SpecialOperations.com

The Mighty Ike Hosts The Joint Strike Fighter!

In October 2015, a pair of Lockheed Martin F-35Cs from the US Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23) and a test team from Patuxent River deployed aboard the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) for the test period dubbed Developmental Test II. The “Mighty Ike” steamed off the mid-Atlantic seaboard while the two F-35Cs and a cadre of test pilots performed a host of scripted evolutions designed to expand and validate the performance and handling characteristics of the 5th generation jets as they operated off the carrier.

“We need to come out to the ship to test integration with the carrier and the ship’s company,” says Tom Briggs, Air Vehicle Lead Engineer of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. “So we focused our testing on the integration of the jet with the aircraft carrier at sea.”

The testing involves much more than just landing the jet aboard the ship and calling it a day. The test pilots had their work cut out for them, with multiple low-energy catapult shots and high crosswind landings on the ship as the test du jour to establish the baseline for the fleet aviators who will employ the 5th generation strike fighter for decades to come. The Navy plans to buy 260 F-35Cs to incorporate within the Carrier Strike Group and its embarked Air Wing.

SD75_F35C_IKE_9OCT15_BOLTER_35FS — A Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II conducts a touch-and-go from the Mighty Ike during DT II in October. (Photo by Jonathan Derden)

Rear Admiral John R Haley describes, “the airplane is a great strike fighter, but it’s also a fantastic sensor. It’s also not out there on its own as a vacuum, sucking up all this information and keeping it to itself. The F-35 talks to the Rhino, to the Growler, to the destroyer, etc.. We’re going to have a mix of airplanes where each has their niche and the F-35 is going to bring the sensor capability and an ability to guide the fight, whether it be air to ground or in an air to air regime. It will dramatically change the way we do business… and we’re excited about what the future of the Carrier Air Wing looks like.”

We’ve put together a short video of F-35C flight operations from the morning aboard the Mighty Ike during DT-II. For the next iteration of testing, look for the F-35s to be carrying external stores to further up the ante for the test pilots of VX-23.

(Featured Photo and Video by Jonathan Derden)

F16 Refueling in Air at Night

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. ~George Orwell

There is indeed a lot of truth to that quote. This Lockheed-Martin F-16C+ from the Alabama Air National Guard’s 187th Fighter Wing is capable of delivering a dizzying array of earth-moving destruction in a short amount of time, day or night, under almost any weather conditions. Thanks to advanced targeting pods and night-vision goggles, our “boots on the ground” overseas can rest a bit easier knowing even if they get into a tight spot at night, combat airpower will be able to provide kinetic effects with great accuracy on their foes.

So enjoy this short clip of Captain Scott “WORF” Eshelman piloting his aircraft off the wing of a KC-135 Stratotanker during a Green Flag-West exercise over Fort Irwin, California.

~SW

Boulder Case Company: High Performance Cases

When we invest our money into gear, the goal is to be able to use it, and store it for years to come. The problem then becomes, how do we store it safely without going broke in the process? Over the years, I have personally had the unfortunate experience of losing expensive DSLR cameras, and lenses because I lacked storage solutions that could withstand the environmental conditions I exposed them to. I’ve tried storing equipment in polymer cases purchased from, Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, and several other big name retailers. They all failed me at one time or another. The only brand of case that have withstood my use and abuse were ones made by Pelican Products, whose cases are known around the world for their durability. Naturally, you can understand my skepticism when three cases arrived in the mail from a company I had never heard of before, the Boulder Case Company.

When my package of items arrived it contained the J1000, J2000, and J3000 series cases from the Boulder Case Company. I performed a quick inspection to check for damage, and to get a better understanding of what type of case I was dealing with. My initial impression was, indifference. These cases seemed to be similar to other brands of cases, and featured standard locking mechanisms commonly found on other cases. I then began to formulate my plans for a series of true Alaskan style torture tests. Before we get into the details of the tests I performed, lets look at the specifications of the cases.

