Maritime Operations

UH-1 Holographic Sight by Vortex Optics

I have featured the Vortex Optics UH-1 on a few articles and this is my final review on it. It’s badass and I can’t imagine switching to something else… end of review. Just kidding. The UH-1 has been adopted by anyone and everyone that can get their hands on it as the go-to CQC/CQB optic. It’s fair in weight and the eye relief is incredible (I mean it is a holograph so that’s not really a point I can make lol) and the stigmatism is non-existent and that’s a big factor of why I like it. It doesn’t “blow up” or “star out” as some people find with the EOTech’s.

Craftsmanship and Durability

The durability is incredible as I have really beat this thing up. My buddies over at Vortex Optics told me to take it through the ringer and that’s exactly what I’ve done. The only thing that has happened is it has scratched but that’s nothing that a little paint can’t fix. I’ve dropped it, taken it on and off the rifle and I have also thrown it (for testing purposes). It has held its zero every single time. Trying to get it on paper is hard at first and that’s my biggest complaint, but I also only had a few minutes to get it on paper so I was rushing a bit. I also didn’t have it benched up so that may of been part of the problem as well.

Pictured Above: working on hot extract tactics in an undisclosed location in Virginia. Technically they say to always secure yourself in, but we were working on a new product to keep yourself in vehicles. Typically trucks are the best, but you have to use what you have around you. *Photo by @NatRodgersPhotography*

UH-1 vs EOTech

UH-1 AMG vs any EOTech I’ve used? I’ll take the UH-1 over just about any EOTech.. you may ask why? Stigmatism, man. Stigmatism is a b*tch and its always there for me.. until now. Vortex did a fantastic job on the UH-1 and broke into an area where they haven’t really been.. in fact an area where not a lot of optics companies have been. EOTech was the main go to.. Vortex shut that down. The guys I train are all slowly moving to the UH-1 and that’s great news. EOTech is still out there, but the sales have gone down a lot since the UH-1 came out. During training my buddy asked me “Have you ever used one of these?” and he pulled out a UH-1. I went to my bag and said: “I got one right here buddy”. After about 30 minutes of talking about how great it was, we finally got to doing a little weapons work.

Pictured Above: Doing some “shoot and move” training on a building in Suffolk, Virginia. Some people will ask why I’m running a monocular, but I was testing one out by ATN. *Photo by @NatRodgersPhotography*

The dot color is bright red, with adjustable brightness settings. It has unlimited eye relief but it is a holograph haha, it has a built-in Picatinny mount with a quick detach. It is a little heavy at 11.8 ounces but it’s not terrible. I would take a little weight on my rifle, rather than a little more weight on my kit. Vortex does have a magnifier, but I have not tested that out yet. Eventually, I will, but I’ve been traveling for work recently.

The UH-1 with NOD’s

The UH-1 is “not compatible” with NOD’s but it is at the same time. It is visible, but it takes some getting used to. Maybe Vortex will come out with a NOD’s “compatible” system, but so far I have not had any problems with NOD’s and the UH-1. Having a PEQ is ideal and in all honesty, if you shoot enough in a shoot house or CQC situation, you don’t really aim. You know where your guns are and where they are going. Oh boy, that whole not aiming sentence is going to start a conversation and I can already tell I’m going down a rabbit hole, but with a PEQ, or even without a PEQ, in CQC high-speed situations you barely have a chance to look down your optic. You live and die by a tenth of a second.

Pictured Above: Shooting during “Low light and no light” cold and wet conditions in the shoothouse in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

All in all, the Vortex UH-1 is a great optic and it’s a little cheaper than the EOTech. It doesn’t “starburst” so its great for those with astigmatism problems and all in all its a durable and well-constructed optic. Not to mention the Vortex guarantee. Vortex is a family owned, family run business.. by that I mean everyone that works there is family and you are family too since you purchased their product. The UH-1 is my choice for a CQC rifle optic!

The T3 Gen 2 Kit Bag: A weatherproof kit bag for any operation

A kit bag is what all my gear goes into. I have a contractor bag by LBT that I put all my normal clothes into, but in my kit bag goes my expensive gear and often times its overloaded with gear that is a pain in the ass to carry. The second that I found out that T3 came out with a kit bag that had shoulder straps I was all about it and that’s honestly why I’m writing this article. This article is for the guys that actually do the jobs that you see in movies and tv shows although I’ll never be as cool as Hollywood portrays us.

