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BLADE Awarded Contract to Advance Critical Equipment Decontamination System for US Special Operations Forces

October 26th, 2026

SOLON, Ohio, Oct. 26, 2026 — BLADE (formerly HDT Global), a leading provider of mission-critical defense solutions, announced today that it has been awarded a contract in support of the Critical Equipment Decontamination System (CEDS) program. The award advances BLADE’s work on the large CEDS variant, a transportable capability designed to restore mission-essential equipment exposed to chemical and biological agents.

Led by the Joint Project Manager for CBRN Special Operation Forces (JPM CBRN SOF), under the Portfolio Management Executive Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (PME CBRND), the CEDS program is designed to strengthen the operational readiness and survivability of U.S. Special Operations Forces.

Developed to support operations in austere, hostile and contested environments, the large CEDS variant provides a transportable solution for decontaminating sensitive operational equipment. By enabling critical assets to be safely recovered and reused, the system is intended to reduce logistical burdens, preserve essential resources, and accelerate the return of equipment to operational service.

“This award underscores our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that protect warfighters and enhance mission readiness,” said Tim Stickler, Sr. Director of CBRN Integrated Protection, Bio & Chemical Security at BLADE. “Through the CEDS program, we are advancing critical decontamination capabilities that enable Special Operations Forces to recover essential equipment, sustain operations and maintain their advantage in contested environments. We are proud to support this mission and provide the reliable solutions our warfighters depend on.”

Posted in CBRNE, Contracts, SOF | Comments Off on BLADE Awarded Contract to Advance Critical Equipment Decontamination System for US Special Operations Forces

Don’t Miss MAG Exchange Industry Night (ANG & ARC) October 26-27 in Tucson

October 26th, 2026

If you’re in Tucson today and tomorrow be sure to stop by the Doubletree Inn convention center from 4-9 PM to check out some of the best brands in our industry during the MAG Exchange Industry Night which takes place during the AFRC & NG WEPTAC.

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, Tradeshow | 2 Comments »

Thin Air Gear Introduces the G5 Olympus Deployment Bag

October 26th, 2026

The original. The only. Built exclusively by Thin Air Gear™ for nearly 20 years.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – October 26, 2026 – When somebody copies your product, it’s a compliment. At Thin Air Gear LLC™, we take it as one. We also take it as a reason to say this plainly: if it doesn’t carry the Thin Air Gear™ logo, it isn’t an Olympus™.

Ruckable: carry it on your back when wheels can’t go

Today Thin Air Gear™ announces the G5 Olympus™ Deployment Bag, the newest generation of the bag that service members, units and mission planners have trusted for nearly two decades.

ONE COMPANY. ONE OLYMPUS™.

Thin Air Gear™ is the only company that has ever designed, engineered or manufactured the Olympus™ bag. No other company has ever been licensed to build it. Every genuine Olympus™ ever fielded came off a Thin Air Gear™ production line, built to our design, our specifications and our standards.

Retractable heavy-duty 14″ telescoping handle

That matters, because copycats are out there. Lookalike bags, some sold under similar-sounding names, have appeared on the market. Some copy the shape. Some copy the color. Some copy the layout down to the stitch. None of them is an Olympus™, and none of them is built by Thin Air Gear™.

THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE BAG ON THE MARKET

Since Thin Air Gear™? first put the Olympus™ into the field, it has become the most recognizable Wheeled Loadout Bag™ in the military and government market. Units ask for it by name because they know what it delivers: a bag that survives deployments, airfield ramps, conex boxes and years of hard use, and comes home ready to go again.

That reputation wasn’t built overnight. It was built over nearly 20 years of feedback from the field, continuous improvement, and a refusal to cut corners on materials or construction. For nearly 20 years, no other bag has delivered the same quality, and no other company has built the Olympus™.

Expandable from 6,750 to 9,000 cubic inches

Hangable, with three Velcro shelves

INTRODUCING THE G5

The G5 Olympus™ builds on everything that made previous generations the standard:

• Expandable, wheelable, ruckable

• Unexpanded 30″ x 15″ x 15″ (6,750 cu. in.)

