Oakley SI is launching an entire line of Fuel Cells emblazoned with subtle US Army Division Design Cues in the O icon. The versions on display at AUSA are the 82nd Airborne and 101st Airborne variants.
Some, like the 1st Cav have already been done, but Oakley plans a version for each of the Divisions.
Today actually marks two major anniversaries in the history of US Special Operations. First, is the creation of the 75th Ranger Regiment through the activation of its 3rd Battalion. It’s also the date of 1993’s Battle of Mogadishu during which, elements of TF Ranger which was deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, conducted an operation on that city’s Olympic Hotel in order to capture key leaders of the Aidid Militia.
Unfortunately, during the exfil portion of the raid a battle ensued that claimed the lives of 18 Americans and wounded another 73. Additionally, CW3 Michael Durant was captured by the militia. Fortunately, Durant was later repatriated and went on to retire from the 160th. Of the men killed that day, two would be awarded the Medal of Honor, Delta Operators Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart for their selfless efforts to protect Durant after his aircraft, callsign Super 64 was shot down.
For those of you unfamiliar, one of the best accounts of the battle is contained in the book, “Blackhawk Down” by author Mark Bowden. Much of the information was serialized prior to the book’s publication in the Philadelphia Enquirer. Later this was made into a movie bearing the same name.
If you want to here more from a man that was there in the thick of it, check out Panteao Productions‘s “Battle of the Black Sea” featuring MSG Paul Howe (USA, Ret).
Please take a moment to remember these men and their sacrifice.
This is the GLARE RECOIL™ from BE Meyers & Co. This green laser hail and warning system is the sole-source winner for the MARCORSYSCOM Ocular Interrupter (OI) Program ($49M IDIQ), and is also under evaluation for several other US and International programs, including the US Navy Hailing Acoustic Laser & Light Tactical System (HALLTS) program. It is the proven design.
The GLARE RECOIL™ is the only truly eye-safe Escalation of Force laser dazzler for hail and warning, with an NOHD of 0 meters due to the integration of a laser rangefinder into the safety controls of the system. The GLARE RECOIL™ can easily envelope both short-range and long-range target areas through the motorized zoom functions. It is an amazing piece of technology.
This video explains how the GLARE RECOIL differs radically from any other hail and warning system by illustrating how their patented “SmartRange™” technology works. Watch the video at bemeyers.com/media/videos.
SmartRange™ technology identifies the range to target and automatically regulates the power to correspond with output that is safe for that distance. If the target moves, the systems self-regulates power on target accordingly.
Designed for combat applications, the GLARE RECOIL™ incorporates groundbreaking safety technologies in a ruggedized package that performs in demanding land and sea environments, with impactful hail and warning capabilities able to safely alert targets anywhere from 3 meters to beyond 16 kilometers (10 miles).
Law Enforcement, BE Meyers hasn’t forgotten about you. The GLARE HELIOS™ is the Law Enforcement specific version of the GLARE RECOIL™ which provides identical controls in the same compact form factor, with FDA variances approving the GLARE HELIOS™ for use by all Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement agencies and others meeting specific defense and security criteria.
If you’re going to be at AUSA this week, be sure to stop by BE Meyers & Co (booth #2342) to check out the GLARE RECOIL and MAWL for yourself!
Tomorrow Revision Military will officially unveil its submission for USSOCOM’s Next–Generation Helmet Program, but you get a sneak peek here at SSD. If you’re attending AUSA be sure to stop by their booth and check it out.
Essex Junction, Vermont (October 3, 2016) – In July of this year, Revision Military, a world leader in head protection solutions, was awarded a development contract (H92222-16-R-0017) by the Department of Defense for their next-generation helmet platform program. Tomorrow, Revision will unveil its submission for this contract—Revision’s Family of Tactical Headborne Systems (FTHS). In fulfillment of the development contract, Revision has delivered several-hundred samples for testing.
Revision’s unique multipurpose helmet suite consists of Coastal Marine, Riverine, Ground Ballistic, and Ground Bump systems. Revision has also developed a new set of accessories that will be provided with the FTHS suite kits. These specially-designed accessories enhance the multiuse helmet systems for Boat, Vehicle, and HALO/HAHO, as well as mountain, river, and direct action operations.
The bump helmet Revision developed for the FTHS is the first bump helmet in the industry that can be can be ballistically-enabled with add-on armor, for blunt force and ballistic protection during specialty operations. This novel operational approach also reduces the neck load burden during highly dynamic operations while still providing the protection required to accomplish the mission. This, coupled with the skeletonization of all system components, has significantly reduced the overall weight compared to helmets on the market today.
