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DroneShield Receives HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor

November 16th, 2022

Warrenton, VA – U.S. Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh recognized DroneShield LLC as a recipient of the 2022 HIRE Vets Medallion Award during a virtual award ceremony presented by U.S. Department of Labor. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) Medallion Program is the only federal award program that recognizes employers who successfully recruit, hire, and retain veterans. DroneShield earned the HIRE Vets Gold award (as a small employer) for its efforts and commitment to supporting veteran employment on its team.

“We’re honored to receive this HIRE Vets recognition by the Department of Labor and Secretary Walsh,” stated Matt McCrann, US CEO of DroneShield. “We’re proud of each of our veterans here at DroneShield and the work they do continuing to support some of the same Federal communities that they previously served among. Our company’s mission directly aligns with that of many veterans and we’ll always look to incorporate the skills and unique experience of our vets across the company, as well as continue to expand the career opportunities for our current and future veteran teammates.”

DroneShield joins other companies from 49 states, plus the District of Columbia, who have shown a commitment to hiring veterans, but also ensuring that they have a long-term career and growth plan that uses the diverse skills they acquired through their military service.

Recipients of the 2022 HIRE Vets Medallion Award meet rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, including (but not limited to) a high level of veteran hiring and retention percentages, availability of veteran-specific resources, and leadership programming for veterans. More than 1,400 employers have joined DroneShield in earning a HIRE Vets Medallion Award since 2018.

Posted in Industry, Press Release, Veterans | Comments Off on DroneShield Receives HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor

X-Gaiters by Outdoor Research

November 16th, 2022

The X-Gaiter is OR’s first product, inspired by a case of frostbite while climbing Denali. It’s been updated over the years and continues to serve.

Featuring a 90D ripstop stretch double weave construction with neoprene along the ankle and back of calf as well as the rand along the sole, the X-Gaiter is insulated with PrimaLoft Aerogel across the toes and entire lower half of boot.

Finally there is a field-maintainable, adjustable shock cord under the sole.

www.outdoorresearch.com/us/x-gaiters-269287

Posted in Boots, Mountaineering | 4 Comments »

Alien Gear Holsters New Swivel Drop Leg Extension Added to Growing Rapid Force Duty Gear Line

November 16th, 2022

Alien Gear Holsters® beefs up holster carry options for their law enforcement/military line of Rapid Force™ duty gear with the new Swivel Drop Leg extension.

Post Falls, Idaho (November 2022) – Alien Gear Holsters®, designers and manufacturers of American-made holsters and firearms accessories, and the Rapid Force™ line of Level 2 and Level 3 Duty Holsters, announce the new Swivel Drop Leg extension for the Rapid Force duty holster product line. For law enforcement, military, or any professional wearing a chest rig or vest, fully geared up, the drop leg holster system is a necessary carry method, and the new Alien Gear Swivel Drop Leg extension is the latest addition to their growing line of QDS (quick disconnect system) products.

Made from a high-impact strength, polymer blend, the Swivel Drop Leg is a single-strap, Quick Disconnect System, drop leg holster extension that uses a swivel design to move in tandem with the wearer’s leg. With its minimalistic design, it is just as rugged and “built like a tank” as any of the other Rapid Force gear. The innovative movement system allows for a new range of movement, increasing overall mobility without sacrificing security. The Swivel Drop Leg extension covers less leg space, and an easy reach for a secure draw and reholster. It offers an adjustable ride height for low, middle and high and works with the Alien Gear Locking Belt Slide and other QDS mounts. The Rapid Force Swivel Drop Leg system functions seamlessly with the Rapid Force LVL 2 Slim Holster and the Level 2 and 3 Rapid Force Duty Holster.

“For officers and tactical operators, our new Swivel Drop Leg extension increases carry options by allowing the user to maintain consistency throughout our holster system,” Joe Lienemann, Director of Law Enforcement Sales for Alien Gear Holsters, said. “When the situation calls for it and the training kicks in, the operator can safely rely on our platforms for their performance, ruggedness, and durability, and focus on the mission at hand, instead of worrying about his gear.”

Alien Gear Swivel Drop Leg MSRP $129.88.

For more information on Alien Gear Holsters and the Rapid Force line, visit www.aliengearholsters.com.

Posted in Holsters, Press Release | Comments Off on Alien Gear Holsters New Swivel Drop Leg Extension Added to Growing Rapid Force Duty Gear Line

Merrell 1TRL Hydro Moc AT

November 16th, 2022

Now on sale in Australia and Japan and coming to Europe and North America in mid-December, the 1TRL Hydro Moc AT is the latest iteration of their Hydro Moc line from Merrell. To me it looks like a cross between Yeezy and Croc but they are very popular and I am intrigued by this new modularity.