Dimensions:

J1000: Length 4.40″ Width 3.05″ Depth: 1.40″
J2000: Length 6.47″ Width 4.13″ Depth: 1.64″
J3000: Length 8.38″ Width 4.66″ Depth: 1.88″

Colors Available:

J1000: Black, Blue, Yellow, Red, White
J2000: Black, Blue, Yellow, White
J3000: Black, Blue, Yellow

Weight:

J1000 : 3.8 Ounces
J2000: 7.5 Ounces
J3000: 10.6 Ounces

Hinge and seal of J2000 case. Held water tight against the Matanuska River, Alaska

Features on all models:

Stainless Steel hinge pins
80 Feet (28 Meters) water resistance
Lifetime warranty
1/8″ Foam lining
O Ring seals
Nylon lanyard for easy carry
Made of high impact Arcylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS plastic)

The Alaskan Torture Test

When testing a case that has a lifetime warranty, I put that warranty through its paces. If the manufacturer claims a lifetime warranty, then they have faith in the superior quality of the product they are marketing. I consider it my right as a consumer to make sure the company knows people like us here at The Loadout Room, are out there testing their product to its limits. It was with this mindset that I devised the tests I performed. I thought about what sort of hazards a hunter, or wild life photographer might encounter while in nature. I held nothing back in my attempts to destroy these cases.

First Test: Matanuska River, Palmer Alaska.

Weather conditions at time of test: Raining, overcast skies, 42*F

Test objective: To test the water tightness against the Matanuska River’s current for 30 minutes.

Test Summary: When I first arrived I placed an Ace of Spades playing card in the J1000 case and sealed it. (The reason behind inserting a playing card into the case was to show if moisture was able to penetrate the case. In the event that moisture seeped in, it would be present on the face of the card in the form of raised water droplets). Next, I tied 100 feet of military issued nylon 550 cord to the factory supplied lanyard on the case. Once satisfied that the nylon retaining rope was secured, I threw the J1000 approximately half way across the river.

Once the case was floating in the river, I secured the rope around a large rock and let it float in the current for the next 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes, an additional 15 minutes were spent repeatedly pulling the case back to shore, ensuring it submerged in the current, then throwing it back into the river. The case was pulled to shore one final time, and opened to inspect the Ace of Spades for any signs of water infiltration. The results shown below

Ace of Spades still dry after 45 minutes in the Matanuska River, Alaska

This same test was repeated with the J2000 case with a slight snag. I noticed one of the clasps on the case came unlatched during the initial 30 minutes of testing. I decided to continue with the second portion of the test to see how it would perform with only 50% of its latching power. To my surprise, after both water based tests were performed, the playing card inside the J2000 case was still dry.

This is a real testament to the quality of the seals used in the Boulder Cases, with only 50% of the latching power securing the lid, it was still able to remain water tight. I wasn’t gentle with these cases in the water testing phase, but all three passed with no signs of leakage.

J2000 hinge popped open during the river phase of the evaluation

Test Two: The Drop Test

Weather: Overcast skies 42*F slightly windy

Test Objective: To test the impact resistance of the Boulder Case Company cases by dropping them off a bridge, onto the rocks below. The impact surface consists of large to medium river rock, and concrete bridge supports

Test Summary: Once the water phase of the testing cycle was finished, I went to the top of the bridge spanning the Matasnuska River. I didn’t make this test overly complicated, or scientific. I simply walked to the highest point on the bridge, and dropped the cases (individually) over the side rail. There was one failure in this phase of the test, the J3000 case. Upon impact, the J3000 case popped open, allowing the playing card to fall out. When inspecting the J3000 for damage I found it noticeably harder to open, but it still functioned correctly.

Damage after the drop test

The smaller J1000, and J2000 cases both appeared to absorb the impact better that the larger J3000. These two only suffered some light scratches and dents from the rocks. The smaller cases opened, and closed with the same effort as before the drop test.

It’s important to note that the J1000 and J2000 cases landed flat, where as the J3000 appeared to land directly on the seam. The damage to the J3000 is shown in the above photo. When performing the drop test a second time on the J3000, it landed flat and did not suffer a second failure. The clasps both remained solidly in the locked position.

J3000 case after seven days in -3*F

Final Test: Ice cube test

Weather: Constant -3*F inside commercial freezer

Test Objective: To test the water tightness and structural integrity of the J3000 after being frozen in a block of ice for seven days.

Test Summary: The J3000 had a small set back during the first drop test, becoming the weakest link. For this reason I chose for the final test. I figured that a cold test would be the next logical progression. Any defects in the case should become apparent after being submerged in water, and frozen. This test also served as a severe winter weather simulation. What if someone lost the case off the back of a snowmobile, or all terrain vehicle, while hunting in the winter? How would this style of case hold up to prolonged negative temperatures?