• Expanded 40″ x 15″ x 15″ (9,000 cu. in.)

• Patented 4″ Shark Wheels, dual ball bearing, 200 lb load capacity

• Retractable composite HD 14″ metal telescoping handle

• ABS frame system with 360° closed-cell foam protection

• 1000D Cordura fabric with ballistic back

• TEK69 twisted filament thread, double stitched and bartacked

• YKK #10 zippers

• Top opening 12″ access flap

• 3 shelves with top 360° Velcro

• 3 inside storage pockets, 3-D aerospace mesh

• Front document pocket, 4 x 6 marking window, ID insert

• 9″ cloth pull and hanging handle

• Available in Berry Amendment and TAA compliant versions

• TSA compliant · Limited lifetime warranty

PART NUMBERS

Patented 4″ Shark Wheels, rated to 200 lbs

Top access flap: reach your gear without unpacking

HOW TO KNOW IT’S A GENUINE OLYMPUS™

• Look for the logo. Every authentic Olympus™ carries the Thin Air Gear™ logo. No logo, no Olympus™.

• One manufacturer. Thin Air Gear™ is the only company that has ever built the Olympus™. No other company is, or has ever been, licensed to make it.

• Watch the name. Lookalike bags are being offered under similar-sounding names. A similar name is not the same bag.

• Order it right. When buying through government channels, specify a genuine Thin Air Gear™ Olympus™ by our part number (OLY-G5-), manufactured by Thin Air Gear LLC™.

• When in doubt, ask us. Contact Thin Air Gear™ directly and we will verify it.

“When somebody copies your product, it’s a compliment. It means you built something worth copying,” said Anthony Gonzalez, Vice President of Sales at Thin Air Gear™. “But our customers deserve to know what they’re getting. Thin Air Gear™ is the only company that has ever built the Olympus™, and no one else is licensed to make it. If you find one without our logo, it isn’t ours. Accept no substitutes.”

thinairgear.com

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Load Carrying | 2 Comments »

Sneak Peek – Shockforce USA by Danner

October 26th, 2026

This is a sneak peek of a new boot coming from our friends at Danner. Debuting at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Orlando this week. Like the name implies, the Shockforce USA is built right here in the USA and incorporates a GORE-TEX waterproof breathable liner to protect against the elements along with a Vibram ShockForce USA outsole for slip-resistant traction in diverse terrain.

This 8” tactical boot focuses protection in the collar with high-density PU foam panels in medial and lateral collar and heel areas for impact protection. What’s more, the toe is polishable making it a great uniform boot.

An additional benefit to this style is the ability to resole this boot, just like the renowned Danner Acadia, known by Law Enforcement Officers across the United States and worldwide. I’ve heard of wearers resoling their boots three and four times. As you can imagine, Danner offers recrafting services, extending the life of this boot by replacing the outsole package. Visit Danner.com for more details on this service as well as the full range of Danner footwear.

If you’re attending the IACP conference be sure to check out the Shockforce USA in booth #351. It will be available for purchase soon. Keep an eye on SSD for further details.

Posted in Advertiser, Boots, LE | No Comments »

BFG Monday: Four Steps to Not Shoot the Wrong Guy: Safer Armed Movement Around Teammates and Civilians

October 26th, 2026

Armed movement isn’t only about getting where you need to go. It’s about getting there without putting a teammate or civilian on the wrong side of the muzzle.

In military and law enforcement environments, teammates, civilians, and potential threats may occupy the same space. Attention naturally gets pulled toward what is happening ahead. That makes muzzle awareness and recognition of the people nearby essential.

A simple four-step sequence helps professionals move safely around others while maintaining control of the firearm:

Carry. Look. Move. Ready.

Step 1: Carry

Before moving, transition the firearm into a high- or low-carry position.

The order matters. The muzzle should be directed safely before the first step is taken, not corrected after movement has already begun.

