Advanced cold-weather training in Kodiak, Alaska, exposes SEAL candidates to the physical stress of the environment and the tactics, techniques, and procedures necessary to operate efficiently where inclement weather is the norm. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric S. Logsdon Watch how U.S. Marines manage cold weather training in the video […]
Gear
Retail espionage: Amazon Alexa’s eavesdropping worse than you thought
Since the inception of smart-speaker assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana, and others, consumers have to live with the fact that by using these products and services, their data is being collected. How much, though? This is a frequent topic of debate. Some experts say the sheer bandwidth and storage required would […]
Gear in the Wild: A sniper and his .50 cal
A U.S. Marine with Task Force Southwest fires an M107 Special Application Scope Rifle to test its functionality and to sustain combat marksmanship at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Feb. 8, 2018. Marines with the unit’s security force tested the weapon’s reliability in order to bolster base security and sustain gunnery skills. U.S. Marine Corps photo by […]
Gear in the Wild: Force Recon doesn’t knock
A Marine with Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, practices breaching in Guam, January 24, 2018, during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training. VBSS teaches Marines how to take over ships for searches and counter-piracy operations. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, the 31st MEU provides a flexible force ready to perform […]
Gear in the Wild: On the wrong end of a US Air Force Pararescueman
A U.S. Air Force pararescuemen, assigned to the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, aims his rifle during weapons training on Feb. 21, 2018. Pararescuemen conduct training on all aspects of combat, medical procedures and search and rescue tactics to hone their skills, providing the highest level of tactical capabilities to combatant commanders. U.S. […]
Gear in the Wild: Air Force PJ packs his chute in Afghanistan
A U.S. Air Force pararescueman, assigned to the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, field packs his parachute at the drop zone after a high altitude, high opening military free fall jump working with a C-130J Super Hercules flown by the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, March 4, 2018. Guardian Angel Team […]
Gear in the Wild: US Special Operations troops train with Serbians
U.S. and Serbian Special Operations Forces train during a Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) at the SAJ headquarters complex, Serbia, Mar. 6, 2018. A JCET is a combined training event in which SOF units train with foreign nations to develop skills and increase effectiveness in future operations. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jessica Nassirian, […]
Gear in the Wild: Food for the .50 Cal
A belt of M2 .50 caliber machine gun ammunition is ready for use during the 50th Chemical Company, New Jersey Army National Guard’s annual training at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., May 1, 2019. New Jersey National Guard photo by Mark C. Olsen See the .50 cal in action below:
Gear in the Wild: The many uses of a good multi-tool
An Airman utilizes a pocket knife to adjust the sight on a M4 carbine, April 4, 2018, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Airmen must demonstrate quality safety standards while handling and shooting their weapons proficiently in order to be eligible to deploy. Throughout CATM the instructors emphasized: weapon handling techniques, proper sight usage and […]
US Special Operations Command reveals new helmet for operators
American commandos will soon be going into combat protected by a new, high-tech helmet. According to a statement by the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Gentex Corporation has been awarded a contract worth $95 million to supply SOCOM with its Ops-Core FAST SF Super High Cut Helmet. Gentex manufactures a number of different models of […]