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Bobby Inman to Head Xe

March 10th, 2011

According to a Fox News report, the company formerly known as Blackwater (now Xe) is getting a new boss in the name of Rear Admiral (USN, Ret) Bobby Inman. Oddly, the Fox News article says that the selection of Inman is a part of an “Image Makeover”. Well, we see how well that worked last time don’t we? But let’s be honest, I’m not really sure how hiring a 79 year old former Vice Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Director of the National Security Agency, and Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency is going to improve their image. Oh, it might light a few fires under some asses to cut the grass down in Moyock when he makes the odd appearance, but all in all it is just another sign of the same kinds of decisions that got them where they are today; riding in the back of the train instead of driving it.

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Camo Boffins Get Ready!

March 10th, 2011

Just in case the previous presolicitation message that was released via FedBizOpps on 28 Feb wasn’t enough, the Army issued ANOTHER presolicitation yesterday for the “U.S. Army Camouflage Improvement Effort” (Solicitation Number: W911QY-11-R-0008). According to the notice, the actual solicitation will drop on 18 March, 2011 so nothing has changed there or anywhere else for that matter. Naturally, it’s a Friday which invariably means no weekend for those working at firms who will be competing. It seems there is an unwritten rule that all deployment orders and major solicitations are issued on Friday afternoon. To those involved; gird your loins. It seems that someone is excited enough about this to issue two presolicitations in as many weeks.

Posted in Camo, Contracts, PEO-Soldier | Comments Off on Camo Boffins Get Ready!

Battlefield Airmen on the Job

March 10th, 2011

We like seeing official Air Force photos of Battlefield Airmen applying airmanship to the tasks at hand. In this case we see U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Stacy Maxey, a command air mobility liaison officer with Task Force CROM, giving a landing zone safety officer course U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and Romanian army personnel at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lagman, Afghanistan.

You will note the combination of AF Digital Tigerstripe, Army UCP and Army OCP (MultiCam) clothing and equipment on the Airmen in the photo. Expect this to be the norm for at least the near future as deploying Airmen transition to OCP.

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Posted in Air Force, Camo, Clothing, Multicam | 2 Comments »

Special Forces Plate Carrier Back Panel from ATS Tactical

March 9th, 2011

ATS Tactical doesn’t build a lot of gear but rather concentrates on special products not widely available. Recently, they have been offering a very specialized piece of kit developed for a small group of assaulters and breachers. Called the Special Forces Plate Carrier Back Panel, it integrates several features into one design that attaches directly to the back of an armor vest. The long pocket down the right side is for carrying charges, and has an elastic tensioning strap. You will notice a D ring which can be used to secure items like gloves. Next to the charge pocket is a small 3 channel by 3 channel PALS webbing field to add pouches for functional equipment. Below this is a carrier for the ATS Small Medical Pouch built right into the panel. Along the left edge are loops to secure entry tools. Finally, the panel features a pocket for a hydration reservoir.

It is manufactured from 500D Cordura in order to help save weight and available in Coyote Brown, Ranger Green and MultiCam. ATS Tactical products are Berry compliant and come with a lifetime guarantee. It is not listed for sale on their site. You will need to contact them to order. www.atstacticalgear.com

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The Importance of FR

March 9th, 2011

We think it’s good to offer evidence every once in awhile as to how well military issue personal protective equipment works. In this interview of SFC Sarah Walker who survived a suicide bomb attack, you will see that the Army Combat Shirt built by Massif Mountain Gear is a great example of a product designed to combine comfort and protection. The video also demonstrates how critical FR protection is by showing the contrast of her burned and protected skin.

www.massif.com

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Posted in ACS, FR | 1 Comment »

HP White to Perform Ballistics Testing for NIJ Body Armor Performance Project

March 9th, 2011

H.P. White Laboratory, Inc., the world’s largest independent test laboratory for body armor, has contracted to work with the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF; policeforum.org) to conduct comparative ballistics resistance testing on new and used law enforcement body armor for the research study: Physical and Environmental Effects on the Performance of Body Armor. In a 18-month study funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) they will integrate data collected in a two stage process. In phase one, PERF will conduct a survey to evaluate how body armor is used, maintained and stored over time. In phase II, used soft body armor samples (and usage histories) will be collected from officers in 30 agencies across a range of US climates.

“HP White is honored to work with PERF and support the NIJ in its mission of advancing body armor design and the protection of law enforcement personnel,” said Mike Parker, president of HP White. “This is critically important work that will give law enforcement empirical data on body armor performance over the life of the protective equipment.”

Then, through a series of abbreviated tests based on the NIJ 0101.06 standard, HP White will then conduct comparative evaluations to match the ballistics properties of used body armor samples against an equivalent control group of new body armor samples. These comparative data will identify the variables, with each used body armor sample, which contribute to armor failure.

For more information visit www.hpwhite.com, or call 1-410-838-6550.

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Support a Worthy Cause and Get a Tshirt – Update

March 9th, 2011

ORDERS CLOSE Wednesday, March 9 at Midnight

Elite Defense is helping some friends raise money for the children of SSG Kevin Pape and SFC Lance Vogeler, from 1/75th Ranger Battalion. All proceeds from Tshirts sold will be given to the families. Shirts are $20 and come in sizes: small, medium, large, & x-large; shipping will be based on flat rate boxes from the post office, so a flat rate of $5 for 1-4 shirts and flat rate of $10 for 4 or more shirts. Make sure you get it in time for Saint Patrick’s Day so order now. I saw the list of how many folks have ordered and I know we can do better than this.

The organizers have asked us to tell you that ORDERS CLOSE Wednesday, March 9 at Midnight. All orders received after midnight will not be filled. This does not mean you have to have your money turned in by the 9th but they do need to have all orders completed.

To verify an order you have already placed please contact: 31memorialfund@gmail.com

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Magpul Now Shipping MBUS II

March 8th, 2011

Magpul has updated their low cost Magpul Back Up Sights. Designed to fit a MilStd 1913 (Picatinny) rail, the MBUS II comes as two separate components; a rear and a front sight. Both fold down out of the way and flip up into place. The new versions are both slightly more streamlined than the earlier sights and they have improved the locking mechanism for the front sight post. For the rear sight they have developed the new N.A.W.S. (No Aperture Window Sight) option. It works when you fold down both apertures and frame the target within the protective wings for snap-shots in Close Quarters Battle situations.

My BHI-15 came with the previous version and it is a good choice but I am glad to see they have worked on the front sight post. Just make sure that you actually take your rifle out and zero the MBUS. It is an M16-style sight and has to be zeroed. Also, make sure you practice with it. While it will most likely be your emergency sighting system, it won’t do any good if you can’t use it.

Magpul has also been so kind as to provide a couple of notes on use: “Cannot be mounted to a railed gas block due to excess heat issues. Front MBUS must be mounted to a railed fore end on the same plane as the receiver rail. Because of this the sight is not compatible with the MOE Hand Guard.”

To purchase visit www.magpul.com.

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Posted in weapons | 1 Comment »

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