Being a contractor requires constant travel outside the U.S. but luckily for me, I oftentimes don’t have to maintain a low visibility look, so I can have Multicam bags for my gear. I recently reviewed the T3 3-day Hydration pack and I knew after utilizing that pack in so many maritime operations that I would be able to trust another T3 bag with all my expensive gear. If I’m going for a week-long trip I really only need to take this Kit bag and my T3 3day pack. I can fit my helmet, plate carrier, 2 pairs of pants, a pair of shorts, my hydration bladder, all my normal clothes, NVG’s, a couple logs of the ever so delicious Copenhagen wintergreen, My mac book, and any other extra gear I may need such as fins, extra pair of boots or even a couple pairs of Altama Maritime Assault boots. This bag has “so much room for activities” that I can be gone for a week and only take the kit bag and a backpack and I’m usually a heavy packer.

The T3 Gen 2 Kit bag really nailed all soft spots of normal kit bags. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had kit bags develop moisture on planes or ships. The T3 3-day Pack is made of the same material that the Gen2 Kit bag is made of and that’s what really drew me to it. I’ve never had moisture get inside my 3-day pack and it has been soaked top to bottom in saltwater. T3 really makes all-weather gear for affordable prices.

The T3 Gen 2 Kit bag is basically a revamped version of their old kit bag. I cannot comment on their old kit bag as I never used their’s, but if its half as good as the Gen 2 bag, I think I might buy one. The T3 Gen 2 Kit bag really molds to your gear when using the shoulder straps and that’s usually a downside, but in this case, it’s very comfortable. It is soft lined so when we’re talking about using these types of bags don’t be the guy that put $10000 NVG’s in your pack wrapped up in a towel or anything. Put them in the hard case, I mean it is a kit bag after all, not a pelican case. The shoulder straps are very comfortable when you throw them on your shoulder although they do require some adjusting out of the gate. Going from point A to Point B in-between our RHIB Launching platforms or the planes we fly in is my main priority and that’s where I really gained respect for this kit bag compared to others. Another great aspect is the Dual side closure so if you need to grab something on the top quickly you can or if you need to really get in the kit bag you can open the other side and you’re golden for packing.

The T3 Gen2 Kit bag repels moisture by using weather resistant 10 point zippers along with 500 weight solution dyed Cordura®, fabric that is very durable and it even softens with time and wear maintaining its durability. Along with all of the specs comes the lifetime warranty of a product that is built to be abused. It even says it on their website. My favorite part about T3 is the fact that all of their products are made right here in the red white and blue capital of the world – the USA. The dimensions for the T3 Gen 2 Kit bag are 19″x22″x12″ and it only weighs a little under 3 lbs. The T3 Kit bag collapses for easy storage and that’s probably my favorite part of it. It doesn’t take up much room in my locker at work or even at home in my closet.

Next time you decide to take a look at T3’s website, do yourself a favor and find the Gen2 kit bag and hit the add to cart button, I will promise you won’t be disappointed. I mean I’ve been disappointed for less than $153 before, but that’s not the point, right?

Photo Of The Day: Training off the East Coast

Training operations were a huge part of my last contract. Here I am watching a simulated personal watercraft attack off the East Coast. Being a part of the safety team and an advisor, the boat I was in was tasked with observing the client’s movements and reactions to a threat from personal watercraft (better known as jet ski’s). We used jet ski’s often as they are small, compact and more maneuverable than traditional 11m RHIB’s in small area’s.

The FirstSpear AAC Frog Kit: From land to maritime operations

The FirstSpear AAC Frog kit is without a doubt a game changer in the world of those who like to get wet. No other company specializes in product development quite like First Spear and my relationship has grown with them over the past year. I was ecstatic to be able to test out the AAC Frog and be able to use the AAC Frog in real world and training operations. You have companies like London Bridge, Shellback, and 5.11 that try to get the maritime stuff out there, but nothing is even close to the technology that FirstSpear brings to the table; I mean it even says on their website “FirstSpear^® is in the business of providing innovative solutions to long unanswered challenges.” and they’re right. Literally, you can go from running helo operations to the water to land-based operations in a matter of seconds all with the same plate carrier. In the past, it was all about adding floatation to the vest by inserting foam but FirstSpear came up with a way to create a buoyancy compensator and an aid to floatation through their flotation system which is incorporated through the sides of the plate carrier in the AAC Frog. In the past, you would have to use a “horse collar” attached to your vest. Now, with FirstSpear there is no need for any flotation attachments but your plate carrier during high-speed boat and/or dive operations.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Swimmer cut plates are the best ballistic plate cut there is. Change my mind. In my opinion, it gives your arms freedom to move and its a little bit lighter than standard plates. I personally use the ShotStop Ballistics Swimmer Cut Duritium III+PA plates. Only 2.8 lbs per plate and they aide in floatation, but with the FirstSpear AAC, I used heavier non-floatation plates for the testing process. I wanted to throw everything I had at the plate carrier system… I mean that’s how you establish the proof in the pudding. The AAC Frog Kit fits most swimmer cut plates (every company is a little different on the exact dimensions) although its an absolute pain in the ass to put them in there – but for good reason. They are secure and will not move when running or moving. That results in less friction which is key for comfort.

