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Daniel Defense Announces Free Vortex SPARC SOLAR Red Dot Sight with Purchase

October 20th, 2023

BLACK CREEK, Ga. — Daniel Defense has partnered with another world-class manufacturer, Vortex Optics, to bring customers a very special limited-time offer. When customers purchase a new DD4™, DDM4®, or DD5® from DanielDefense.com or any Authorized Dealer from October 20 through November 18, 2023, they’ll receive a compact, lightweight, durable Vortex SPARC® SOLAR red dot sight—a $400 value—for FREE, compliments of Daniel Defense.

To take advantage of this special offer, customers simply:

1. Purchase a new DD4, DDM4, or DD5 rifle from DanielDefense.com or an Authorized Dealer from October 20 – November 18, 2023.

2. Visit danieldefense.4myrebate.com, provide proof of purchase, and fill out the required information on or before December 23, 2023 to redeem the offer.

3. Get a FREE Vortex SPARC Solar red dot sight—a $400 value!

Head on over and start shopping today at DanielDefense.com.

Posted in Optics, Press Release, weapons | Comments Off on Daniel Defense Announces Free Vortex SPARC SOLAR Red Dot Sight with Purchase

Saab Receives Carl-Gustaf Order from Japan

October 20th, 2023

Saab has received an order from the Japan Self-Defense Forces, JGSDF, for the supply of the man-portable, multi-role weapon system Carl-Gustaf®. The order includes over 300 systems and deliveries will take place in 2025.

Carl-Gustaf is a man-portable multi-role weapon system that provides high tactical flexibility through its wide range of ammunition types. It is extremely light-weight, and has established itself as the main shoulder launched weapon in many countries. It has been in use with the Japan Self-Defense Forces since 1979.

“This order is further proof that our multi-role weapon system Carl-Gustaf meets the high standards of Japan Self-Defense Forces, and we look forward to continuing to support and strengthen their capabilities,” says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.

Proven to deliver results on the battlefield, Carl-Gustaf provides the effectiveness soldiers need. The wide range of ammunition types for Carl-Gustaf makes it flexible and able to handle any situation, whether it is to defeat an armoured vehicle or structure, or illuminating the battlefield during night operations.

The Carl-Gustaf system has a long and distinguished history, which stretches back to 1948, and is now supplied to more than 40 countries around the world.

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, weapons | Comments Off on Saab Receives Carl-Gustaf Order from Japan

Agilite Launches the MicroMAP Plate Carrier Rear Panel

October 20th, 2023

Amid war in Israel, Agilite just launched its extraordinarily versatile MicroMAP back panel that fits onto any plate carrier with rear MOLLE-Check out the features here:

A lot of units had a hand in developing this and there are many of them in the Gaza war right now.

See more at www.agilitegear.com.

Posted in Armor, Guest Post, International | Comments Off on Agilite Launches the MicroMAP Plate Carrier Rear Panel

North Carolina and North Dakota Police Chiefs and Federal Firearms Licensees Indicted for Conspiracy to Illegally Acquire Machineguns and Other Firearms

October 20th, 2023

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging five defendants with a conspiracy to illegally acquire machineguns and other regulated firearms. Charged in the indictment, which was unsealed yesterday are: Sean Reidpath Sullivan, age 38, of Gambrills, Maryland; Larry Allen Vickers, age 60, of Charlotte, North Carolina; James Christopher Tafoya, age 45, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Matthew Jeremy Hall, age 53, of Four Oaks, North Carolina; and James Sawyer, age 50, of Ray, North Dakota.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Inspector General Joseph Y. Cuffari of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (“DHS OIG”).

According to the 26-count indictment, Hall and Sawyer were Chiefs of Police in Coats, North Carolina and Ray, North Dakota, respectively. Sullivan was the owner and operator of Trident, LLC, located in Gambrills, Maryland, and was also an Intelligence Analyst with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations. Sullivan and Trident were Federal Firearms Licensees (“FFLs”) and Special Occupational Taxpayers (“SOTs”), which allowed them, in certain circumstances, to possess, import, manufacture, and deal in fully automatic firearms (machineguns) and other regulated firearms. Tafoya and Vickers owned and operated firearms related businesses in New Mexico and North Carolina and were also FFLs and SOTs.

The indictment alleges that, beginning in at least June 2018 through at least March 2021, the defendants conspired to acquire machineguns and/or other restricted firearms, such as short-barreled rifles, by falsely representing that the firearms would be used for demonstration to law enforcement agencies, including the Coats Police Department and the Ray Police Department. The indictment further alleges that Hall, Sawyer, and other conspirators signed law letters with no expectation that the weapons would ever be demonstrated to their respective law enforcement agencies.

