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SCUBAPRO Sunday – Gift Ideas

December 18th, 2022

I have never done this, but I wanted to share what I think is the best gear for someone that might want some new dive gear for working divers.

Masks

The Zoom EVO is a low-volume dual lens mask that is appropriate for all divers, but it is especially well-suited for combat divers who need a low-volume mask for diving O2 and for divers who need prescription lenses. The mask’s innovative lens-changing system lets you swap lenses in under a minute without tools. Even with thick gloves, the Zoom EVO’s one-hand nose compartment is easy to access. SCUBAPRO HUD mounts to the mask frame of the zoom.

Steel Comp/ Pro

The Steel Pro and Comp fit a range of faces and noses well. The Steel masks have been one of my favorite masks, and despite the many years of frequent use, I have experienced very little damage to any of them (I have three) (I have three). I don’t use them that much now because you cannot use the HUD with them. I always carry a backup mask. Its modest volume and flexible skirt make it ideal for deep diving. Thanks to the skillfully constructed softer nose pocket, equalization is not a problem.

The Steel Pro/ Comp Freediving Mask is a top-of-the-line low-volume mask. This mask is designed to be worn for lengthy periods.

The SPECTRA provides a broad field of view, a cozy water-blocking seal, and a low-volume design for simple clearing. The SPECTRA employs a clever double-sealed silicone skirt for maximum comfort and is specifically made to accommodate a variety of face shapes.

In addition to enabling the mask to be folded flat for simple packing, push-button buckles that attach to the skirt allow for simple adjustment, optimum strap angle, and range of motion for attaining that perfect fit. All the above masks can use the Comfort and Odin straps, The Odin allowing you to attach your mask to the helmet’s ACH Rails for simple donning and doffing.

Fins

Whenever anyone asks me what my favorite fin is, it is one of these two. I have not been using the Supernova as long as I have the Go Sports, so the Go is honestly my go-to fin (get it go to, go sport?! No, ok, sorry). They are light, so they are great to carry around if needed and have great power and control for tight spaces like being around piers. I have given away many of these fins because I have let guys try them, and they won’t give them back. All that said, the Supernovas are a close second, if not first. They have unmatched power, control, and speed. I have had units try them, and they switched to them that day. 

The new Seawing Supernova is a step in performance, construction, fit, and adaptability. Its Pivot Control Technology (PCT) and the Auto-Adjust center panel give the appropriate blade attack angle. PCT hinges set the blade at 40 to 50 degrees, which converts kicks into forward momentum. The Auto-Adjust center panel counter-pivots to fine-tune the angle of attack depending on the strength of the kick. Blade form innovation increases power, speed, and maneuverability. Blade’s center panel membrane adjusts the angle of attack based on kicking strength for simpler cruising and maximum power. A key fob-style multipurpose utility is supplied for breaking it down and reassembly. The heel bungee can be adjusted for use with different size boots. It lets you switch from a winter dive boot to a beach jungle boot. 

The SCUBAPRO GO Sport fin has a “boot-fit” design, enabling divers who wear boots for cold water or negotiating rocky shore entries to benefit from the proven kicking performance. Lightweight yet virtually indestructible, this provides great power and control in the water. It is lightweight, making it ideal if needed to carry in the field. The blade has been slightly revised from the original; it now provides mounting points to attach skegs that minimize sideslip and maximize stability. The self-adjusting bungee heel strap allows for a versatile fit. The strap also makes for easy donning and doffing.

Regulators

The MK19 EVO / A700 combines the exceptional breathing capabilities of the A700 with an environmentally sealed first stage from the MK19 EVO that is remarkably resistant to freezing and fouling its inner mechanism. A dry ambient pressure chamber with a double spring for maximum dependability and an LP port swivel turret to maximize hose routing choices are features of the MK19 EVO. The powerful A700 provides best-in-class breathing performance, including smooth inhalation and unsurpassed ease of exhalation. Its precision-manufactured full-metal front cover, valve housing, and casing are all made of metal.

For someone new to diving, the MK2 EVO internal parts, which were created expressly to withstand freezing in extremely cold-water conditions, are downstream piston-style first-stage components. Therefore, you can count on top-notch breathing performance whether you’re reef diving in the Caribbean or wreck diving in the Great Lakes. The R195 is a cutting-edge second-stage design that combines a traditional downstream valve with a sizable diaphragm, a useful purge, and VIVA switch for slick and straightforward operation. The MK2 EVO/R195 is not only the finest option—it is the only option—for both novice and experienced divers seeking a reliable but affordable regulator that can withstand almost all water temperatures.

The MK11 / S270 is a simple, sturdy, and easy-to-use air delivery system for divers looking for dependable performance. Its easy airflow is unaffected by depth, tank pressure, or breathing rate thanks to the balanced diaphragm MK11. With its unbreakable anti-scratch construction and smooth breathing performance, the little S270 can withstand years of rigorous use.