THE AAC FROG FLOTATION

Or what I call “water wings” is an incredible design and so simple. It’s one of those things that you think to yourself – “Why didn’t I come up with throwing a C02 cartridge with a ‘water wing’ in each side of a vest if shit hit the fan and I needed to surface quick”? With Floatation up to 73lbs and being as compact as it is, the AAC is really a work of art when speaking in terms of maritime operations. With quick pull tabs located in a position where it won’t get snagged on anything, but also easy enough to find them and pull them to release your aides to flotation, it makes for easy use. I mean imagine if you’re in a crazy airsoft game and you know your mom’s picking you up in the minivan in a few and you gotta get the last player but accidentally fall in a puddle? You have you be able to pull those tabs and release those “water wings”. Just kidding, but in all reality, the pull tabs are very easy to find, but it’s not something that is going to rub into your side either. You also have a built-in buoyancy compensator that you literally blow air into or release air you’ve blown into by a simple tube method. No, I’m not talking about their Tubes Technology.. yet. It makes for the perfect “just under the surface” swim or way below the surface swim. Not to mention you can also hook up your rebreather with the Rebreather Harness Kit. I have never used a Rebreather, so I won’t bullshit you on that, but I will say those who do use rebreathers often have said nothing but good things about the Rebreather. “Being able to hook up your rebreather for your swim to the beach, then being able to completely transform the same plate carrier to a land-based plate carrier is an incredible new technology. First Spear makes our lives easy.”

THE AAC FROG IN THE ELEMENTS

Somehow makes life more comfortable. I do not know how, or if it was on purpose, but the AAC Frog keeps you cool during hot days and also keeps you warm during those brutally cold days. Hot day’s, cold days FirstSpear has you covered. Even going 45kn in a RHIB, I was never cold or hot. In fact, I usually had to ditch a layer in the cold, but could also wear just a T-Shirt in hot weather and not be miserable. I’ve had numerous plate carriers in the past that were either too hot, too heavy or would never keep you warm. It’s just an added bonus that FirstSpear put into their design. On long missions, I have never felt discomfort or rashes from the AAC Frog. It’s comfort is next level even with heavy plates in it. It’s kind of like you’re not wearing a plate carrier at all. The ability to also add a pack to the back of your plate carrier and not have discomfort is another great quality that the AAC Frog brings to the table.

FIRST SPEAR’S TUBES TECHNOLOGY AND THE 6/12 PANELS

Are one of First Spears greatest gifts to us. The 6/12 Panels are at least twice as durable in my opinion as standard panels and offer a 20%-40% weight reduction (that’s a fact). According to the FirstSpear website they describe the 6/12 Panels- “The FirstSpear 6/12™ technology eliminates these components and achieves a 20%-40% reduction in weight per standard Assaulter configuration when compared to current pocket attachment systems. The FirstSpear™ team invested more than a year developing and testing the FirstSpear 6/12™ Pocket Attachment System. It utilizes state of the art fabric technologies to deliver a completely modular system, compatible with standard MOLLE pockets.” Now the Tubes Technology is badass and super easy to ditch your kit or pack and easy to put it back on. NO MORE VELCRO BULLSHIT for your plate carrier shoulder straps. Easy as 1.. and your kit is off.

ALL IN ALL

It seems that FirstSpear is the leader in the most innovative technology and they have the answers to those questions you always asked in regards to making the life for the guys that don’t exist easier. Everybody I’ve ever talked to that has a way cooler job than I have that uses FirstSpear products or the AAC Frog, in general, have nothing bad to say about it. Thank you FirstSpear for continuing to stand by your product and keep up the great work. You’re in the lead as far as technology goes for gear and those that have used your gear have nothing but positive things to say about your products.

Photo of the day: Running a Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) wide open

Pictured Above: Running a RHIB “wide open” in formation off the East Coast practicing launch and recovery from the “mothership” as well as chasing, evading and practicing small boat tactics for maneuvering against ships.

Running a RHIB wide open

RHIB’s are some of the greatest vessels to drive and honestly getting to ride/drive them every day was a blast. This photo was taken off of the East Coast after we launched from one of the “Mothership’s”. Driving a RHIB in east coast chop was honestly some of the hardest driving I’ve ever had to learn. I mean you name it – bike’s, sedans, SUV’s, truck’s, jeeps, mini bikes, jetskis; I can drive them all. But a 33m RHIB with 4-5 guys onboard hauling ass (40-60 knots) over 4-5 ft waves with close intervals between waves? It’s hard getting used to and you can definitely tell the great drivers from the mediocre drivers. I’ll be honest, I was a mediocre driver on my best day. Coming from the west coast, I’m used to long intervals between waves so driving is a bit easier for me on the west coast. The big problems I had on the east coast was finding that “groove” between speed and safety as having a rider fly out of your boat when you’re going after a ship is no Bueno. I had plenty of guys that can really drive help me out and I still was never able to find the groove after 8 months. Maybe I’ll find the groove another day, or then again maybe not haha.