Designed to be used in conjunction with All Terrain variant of the Hydro Moc are two new liners. There is the Neo GTX 1TRL which combines Neoprene with a GORE-TEX membrane. Additionally, there is the Puff Mid 1TRL which is insulated with 200g Primaloft.

As you can see, they’ll be available in four colors.

Posted in Admin | 6 Comments »

Emissary Development – TLR1 Paddle Shifter

November 16th, 2022

Emissary Development has just released the TLR1 compatible version of their Paddle Shifters.

The Paddle Shifter is a direct replacement for the stock Streamlight TLR-1 switch and is available in extended (momentary)or standard (constant-capable) sizes. These are made in the USA and come with an installation tool.

Get yours at emissarydevelopment.com/product/paddle-shifter-for-streamlight-tlr-1

Posted in Advertiser, Lights, Weapon Accessories | 3 Comments »

Poster #8 – Signature On Target For Tracer Replacement

November 16th, 2022

This is the eighth installment of a multi-week effort to share examples of posters which were presented during September’s Future Force Capabilities Conference presented by the National Defense Industrial Association in Austin, Texas.

I’ll let it speak for itself and contact info is on the poster.

Posted in Ammo | Comments Off on Poster #8 – Signature On Target For Tracer Replacement

Lindnerhof-Taktik Sets 16 November for Launch of New Adapter Sets and Harnesses

November 16th, 2022

LENGGRIES, GERMANY (15 NOV 2022)—Lindnerhof-Taktik GmbH will tomorrow round out a remarkable year of product introductions with the launch of several innovative adapters and harnesses designed to make the brand’s earlier gear additions more versatile and combinable.

The new products are:

• Waist Belt MX129
• Waist Belt Adapter 3-Rows MX345
• Waist Belt Adapter Quick Release 3-Rows MX346
• Hook Buckle Adapter MX498
• Plate Rig Harness Set MX731
• Chest Rig Harness MX732
• Chest Rig Adapter Kit LT266

“We believe that users of our 2022 product lineup will love these additional accessories because of the way they permit fast and easy transformation of bedrock Lindnerhof setups into entirely new load-outs offering increased utility and functionality,” said Chief Executive Officer Jakob Kolbeck.

Kolbeck offered as an example the brand’s beloved classic Plate Carrier LT025/5. “With these new adapters and harnesses, we’ve opened the door to turning the LT205/5 into a plate carrier suitable for more types of missions, for more of the increasingly challenging kinds of missions operators are today being sent out on,” he said. “Now, with ease, the good old LT205/5 gains a super-lightweight skeletonised waist belt that’s closable using our patented, cutting-edge hook- buckle system. All you need for this is our new Waist Belt Adapter 3-Rows MX345, Waist Belt MX129, and Hook Buckle Adapter MX498.”

Kolbeck described how those items are utilised. “Loop the MX345 in a crisscross manner on each end of the waist belt, then affix the waist belt to the back part of the LT025/5 carrier, just as you are accustomed to doing,” he said. “To close your new waist belt, fix the MX498 Adapters via the supplied Velcro® fasteners on the front part and close the hook buckle. That’s all there is to it.”

Each adapter is sold separately; however, there is also a special adapter available—Waist Belt Adapter Quick Release 3-Rows MX346—for use with the “Schutzweste Infantrie” protective vest from Mehler Vario System GmbH. Like the MX345, the MX346 skeletonises the waist belt.

“What we’ve attempted to do here is offer our users as much modularity as possible,” said Kolbeck. “Because we here at Lindnerhof are former end-users of tactical gear, our thinking about the development of products is guided by what we understand to be the needs of current end-users. However, that understanding does not come solely from our own past experiences but much more from feedback we solicit and receive from current end-users. We do not forget where we came from, but neither do we lose sight of where the current users are going—and that is on increasingly demanding missions.”

Beyond the new options for updating waist-belt systems into modern quick-release versions, Lindnerhof also is including in its product range several new harnesses.

Said Kolbeck: “If you already are using our Split Front Chest Rig MX266, you’ll know already the new Chest Rig Harness MX732, which is a classically designed, softly padded chest rig harness with extra MOLLE/PALS slots and loops to let you carry additional equipment, such as cable guides, hydration tube guides, and more.

“In combination with our newly released Chest Rig Adapter Kit LT266, you’ll be able to create and set up an individualised Lindnerhof Micro Rig. Also, this past April, we announced the availability of our new MX Panels—they have special loops that serve as attachment points for the Adapter Kit LT266 which, in turn, attaches to the new MX732 harness.”