The defendants allegedly intended to impermissibly import into the United States and resell the machineguns and other firearms for profit or to keep for their own use and enjoyment. Sullivan allegedly submitted the false law letters to the ATF seeking to import the machineguns and other restricted weapons. Once the firearms were received, Sullivan allegedly kept some of the machineguns and other restricted weapons and transferred some of the weapons to Vickers, Tafoya, and other conspirators.

In addition to the indictment, Larry Vickers pleaded guilty yesterday to participating in the conspiracy to import and obtain machineguns and other restricted firearms and admitted that he received some of the imported machineguns and other weapons. As detailed in his plea agreement, Vickers kept some of the machineguns and other restricted weapons in his personal collection and transferred other machineguns and restricted weapons to other FFLs and third parties. Vickers also pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to violate U.S. sanctions against a foreign firearms manufacturer between July 2014 and March 2021, in the Southern District of Florida.

Vickers faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for conspiracy to violate federal law regulating firearms and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin has not yet scheduled sentencing for Vickers.

If convicted, Sullivan, Tafoya, Hall, and Sawyer face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for conspiracy to violate federal law regulating firearms and for each count of false statements related to submission of a law letter. Sullivan and Tafoya face a maximum of five years in federal prison for each count of unlawful importation of a firearm and for each count of making a false statement in records maintained by FFLs. Sullivan also faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for unlawful possession of unregistered machineguns and 10 years in federal prison for using criminal proceeds to conduct financial transactions. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sullivan and Tafoya have already had an initial appearance U.S. District Court in Baltimore and were released pending trial. Hall and Sawyer are expected to have an initial appearance at a later date.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF, the FBI, the IRS-CI on behalf of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and DHS-OIG for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys P. Michael Cunningham and Christine Goo, who are prosecuting the case and recognized Trial Attorneys Menno Goedman and Sean O’Dowd of the Justice Department’s National Security Division and Criminal Division, respectively, for their work on the Vickers guilty plea.

Posted in Industry, LE, Press Release | 16 Comments »

Cobalt Kinetics Equipped Lubbock P.D. S.W.A.T. Wins TTPOA 2023 SWAT Competition

October 20th, 2023

October 20th, 2023: Cobalt Kinetics, a manufacturer of exquisitely designed (and expertly built) American Masterpiece firearms and accessories; is proud to announce the First-place win of the “Cobalt equipped” Lubbock, TX Police Departments’ S.W.A.T. team at the TTPOA 2023 SWAT Competition (Oct 5th- 8th 2023). The Lubbock, TX team rose to first place and claimed their victory at the end of the grueling competition all whilst running their (departmentally purchased) 12.5” CK-Pro rifles. The team has also adopted the 14.5” CK-SPR Elites for the Sniper Team/ Section.

“We could not have been more excited to learn that the 1st place rifle sponsor for the competition was Cobalt, especially since our SWAT team just went to all Cobalt Rifles. It just felt like it was meant to be.”

– Jasper Koenig (Lubbock, TX P.D. SWAT)

The Lubbock SWAT team is one of many satisfied adopters of the Cobalt Kinetics platform/s and have quickly noticed how the implementation of (properly designed) equipment allows them to commit to their daily tasks with ease. The Cobalt LE/ GOV division also provides Lifetime Warranty on the platforms, Lifetime Warranty on duty barrels, and Officer Involved Shooting insurance (duty platform swap until it is released from evidence) on all department contract platforms. If you (and your department) would like to book an in-house demo with our LE sales team, please make sure to reach out to us (Sales@CobaltKinetics.com). Your team will quickly be able to see the first-hand benefits of swapping your department over to the “Cobalt Advantage”.

For more information on Cobalt Kinetics and their products go to www.CobaltKinetics.com

Posted in Industry, LE, Press Release, weapons | Comments Off on Cobalt Kinetics Equipped Lubbock P.D. S.W.A.T. Wins TTPOA 2023 SWAT Competition

FBI Seeks New Holsters

October 20th, 2023

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has released a request for information to industry for holsters which for their GLOCK pistols. Pursuant to this RFI, the Government plans to schedule individual vendor demonstrations over a period of two (2) days, November 8-9, 2023.

According to the RFI, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Firearms Training Unit (FTU) is responsible for training FBI agents and issuing holsters for new agent training. This consists of the Glock 17M Gen 5 and Glock 19M Gen 5. Recent additions of suppressor height sights and red dot sights have created the need for a different holster than what has been issued in the past.