Some of the gear that was always with me on the water

Altama Maritime Assault Boots
Gatorz Eyewear (Magnums)
First Spear AAC Frog Kit
Hurley Boardshorts (if it was warm)
Garmin Fenix5 plus Sapphire
Gerber LMF Survival II, Half Face Blades tomahawk, or CRKT fixed blade.

Oakley vs. Gatorz: Why I made the switch to Gatorz Eyewear

“Oakley this, Oakley that, Oakley’s are the Greatest”… But are they really? Sure they have the best selection and a style for almost everyone. All the big names wear them in the sports world. From surfer to wakeboarder, to golfer, to football player’s (Visor’s), to snowboarders (Goggle’s) but do they really offer the best quality? Or is it more of a “so and so wears them so they must be good”? Those athletes are paid to promote a company and what they wear is usually a lot different than what we can find online or in a store even though they are the same style or look. I have worn Oakley’s for 7 years. My parents got me my first pair for a birthday gift way back 7 years ago and I’ve gone through 3 sets in that time frame. I wore Oakley’s because that was the cool thing to do and because I thought they offered the best quality… That was until I found out about Gatorz. Well, that’s a lie. I’ve known about Gatorz for awhile but I just never gave them a shot and truthfully I’m kicking myself in the ass because I should’ve tried them sooner. Gatorz are a “team guy” brand. If you’re in Virginia Beach at Hot Tuna or Chick’s Oyster Bar, you’ll usually see guys wearing Gatorz or if you’re a “weekend airsoft operator” that happens to frequent those bars. But for me? I’m just a dude that gets to shoots guns and drive fast boats for a living that’s looking for the best eye pro out there.

I hate having to squint and I hate being blinded by the wind when I’m chasing after a target on the open ocean. It’s just annoying. Throw in some crap weather and now you deal with sea spray coming up over the bow and hitting you in the face – no Bueno. With my Oakley Fuel Cells, I always had a problem with them bouncing up and down as we jump wave after wave. Gatorz? Well, they’re adjustable and I can adjust the fit depending on what is going on during the day. Hitting the range? I’m going for a loose fit. 45knots on a rhib? I’m going to tighten them down. Gatorz wins that argument. You can also throw in the weight factor – Gatorz are “heavy” compared to Oakley’s but they’re also light. Doesn’t make sense – I know, but hear me out. What I mean is that Gatorz carry weight when they’re in your hand but it’s not noticeable when you’re wearing them. Gatorz wins again.

Style or Quality

I would have to say Oakley wins that department if you’re about style one because they have more options, but quality? That goes to Gatorz. Oakley has more options but like I said… Is it really about style or do you care about quality? The Magnum Gatorz are a little like Oakley Fuel Cell’s from the looks of them but the quality is WAY above subpar. My Fuel Cell’s were never sub-par until I got my hand’s on the Magnums. I would much rather have something more durable (A frame made out of metal rather than a frame made out of plastic). A win for Gatorz. I’ve had 2 pairs of the Fuel Cell hinges break on me. The hinges on the Gatorz are made out of metal and they have a total of 4 hinges. A win for Gatorz.

Lens Quality

I’m all about crystal clear – from 4K TV’s, to Vortex optics, to Gatorz shades. The vision clarity when looking through the “Smoked Polarized Lens“ its almost like a new outlook on life. It’s a drastic difference compared to the Fuel Cell Black lens that I have on my Oakley’s. A win for Gatorz. The Smoked Polarized take the glare out of the water on a sunny day a lot more than my polarized Lens on my Oakley’s. Another win for Gatorz. As far as Lens durability? I was on the range the first day I got these and I decided to wear them. Now I’ve had shrapnel hit me in the face a couple times including a few days ago – A piece hit the lens on my Magnums… Long story short.. 1) This is why we wear eye pro 2) not a single scratch on my Gatorz. My Fuel Cells have multiple scratches on them from shrapnel and everyday life. My Gatorz have zero. It’s surreal. I was worried when the Gatorz got hit that they would have some huge scratch. I was wrong.

I think that tallies up to 9-1 for Gatorz vs. Oakley’s (I’m bad at math). Long story short, do yourself a favor and get some Gatorz. They should be a part of your EDC and mission essential gear. You won’t regret your decision. As for Y’all over at Gatorz, keep doing your thing! You’re taking over the game one pair of shades at a time!