Gear Review

Leinad Arms 45 Colt Derringer: The poor man’s Judge

This small pocket pistol from Leinad Arms is the epitome of simple and rugged. There are virtually no moving parts other than the barrel break action to load and unload the ammunition. This particular model is the 45 Long Colt / .410 Shot Shell version. I have personally shot several rounds of 45 long colt without any issues and to my surprise the recoil was not as extreme as I was expecting. Obviously this is a close in gun (7 yards or less). At 7 yards there are no issues with putting your last shot on target.

You can even take this gun a step further and purchase a .410 to .22 LR adapter from Short Lane Arms which now enables you to shoot all .22 LR ammunition through this gun. With the addition of this adapter, the gun makes a great companion to have on the trap line to dispatch small game. This gun could also be used on the trail or out in the woods to dispatch venomous snakes by using a 410 shot shell if you happen to be in an area known for these types of snakes.

This gun also makes a great concealed carry pistol for ‘low vis’ environments where you may need that ‘last shot’ to get out of a tight situation.

Specifications:

Will fire .45 LC ammo, 2 1/2″ .410 shot shells and with the adapter mentioned, .22 long rifle
These Derringers feature a non-glare black matte finish
External hammer
Cross-bolt safety
Tip-up barrel for easy loading

You can find this small 45 long colt derringer at gun shows and various online firearm dealers for as little as $90. For that price you really cannot go wrong having a small derringer that shoots 45 long colt, 410 shot shells, and 22 long rifle. If anything it makes a great conversation piece with your friends.

DOD Scammed of $20 Million For Bogus Chinese Knockoffs

A New Jersey man has been charged with defrauding the United States government and selling counterfeit military gear for over $20 million dollars. The conspiracy to sell cheap Chinese knockoffs began in 2013 and ran until 2018 when government investigators shut down his operation.

Ramin Kohanbash, 49, ran wholesale companies in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and California. Kohanbash’s companies put American lives at risk in war zones as he allegedly sold 200 bogus parkas to the Air Force that are supposed to protect troops from detection by IR Night Vision goggles when in fact they did not.

The deals that these companies made with the Chinese, besides the defrauding the government and selling equipment that doesn’t do what it is designed to do, also violated the Berry Amendment and the Trade Agreements Act, which require goods sold to the military and certain government buyers to be manufactured in either the United States or select countries. China isn’t on that list and that, the government stated in its indictment was something Kohanbash, knew and openly tried to mislead the government on.

In the parkas sold to, and issued to Air Force personnel in Afghanistan, they have a near-infrared technology woven into the fabric that is designed to make the wearer more difficult for enemy forces to detect with equipment such as night-vision goggles. However, the counterfeit ones that were issued in a war zone, lacked the near-infrared technology. It isn’t known if the Air Force reported their findings once the troops began to wear their own NVGs (night vision goggles).

According to the Justice Department, Kohanbash sent the Chinese samples of the actual U.S. military products to essentially copy the overall designs and then emailed instructions on what changes were to be made as well as with the labels that went with the bogus uniforms. He did this throughout the process and would email back and forth with his contact in China.

Once the amendments to the handtags and labels were agreed upon by both parties, the counterfeit goods were manufactured in China and shipped to Kohanbash’s warehouse in New Jersey. Kohanbash then sold the goods to wholesalers and issued fake Berry Amendment certification letters and then falsely communicated that the counterfeit items were, in fact, TAA (Trade Agreements Act), compliant.

In the government’s indictment, one of the defendants, identified as R.L. falsely states that “ I have been to his office and have been in his factory that he makes products for us. It is a fairly large operation. We have been using his products for a long time and he has produced quality products for us at competitive prices.”

Among the other counterfeit items that Kohanbash had sold the military were 150 fire resistant hoods, Polartec ™ sweaters, and Primaloft ® jackets and trousers that he sold to a National Guard unit in North Kingstown, RI. He then sold more counterfeit Primaloft ® jackets and trousers to another National Guard unit in East Greenwich, RI.

It should be noted that the items that Kohanbash sold to the military were tagged to read, “permanently flame resistant” and that they met a specific industry standard for flame-resistant uniforms. When, in fact, the clothing was not flame resistant at all.

When Justice Department officials raided his offices, they confiscated over 1700 boxes of uniform items including counterfeit gloves, poncho liners, and fleece jackets. Government agents also seized over $24,000 in cash.

The indictment for Kohanbash can be seen here:

In addition to recovering the $20,000,000 fraudulently charged to the United States government for counterfeit items, Kohanbash is also facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Which is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 5 years in federal prison, 3 years supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000; Trafficking in counterfeit goods, which is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 10 years in federal prison, 3 years supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

He is due to be arraigned on June 12.

While the garment industry, especially in the NY/NJ area is full of “knockoffs”, brands that get sold to retailers as the genuine article. This case goes far beyond that. Military members lives were put in danger by selling them materials that were supposed to protect them in either a combat or a hazardous situation and they do not.

