems was quoting in their post. Now I know that ignorance is not a defense but had I known about the Ethics regulation we would have approached this differently. We do not want to alienate or put any of our fans in situations where they might have ethical issues, especially the ones that are key our nations success and safety. We will approach situations like this in a different manner in the future and are chalking this up to lessons learned.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention and letting SOG share our side of the story.
Thank you
Chris Cashbaugh
Marketing
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools
Manta Rails Update
October 3rd, 2011At Modern Day Marine Manta Rails showed us their newest capability. They can now mold a company’s logo right into the rail cover.
This photo is a fine example of how you can manage wires with Manta rail covers. Incidentally, Manta Rails were chosen the the USMC for use with the M27 IAR.
B5 Systems Enhanced SOPMOD Stock
October 3rd, 2011
Although they maintain a low profile, B5 Systems is well known in the defense and aerospace industries for building quality electrical and mechanical assemblies. In 2009, they were selected by the US Army to supply the SOPMOD Stock which was originally developed by NSWC-Crane for use with SOCOM’s SOPMOD (Special Operations Peculiar Modification) M4A1 carbines.
The stock features sloped sides for improved improved cheek weld as well as watertight battery storage compartments. Please remember, this stock will only fit carbine receiver extensions built to Mil-Spec dimensions.
The B5 Enhanced SOPMOD Stock is available from Rally Point Tactical who is bringing it to the commercial market at a substantially lower price than other, similar stocks. Interested parties (wholesale and retail) should contact shay@rptactical.com.
Oct 3rd Raid
October 3rd, 2011Today is the 18th Anniversary of the Oct 3rd Raid during which elements of TF Ranger, deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia conducted an operation on that city’s Olympic Hotel in order to capture key leaders of the Aidid Militia.
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.
For those of you unfamiliar, one of the best accounts 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.
Please take a moment to remember these men and their sacrifice.
Army Combat Pant Prototype
October 3rd, 2011This is Propper International’s version of the Army Combat Pant. It is made from 3 different TenCate FR fabrics including a heavier duty seat reinforcement as well as the stretch panels around the knees and above the seat. One distinct difference we know that the Propper version has from Crye’s offering is a zippered fly rather buttons. Additionally, the button at closure at the top is located on the front flap rather than the rear and buttons into a fully enclosed hole.
Here you can see the reinforced rear.
The Propper pant utilizes Cry’s proprietary kneepad design.
The kneepad is removable and and the pant features an internal flap that plugs the hole from the inside when the kneepad is not worn.
The pant leg incorporates several cloth adjustable take up tabs.
The height of the kneepad is also adjustable via an internal shockcord that is held in place via a barrel lock contained in the external upperthigh pockets.
Here you can see the low profile take up tabs on the sides of the nonpadded waist band.
Word is that Crye Precision, Massif and Propper International will face off for the final contract for the Army Combat Pant.
Tactical NAV 2.5 Just Released
October 3rd, 2011
Rev 2.5 of the popular Tactical NAV app was recently released with increased GPS accuracy as well as the ability to turn the crosshairs off. Once iOS 5 hits, there will be another minor update.
Additionally, the brains behind the app, Army CPT Jonathan Springer informed us that he has begun to work on an Android version of the software which will include all of the functionality of the iOS app. Development will take 60-90 days due to the complexity of the code. This is huge news considering that the Army is investigating the Android platform as their answer to the Nett Warrior program. Unfortunately, the Army won’t help support the development so CPT Springer is having to fund the project out of pocket.
Regardless, both apps will be able to work together seamlessly to share waypoint as well as other data.
To get the iOS app visit iTunes.
AlphaDog
October 2nd, 2011Meet AlphaDog, Boston Dynamics’ latest load carrying quadrupedal robot. This nightmarish fusion of machinery and the souls of abandoned canines can carry a payload of up to 400 lbs on 20-mile missions in rough terrain. It’s also extremely good at reorienting itself, looking as pissed as something without a face can as it does so, and the kicks that threw its predecessor, BigDog, for a loop are completely ineffective; shoving still works, thankfully. While it still looks like a monster from Silent Hill, at least this model doesn’t sound like a swarm of evil bees. Also, it kinda looks like an ATAT, which is always cool.
http://www.bostondynamics.com/
This story originally appeared at Tactical Fanboy