I had an empty plastic coffee can lying around my garage that I knew would be water tight. I proceeded to fill the can up with water and placed the J3000 case inside. The lid was secured with duct tape, and the container was placed in my freezer. The temperature is set to a constant -3*F. I then waited seven days to ensure the case was completely frozen in a block of ice. It’s important to note that neither the case, or the freezer were disturbed during this seven-day period.

After the seven days I removed the container, and peeled back the lid. I found the case frozen solid within the block of ice, as expected. I had to remove the case from the ice, so naturally this involved one final abuse test. The tool of choice to extricate the J3000 from its icy cell was a tool we have discussed before, the Stanley Tools FUBAR. The FUBAR is a multi use, pry bar style, tool that features a hammer/pick, perfect for ice chipping.

The J3000 proved to be both moisture proof, and impact resistant following its immersion in ice. I hit it several times with the FUBAR while removing it from the ice and had to tap it against a wooden stump to free the ice trapped under the clasps. A quick inspection showed no warping, or cracks to the outer shell. The hinge was noticeably harder to open when it was first removed from the ice, but after several minutes it became easier. I attribute the progressive improvement to the stainless steel hinge pin heating up to room temperature, melting any ice molecules that had formed around it.

Conclusions: In the beginning, when these three small cases showed up from a company that I was unfamiliar with, I was skeptical. I wanted to see if they performed as well as other brands of similar cases. These cases withstood all the abuse I could think of, short of running them over with a truck. The thought had crossed my mind, but in the end I decided it would be overkill.

They performed well in each test, passing with only one issue. I attribute the J3000 failure in the drop test to its position on impact. The case in that test landed directly on the seam, and from a height of more than 40 feet. When repeated, the J3000 passed the drop test with zero malfunctions.

These cases from Boulder Case Company are well-built, and I believe would stand up to any case by Pelican or Storm Case. I was not gentle to the cases, and it’s important to note that any case can, and will fail under the right conditions. The key is knowing the limitations of your equipment. I would have zero problems placing my camera gear, or firearms, in any case made by the Boulder Case Company. They offer many different sized cases, so be sure to check out the whole line up on their website.

Thanks for stopping by The Load Out Room, your questions, suggestions and comments help us make the site better everyday. If there is a question about gear, or outdoor events that you would like answered, just comment in remarks section of any article. Or use the Comms Check link and we will use our collective experiences to get the answers to your questions.

– Rick D. for LoadoutRoom.com

Bowhunting Deer in Washington State

Unlike 2014, this season started off in the rain. I was disappointed. I enjoyed the evenings sitting in front of a fire, relaxing after a long day hunting. However, the disappointment quickly evaporated as I was presented with my first opportunity at a deer early on. One of the more important things that I learned this season was about the weather. Although warm, dry days make for a more comfortable hunt, they decrease the chances that you will encounter a deer in the day time.

Typically, what I like to do is a sit-in early in the morning, and later in the evening. There is a certain time when it isn’t quite dark, and it isn’t quite light. In the Military we called this early morning civil twilight, and early evening nautical twilight. This is when your eyes will play tricks on you, and it just so happens that this is a great time to encounter a deer. The key is to be in your blind, or stand before these times, and to wait for a deer to come to you. When I am not sitting-in, I like to follow game trails, explore new areas, and glass open areas.

I often get asked what the terrain is like where I hunt. Check out the following video to see the type of terrain that I hunt in.

However, in the rain you can encounter a deer almost anywhere. I was shocked at how many deer I encountered while I was driving towards the area that I wanted to do my morning sit-in. They were walking along the road, standing on hills, and basically meandering around (it was still too early for a legal harvest). As I left my truck I began to follow a game trail – one I had scouted earlier in the season – towards where I wanted to do my first hunt, and I saw a large doe. She was well outside my range, about 200m away. I began a slow methodical stalk to try to get into a better position.

I carefully selected each step. I wouldn’t take more than 2-3 steps without stopping, and looking at her. She was oblivious, just munching down on her breakfast. After about 20 minutes I was about 60m away. I continued towards her until I was within 40m – I ranged her to make sure. I went to full drawn, but had to let down. I hadn’t noticed it, but there were some low over-hanging branches that I was pretty sure were going to deflect my shot. As I moved perpendicular to her, I stepped on a small branch, snap. She looked into my wood line, not at me, but in my general direction. I froze. She gingerly stood up and walked off, my one mistake had cost me.