Photo: DOD, Justice Department

Special Op’s Gear Review: Salomon XA Forces Mid-Boot

Okay, so anyone who knows me or has read any of my articles in the past knows that I am and have always been a huge Merrell fan. Owner of too many pairs to count, Merrells are my go-to boots for anything. But that may be subject to change.

I like to scan and read whatever is out there and have been intrigued with Salomon boots for quite some time. They are producing some of the most popular boots on the market and our troops, specifically our Special Operations Forces are wearing them more during their overseas tours.

Salomon is hardly a newcomer to the boot business, they began the company under François Salomon in 1947 in Annecy, Rhône-Alpes which is located on the southeastern border of France. Now the company produces some of the very best in a variety of options. Everything from water shoes, trail running, hiking, ski boots and of course the tactical boots which we tested recently.

We ordered a set of the Salomon XA Forces Mid-Boots thru Tactical Outfitters and have been putting them thru the paces for the past few days. We’ve probably put between 25-30 miles on them thus far, so we can’t yet comment on the durability of the boots but here’s what we’ve seen at this point and we’ll add more comments below.

Pros:

Lightweight
Versatile, can function in nearly any environment
No break-in time required…worn straight out of the box
Sturdy, with improved design for hikers and tactical users
Excellent tread design, sure footing everywhere
Speed laces and storage is a small but great feature
Ortholite Sockliner
Rubber toe cap and nice roomy toe-box
Breathe well (Non-Gortex Model)

Cons:

Runs about a half-size small
A bit pricey, but not outrageously so

So, with the preliminaries out of the way, let’s get to the meat and potatoes of the boot. Aesthetically speaking, the Salomon is a great looking boot right out of the box and their lightweight immediately stood out as these not only look the part but will cut down on weight and the clunkiness of some of the heavier boots on the market.

Based on Salomon’s iconic XA Pro 3D, the XA Force Mid has been designed for Special Operations and Law Enforcement units, they’ve increased the durability and have beefed up the outsole.

With the mid-length construction, the XA Forces are light but still provides good ankle stability and support. On your feet, they feel like a tactical running shoe, right out of the box with very minimal break-in time.

The Salomon Quicklace® system is a nice feature and the storage pocket at the top of the tongue is a favorite feature of mine. Obviously, the boots will never become untied and doesn’t it seem like your boots always become untied at the most inopportune time?

The outsole uses the company’s Contagrip® MD and is purported to provide long term durability along with their lug pattern which claims to work well on hard, smooth, soft or loose surfaces. Well, how did their claim hold up? Excellently. The trail we used has all of these surfaces… and more. Between hard packed dirt, to loose rocks and scree, to small sections of either paved or concrete roads that cut across the trail. With some exposed boulders on the side of the trail, we tried the boots grip on these as well and the results were very satisfactory.

With all of the rain, we’ve been experiencing this spring, there was plenty of wet grass and even wet logs to cross and our grip on all of those surfaces was excellent. While all of this was ongoing, our comfort inside the boots was also outstanding.

For the tactical users in the crowd, Salomon has beefed up the upper with a thick rubber panel which along with the curved area at the outsole seem designed for protecting the boots while fast-roping. One of the weak areas that were addressed in the new design was the area around the toe cap. I had read where that area was where the boots (as well as many other manufacturers) would separate. So, the company went from a double to a triple stitch.

The gusseted and nicely padded tongue keeps debris and crap from getting into the boot. It also keeps the tongue centered which can be a royal pain in the backside. The mesh and textile lining do help keep your feet cool, although I’ve found that it works better with a thin layer of socks. Wearing the thicker, wool socks I normally use while rucking got my feet just a tad warm after several miles but not too uncomfortable. We weren’t interested in the GoreTex version so we didn’t test the waterproof part of the equation.

After our initial testing of these boots, one would say they aced the test, obviously, we can’t remark on durability as the time we’ve had them is much too short. If there is one drawback to these, it is that you should probably order a pair a half-size larger. When wearing my wool socks, my foot was about touching the toe of the boot. With thinner, summer socks, it wasn’t an issue. And while the price is higher than some of their contemporaries, I don’t mind paying for quality. And you most definitely get what you pay for. However, with that being said, these are some tremendous, versatile, and comfortable boots. You can wear these boots hiking, on a trip to the range or even as a casual kicking around the town boot. For rucking, they come highly recommended. I can’t get enough of them…nuff said.

I have a feeling my MOABs, (which I’ve always been very biased toward) will be collecting dust this summer. The Salomon XA Forces are going to get a ton of work during the warm weather months.

I especially liked that Tactical Distributors included two little Army men in there. While as a former radio operator (18E), I liked the guy gabbing on the radio with a Mac-10, I’m more partial to the guy with the recoilless rifle. Because… who doesn’t like blowing stuff up?

Photos: Author

Mail Call – Prepping for SFAS Means Proper Fitting Boots, Socks

Your feet along with your brain are the two most indispensable parts of your body in Special Operations Forces. I’ve said many times what my mentors who trained me long ago have said over and over. Your feet are your lifeline in Special Operations. Take care of them and they’ll take care of you. Having spent many years in the Special Forces Regiment, care for your feet became second nature and will be a very necessary function.