This becomes especially important when moving around a vehicle, passing through a doorway, or working alongside a teammate. The environment can change quickly, and the people around you may move without warning.

Establish control before you move.

Step 2: Look

Once the firearm is in a carry position, look.

Target fixation can narrow your awareness of everything happening nearby. Deliberately identify the people around you and recognize where teammates and civilians are positioned.

Looking is more than turning your head. It means seeing who is there and accounting for their position before moving through the space.

Don’t assume the path is clear. Confirm it.

Step 3: Move

Once the firearm is controlled and you have identified the people around you, move until you’re on line with your partner.

Being on line means occupying approximately the same lateral plane rather than moving significantly ahead of or remaining behind your partner.

Spacing matters. Being on line doesn’t mean standing shoulder to shoulder. Your partner may need to advance, retreat, or move laterally. Crowding their space can interfere with their ability to react and move.

Account for where your partner is, where you need to go, and where both of you may need to move next.

Step 4: Ready

Once you’ve moved into position, come to a ready position or come on target as circumstances require.

These are different outcomes, and the situation determines which is appropriate. What matters is that you have identified the people around you and moved into the proper position before bringing the firearm back into a working position.

Complete the movement deliberately. Then come to ready or on target as the situation requires.

Four Steps. One Repeatable Process.

The process is simple by design:

Carry. Look. Move. Ready.

These four deliberate steps create a repeatable sequence between deciding to move and returning the firearm to a working position.

When teammates or civilians may be only a few feet away, the fundamentals matter. Control the firearm. Identify who is around you. Move with purpose. Finish in the position the situation demands.

The goal isn’t simply to move efficiently with a firearm.

It’s to make sure everyone who shouldn’t get shot doesn’t.

Watch “How to Avoid Shooting the Wrong Person: 4 Key Steps”to see the complete armed-movement sequence demonstrated.

Train deliberately. Move with purpose. Stay ready.

Explore purpose-built gear designed to support the way you train, work, and move at Blue Force Gear.

Safety Notice: This content is provided for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional firearms training, applicable laws, agency policies, or established safety procedures. Firearms should always be handled in accordance with applicable safety rules and training.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Holsters | No Comments »

Brave Rifles Return: 3rd Cavalry Regiment Uncases Colors, Reinforces Readiness in Korea

October 26th, 2026

CAMP HOVEY, Republic of Korea — The 3rd Cavalry Regiment, known as the “Brave Rifles,” officially marked the beginning of its mission as the 18th Korea Rotational Force (KRF 18) during an uncasing ceremony at Hovey Field, Camp Hovey, Oct. 16, 2026.

The ceremony signified more than the regiment’s arrival on the Korean Peninsula. It marked the return of a combat formation charged with strengthening the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division’s (2ID/RUCD) readiness, reinforcing the ROK-U.S. Alliance and maintaining the combat power necessary to deter aggression and defend the Republic of Korea.

The uncasing of the regimental colors, a time-honored military tradition, symbolizes the unit’s arrival and assumption of its mission. For the Brave Rifles, it also represents the continuation of a legacy of service and a renewed commitment to readiness on the Korean Peninsula.

The regiment replaces the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, as part of the Army’s rotational force mission in Korea. During its nine-month deployment, 3CR will provide additional maneuver capabilities to the Warrior Division, strengthening its ability to respond rapidly and decisively to potential threats.

“Today, we are uncasing the colors of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment as we begin our mission here on the Korean Peninsula. It is a privilege to serve in the historic 2nd Infantry Division,” said Col. William B. Chastain, the regiment’s commander.

The deployment marks a return to familiar ground for the Brave Rifles. The regiment previously served as KRF 14 in 2024, conducting extensive combined training alongside Republic of Korea (ROK) Army counterparts. That rotation included live-fire exercises and operations at the Korea Combat Training Center, where U.S. and ROK Soldiers trained side by side to strengthen tactical proficiency and interoperability.

Building on that experience, 3CR will focus on generating and sustaining combat power through rigorous training, combined arms maneuver and the integration of fires, intelligence and sustainment capabilities. Working alongside ROK Army counterparts, the regiment will further strengthen the coordination and interoperability essential to combined operations.