The following day I had a similar encounter. I spotted a doe about 150m away. Like before, I began a stalk. This time I was able to get within 50m. I once again went to full draw, I waited for the wind to die down, and I released. I think that I had held the draw just a little too long, and in my depleted state I missed her by inches. The arrow cruised just over her. I inspected the area for blood just to be sure, and I tracked her into the wood line. There was no blood and no sign that I had injured her. I went back to the area she was and searched for the arrow. After about 30 minutes I gave up on the arrow. I was using a nocturnal lighted nock, and decided to come back to that area after night fall. When I returned later that night, I was able to recover the arrow from a green glowing bush. I inspected the arrow, no blood, deactivated the nock, and went back to camp.

Although I hadn’t harvest a deer, I had two legitimate chances in two days, and that was exciting. The morning of the third day the rain really started coming down. After parking my truck, and sorting my gear, I started hiking towards a field that I wanted to hunt for the day. Before I could get to the field, I had to cross an area of timber that was still pretty dark. I wasn’t really paying attention because in my mind they were in the field, not the timber. Something caught my eye on my left-hand side, another deer. This deer was quartered away to the left. I attempted to range the deer, but because it was so dense in the timber, my range finder wouldn’t register.

I estimated the deer at about 35m, I went to full draw. Like before, I noticed some low hanging branches. Rather then lower my draw, I dropped to a knee, breathed out, and activated my release. The arrow impacted the deer, and I watched as a bright green LED bounced away from me deeper into the woods.

I wanted to give the deer enough time to die, but with the rain, I didn’t want to wait so long that the blood washed away. After about 5 minutes I decided to go to where the deer had been hit, bright blood with bubbles, a killing shot. I decided to follow the torn up ground a little further to see if I could see any other signs of the deer. I walked no farther than 50m when I saw the deer down on its side. I sat in place, I didn’t want the deer to run. I watched as the deer died, this took no longer than a couple of minutes.

icedeer-exp — Ice inside the chest cavity will help keep your deer cool.

I approached the deer and ensured that it had died. The shot had been with the deer had been facing away from me, not usually ideal. The arrow had entered the rear quarter and traveled through the lower cavity piercing the heart – I discovered this while field cleaning. It was the best possible outcome with the shot that I was presented. I dragged the deer to my truck and began the process of field cleaning. Anytime I can harvest an animal it is a special experience. Although I knew there was going to be a lot of work processing the deer, I had already began to mentally prepare for Elk. I didn’t know it then, but Elk was going to challenge me both mentally, and physically.

— Robert M. for LoadoutRoom.com

How to Pick a Hammock

When out in the backcountry, the hammock is one piece of gear I hear mentioned all the time while discussing ‘what’s new’ or I’m involved in a ‘is it worth it’ type of gear discussion. It generally starts with a backpacking trip and someone sets up their hammock. In a group you will inevitably hear, “Man, I knew I should have brought mine” or “I’ve been wanting to get a hammock for a while now.”

Hammocks can be a great alternative to a tent, especially in the summertime. Although, it doesn’t need to be summer to enjoy the luxuries of a hammock. There are plenty of ultralight minimalist that use a hammock throughout the year. With a warm rated sleeping bag and the right accessories/weather barriers you can used a hammock just about anywhere there is a place to set one up. If you live in an area with minimal trees, rock outcroppings work great and you just have to be a little more strategic with your location. If you live in the arctic tundra, well, you may be out of luck.

Things to consider when buying a hammock:

Is this to save weight?
Am I trying to sleep more comfortably?
Will I be using this year round or just during warmer weather?
Have I borrowed one and slept in it for a couple of nights before making the purchase? This is more important for the people who are purchasing a hammock because they think it will help them sleep better. For many they will, but its better to be sure before you spend the money.

We had the chance to lounge around in some hammocks and get the down-low a few of our favorite models while at Summer Outdoor Retailer 2015. Resident dirtbag Leo has a variety of models with him on his travels from Alaska to Argentina. We’ll have some full reviews of these items in the near future. Until then, check out videos below on each of our favorite models from the show.

There is a design for every type of hammock lounger or sleeper and any of these models will make a great gift around the holidays or for a birthday.

Lawson Hammocks – The Hammock that’s a tent. This is the hammock you want if you’re looking to completely replace your tent or want something with that is reasonably light, gives full weather coverage, and adds versatility. They are a small company that puts a ton of effort into their product. Get it here.