We’ve posted several articles on having proper fitting boots and socks here at SpecialOperations.com in the past and much of what you’ll read here are things that we’ve said in one-way shape or form before. But with the Selection classes geared up and the inevitable flurry of packets submitted in the spring, we have gotten some email questions that we’ll try to answer in this and follow-on posts.

By far the majority of the posts we get around Selection, especially SFAS center around either rucking or the Star Land Navigation course. To be successful at each, candidates will be doing a ton of moving and that means moving out with a purpose under a heavy load. Therefore, it is imperative for the successful candidate to have proper fitting boots and socks. So today we’ll go back and touch on those two areas because if either boots or socks become a problem area in Selection, your chances of passing successfully will plummet.

It will also be a good time to revisit the care of your feet and along with the proper boot and sock fit. For many of the younger guys getting ready to attempt Selection, this may seem like a trivial matter, but trust me it is not.

In your prep for Selection, it is always a bonus to have a training partner that has been in a light infantry or an airborne unit. This knowledge will already be second nature to them, however, if you don’t have that advantage or background seek out the advice on this subject from any veteran before beginning your prep for Selection.

Proper Fitting Boots:

I don’t have any knowledge that things have changed at SFAS, although things are always in a state of change there. However, in this case, candidates have in the past not been able to wear any of the high-speed boots in Selection. If you’re attempting SFAS, boots must be compliant IAW AR 670-1. So, that means most of the cool guy boots from Merrell, Salomon, Lowa, Asolo, et al will have to wait until you get to an operational unit. If that changes, we’ll let readers know.

The key for proper fitting boots is ensuring that the boot’s heel sits tightly to the rear of the foot while giving the toes some wiggle room up front. If your foot is sliding around too much, either front to back or side to side, you’ll have friction, which leads to blisters. If your boots are too tight, your toes will be curled up inside and that is a blister waiting to happen. Some people advise buying boots a half-size too large because your feet will swell on a long-range ruck march. I wouldn’t recommend that but if your feet swell that much it may be an option.

Have at least two pairs of boots ready for your Selection class and break both in like you would a baseball glove. Walk everywhere in them until they feel like an extension of your leg. It is a good idea to get boots that have good ventilation and water drainage as they’ll allow your feet to breathe and dry out when wet which will cut down on blisters

Without a well broken in second pair of boots, you are setting yourself up for failure. You are going to get wet a lot during Selection, even on days when it isn’t raining or snowing. It is the nature of the beast. During the events of that day, your feet will inevitably get wet.

But that night, allow the boots to dry out and stuff them with paper towels or newspaper and allow them to dry out properly. Wear the second pair the next day and the first pair will be ready after that. And if your boots blow out on you during an event, you will have a second pair of well broken in ones to take their place. Having to use a new pair of non-broken boots in Selection is not the way to get thru the course with your feet intact.

While a cadre member at SFAS back in the day, one February class was very notable. It was cold and damp and it rained/sleeted and even snowed hard on the candidates nearly every day. The soft sand trails of Camp Mackall, North Carolina were soupy and underwater in many places. The candidates’ feet were wet nearly all the time, and because the training never stops, their feet suffered.

Nearly all had multiple blister problems and our cadre’s medics were working overtime. Many of candidates had feet that resembled raw hamburger by the end of team week. They were forced into switching out their boots daily and those who didn’t have a proper second broken in pair suffered the worst of all. Most of them were gone before long.

Prepping and Caring for Your Feet:

Having been a cadre at SFAS as I mentioned above, I’ve seen all different kinds of foot preparation and care. When I had the night duty at SFAS, another cadre member Doug P. and I would walk around the candidate’s barracks incognito at night to see how they were caring for themselves and their teammates. (Yes, You’re always being evaluated)

You should have a good set of nail clippers with you when attending Selection and ensure that you take good care of those as needed.

Here is where you must know your own body and what works for you. Everyone is different and what works for me, may not work for you and vice versa. That’s where the proper preparation and training BEFORE you get to Selection is invaluable.

Some guys like to spray their feet or use a roll-on type of antiperspirant which is supposed to stop the sweating which is the cause of blisters. While I was never a big believer in this, if your feet sweat profusely as mine do, then by all means, try it during your prep phase to see if it works for you. Other guys, I’ve seen use Vaseline or some type of oil or cream to reduce friction. Again, it isn’t something I’d recommend but it does work for some people.

What worked for me was to use just a small amount of Gold Bond or talcum powder on your feet and in your socks before going on a ruck march. Not too much, it is like anything else, if you put half a tin in your socks, it will clump up and create just as many problems. It cuts down on friction which creates blisters. I’d recommend putting some around your crotch as well. If you get rubbed raw and many will in your nether regions, it isn’t pleasant walking for miles every day that way.

Proper Socks and Fit:

Socks are your feet’s last line of defense. Just as proper socks will protect them from blisters, poorly fitted ones will cause even more problems.

So first, what causes blisters? Heat, friction, and moisture. We’ve already covered getting a couple of pairs of boots that fit well, don’t rub, and are ventilated so your feet can dry out quickly and allow some air flow inside.

