Meet LMS Gear at Enforce Tac in Nuremberg, 1-2 March 2022.
Visit LMS Gear at Enforce Tac
February 23rd, 202210th SFG(A) Invites Warriors Heart to Discuss Matters Held Close to an Operator’s Chest
February 23rd, 2022COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) invited speakers from Warriors Heart to speak candidly about the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the Norris Penrose Event Center Dec. 9, 2021.
Warriors Heart is a treatment center in Bandera, Texas, which provides inpatient care to active-duty service members, veterans and first responders for chemical dependency, alcohol abuse and psychological disorders related to PTSD or mild TBI.
The event was put on by Trojan Legacy—a 10th SFG(A) program that promotes resiliency, recovery and respect within the unit—to help shed light on what undiagnosed PTSD and TBI can look like and lead afflicted Soldiers to medical treatment.
“I almost killed myself,” said Tom Spooner, Warriors Heart co-founder and retired Delta Force Operator. “‘How do I get this noise to stop?’ I was getting lost all the time; I wouldn’t know where I was when I was driving down the road. I just kept going…I had damage to the decision-making part of my brain that I didn’t know of.”
In 2006, Spooner experienced his third mass-casualty event and suffered a traumatic brain injury from an exploded mortar round while deployed which ultimately resulted in an incident where he used the military decision making process (MDMP) to plan his suicide.
“What’s going to stop this noise?,” he continued. “I started going through MDMP on utilizing my Glock and putting a bullet in my brain to stop the noise as a valid course of action. I was doing constraints, limitations, other courses of action, second and third order effects.”
Throughout Spooner’s 21 years of service, he volunteered for Airborne duty, Special Forces and Delta Force.
“Volunteers can’t complain,” he said. “The [Special Forces] selection process guarantees a lot of things. Up front, selection guarantees I will never quit…and I have never asked for help. The selection process guarantees I will not ask for help, and I only do it when I’m off the road.”
Nevertheless, Spooner had a buddy whom he confided in about what was going on in his mind as he veered off course.
“He was my everything guy,” Spooner said. “I would always tell him the truth. He stayed on me, stayed on me and stayed on me. He told me to get help. I had undiagnosed TBI, unprocessed trauma, PTSD and grief going on.”
Spooner finally sought treatment and received cognitive, psychological and vestibular therapy in conjunction with medication. Through medical testing, Spooner found that he was operating at a processing speed of 50 percent and had verbal memory of 50 percent.
“How could I honor the guys who sacrificed their lives,” he said. “Me wrecking my family and my military career is dishonoring them.”
Along with a keen sense of honor, Spooner has a keen sense of regret which, in fact, prompted him to volunteer for Delta Force assessment and selection after serving with 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) for six years.
“There are things in life worse than death, and that’s regret,” he said. “Not having those hard conversations with people I care about. I could’ve said something but I didn’t because I thought it’d jam up my relationship. I don’t know if it would’ve changed the circumstances…but it’s one of my greatest regrets in life.”
Spooner’s own experiences acted as a looking glass as to how TBI and PTSD can manifest.
“If you have a buddy and you’re seeing these same things going on, you can talk to them and refer them to treatment,” said Sgt. Maj. Doug Lane, 10th SFG(A) Trojan Legacy senior enlisted adviser. “We want to create that peer-to-peer network and have candid conversations with our friends to ensure that if there are these issues, we steer them to the right resources.”
Story by SSGAnthony Bryant, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
S.O.Tech Road Warrior Bag in MultiCam Arid
February 23rd, 2022
A travel bag designed by guys who hit the road hard, fast and often – SOF operators. These are guys who are always waiting for the balloon to go up and the call to move out. The guys who live in hotel rooms and stay prepped and organized to lift and shift to the next location on a moments notice.
The Road Warrior Bag has pockets for your power cords, first aid and survival kits, international licenses, passports and travel documents, and a main compartment organizing your hygiene items and meds. This bag stays stocked and loaded in your locker. When the call comes, you throw this in a 3 day pack with a weeks worth of clothes and you are out the door. When you are laid out in your hotel and the team needs to shift to the next town, a quick visual inspection of this pack will remind you what is missing before you blow out. Power cords, batteries, can openers, flashlights, SCUBA license, bug juice, pill packs – everything has its place. And when you get back to home base, restock before you replace because you never know when that phone is going to ring.