Kammok – Durability, strength, and accessories galore. Kammok has a crazy amount of variety and includes sleeping bags and tarps that integrate with their hammocks. From ultralight to comfort lounger, they produce the most variety we’ve seen. Get your Kammok hammock here.

Grand Trunk – The camouflage hammock (released later this fall). They’re switching all of their hammocks over to a double version. Why? Because, who doesn’t want more room when they sleep? The Kryptec model is perfect for the soldier or hunter who is running solo and ultralight in a forested environment. Get your Grand Trunk gear here.

If you have experience with any of these brands or have a favorite model, please, tell us about it in the comments below, on Facebook, or through the Comms Check.

– Isaiah Burkhart for LoadoutRoom.com

The X15 Personal Flamethrower In Action

Most people will ask “what in the world do you need a flamethrower for?” Well, there actually are some practical uses for a flamethrower.

Igniting controlled burns for agriculture and land management
Melting large amounts of snow and ice – U.S. troops used flamethrowers on the streets of Washington, D.C. as one of several clearance methods for the surprisingly large amount of snow that fell before the presidential inauguration of John F. Kennedy.
Pyrotechnic displays – Nothing like igniting a pile of black cat firecrackers with a 50′ stream of a napalm gas mixture!
Zombie apocalypse – this reason may be a little far fetched, but can you imagine the psychological impact this would have on intruders during a grid down or collapse of society? I’m not talking about the taking of life with this thing; I’m just talking about the psychological impact of witnessing with your own eyes the display of power the flamethrower has to offer – it would make me think twice about challenging someone on their property. Just imagine seeing this flame being projected toward you….

Is this Legal?

Yes it is. Today in the United States we now have the ability to own and operate personal flamethrowers. In the United States, private ownership of a flame thrower is not restricted by federal law, but is restricted in some states, such as California – check your state and local laws before purchasing and/or operating a flamethrower.

rsz_1rsz_dsc_0037-exp — An Awesome display of “firepower!”

rsz_dsc_00711-exp — Great balls of fire….

PackFrame-exp — Military surplus LC-2 Pack Frame.

A U.S based company known as X Matter has developed the X15 Personal Flamethrower. The X15 Flamethrower comes fully tested with everything you need, which this means there is no assembly required. Out of the box both the tank and hose assembly are already mounted onto a military surplus LC-2 pack frame.

Also included in the box are the hoses, pressure valve, Napalm mix, and a 20 ounce capacity CO2 tank which sits inside a military surplus M16 magazine pouch attached to the frame. Also enclosed are the instructions for the fuel mixture.

rsz_dsc_0124-exp — Propane canister being installed at the bottom of the pack frame.

All you as the user will need to provide is the gasoline, water – mixed with the gas this will help the napalm mix into the gas, take the provided CO2 canister to your local outdoor store to be filled, and purchase a blue handheld propane canister that mounts to the bottom of the pack frame – this fuels the pilot light that ignites the napalm mix as it exits the wand.

For the purpose of this review, I will be using 3 gallons of regular unleaded gas mixed with 3 ounces of Napalm mix. Once I have the mixture mixed and ready I will pour it into the X15 tank using a funnel that I had available. In order to mix everything I chose to use a new 5 gallon bucket. I poured 3 gallons of 87 octane fuel into the bucket, followed by 64 ounces of water. Once the fuel and water were in the bucket I began to add the Napalm mix sifting it through a strainer to eliminate any clumps. For the 3 gallons of fuel/water mix we ended up using 8 tablespoons of Napalm mix – adding 2 table spoons at a time and stirring. Once the fuel mixture was at the desired consistency we poured it into the tank, installed the pressure valve, CO2 canister, and pressurize the tank up to 1,000psi depending on your fuel mixture. Once pressurized, it’s time to light the pilot and go to work on whatever it is you’re going to incinerate.

Specifications:

Weight – 49lbs – With the tank loaded with 3 gallons of fuel, a full CO2 canister, and small propane canister you’re looking at some considerable weight to be supporting on your back. For some it may be a two person job to get it onto your back and situated.
49lbs of gear loaded and ready to go.