Initially, get a good pair of tightly fit synthetic or polypro socks that will wick the moisture away from your feet. Rub your feet down with a light coat of powder or whatever you choose and then turn them inside out. Why? So that the stitching inside won’t rub your toes and create hot spots. That stitching can and will cause blisters.

The thick military issued wool socks go over the inner layer of socks and once again inside out to prevent the stitching from rubbing and creating hot spots. The second sock reduces the friction and will absorb the moisture from the inner sock while cushioning your foot inside the boot.

The purpose of the two-sock system is so that the friction will occur between the layers of socks rather than between the socks and your feet.

Start Slowly and Work Your Way Up During Prep Training:

Once you get the proper boots and socks, then you are ready to begin your rucking prep work. Rucking is a lot like anything else. It is a skill that is learned gradually and by constant repetition. Many young people today want to be instant experts on everything, we live in that type of world today. However, don’t start off by trying to do a 20-miler or the equivalent of the Brecon Beacons on Day 1. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed and distance. As you get more comfortable and better at rucking, the speed and distance will become second nature.

If you begin to get hot spots or blisters forming during prep work, stop right away and deal with those. Waiting until completion may result in a much more serious blister which will set your training prep work back. Once the hotspots and blisters are no longer an issue your rucksack training can begin in earnest.

One more thing about your boots and again it is a personal choice is the way your boots are laced. Again, this is a personal preference type of thing but something to just keep in mind. I used to ruck most of the time in my favorite old jungle boots. The way the boots were constructed as was the way my foot is constructed, there was a bend in my foot that always rubbed during a long-distance ruck march right at the crease of the boot at the ankle.

I’d always skip the eyelet right smack in the middle of my boots right there as it was always a sore spot that would rub. And after many 20-milers under my belt, it didn’t take long to figure out what needed to be changed. With the boots I wear today for the vast majority of my rucking (Merrell MOAB/ Sawtooth), I don’t have that issue. That’s where the prep work and repetition is invaluable. You will find certain things that will or won’t work for you.

We have already tested a couple of different pairs of boots and posted reviews here on the site. I have reached out to a few different manufacturers to get a test pair for future articles here as well.

As always, I appreciate the many questions that you have and will always be here to help in any way I can. Any questions or comments can be emailed to me [email protected] or at my Twitter account @SteveB7SFG

Happy Rucking… DOL

Photos: US Army

Talos “Iron Man” Was Always A Pie in the Sky Option For SOCOM

Opinion: Coming back to reality was the first order of business for USSOCOM this winter. The command finally admitted that the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit or TALOS project was not even close to being a reality, which we reported after attending the SOFIC Conference in Tampa two years ago.

The entire concept was flawed from the outset. The way it was configured, the suit would have weighed close to 600-700 pounds. An operator weighing that much would be in more danger falling thru 2nd story floors he may encounter in Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq than he would from enemy action.

Back in 2013, SOCOM first unleashed its idea for constructing a close-quarters combat suit that was based on the suit that Marvel Comics made famous in the “Iron Man” films with Robert Downey Jr. While obviously not nearly as technologically advanced as Tony Stark’s suit, it was supposed to be the next big thing. The Russians, always one to copy a bad idea if it means trying to one-up the United States, announced plans to build their own version of TALOS.

SOCOM Acquisition Executive James Smith put all that hoopla to rest recently when he told an audience at the 30th Annual SO/LIC Symposium & Exhibition that TALOS is out of reach of our current efforts.

“It’s not the Iron Man. I’ll be the first person to tell you that,” he said. It never really had a chance to succeed, but SOCOM continued to pump money into a dry well, as recently as January of last year looking for a new round of proposals from contractors for a workable potential TALOS design.

Thankfully, reality has set in and the money spent on pie in the sky money pits can be better spent elsewhere. “When we get the exoskeleton here in a few months, we will have the best exoskeleton in the Department of Defense,” Smith added. “It will not be something our operators will feel comfortable putting on a close environment today. So, moving, shooting, communicating in the face of enemy fire … not quite there yet.”

Also in May two years ago, we reported about a much less sexy but eminently more workable solution that was already being tested by Lockheed-Martin. Their system works, doesn’t make an operator the size of a pickup truck and doesn’t need a battery bank that will light up Manhattan.

Lo and behold, the Army was testing this system called “Onyx” back in June with members of the 10th Mountain Division at the US Army Natick Labs to get a clear picture of how well this system will work. In our original piece, we noted that Lockheed-Martin had already tested this exoskeleton extensively with an American Special Operations unit and they put the unit thru the paces jumping up and down on walls, staircases and humping heavy loads around a simulated battlefield.

So, no, Lockheed-Martin didn’t build a suit that will protect an operator thru a nuclear blast, fly thru the air like Superman and shoot laser weapons that will knock down tall buildings…but one that will protect an operator’s knees and back by easing the amount of weight those joints bear in the day-to-day operation of conducting special operations.

Finally. SOCOM is ditching the sci-fi geek projects that will do nothing for the operators in the field for the next several generations for ones that will help our operators today…and tomorrow.