Knives/Cutting Tools

The JAWZ Ti is a versatile, all-in-one multipurpose rescue equipment that is more than just a dive knife. The instrument has two major cutting surfaces with three unique cutting zones, is made of Grade 38 ATI 425 ballistic titanium, and has 316 stainless steel hardware. It also has a heat-injected molded polypropylene thermoplastic grip with a pointed breaker. Choose between a flat black or glow-in-the-dark handle for operating in low light. Included are a sheath and a TacWare J-clip.

The X-Tek X- cut is made from Alpha (hardened) titanium and is used to create versatile, lightweight. Its blade features a line cutter and serrated and smooth cutting edges. The blade is uniquely formed and intended to preserve a cutting edge that is extremely robust for a long lifespan of corrosion-free performance. When focusing on a demanding cutting task, the no-nonsense handle’s contoured design with finger indents and a thumb guard allows you to keep a strong and non-slip hold. A lanyard eyelet is offered so you can always have the knife close to you.

SCUBAPRO WHITE TIP is an ultra-compact, space-saving cutting tool for divers. The WHITE TIP’s blade is made of 304-grade hard-tempered stainless steel for outstanding cutting and oxidation resistance. It has a serrated edge for sawing rope, a standard edge for slicing, and an angled Tanto tip, one of the strongest knife points. A handle slot holds a lanyard. The WHITE TIP is a tiny knife that may be attached to a hose or BCD as a primary knife or carried in a pocket as a backup. I like the Mako also, but I see no need for a bottle opener on a knife.

Black Mask Divers Shears, which rescue divers employ for heavy cutting, may readily cut through entanglements. Marine-grade stainless steel is corrosion-resistant. Most have nylon sheaths; however, Black Mask divers’ have Kydex sheaths. Nylon sheaths must dry before storing shears. But with Black Mask diver ones, they’re dry practically immediately. Also, it’s one-handed. The shear holster system may be mounted anywhere, drawn, and re-holstered with one hand, even when wearing gloves. The sheath can be used with almost any standard trauma shears.

Wetsuits

The new line with its multi-thickness panels, blind stitched seams, and soft inner fleece (Dimond Span Lining), the newest SCUBAPRO’s Everflex Yulex wetsuit is genuinely one of the most comfortable dive wetsuits available. Regardless of runtime, depth, or task loading, the wetsuit provides the highest possible level of stretchability and comfort; after all, you are looking for the best. It is extremely rare for a wetsuit with a thickness of 3 millimeters to offer sufficient thermal protection to be classified as a Class C diving suit in Europe. SCUABPROs new wetsuits, the EVERFLEX 3/2MM, has done this. To say that this is a testimonial to the premium materials, structure, and design of the EVERFLEX 3/2MM wetsuit is an understatement. This wetsuit is widely considered to be the best option for diving. This incredibly cozy steamer was designed with SCUBAPRO’s Pure Design Concept, ensuring a superb fit while allowing complete freedom of movement. The suit can move more naturally with your body due to the preformed dimensional shapes, which deliver unprecedented comfort and flexibility. All Everflex steamers are constructed with 100% Everflex Yulex material. This is the new standard for wetsuits right now.

Lights

A small but powerful dive light that fits in a pocket is the Nova 250. It has an over-pressure valve to release battery off-gassing and three modes: 100% power, 50% power, and Flash, making it the safest compact light on the market. The Nova 250 uses a CR123 battery to produce 250 lumens of illumination (rechargeable or disposable). You shouldn’t worry if the CR123 throwaway battery is left in your BCD pocket during the winter because it has a shelf life of up to 10 years.

Products are available from www.scubapro.com

Shoot Like A Girl Announces 2023 Mobile Range Tour Dates

December 18th, 2022

ATHENS, Ala. – December 14, 2022 – Shoot Like a Girl is thrilled to announce they are hitting the road in 2023, bringing their mobile range to a variety of locations across the country. Dedicated to educating women and their families about the importance of firearms safety, the trailer allows attendees to gain experience in handling and shooting all types of guns and compound bows. The Shoot Like A Girl tour gives women who are new to shooting sports the confidence to begin their journey, while simultaneously encouraging experienced shooters to continue their journey.

“After traveling over 35,000 miles in 2022, we’re excited to announce we will be continuing to deliver some amazing shooting experiences to women across the country,” said Karen Butler, Founder and President of Shoot Like A Girl. “Our Shoot Like A Girl 2023 tour will provide a safe and welcoming environment for women and their families to confidently learn about all things firearms, shooting bows and self-defense. We’re proud to continue expanding on this mission as we hit the ground running in 2023.”