Of the MX732-related Plate Rig Harness MX731, Kolbeck said: “It completes our new product launch and is an essential accessory if you’re a sniper or just need to carry a heavyweight backpack, sit in a vehicle while attired in body armour, or plan to tote our Backpack HL334. The MX731 is intended for use specifically with our Ultralight Plate Carrier MX244, when you don’t need a ballistic plate in the back, the MX731 can take the place of the back part and transform the carrier into a sort of plate rig that gives you an ultra-low profile with no loss of comfort and release options.”

Kolbeck indicated that the MX731 also includes a skeletonised waist belt that precisely fits into the patented hook-buckle system at the front of Ultralight Plate Carrier MX244.

“We are very confident that these final additions to our 2022 product range are not an end- point but are in fact just the beginning of a strong, uninterrupted stream of creative ideas and options to give users of Lindnerhof gear still greater freedom to set up and load out exactly the way they need in order to meet the unique demands of each mission, so please stay tuned.”

For more information about the new adapters and harnesses as well as other Lindnerhof-Taktik products, please visit the company’s web shop at www.hqg.de

Posted in International, Load Carrying, Press Release | 4 Comments »

AFSOC Conducts Live-Fire Exercise with Rapid Dragon

November 16th, 2022

ANDøYA SPACE DEFENSE RANGE, NORWAY (AFNS) —

Two Air Force Special Operations Command wings partnered in a total force initiative to conduct the first live-fire demonstration of Rapid Dragon, a long-range palletized munitions system, in the U.S. European Command theater over Andøya Space Defense Range, Nov. 9.

During U.S. Special Operations Command Europe exercise ATREUS 22-4, two MC-130J Commando IIs assigned to the 352nd Special Operations Wing flew the Rapid Dragon package to a Royal Norwegian Air Force training range and deployed it over the Atlantic Ocean. An MC-12W Liberty assigned to the 137th SOW, Oklahoma Air National Guard, used its manned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to collect and disseminate information about the release.

This is the first time Rapid Dragon has been employed using cargo aircraft in the USEUCOM theater, and precision munitions capabilities for medium-sized or larger cargo aircraft allows U.S. and NATO forces a flexible rapid response option.

“It’s really easily exportable to our partners and allies around the globe that may want to increase the utility of their air force,” said Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, AFSOC commander, during a recent Air and Space Force Association event. “When you look at partner capability, we have a lot of partners around the globe that don’t have heavy bomber-type platforms that would be traditional carriers of those types of munitions, but they’ve got plenty of C-130s proliferated around the world.”

More than 40 countries operate C-130 Hercules, but AFSOC has been the only U.S. Air Force combatant command to demonstrate this system.

“An MC-130J is the perfect aircraft for this capability because we can land and operate from a 3,000-foot highways and austere landing zones whereas a bomber cannot,” said Lt. Col. Valerie Knight, 352d SOW mission commander. “Additionally, a crew qualified to execute heavy equipment airdrop could employ this operationally. After the successful execution of this airdrop, we have now proven we can employ the same weapons system — creating a dilemma for our adversaries. As the only U.S. Air Force Special Operations Wing in Europe, this capability provides our allies, partners and the joint force an additional response option, strengthening our deterrence capabilities in USEUCOM.”

Developing relationships between allies and partners extended to the total force with the inclusion of an Oklahoma Air National Guard MC-12Ws. Two U.S. Air Force pilots and a combat systems officer were part of the MC-12W aircrew to conduct the mission, with support from aircrew flight equipment and special operations communications Airmen.

“The 137th SOW actively seeks out exercises where we can demonstrate our unique capabilities and create relationships with our partners — not just within AFSOC and the total force, but across a multi-national coalition,” said Maj. Murray Ludwig, a 137th SOW combat systems officer. “Thanks to the assistance of our Norwegian allies, our integration into this exercise has been seamless. We were able to demonstrate that our wing can provide top-tier ISR support and a wide array of sustainment capabilities for our joint partners.”

Members of the 137th Mission Sustainment Team also participated, conducting pre-deployment site surveys and airfield assessments. While it is not the first time the team has worked with coalition forces, it is the first time the MST has conducted their mission in a setting realistic to the austere environments they will operate in as they support global SOF operations.

“The multi-capable Airman concept allows us to become completely self-sufficient anywhere in the world,” Ludwig said. “The training our operations Airmen and Mission Sustainment Team are receiving here will be critically important to their future war-fighting potential.

As AFSOC postures its forces for the future fight, developing unconventional, innovative capabilities to protect against near-peer adversaries is critical.

“This rapid roll-on, roll-off capability extends America’s ability to project firepower around the globe,” Knight said. “It doesn’t require any aircraft modifications, making it incredibly easy to employ any place, any time.”

By TSgt Brigette Waltermire, Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Video by SSgt Izabella Workman

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF, weapons | 3 Comments »