The current design has a much smaller profile than the TALOS and only is worn from the hips down. And it works…what a concept. Sensors on the exoskeleton report the soldier’s speed, direction, and angle of movement to an onboard computer that drives electro-mechanical actuators at the knees.

The exoskeleton delivers the right torque at the right time to assist knee flex and extension. The exoskeleton ultimately reduces the energy needed to cross terrain, squat or kneel. These benefits are most noticeable when ascending or descending stairs or navigating inclined surfaces.

This system boosts leg capacity for physically demanding tasks that require repetitive or continuous kneeling or squatting, or lifting, dragging, carrying, or climbing with heavy loads.

With the added news that our operators may soon be getting upgraded weapons systems that will increase the range and effectiveness of their weapons, 2019 is at least starting off on the right foot.

But sci-fi geeks can take solace that Smith didn’t rule out better armor for operators. “We’re not going to stop looking for better body armor, better situation awareness, better lethality,” he said. “We’re going to keep looking at all of those things.” Maybe a “Predator” helmet with an integrated laser cannon?

For now, I’ll take a workable exoskeleton that will ease the burden on our operator’s knees and backs….I wish we had that a generation ago.

Photos: Marvel/Lockheed-Martin

Free-Floating Rucksack May Ease the Pounding on Operator’s Joints

Like any other rite of passage, one thing nearly all of Special Operation Forces troops share in old (er) age are issues with their joints. Back backs, knees, shoulders, necks with pain and arthritis is common from rucking under heavy weight takes its toll. SOF personnel are always carrying a ton of “light-weight” gear from Point A to Point B and beyond. But some help may be on the way.

Dr. Lawrence Rome is a biology professor at the University of Pennsylvania and expert in muscle function and biomechanics. He worked with the Office of Naval Research in an effort to reduce the load that Special Operations Forces have to bear on their frames.

He invented the HoverGlide, a free-floating rucksack with a technology he patented called Suspended Load Technology (SLT), which allows the heavy rucksack to seamlessly move up and down with respect to the person walking or running. This keeps the load at a constant height with respect to the ground. While it looks awkward as hell, it is stable, much like the gunsight on an M-1 tank and presents far less pressure on the rucker’s joints.

It is amazing on how well it works as they explain on the HoverGlide website:
While standing still, a 50 lb load in your backpack exerts 50 lbs of force (static weight). This changes when you walk or run, where the peak force exerted on you can be up to 3x the weight you are carrying. Suddenly a 50lb pack can put as much force on the body and joints as if it weighed 150 lbs. With the movement of SLT, this additional force over and above the static weight can be reduced by as much as 86%.

The Army has also been working on a similar project since 2005 and has been testing prototypes in field trials for the past four years. The Army version called the Energy Harvesting Assault Pack (EHAP) has a unique feature which is as a portable generator. Their rucksack will generate more than 3 watts of power an hour if the rucker can maintain a pace of 3 mph, which will keep a personal communication device charged. By the way, our readers will note that the 3 mph pace is below the standard that we deem as necessary for Special Operations troops.

As one can easily imagine there will be some issues in regard to moving parts which can break and the noise factor is something that must be addressed as the Army version can be noisy.

While military applications are still a work in progress, the HoverGlide is marketing three different versions, a civilian large backpack “The Trekker”, a smaller 28-30L daypack and the one that our readers will probably be most interested in, the “Tactical” rucksack.

It is a perfect size for most needs and especially in training or prepping for Selection and or the qualification courses. It is large enough to carry all of what you’d need as well as have enough pockets to store needed gear where it will be easy to get to.

30L capacity sized
Permits you to suspend up to 25 lbs (more weight can be carried but the pack must be locked)
The main compartment carries clothing layers, bivy gear, first aid, and off-trail work materials
Easy-access secondary pocket stores lunch and layers
The internal organization holds smartphones, GPS units, pens, documents, and maps secure and easy to locate
External stash pocket keeps emergency clothing layers instantly accessible
Harness and detachable padded hip belt are constructed of closed cell foam covered in a 3D breathable “air mesh” to wick water away
Internal sleeve holds a two-liter reservoir for hydration on the move
Webbing grid on back panel accepts MOLLE units to expand capacity and organize essential gear
Exceptionally durable 1000D Cordura pack material resists tears and abrasion and holds weights.
DWR (durable water repellent) finish protects contents from light rain and moisture

The HoverGlide is a very intriguing piece of equipment that could eventually help all of our Special Operators reduce the wear and tear on their bodies, which means the future operators may not have the aches and pains the rest of us FOGs have. Check out their video below on how the rucksack works.

Photo: US Army

1st SFG, Abn Special Ops Test Directorate Test Static Line Parachutes

The Army’s Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate was in North Carolina testing a military freefall parachute for static line operations recently which could mean that Special Operations Forces could soon be using these in a tactical situation.

Green Berets from the 1st Special Forces Group (1st SFG) were in Laurinburg, NC recently to help test and certify the new RA-1 Parachute that is encased in a Double Bag Static Line configuration.