2023 Shoot Like A Girl Tour Dates Include:

• JAN 16: Range Day – Boulder City, NV (Invitation Only Event)

• FEB 16-19: Bass Pro Shops – Daytona, FL (Daytona 500)

• MAR 4-5: Bass Pro Shops – Tampa, FL

• APR 1-2: Bass Pro Shops – Garland, TX

• APR 28-29: PBR – Ridgedale, MO

• MAY 6-7: Bass Pro Shops – Columbia, MO

• MAY 20-21: Bass Pro Shops – Clarksville, IN

• JUN 10-11: Cabela’s – Centerville, OH

• JUN 24-25: Bass Pro Shops – Rossford, OH

• JUL 15-16: Cabela’s – Avon, OH

• JUL 28: Corporate Event – New Port, NH

• JUL 29-30: Bass Pro Shops – Hookset, NH

• AUG 12-13: Bass Pro Shops – Hampton, VA

• AUG 18: Corporate Event – Mayodan, NC

• AUG 26-27: Bass Pro Shops – Cary, NC

• SEP 14-16: NASCAR – Bristol Motor Speedway

• SEP 30-OCT 1: Bass Pro Shops – Kodak, TN

• OCT 14-15: Bass Pro Shops – Chattanooga, TN

With guidance from certified female instructors dedicated to empowering and teaching other women, guests will have the chance to handle and shoot a firearm in the semi-tractor trailer, free of charge. Using a state-of-the-art, military-grade firearm stimulator, guests will experience realistic recoil, impact and sound feedback. Archery coaches will also be onsite to assist guests in shooting bows.

Outside of the trailer, visitors of all ages are welcome to compare a variety of disabled firearms including revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, shotguns and rifles. Additional outdoor and self-defense products from Shoot Like A Girl partners such as Gun Tote’n Mamas concealed carry handbags, CrossBreed Holsters, TrueTimber camouflage, Vortex Optics, SABRE pepper spray and much more will be on display.

To learn more about Shoot Like A Girl’s mission, partners, resources and events, visit ShootLikeAGirl.com.

You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up

December 18th, 2022

Tactical Retailer – “Consider The CREATE Method When Developing Online Content”

December 17th, 2022

As many of you know, I write a regular column for Tactical Retailer magazine. One of the articles I submitted last year was titled, “Consider The CREATE Method When Developing Online Content” and based on the process I have developed over the years to write content.

I spent 21 years in the service and one thing the military loves is acronyms so I created “CREATE” to codify my process.

Consistent: The key factor is consistency of messaging

Relevant: To your brand and customer

Engage: Followers come back if their questions are answered

Accuracy: Being wrong affects credibility

Timely: Consider what is going on and use it to increase interest in your brand

Evaluate: Check the effectiveness of your messaging

Check out the full article at www.tacretailer.com/business/consider-the-create-method-when-developing-online-content as well as others I’ve written over the years.

You’ll need to register but it’s painless.

Eric Graves

Editor

Rehab Warriors, Johns Hopkins University – Carey Business School Announce Partnership

December 17th, 2022

New capstone course to focus on revitalizing disadvantaged communities and solutions for change.

FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 14, 2022 — Rehab Warriors announced that it has partnered with The Johns Hopkins University – Carey Business School to build a new capstone course focused on revitalizing disadvantaged communities.

The course will be a part of the MS in Real Estate and Infrastructure, and will examine problems within communities, and practical solutions that can be identified, developed and executed. The partnership with Johns Hopkins University is a collaboration to pioneer change in a much-needed way. It allows for a direct educational pathway for veterans within the real estate industry to operate as a catalyst of positive transformation to the housing crisis in America.

Rehab Warriors leverages veterans to build a workforce, as they provide veterans with world-class training in residential construction, remodeling, and small-scale development, empowering them with the necessary skills to be a force multiplier as Rehab Warriors collectively rebuilds communities that have been undercapitalized and underserved.

“Partnering with The Johns Hopkins University – Carey Business School to develop curriculum on the goal of Rehab Warriors is an amazing opportunity to equip more people with the tools to revitalize their communities,” said Rehab Warriors Founder Andy Williams. “Redeveloping underserved communities is a vital aspect to restoring the pathway to homeownership for millions of Americans.” 

To kick off 2023 with sparks, The Johns Hopkins University – Carey Business School and Rehab Warriors will be hosting a Summit in January, focusing on the continued proposition of veterans taking on important roles in the real estate industry. 

The Summit will take place on Jan. 10 at 8:30 am ET at 100 International Drive, Baltimore MD 21022. To register, please visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/rehab-warriors-johns-hopkins-carey-business-school-real-estate-summit-tickets-486881895857

Saab Receives Orders for Short-Range Air Defence Systems from Latvia

December 17th, 2022

Saab has received orders for the RBS 70 NG ground-based air defence system and the Giraffe 1X radar from the Latvian Ministry of Defence. Deliveries will begin in 2022.