The Road Warrior Bag also makes a great tool, electronics or medical bag.
Drops Friday 2/25 12pm PST. While supplies last, no backorders. $99. Use the following code at checkout for free shipping: asseenonssd
See md-textil at Enforce Tac
February 22nd, 2022
Visit md-textil at Enforce Tac at Stand 12-278. They’ve got some new products including an expandable MEDIC Rucksack, a new Placard system and MOLLE pouches.
High Speed Gear NTOA Approved Gear
February 22nd, 2022SWANSBORO, N.C. – February 22, 2022 – High Speed Gear® announces newly awarded product recommendations from the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA).
The NTOA has awarded gold status to the High Speed Gear® ReVive™ Medical Pouch and to the ReFlex™ IFAK System. The ReVive™ Medical Pouch received an overall NTOA score of 4.56. The ReVive™ is a compact pouch designed to carry immediately accessible, essential medical gear. The ReFlex™ IFAK System also received gold status with an overall NTOA score of 4.58. The ReFlex™ IFAK System was originally developed with direct input from active-duty medical personnel. High Speed Gear® is very proud of this major accomplish for both of its premiere life saving medical pouches.
The NTOA has additionally awarded silver status to the Apex™ Sling with a rating of 4.38, the Duty Double Pistol TACO® with Rifle with a rating of 4.02 and the Duty Handcuff TACO® with a rating of 4.1.
“Our company has a desire to design and build gear to the highest standards,” explained Bill Babboni, HSGI® COO. “Our commitment to our customers is that we do not go to market unless our products past rigorous tests. It is a true honor to continue to receive these awards from the NTOA and that just goes to highlight how our team is always focused on creating high quality products that are built to perform and last.”
Previously in 2020 the NTOA awarded High Speed Gear® with gold status for the Operator Belt and Ambidextrous Multipurpose Pouch. The same year the NTOA also awarded silver status to the Mag-Net™ Dump Pouch V2, Duty Flash Bang TACO®, Gas Mask Pouch V2, Bleeder/Blowout Pouch™, and Double Decker® TACO® Covered.
The mission of the NTOA is to enhance the performance and professional status of law enforcement personnel by providing a credible and proven training resource as well as a forum for the development of tactics and information exchange. The Association’s ultimate goal is to improve public safety and domestic security through training, education, and tactical excellence.
Saab Unveils the Deployable 5G Network ‘DeployNet’
February 22nd, 2022Saab is launching a state-of-the art, ruggedised, 5G communication system for military and crisis operations at the Umex SimTEX 2022 exhibition in the UAE. DeployNet, locally developed by Saab in the UAE, further demonstrates Saab’s commitment to creating world-class Emirati defence and security solutions, for national needs as well as for export to the global market.
A key fundamental for efficient command and control in military and crisis operations is communication. DeployNet provides a scalable 5G/LTE wireless network for the most challenging environments, offering high-capacity bandwidth for today’s missions that rely on a multitude of information sources, sensors and user interaction. The compact system, underpinned with robust cyber security, can be deployed rapidly, enabling high-capacity bandwidth in geographically remote areas, or reinforcement of damaged or limited local networks.
“We believe that DeployNet will be a highly valuable asset to both military and civilian markets where there is a requirement for a ruggedised, quickly deployable 5G/LTE network, not just in the UAE but for export globally, particularly in regions without an existing fixed communications network,” says Anna-Karin Rosén, Managing Director of Saab in the UAE.
Utilisation of DeployNet delivers the capability for real-time video streaming in high resolution, push-to-talk functionality and data transfer. Scalable both in terms of user numbers and system range, DeployNet demonstrates advantages in mission scenarios such as base security, search and rescue, reconnaissance, mission training and crisis management. This turnkey solution includes handsets, a power source, administration tools and active telecom equipment that are compact and ruggedised for easy deployment.
Massif Returns To Its SAR-Focused Origin With A Suite Of Battle Proven Garment
February 22nd, 2022Massif dedicates its innovation expertise to FR garments specifically designed for First Responders by o ering a comprehensive collection of flight-ready gear
ASHLAND, Ore. – February 22, 2022 – With over two decades of experience creating pioneering flame-resistant (FR) apparel for the U.S. Military, Massif® is today announcing its new First Responder Collection. Massif is returning to its roots in search and rescue (SAR) innovation with a dedicated new true navy blue colorway, bringing its proven flight-ready apparel to Helicopter Emergency Management Services (HEMS) and Law Enforcement (LE) personnel.