The tests were conducted with both the C-27J and the Casa 212 aircraft systems. The Special Operators during the test phase jumped with and without combat equipment from altitudes of 6,000 to 18,000 feet above ground level. However, the operational limits of the RA-1 will be between 3500 feet and 25,000 feet AGL.

The SF ODA Commander who wasn’t identified due to security issues was impressed with the new rig. “This was an extraordinary opportunity to conduct Double Bag Static Line training and to utilize our non-military free-fall detachment personnel to support the test,” he said.

The new chute, according to the manufacturer consists of the Intruder 360 main parachute, the Intruder 360 reserve parachute, and the Raider 2 harness/container, and has been specifically designed for jumpers carrying heavy loads into rough, unfamiliar drop zones at night.  These conditions demand a canopy that provides superior glide performance for maximum offset and performance characteristics to minimize the potential for injury on landing.

The parachute has been certified for use up to 25,000 feet and can handle weights up to 450 pounds which is 90 pounds more than the MC-4. Both the reserve and main parachutes incorporate a reflexed airfoil section which provides a 4:1 glide ratio. That will allow Special Operators to travel farther and faster under canopy. The parachute utilizes a 360 square foot area but they also make a smaller version with a 300 square foot area.

The testing board used a Special Forces ODA that was not MFF (freefall qualified), to see how well they were able to handle the parachute that was designed for HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) and HAHO (High Altitude, High Opening) operations.

“This test provided me with good training,” said a Senior SF medic told the Army Times. “I definitely benefitted by improving my canopy skills. Although I am not military free-fall qualified, this test and training provided me the opportunity to jump a free-fall type parachute.”

The testing for this has been on-going since 2013, at Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Washington in 2015, around 50 Special Forces troops from the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 10th Special Forces Groups along with paratroopers from the 3rd Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment tested the HALO version of the parachute, which will eventually replace the aging MC-4.

Individual Special Forces groups have been using the RA-1 but it is thought in just the HALO mode. The use of the static line will give SF ODAs a bit more flexibility for a stand-off infiltration. It will allow a small Special Operations team to remain much closer to each other during infiltration. However, widespread use of this equipment in a static line mode isn’t really needed or feasible.

During initial testing in 2015, Special Forces detachments were able to land within a 25-30 meter circle, much tighter than when using traditional static line parachutes.

The Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate (ABNSOTD), U.S. Army Operational Test Command (USAOTC) that conducted the testing began as The Airborne Board which was a service board activated in December of 1944 at Camp Mackall, North Carolina. The unit’s history can be traced back through the Testing and Developing Section of the Airborne Command, organized in 1942, at Camp Mackall, North Carolina, to the original Parachute Test Platoon, activated at Fort Benning, Georgia, in June 1940.

Although the Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate (ABNSOTD) has operated under various designations over the last fifty years, the mission of the unit has remained the same; plan, execute, and report on operational tests and field experiments of Airborne and Special Operations Forces equipment, procedures, aerial delivery, and air transportation systems in order to provide key operational data for the continued development and fielding of doctrine, systems or equipment to the Warfighter.

Safety for the paratroopers and Special Operators is always of the utmost concern during the testing phase and those concerns will drive the train despite trying to create as much realism incorporated into the training and testing phase.

The MFF (Military Free Fall) Detachment of the ABNSOTD conducted over 100 jumps from a CASA-212 and then the C-27J to ensure that all the procedures and techniques used were safe.

Currently, the C-27J is only authorized by the Army to conduct conventional static line jumps and MFF parachute jumps but this successful testing will pave the way for Special Operations Forces to conduct long-range insertion from the C-27J when using the RA-1 parachute system in Double Bag Static Line configuration.

In the Army Times piece, the Team Sergeant for the ODA was also impressed with the additional flexibility and versatility that the new parachute will offer. “Double Bag Static Line becomes an additional infiltration mechanism for our detachment to be used in the future.”

“At the end of the day, jumping from a high-performance aircraft further validates our ability to jump the RA-1 Parachute in the double bag static line configuration,” he added. “It gives us and the commander comfort in knowing an entire Operational Detachment Alpha can use this aircraft platform with excellent results.”

The Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate has always sought out participation from the various Special Operations units and personnel during their testing. This way the soldiers in the line units get to use, test and experience the new equipment and/or procedures in a tactical environment before they are incorporated. This gives the Army immediate feedback on how well or not they will work. Soldiers are encouraged to give suggestions to improve on equipment and procedures as well.

This new equipment will only enhance the versatility of the Special Operations units. In limited uses, at the ODA level or smaller, it will make the job of the Special Operator easier to accomplish any mission thrown their way.

Not only will it make the operator more versatile, but the parachute itself is more versatile as well. It can be used in the double-bag static line as during the test but also in the traditional HALO, HAHO operations.

Photos: US Army

Iron Man? Russian Special Ops Going For Predator Camouflage

In the never-ending search for the next best technology, both the United States and Russia are searching for armor, camouflage, and exoskeletons to carry the next generation of Special Operations Forces into battle. And as they are both working on the latest upgrades for their troops, some of the newest technology looks like it came from a Hollywood backlot for its inspiration.