Desired characteristics:

Meet the basic requirements as contained in FBI Policy, as it relates to “Approved for duty carry.”

a. All holsters must be Trade Agreement Act (TAA) compliant.

b. No components shall have been used previously.

c. All holsters shall present a 0 degree vertical draw. The capability to slightly cant the weapon through attachment options is acceptable. The vender must submit all attachments required to achieve canting.

d. Holsters must fit their respective Glock 17 Gen5 MOS and Glock 19 Gen5 MOS pistols in the following configurations:

1. Equipped with the Aimpoint ACRO P2 optical sight, Aimpoint adapter plate AP-200520, and AmeriGlo Custom Firearms suppressor height sight set (GL-815, GL-814, GL-813); and

2. Equipped with the Trijicon RMR Type 2 optical sight, C&H Precision Glock MOS V4 Plate (GL-RSH), and Ameriglo Custom Firearms suppressor height sight set (GL-815, GL-814, GL-813).

e. The pistol will have a mounted light attached to the accessory rail with the following characteristics:

• United States Trade Agreement Act (TAA) compliant.

• Mounted to the rail on a Glock 19M and Glock 17M handguns

• Weight not to exceed 4.5 ounces empty

• Length not to exceed 3.75 inches or past the front of the gun barrel

• Depth not to exceed the width of a Glock 19M and Glock 17M handguns

• Switch controlled with ability to one a single finger operation

• Battery light run time: Minimum 1.5 hours

• Attached and detached from the gun without the aid of a tool

f. Holsters shall not be modified to fit both pistols (G17 and G19), i.e. an adapter which allows either pistol to fit in the same holster.

g. Tactical Light-bearing holsters shall be available only in black.

h. Tactical holsters shall accommodate both the Aimpoint ACRO P2 electronic mounted optic option (Modular Optic System) and the Trijicon RMR Type 2 electronic mounted optic option (MOS).

i. Holsters will have an active retention device.

2. Tactical Light-Bearing Holster – Glock 17 Gen5 MOS AND Glock 19 Gen5 MOS Shall:

a. Holsters must not utilize glass filled material.

b. All of the operational controls for the Glock 17 Gen5 MOS and Glock 19 Gen5 MOS shall fit without exception, to include the Glock Part Number 33713 dual extended magazine catch and the Glock Part Number 47249 extended ambidextrous slide stop lever.

c. Be constructed of durable material that will not excessively scratch, mar, or abrade any contact surface of the weapon through the life cycle of the holster.

d. The material and design shall be rigid enough not to allow any digit of the hand to pass between the holster and the trigger guard covering to prevent access to the trigger while the weapon is holstered. The trigger guard shall be fully covered.

e. The holster shall have an active retention device.

f. Secure the holster and weapon to the body at the belt line strong side.

g. Holster shall secure the weapon through strenuous physical activity.

h. Holster shall allow the weapon to be drawn and holstered with one hand.

i. The holster shall not have a lining on the interior of the holster that is susceptible to swelling in humid or wet climates.

j. The design of the holster shall fit the Glock 17 Gen5 MOS and Glock 19 Gen5 MOS exclusively. No holsters that are designed to fit “All Glocks”, or a generic fit will be accepted. Holsters which fit the Glock 17 Gen5 MOS and Glock 19 Gen5 MOS are acceptable.

k. The holster shall be attached to the wearer at the beltline strong side with an adapter that drops the weapon not less than 1.5 inches and not more than 4 inches below the belt line as measured from the top of the belt to the back of the rear sight.

l. The attachment to the body shall be durable and sturdy enough to retain the weapon and holster on the body during strenuous physical activity, to include inversion.

m. The holster shall be of sufficient design and rigidity that the holster will not flex while seated activating some of the operating controls of the weapon, for example, ejecting a magazine because of flex tension on the magazine catch.

n. The holster shall retain the weapon as certified by the manufacturer, with the same level of retention, with or without a light attached.

o. The holster shall secure the weapon through violent motion forward, backward, and straight up without disengaging the retention device. The retention device shall not suffer catastrophic damage through this action.

p. The type, design, and placement of the retention device shall not change or alter the establishment of the grip by the strong hand.

q. The retention device shall be of a design so as not to telegraph its purpose or function.

r. The retention device shall not require the use of the trigger finger.

s. The holster shall not be secured with a leg strap.

t. The holster shall accommodate the above mentioned weapon mounted light characteristics, which do not extend forward of the gun barrel and are not wider than the widest measured width of the gun. Also, the holster does not extend significantly past the end of the length of the Glock 17 Gen5 MOS and Glock 19 Gen5 MOS gun barrel.

To be considered, vendors must submit a company capabilities statement NLT 1:00pm CDT, October 27, 2023. Full details are available at SAM.gov.