The collection is built around Massif’s revolutionary 2-Piece Flight Suit and ElementsTM Jacket – First Responder and also includes the surprisingly a ordable lightweight and midweight Inversion Base Layers.
Flame-resistant fabrics and uncompromising performance apparel are essential for keeping people safe in the world’s most challenging environments. Born from highly functional flame-resistant SAR clothing and tested through years of military experience, there is no one better to answer the call than Massif. After years of being selected by DOD as the pinnacle of FR gear in aviation, Massif is now o ering the same benchmark gear to those who have desired commercial colorways for use in their respective communities.
The flagship piece in the true navy blue First Responder Collection is the years-in-the-making 2-Piece Flight Suit. Designed around direct user feedback across multiple military branches and aviation platforms, the Massif team wanted to enhance the capabilities of the modern aviator and aircrewman with innovative design features unique to their garments. Long-awaited and overtly requested by HEMS and LE, this suit includes an original patented attachment system that allows flexibility and movement between the pants and jacket while still aiding coverage in flash events. Mesh-lined pocket configurations give the jacket enhanced heat-stress mitigation and quick-drying capabilities that have transformed the comfort of the garment, and naturally, the user.
Massif didn’t stop with the 2-Piece Flight Suit when designing and implementing this new collection, and also launched true navy blue FR Inversion Base Layers in lightweight and midweight options, as well as its battle-proven Elements Jacket. Each of these pieces perfectly integrates with the 2-Piece Flight Suit and together allow for e ective layering options to support any aircraft, job or mission. Inversion Base Layers o er superior moisture management and next-to-skin comfort using a proprietary fabric that excels in stretch and recovery. Engineered with a tri-blend yarn system that provides unparalleled performance across multiple environments, these are the perfect complement to pair with the 2-Piece Flight Suit.
On the other end of the layering system, the Elements Jacket – First Responder is a high-performance softshell made from Battleshield X fabric featuring WINDSTOPPER ® technology by GORE-TEX LABS. This helps the user stay warm, protected and comfortable in some of the world’s harshest climates. This extremely durable, highly breathable garment o ers multi-directional stretch, excellent wear resistance and a superior warmth-to-weight ratio. Its functional design is engineered to withstand extreme conditions and is ideal for those that need to remain on the scene during an emergency.
“Massif is dedicated to keeping people safe, including those that are called on to protect and support others in an emergency,” said Christine Collins, Vice President and General Manager at Massif. “The 2-Piece Flight Suit is pioneering our push into the First Responder space. We are dedicated to protecting all of our customers that work in the most challenging environments including on land, or in the air.”
The Massif First Responder collection will be available in February 2022. All Massif Garments are 100% Made in the USA and Berry Amendment Compliant. For more information on Massif, visit massif.com, or see what the company is up to on Instagram and Facebook.
PROJECT7 Armor – Scalable Plate Rack
February 22nd, 2022
PROJECT7’s Scalable Plate Rack combines some of the best technologies in industry including laser cut Angular Webless MOLLE/PALS load bearing surfaces built from Blue Force Gear Ultracomp and FirstSpear’s Tubes closure system.
It features a streamlined, athletic design to provide full range of motion and allow normal shooting positions. PROJECT7’s “Structured-Texture” shoulder design provides a soft, natural, and high friction shooting platform unencumbered by buckles, straps, external pads, or overlapping armor. The Patent pending, Three-Piece Cummerbund (3PC) design for operator specific sizing, ideal weight bearing, with broad adjustability, and rotational flexibility for unrestrained movement.
They’ve also provided interns cable routing channels and bar tacked anchors for the installation of PROJECT7 ILB Packs and 1PS Single Point Slings.
Additionally, the SPR accepts Upper Arm Protection and Groin & Femoral Protection.
The Scalable Plate Rack is available in Medium, Large, and X-Large platform sizes with eight different cummerbund sizes and offered in the coloring colors:
– OD / OD
– OD / Black
– Black / Black
– MultiCam