Dimensions – 14″ x 14″ x 26″
Fuel – The X15 can use any commonly available liquid fuel. For best results without napalm mix, a 90% diesel and 10% gasoline mix is recommended.
Operating Pressure – 1000 psi – For this review our tank stabilized at around 600psi.
Pressurized to 600psi

Max Range – 50ft achieved with 1/4” tip and 90% diesel 10% gasoline mix at 1,000psi
MSRP – $1599

After Action Report:

Our initial batch of fuel mixture didn’t quite turn out like it should, so we abandoned that and started a new one which went much better. I had contacted the company upon having the mixing issues and they promptly got back to me to troubleshoot the issue – on a Sunday afternoon! Once we overcame that issue it was time to load the mixture into the tank and prepare it for transport to the burning grounds.

The first thing you’ll notice once the the tank is topped off is the weight – this may be an issue for some. Lugging around close to 49lbs on your back is no picnic. Reminded me of my days in the Marine Corps humping around a heavy ruck. We arrived at our location and unloaded everything. I had to install the propane canister which proved to be a bit of a challenge because I had the canister already mounted in the clamps. The issue I ran into was that the end of the hose that connects to the canister does not have a free floating cap so you have to actually rotate the canister to screw it onto the hose. Nothing that couldn’t be overcome, but a little frustrating nonetheless. The first few bursts seemed to be mostly a watery mix which didn’t ignite – maybe due to the mixing of the gasoline, water, and napalm. After that though is was game on.

rsz_dsc_0116-exp — Breaking everything down. Notice the frost covered CO2 canister.

For this test I used 3 to 5 seconds bursts. Anything more and my face would have melted off – the flame produced out in front of you is extremely hot. We probably got close to a total of 60 seconds of burn time with the 3 gallons of fuel. The only real issue I had with the entire package were the lack of better detailed instructions. The flame thrower does comes with a quick start guide and paper on mixing the fuel, but it was all pretty vague. A troubleshooting guide may be a nice addition to any future X15’s that go out – that would have helped me immensely when mixing the gasoline and Napalm mixture. All in all, the X15 Personal Flame Thrower is a bad ass piece of gear that is guaranteed to get the job done – whatever job that may be.

*Be sure to wear protective clothing while operating this flame thrower. During my testing of the X15 I was wearing Flame Resistant (FR) clothing made by Carhart, a pair of Safariland Hatch gloves, and my trustworthy Oakley protective sunglasses.

— Scott W. for LoadoutRoom.com

When Flip Flops Aren’t Enough

Flip flops are not typically something that I give a lot of thought to. I usually get myself the cheapest pair I can find, and when they wear out (3 months or less) I toss them and repeat. My thought process behind flip-flops has changed, and it all happened by chance.

I had a Ranger buddy visiting me and he wanted to go visit 2nd Ranger Battalion. We were both shocked at all the changes that 2nd Battalion had undergone since we left the Army. All new buildings to include: barracks, work-bays, athletic facilities, and memorials. The memorials were profound for me. It’s not that we didn’t care when I was in Battalion, we were in the middle of the conflict, and there just wasn’t the time necessary to give something like that the attention that it deserved. They did an excellent job.

After we finished exploring, we decided to go visit the S5 shop. Basically, this is where you get: sweaters, hats, coins, posters, books, kids clothes, and anything even remotely associated with 2nd Ranger Battalion. Like kids in a candy store we bought everything, almost everything. When we were leaving, the NCO that had been running the shop told us to go check out Tactical Tailor’s re-opening.

Anyone who has been in the Military, (in WA State) knows what, and where Tactical Tailor is. If you can dream up a piece of gear, or a modification to that gear, they can create it. It has grown from the little sew shop that I used to frequent when I was still in the Army. Nowadays, they are not only creating innovative designs, but they have every gun accessory you could ever need. So heeding the NCO’s advice, we headed to Tactical Tailor.

When we weren’t able to park within three blocks of Tactical Tailor we realized that this might be a cooler event than the NCO had led on. Behind their main building there was a series of canopies set up what amounted to an open-air bazar. There was a beer garden, loud music, girls in bikinis, and anything/everything a barrel chested-freedom fighter could want. We began working our way through the various merchants, eventually finding the combat flip-flops shop.

2_opt — The Pointe du Hoc Foundation Memorial

What initially drew us over was a green shirt with an orange <2> in the middle. The universal symbol of 2nd Ranger Battalion (worn by the 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions during WWII). It basically amounted to a bat-light. The small shop had: sarong, shemagh, hats, small bags, flip-flops, and some metal accessories (bracelets, coin wrap). As I walked around, the man running the shop came over and introduced himself as Griff. He worked through the products with me, and told me the company’s story.