Posted in Holsters, LE | 6 Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Lightweight Hoodie

October 20th, 2023

We just dropped the FS Lightweight Hoodie in two new colors, Navy and Charcoal. Head over to the website and check them out. These are short batch, limited stock hoodies for the Fall season.

The new color options, Navy and Charcoal, are modern update to this fan favorite. The athletic fit of the hoodie highlights your physique without feeling too tight or constricting. Who says you can’t look good while running errands or grabbing drinks?

Its soft material feels great and ensures freedom of movement and comfortably wherever you go. Whether you’re on a morning jog or just lounging around the house, this hoodie is the go-to.

Designed and printed in the USA

Visit FirstSpear to find American Made kit and accessories, Built For The X.

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Special Warfare Training Wing: Five Years of Advancing Ground Combat Forces Training

October 20th, 2023

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas —

Five years ago, the U.S. Air Force took a significant leap forward in combat preparedness by establishing the Special Warfare Training Wing (SWTW), an evolution that addressed decades of training shortfalls and operational demands. The SWTW marked a paradigm shift, assuming control over an extensive network of squadrons and detachments. Notably, the wing superseded the former Battlefield Airman Training Group, extending its legacy of ground warfare specialization. Official establishment at JBSA-Lackland was green-lit by SECAF Heather Wilson and materialized on October 17, 2018.

The term “Battlefield Airman” had become somewhat of a misnomer, not fully encapsulating the range of expertise within the unit. The rebranding to “Special Warfare Training Wing” sought to rectify misconceptions, focusing on a collective warrior identity, irrespective of Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). This new identity was also strategic, positioning the Air Force competitively in the quest for robust recruitment and aligning with joint terminology familiar within military echelons. The change acknowledged the unique needs of these Airmen, from recruitment to combat deployment.

A critical component of this new wing was the Human Performance Support Group (HPSG), tasked with optimizing the ‘human weapon system.’ “Much like the wing, this group is one of a kind and was built upon the lessons of two decades of sustained combat operations,” said Col. Nathan Colunga, Special Warfare Training Wing commander. “The Air Force acknowledged that the harsh nature of ground combat requires a level of care for Special Warfare Airmen not unlike that of high-end weapons systems across our force.” The HPSG provides research, development, testing and evaluation of human performance techniques and tools that can translate into the operational community and more broadly, the rest of the Department of Defense.

Senior Master Sgt. Gregory Navickas, Human Performance Support Group senior enlisted leader, emphasized the power of this integrated approach. The group’s success, according to Navickas, is due to its expert staff, who are “committed to the mission” and excel in their respective fields. Its multidisciplinary team, encompassing medical professionals, physical therapists, coaches, nutritionists, dieticians, and additional combat support staff, who work cohesively across the training enterprise. Their unified vision transcends traditional roles, working collaboratively to preemptively address issues before they escalate. This holistic approach ensures Airmen are comprehensively prepared for combat and receive thorough care afterward, extending into post-military life.

A poignant moment in the young wing’s existence, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Medina Training Annex was officially renamed Chapman Training Annex in March 2020. It is now a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt. John A. Chapman, an Air Force combat controller who gave his life fighting to save his teammates’ lives in Afghanistan in 2002. This annex was the beginning of establishing San Antonio, Texas as the “Home of Air Force Special Warfare.” Since making Chapman home, the wing has developed and begun an expansive campus plan that includes the Senior Airman Bradley Smith fitness facility, Forbes Hall renovations, and a monumental new aquatic training center scheduled to open in Spring 2024.

Now five years old, the wing has shown profound progress. “We have attained more consistency and efficiency in the pipeline’” said Michael Delsoldato, Special Warfare Training wing historian. “What we are training our Airmen to do has inherent dangers both in training and in the real world. Although there is always room to improve, the creation of the wing allows full concentration on the holistic production of the Airmen.”

As warfare evolves in the face of rapid technological advancements, the SWTW stands as a testament to the Air Force’s commitment to adaptability and the continuous pursuit of combat excellence. Its establishment not only signifies the evolution of specialized combat training but also underscores the irreplaceable value of human resilience and adaptability in modern warfare.

“Our mission is the same,” Colunga says. “Prepare these Airmen for the physical and psychological load of close combat. This mission is simply stated, yet as I’ve witnessed, difficult to execute. This load is not theoretical, it is real, well established, and these Airmen make a professional choice to shoulder it. And in doing so they accept the personal risk and sacrifice that goes with it. Therefore, we must prepare them and care for them accordingly – and that is the charge of the Special Warfare Training Wing.”

By Jennifer Gangemi, Special Warfare Training Wing

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, Guest Post | Comments Off on Special Warfare Training Wing: Five Years of Advancing Ground Combat Forces Training