As part of the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division, the Army’s only permanently forward-stationed division, the Brave Rifles contribute to a formation whose mission remains central to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The Korea Rotational Force also plays an important role in the broader Indo-Pacific security environment. Maintaining capable, forward-deployed combat formations demonstrates the U.S. Army’s commitment to regional security, reinforces its ability to project combat power and strengthens deterrence through a credible, ready force.

For the Soldiers of 3CR, the uncasing ceremony represents both the beginning of a new mission and the continuation of a proud regimental legacy. Their presence reinforces the enduring commitment of U.S. and ROK Soldiers who train together, stand together and remain prepared to defend the Korean Peninsula.

“We are here to keep the peace and honor the sacrifice of those who came before us. The Regiment of Mounted Riflemen is ready to fight tonight, and we will meet any challenge together,” Chastain said.

With its colors unfurled and its mission underway, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment once again takes its place alongside the Warrior Division, ready to strengthen the Alliance, deter aggression and, if called upon, Fight Tonight.

By LTC Arturo Rodriguez

Posted in Army, Forces Focus, Guest Post | No Comments »

Beretta USA Introduces New Multifield Performance Collection

October 25th, 2026

Accokeek, MD (October 9, 2026) – Beretta introduces its new Multifield Performance Collection, a versatile apparel line designed to transition seamlessly from the field and range to travel, the lodge and everyday life. Built on centuries of experience in hunting and shooting, the collection combines performance-driven materials, functional construction and refined styling for those who spend time across multiple outdoor environments.

Designed around mobility, comfort and changing conditions, the Multifield Collection features technical layers and outerwear that can be worn independently or together as part of a flexible layering system. Breathable and weather-resistant materials, ergonomic construction, functional pocketing and durable fabrics help provide the performance needed for active pursuits while maintaining a clean, contemporary aesthetic.

Featured pieces include the Cadet Flannel, a versatile button-down layer with a classic outdoor-inspired look; the Abisko Full Zip Fleece, designed to provide warmth and comfort as an adaptable midlayer; the Highland Heritage Windblock Sweater, which pairs traditional styling with protection from the elements; and the Halifax Sherpa Jacket, a warm, breathable and durable outer layer built for active outdoor use.

“Multifield represents our approach to creating clothing for the way people actually live and move outdoors today,” said Patrick Mocorro, Head of Clothing & Accessories at Beretta USA. “We’ve taken the experience and heritage that define Beretta and translated it into versatile apparel that performs in the field while fitting naturally into everyday life. It’s modern heritage with performance at its heart.”

Together, these garments demonstrate the Multifield philosophy: one collection, multiple environments. Rather than designing apparel around a single activity, Beretta developed Multifield to provide a flexible system that can transition naturally from the field to the range, from travel to town and from active pursuits to everyday wear.The Beretta Multifield Performance Collection is available now at Beretta authorized dealers and through Beretta’s online store.

Posted in Clothing, Hunting, Press Release | No Comments »

Brownells is Committed to Europe

October 25th, 2026

GRINNELL, Iowa — Brownells today reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the European market as the company finalizes its future distribution strategy for the region.

Recent changes in European distribution have generated questions about Brownells’ future in Europe.

The answer is simple.

Brownells is staying in Europe.

“Let us be clear. Brownells is not leaving Europe,” said Pete Brownell, Chairman and CEO of Brownells. “Europe matters to us. The customers matter to us. The dealers matter to us. We have built relationships across Europe for generations. That commitment remains unchanged. We are building the future of Brownells in Europe. We will share more details when they are ready.”

Brownells is actively finalizing its European distribution strategy. Additional information regarding products, ordering, dealer support, availability, distribution partnerships will be announced through official Brownells channels and at brownellsglobal.eu.

For generations, Brownells has built its reputation on expertise, quality products, customer service, trusted industry relationships, support for the shooting sports community.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | 1 Comment »