“We can’t wait for the warfighter to get their hands on these helmets,” said Eric Hounchell, Vice President, Armor and Global Operations, Revision Military. “This is a very exciting opportunity for Revision, and this project continues to drive innovation within our Armor Business Unit. It’s a very aggressive program and I believe Revision has proven itself more than up to the challenge, building a full-suite, custom solution from the ground up. All of the significant resources at the company’s disposal were called upon to produce this cutting-edge helmet, resulting in a product that will give some of our country’s most elite forces the protection, versatility, and maneuverability they require for demanding operations. We firmly believe the solutions we’ve created here advance helmet technology as we know it.”
Revision was one of only three companies awarded a development contract. Revision will also be delivering several hundred systems to a third-party test lab to support witness testing. Overall, Revision’s FTHS also includes a headborne signature PSM (Personal Signature Management) package, blunt/ballistic mandibles, daytime visors, a NVG splash shield, and Revision’s new multilayer liner comfort system with a removable fit band and a concave shell design to support NVG use. Revision’s FTHS suite of products and accessories will be available commercially in 2017.
This 1970 made-for-TV movie stars Darren McGavin and Mako as two warriors chosen to represent their countries in a fight to the death on a deserted island in order to avert war. Intrigue ensues, as was the tradition during the Cold War.
Thanks to TominVA for the find!
After retiring from Delta Force, I’ve spent another decade training Special Operations Forces and Law Enforcement units throughout the U.S. ”You can’t teach experience”, so I still have the privilege of training awesome Americans that protect and serve. “Police Brutality” is an overused term that should only be for a very small percent of individuals that shouldn’t be in uniform. While 99% of LE are doing a great job, there are those few who sneak through by a weak selection process or having quotas due to Political Correctness. It’s easy for the media to judge after an event, but some folks simply handle stress better than others and it’s up to trainers and leadership within those units to identify those not right for the job.
“Where is the Threat?” A suspect running away is not a threat! Not complying with your commands is not an immediate threat that should lead to an execution on the street in Tulsa, OK…or like the Arizona Rancher involved with the Bundy/Wildlife Refuge standoff last winter. The old man had his hands up then he lowered them, only to be executed in waist deep snow…Even if the old dude was reaching for a gun, the agent 30 yards away with a carbine didn’t seem to be in immediate danger. I would have a hard time calling that one a “righteous” kill because I know the average old guy that spent his life ranching couldn’t hit a target at 30 yards with a pistol. And in this business, righteousness means you can sleep at night.
I’ve received my last few traffic violations through the mail, so why can’t we lessen the force? Why not have tougher standards and selection criteria? By trimming the fat, you can pay more and offer incentives that will attract a larger pool to select from and wear the blue uniform to serve the community with honor, respect and professionalism. I remember patrolling the streets of Ramadi and Fallujah where the locals hated me and wanted to kill me despite my efforts to bring peace and security to these dangerous insurgent filled neighborhoods.
Tragically in America today, men and women in blue are experiencing the same trying to bring law and order to rough neighborhoods in the inner-city from Ferguson, MO to Baltimore, Chicago’s South Side to Charlotte, NC. With a world full of growing radical Islam, racial tension and race baiting, why wouldn’t you pick those who protect and serve from the top of the pyramid? We need “Law and Order” now more than ever, to include a leadership who won’t water down standards, hold men and women in uniform accountable and back their decisions to the hilt when they make the right call.
“The phrase Black Lives Matter suggest racial superiority. It excludes the importance of anybody else’s life.” “THAT IS RACISM DEFINED.”
-Sherriff David Clarke
Respectfully, Daryl Holland
Daryl Holland is a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major with over 20 years of active duty experience, 17 of those years in Special Operations. Five years with the 1st Special Forces Group (SFG) and 12 years in the 1st SFOD-Delta serving as an Assaulter, Sniper, Team Leader, and OTC Instructor.
He has conducted several hundred combat missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Philippines, and the Mexican Border. He has conducted combat missions in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush Mountains as a Sniper and experienced Mountaineer to the streets of Baghdad as an Assault Team Leader.
He has a strong instructor background started as an OTC instructor and since retiring training law abiding civilians, Law Enforcement, U.S. Military, and foreign U.S. allied Special Operations personnel from around the world.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Bravo Company USA. Bravo Company is home of the Gunfighters, and each week they bring us a different trainer to offer some words of wisdom.
SSD friend Steve Skubah sends this photo out to all of the homies stuck behind enemy lines.