The Russians reportedly are already fielding at least parts of their Star Wars-like third generation Ratnik-3 Combat Suit, which more resembles the armor worn by the alien in the film “Predator” than it does anything out of Star Wars.

But now the Russians have supposedly upped the ante by displaying what they claim is a new paint which can change colors quickly, almost chameleon-like (does the Predator ring a bell here?) which will better protect Russian troops.

Russian defense contractor Rostec was showing off this new camouflage on a helmet at the Army-2018 Forum in Moscow that they claim will blend in to just about any surrounding terrain easily and can even display moving images.

In a media statement for the even, Rostec said, “The specialized electrically-operated material covering the helmet prototype is able to change color depending on the camouflaged surface and environment.”

They also added, “the material can display dynamic changes of color intensity and simulate complex images, for example, the motion of leaves in the wind.”

When combined with Ratnik-3 combat suit which the Russians dub a “Star Wars-like combat suit”, the helmet, if it works as advertised would give the Russian Spetsnaz, Special Operations Troops a stealth technology that would be unsurpassed. The paint can be applied to anything, including the rest of the combat suit and even armored vehicles and according to Rostec is applied like ordinary paint and doesn’t require, “great accuracy in terms of thickness and uniformity.”

The third-generation Ratnik-3 suit according to earlier media releases by the Russians, “comprises five integrated systems that include life support, command, and communication, engaging, protection and energy saving subsystems.”

The Russian suit even appears more akin to the “Predator” wear than a Star Wars armored suit that the stormtroopers wore. The Russian system like the American “TALOS Iron Man” armor has a built-in exoskeleton which is supposed to make it much easier for the operator to move long distances and carry more weight, without sapping his strength. The Russian system has 59 different pieces of gear, including a fully encompassing helmet and visor with a heads-up display.

However, the Russians did not supply any video or offer a demonstration of how well the new system works, if at all. The Russians have deployed parts of the 1st generation Ratnik suit in the Crimea back in 2013.

The TALOS (Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit) nicknamed the Iron Man suit is still a pie in the sky concept that is not even close to being ready for deployment. The Pentagon back in 2013 with the backing of Admiral McRaven of the Special Operations Command, announced plans to develop a high-mobility suit of armor that could better protect special operators tasked with entering contested spaces.

After 5-years and over $80 million dollars, the suit is nowhere near ready. SOCOM announced earlier this year that the testing will continue for the bulky, battery-heavy suit for quite some time before they’re ready for testing. In contrast, Lockheed-Martin has already produced a light exoskeleton that we profiled here last year.

That piece of equipment is form-fitting, has already been tested by a United States Special Operations Tier-1 unit and the results were quite encouraging. Plus, the battery pack in the rear of the exoskeleton, on the back of the operator is easily changed.

The system isn’t nearly as bulky although it doesn’t incorporate armor, which makes the TALOS system so heavy. SOCOM may be better served using an exoskeleton like that and then develop upgraded armor and targeting systems inside of the helmet.

So, in the not-so-distant future, Special Operations Forces may be going into battle with some futuristic-looking armor and camouflage. And it could just be that it is life imitating art.

Photos: Rostec/Universal

Jack Daniels Worried About Trade Wars, But Best Customer Remains US Military

Americans have traditionally loved their whiskeys and bourbons and they’ve shared that love with the rest of the world. And no one loves them more than the members of our military. It is rare to travel anywhere around the globe and not be able to find that most iconic of American whiskey, Jack Daniels. But the makers of “Old No. 7” are worried about the consequences of a trade war.

In response to the Trump Administrations tariffs on steel and aluminum, many of the US’ biggest trading partners are threatening to do the same with bourbon and Tennessee whiskey and that leaves many CEOs worried about a potential trade war including the owners of Jack Daniels.

Brown-Forman the owners of Jack Daniels are worried since Mexico levied a 25 percent tariff of whiskey and bourbon and Canada and the E.U. are threatening to do the same. 52 percent of Jack Daniels sales come from outside the United States to 165 countries. With the UK, France, Germany, and Poland accounting for 18 percent of overseas sales and Mexico 5 percent by itself, there is cause for concern.

However, help is always there in the personage of the United States military. Nobody loves their Jack Daniels more than Uncle Sam’s troops. It is almost ingrained in our troops from the time they enter basic training until retirement that a large part of their culture will be developing a taste for the amber fire water from Tennessee.

The military is the single biggest customer for the Jack Daniels premium 94-proof Single Barrel Whiskey. The price for a single barrel of the premium hovers between $9,000 and $12,000 dollars depending on the volume and alcohol evaporation. On average, a 53-gallon, 560-pound barrel holds about 250 bottles of Single Barrel Whiskey.

Jack Daniels gets its color and most of its flavor from the handmade, charred oak barrels. Once in the barrels, the Single Barrel select goes to the highest level of the barrelhouses where the temps reach 120 degrees F. The higher the temperature, the darker the whiskey and the more robust the flavor.