[Directly from their website]

As Army Rangers with several Afghanistan tours behind them, Griff and Lee saw a country filled with hard-working, creative people who wanted jobs, not handouts. So you can imagine Griff’s frustration when he visited an Afghan factory slated for closure after coalition troops pulled out. But then he saw a worker wearing flip flops that were hand made out of the factory’s boot treads. It got Griff thinking. Why not use the established workforce to make badass flip flops and apparel right there. And so began Combat Flip Flops, a forward-leaning company that builds production facilities, and jobs, in places others fear to tread”. (combatflipflops.com)

Having been to Afghanistan (one tour), and Iraq (three tours) I could completely relate to his thoughts. It is hard to articulate, and I encourage you to watch the embedded videos above and below for a more detailed view into the company’s mission. They are making footwear from Columbia, textiles from Afghanistan, bomb jewelry from Laos, and bags from home. Everything used in product production is sourced locally, helps support the community financially, and with the help from charities (that they support), betters the lives of those most affected by conflict.

I bought the 2015 Men’s AK-47 flip flops, and the PeaceMaker Coin wrap. The flip flop’s were surprisingly sturdy. They have a combat boot rubber outsole (tread), so If you can walk on it with a boot, then you can walk on it with these flip-flops. The quality, and detail are excellent. The main construction is all leather (cow), and the design includes embossed poppies and 7.62 X 39mm casings.

The PaceMaker Coin wrap is a simple design. A coin shaped piece of metal that is finished with waxed cotton lace that can be attached in a variety of ways. For the ladies there is a bracelet fashioned of the same metal. What is incredible about these accessories is that they are cast from unexploded ordinance. They were literally parts of a bomb at one time. The website explains, “when you buy one you help fund the clearing of 3 square meters of UXO. You literally help save life and limb”.

Having used the flip-flops for some time now, I can say that they are still as good as the day I bought them. Believe it or not, there is actually a small break-in period because of the outsole, and all leather design. Once broken in, the comfort increases and I found myself using them daily. These guys come in at $70 and they are worth every penny. For each pair sold, Combat Flip Flop funds a week of secondary school for an Afghan Girl.

These guys are doing some amazing things, in some dangerous places. Their products are high-quality, and have actually made a difference in the lives of those affected by conflict. If you haven’t gone to their website, take a few moments and check it out.

“Bad for running. Worse for combat” -CFF

Below is a video of their full line by November 2015

Check out CFF here.

– Robert McCartney for LoadoutRoom.com

MSR Windburner Stove System

Anyone who hangs out in the woods or mountains knows the name MSR or Mountain Safety Research. The Seattle based company has been pioneering innovative and safer outdoor equipment since it was founded in 1969 by Seattle engineer and lifelong mountaineer Larry Penberthy. Their well engineered products are conceived and mostly hand built in their Seattle headquarters. They manufacture lightweight tents, compact stoves, cookware, snowshoes and several variations of their popular water filtration systems.

The product I’d like to introduce you to is the MSR Windburner Stove System. The Windburner Stove System is similar in concept to the JetBoil line of compact stove systems. Where is separates itself from the competition is how it handles the weather. In windy conditions, I’ve found the JetBoil can struggle to effectively boil water in a timely manner. The MSR Windburner Stove System utilizes a fully enclosed radiant burner and a perforated metal wind deflector that leaves conventional burners in the cold. The 1 liter aluminum pot with built in heat exchanger, easily locks onto the burner to make a quick meal or pot of coffee.

Although I didn’t have very windy conditions while on my last hiking trip, I was able to bench test and compare the results while simulating wind. With a big ass fan from Home Depot and an anemometer, I was able to produce a constant measured 10-11 MPH wind. I used .5L of 60 degree water in a completely cool pot and came up with pretty consistent results over several test runs.

0 MPH wind time to boil: 2:25
10 MPH wind time to boil 2:45

The entire MSR Windburner Stove System and (1) IsoPro 4oz fuel canister nests into the pot for a fully contained system. The optional coffee press is a nice addition for us coffee lovers. Just grind your favorite blend of beans and bring it into the backcountry for a flavorful morning brew. The optional coffee press also has a place within the system for storage.

