U.S. soldiers with the 91st Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, detonate a mine-clearing line charge fired from their M1 assault breacher vehicle at the Camp Aachen training area, Grafenwoehr, Germany on January 23, 2019. The Ironhorse Brigade conducted Combined Resolve XI Phase II in support of Atlantic Resolve, an enduring […]
Gear
Gear in the Wild: Live fire Arctic warfare training
An Army paratrooper assigned to Blackfoot Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Alaska, fires the M249 light machine gun at night during live fire training at Grezelka Range, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on March 4, 2019. Utilizing the M249 light machine gun and […]
The secret to making a Ruger LCP carry-able is buying the right accessories
I picked up a Ruger LCP for a steal a few months ago. I wasn’t on the market for compact pistol (I’m a big enough guy that my EDC Glock 19 rarely gives me any trouble concealing) but I am, for better or worse, a gun guy. When I’m presented with an opportunity to buy […]
Watch: How does astronaut food compare to MREs?
Retired Marine Colonel Randy Bresnik cut his teeth as a test pilot for the F/A-18 Hornet program, before going on to serve combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Now, he’s an astronaut, and one of the few remaining with the experience necessary to give us the lowdown on how space food stacks up […]
Gear in the Wild: Learning to rappel out of a perfectly good helicopter
Students at Fort Hood Air Assault School conduct rappel operations. The soldiers who participated in the training learned the basics of air assault operations from the instructors of the Phantom Warrior Academy. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Hunter, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) Learn more about how the U.S. Army trains for air […]
Gear in the Wild: Marines training for crisis response operations
On March 13, 2019 at Morón Air Base, Spain, U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 19.1, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, conduct a helicopter support team training event utilizing an MV-22 Osprey. SPMAGTF-CR-AF is deployed to conduct crisis response and theater security operations in Africa and promote regional stability by conducting […]
Research says it takes just 15 extra pounds of gear to compromise your ability to fight
It’s the mental debate every war fighter has before departing for a mission, every hiker has before stepping off on a journey, and every camper has as they pack their bags: how much can I carry and still be as effective as I need to be? At what point is the extra weight of our […]
Gear in the Wild: Putting rounds on target
A soldier returns fire with his M4 Carbine at opposing forces while on a patrolling mission during a training exercise at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 18, 2018. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Matt Hecht Watch soldiers put the M4 through its paces in the video below:
The Biggest Little Roundgun: The 3-Inch Kimber K6s
It is no secret to regular readers that I have been dying to get my hands on the 3-inch Kimber K6s. Thanks once again to the hard work of Mike and Steve, I finally got my chance to test out this revolver. This field report will cover my general impressions, and shooting and carrying what […]
Gear in the Wild: On the move in glorious 29 Palms, California
Marines sprint through smoke during Integrated Training Exercise 2-17 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 30, 2017. The Marines are assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. The combined-arms exercise gives all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force an opportunity to use capabilities during large-scale missions […]