It is rumored that after SEAL Team 6 dispatched Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, the SEALs bought an entire barrel of the Premium Single Barrel for their celebration. The distillery would only say that SEAL Teams in the past HAD bought entire barrels but they wouldn’t confirm DEVGRU.

If a military unit wants to buy an entire barrel of the premium, they can take a tour of the distillery with a Jack Daniels Master Taster. They’ll sample three different barrels together and once the buyer makes his choice, the buyer will receive an empty barrel and 250 bottles of whiskey.

The bottles are individually numbered and personalized with a custom metal hang tag. The top of the barrel is also engraved before it is shipped to the final destination.

A military function isn’t right without some Jack Daniels on hand and there were many a bottle carefully wrapped in 100-mile-an-hour tape that was taken into the woods or on deployments…strictly for medicinal purposes of course.

Friday morning runs were usually our long ones. If any of the NCOs were legitimately sick, they’d have to be cleared by the Sergeant Major to miss the run. He brought his Thermos of “coffee” with him on Fridays into the office with strong black Colombian coffee and just a medicinal amount of Old No. 7.

A guy would come in looking like death warmed over, with the flu and the SGM would say, have a cup of coffee. After one…or two, he’d ask, “Feel better? Now go outside and run.” Of course, before long, all the NCOs would line up on Friday morning cups in hand, and the Thermos was replaced with a big urn and somehow an empty bottle of Jack ended up in the trash can.

Unfortunately, that practice was halted one Friday morning when the commander, running on the side of the formation, said, “You guys must have all been partying last night, it smells like a whiskey distillery out here this morning” Oops.

After the military service was done and working as a security professional for the film industry, night shoots were the hardest. Because by the time you got back to the hotel, the sun was up and your body clock was telling you it was time to get up.

On one shoot in Morocco, the hotel bar wouldn’t open at 6:30 a.m. so the security guys, grips, armorers and special effects guys would unwind every morning with a few beers and some locally procured Jack Daniels in the bar, although the bar itself was closed.

The locals, getting an early start on the day were horrified to see a bunch of Brits and a handful of Americans sitting in the bar so early/late and then join them in the restaurant for the breakfast buffet before heading off to bed.

They finally gave up the ghost since we were taking up a large portion of the hotel and they saw how much money they were losing out and would open the bar “as a courtesy” from 6 – 7a.m. during night shoots and after much cajoling got a supply of Jack Daniels to include “Single Barrel” for us as well. Everyone was much happier.

Of course, having a member of the King of Morocco’s entourage working with us, certainly didn’t hurt matters. For this and a host of other issues that pop up with about a 300-350-man cast and crew shooting a major film.

Our friends at the Embassy also kept us with a nice supply of “Single Barrel” which was a nice way to “kick back the dust” on those …ahem, dusty days on the set.

Hopefully, this Trade War scenario will be fixed by the powers that be and no one in the U.S. or abroad has to worry about losing their jobs. And our friends overseas can still enjoy the taste of the pride of Lynchburg, TN. But if it takes a while, something tells me that the members of the U.S. military will take up the slack.

The last thing we want to hear is that the good people in Lynchburg will be cutting back on the workforce or (heavens forbid) on production.

So, President Trump, end the Trade War….for the whiskey’s sake.

Photos: Jack Daniels

Startup That Made Safer NFL Helmets Now Turning to the Military

Vicis, a Seattle startup company that sought to make a safer football helmet now has their version in the hands of over 100 NFL players and thousands of high school and college players.

The company is now turning their attention to the military community and making a helmet to better protect our troops.

Last year, the startup signed a contract with the U.S. Army to redesign part of its helmets, co-founder and CEO Dave Marver revealed. The company has been working in stealth to incorporate some of its football helmet technology into the standard issue helmets worn by Army and Marine Corps troops.

U.S. military helmets are optimized for ballistic protection, meaning defense against bullets and shrapnel. Yet roughly 80 percent of head injuries in the military occur in nondeployed settings where those things generally aren’t an issue. Instead, these injuries tend to be of the blunt force variety, incurred from incidents like jumping out of aircraft or striking one’s head during drills or combat training.

In 2016, medical staff from Joint Base Lewis-McChord outside Seattle approached Vicis about trying to improve the blunt impact performance of both the Army and Marine combat helmets, which are similar to one another.

That team operated behind the scenes throughout the past two years. Initially, Vicis funded the work itself, but last year the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center offered the startup a development contract. The company is also starting to raise an approximately $15 million Series B round, which will bring its total funding near $80 million.

For now, Vicis’s work focuses on the pads on the interior of the helmet. The Zero1 football helmet has a layer that consists of hundreds of columns that bend on impact. “The technology inside the pads leverages those same engineering principles,” Marver says.

The improvements have been measurable. Vicis tested its pads in a lab setting using Department of Defense test protocols earlier this year, and the startup says its version performed between 30 and 55 percent better than each model the U.S. military currently uses

While the results are very encouraging, the design is probably still a year or two away. The Army is doing its own testing and Vicis designed the pads so that they could fit into the ballistic helmets without need a total redesign. Existing helmets can be retrofitted with the pads if adopted.

To read the entire article from Inc., click here:

Photo courtesy Wikipedia