If you need a personal stove system that has the capability to operate in less than ideal or windy conditions, look no further than the MSR Windburner. Wether you’re into backpacking, mountain climbing or just car camping with friends and family, this would be a great option to try out. I’ve owned an MSR Dragonfly stove since it was introduced and haven’t considered anything else until I used the Windburner. The ease of set-up, lack of priming, less working parts and not having to pump the fuel tank to maintain fuel pressure were all things that appeal to me now.

Windburner features:

Lid with Drinking and Straining Ports
Insulated Cozy with Handle
1.0L Pot with Heat Exchanger
Secure Connection with Stove
Ultra-Efficient Radiant Burner
Pressure Regulator for Consistent Performance
Full-Size Bowl: 16 oz. / .47L
Folding Canister Stand
Coffee Press (sold separately $19.95)

Integrated System: Compact, all-in-one stove and cookware solution features a secure-locking pot/personal eat-and-drink mug with cozy.
Maximum Efficiency: Radiant burner and heat exchanger deliver faster boil times and more fuel efficiency than conventional stoves that use convective heat only.
Windproof Performance: 100% primary air combustion, enclosed design & internal pressure regulator work together to make stove virtually impervious to outside conditions.
Compact Design: Conveniently packs the stove burner, 4 oz. (110g) IsoPro™ fuel canister (sold separately), folding canister stand, and PackTowl® inside the 1.0L Pot. Extra full-sized bowl snaps onto the outside.
Modular Versatility: Customizable system works with optional cookware accessories, including the WindBurner 1.0L accessory pot, hanging kit and coffee press.

Get your MSR Windburner here.

(Featured Image and Specs courtesy of MSR)

– Erik Meisner for LoadoutRoom.com

20th Fighter Wing Deployment Compilation

Happy Sunday, FighterSweep Fans! Today we are very fortunate to bring you a very special presentation, one that has been in the works for some time and we feel is finally ready to share with all of you!

We have talked a lot about deployments, TSPs, and the various challenges of getting warfighters both downrange and back home. We have also touched on the realities of modern air combat, thanks to some fine work done by Combat Camera professionals who’ve deployed and embedded themselves with various flying units conducting combat operations.

We’d like to present to you another home-grown FighterSweep video. This one depicts deployed real-world missions as seen through the eyes of pilots in the 20th Fighter Wing, a unit we’ve worked with extensively over the past four years as they’ve been at home station at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, and deployed for the real thing.

923920_F16_SW_JUNE15_HI1FS — “Slapshot,” the Wild Weasel 50th anniversary tail flash was revealed at Shaw AFB, Souther Carolina earlier this summer.

While the bread-and-butter skill of the Block 50 F-16CJ is SEAD, the jet and the professional men and women who fly it are also very adept at conducting other mission sets: Dynamic Targeting, Air Interdiction, Escort, Close Air Support, and others. While there is no threat requiring Wild Weasel missions in Afghanistan, there continues to be a need for combat airpower of those other flavors. The 20th Fighter Wing is ready and will answer the call when it rings through!

– Scott Wolff for FighterSweep.com

Happy Birthday To The USAF!

Happy Friday, FighterSweep Fans! Today we are celebrating the creation of the United States Air Force, sixty-eight years ago today when President Truman signed the National Security Act and established a new defense organization independent of its previous life as part of the Army.

As you read these words, airmen all over the globe are hard at work, reminding friend and foe alike why the courage, innovation, tactical prowess, and overwhelming mastery of the aerial battlespace have come to be the calling card of the USAF. It is the most respected, feared, agile, capable, and dominant instrument of air power the world has ever seen…bar none.

The value of airpower has been demonstrated in every major conflict since the dawn of the 20th Century. That proud heritage began with the heroes of the Lafayette Escadrille and continues on to this moment, where the first two combat-coded F-35As have begun local flying at their home station of Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

The truth is, we live in uncertain times. The Air Force is in a position where its senior leaders have to decide the way ahead and continue to ensure battlespace dominance, all while they make agonizing choices about the longevity of current inventory and despite our nation’s fiscal and societal challenges. It’s no small task.

The world is a very scary and dark place, and regardless of the origins of the current menace, we can rest assured the sword of freedom is well placed on the wings of our men and women in blue. As General Mark Welsh, Air Force Chief of Staff says, “Tomorrow’s Air Force rests in America’s hands. I have faith were entrusting our future to the hands of servant leaders…heroes whose stories are still being written.”

Happy Birthday to the USAF!