The Giraffe 1X radar, combined with the RBS 70 NG, will further strengthen Latvia’s air defence capabilities by enabling improved performance.

“Our wide knowledge within ground-based air defence enables us to offer a complete solution within the area. With this order, the Latvian National Armed Forces will receive the Giraffe 1X radar with its best-in-class capabilities, as well as the world’s most capable short-range air defence system RBS 70 NG,” says Mats-Olof Rydberg, head of Marketing and Sales, Saab’s business unit Missile Systems.

RBS 70 NG is used by a number of nations across the world, including Sweden, the Czech Republic and Brazil. The latest version offers an automatic target tracker and a built-in night sight. Giraffe 1X is on contract for a range of customers and is a truly compact, lightweight high-performing 3D radar. Giraffe 1X can be used for tasks including ground based air defence, Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) and site protection as well as naval applications for all types of vessels.

Will Rogers ANGB Selected as Sole Candidate to Replace MC-12s with New AT-802U Sky Warden Formal Training Unit

December 17th, 2022

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall selected Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma, as the sole candidate location to replace its MC-12 Liberty with the AT-802U Sky Warden and to convert the MC-12 Formal Training Unit to the AT-802U Total Force Integration FTU.

Will Rogers ANGB will receive 28 AT-802Us and about 80 personnel to support the mission of the 310th Special Operations Squadron. The squadron will relocate from Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, to Will Rogers ANGB, creating an active association with the 185th SOS.

The AT-802 Sky Warden is a multi-role platform capable of close air support, armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and precision strike missions in support of geographically isolated special operations forces.

A site survey at the candidate location is scheduled in spring 2023 and will assess operational requirements, potential impacts to existing missions, housing, infrastructure and manpower.

Once the site survey is complete, the Department of the Air Force will conduct an environmental impact analysis, which is expected to be complete in fall 2023, before a final basing decision is made.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Editor’s Note: The Sky Warden has been designated as the OA-1K aircraft by the Air Force.

Drone Defence: Austrian Armed Forces and Rheinmetall Successfully Test Anti-Small Drone System C-sUAS – Lease Contract Extended

December 16th, 2022

The Austrian Armed Forces and Rheinmetall have successfully tested the leased Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS), which had been delivered in May 2022, as part of a realistic exercise. Rheinmetall’s deployable C-sUAS system is currently being evaluated by the Austrian Armed Forces alongside other systems as part of the Countering Emerging Air Threats (C-EAT) project. Following the successful tests, the Austrian Armed Forces have now extended the lease contract by seven months.

After the training on the system had been completed, the operational capability of the Rheinmetall C-sUAS system was now to be tested as intensively as possible under real conditions. For this purpose, a sophisticated test programme was developed, which included both test and realistic attack flights by small drones. The aim was to detect and clearly verify these drones as early as possible using a broadly based sensor mix. A possible fight against these enemy drones was demonstrated by means of jammers. A special highlight was the introduction of the target queuing device by tablet from the higher-level command and control system to the jammer operator.

The large number of drones used – from commercially available drones to models with jet propulsion to self-built drones controlled according to the LTE mobile radio standard – clearly showed that modern drone defence can only be efficiently managed in a network.

“A successful and intensive test week provided a multitude of important insights and experiences,” said Matthias Diem, Vice President Counter Drones and Aviation Markets. “From our point of view, the exercise was an instructive example of how innovation-oriented armed forces, together with industry, can gain the necessary insights to develop and adapt tomorrow’s technologies for possible new threats from the air at an early stage. A big thank you goes to the Air Force and Anti-Aircraft Defence School in Langenlebarn for the great organisation and execution of this forward-looking exercise.”

The Austrian armed forces had selected Rheinmetall’s C-sUAS system and loaned it out for a six-month period of testing and evaluation. In May 2022 Rheinmetall Air Defence AG shipped the latest version of its rapidly deployable counter-small unmanned aerial system (C-sUAS) to the Austrian military. This lease contract has now been extended.

The system comprises two shelter units, enabling rapid deployment on standard trailers and trucks. The sensor unit elevates automatically and can be equipped with various detection technologies, including X-band and S-band radar, passive emitter locator, ADS-B receiver and others if required. An integrated, stabilized 360° electro-optical PTZ sensor provides state-of-the-art verification and tracking capabilities.

Based on the tried-and-tested Oerlikon Skymaster command and control system, the separate C2 shelter is a fully fledged operator workstation. Skymaster delivers an outstanding level of sensor data fusion and multiple operational functions, including scalability to integrated target cueing devices and effectors for different countermeasures as well as links to higher echelons.