Readers;

I hope it was a great Memorial Day. As we think about the men and women who support this country every day, let's not forget all of them. This great article was in the Post this weekend.

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Stay safe.

John Adams

Managing Editor, Blackwater Tactical Weekly
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- Mark Twain

This week at the ProShop get any 5 posters for only $10.00 while supplies last! Regular price is $15.00 each!! Offer good until June 1, 2009. Does not include shipping and handling.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Two weapons in development are expected to be more precision-oriented, lighter and lethal: the laser-sighted XM-25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System and the Lightweight .50-Caliber Machine Gun.

The XM-25 will undergo field-testing this summer while the LW50MG is already being tested by Soldiers.

Program Executive Office Soldier at Fort Belvoir, Va., opened its doors earlier this month to give the media a look at the two weapons and other new gear in development that will lighten a Soldier’s load yet improve survivability, lethality and comfort.

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (USASOC News Service, May 21, 2009) – Night Stalkers, Families and friends gathered yesterday honoring Soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).

"Today is a day to remember, to honor, to grieve and to thank," Col. Clayton Hutmacher, commander, 160th SOAR(A), told attendees of the unit's annual memorial ceremony.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Courtesy of CJSOTF-A Public Affairs, May 22, 2009) – Afghan National Army Commandos of the 205th Corps assisted by Coalition forces killed 47 militants and seized the single-largest drug cache by international forces in Afghanistan to date during ongoing operations in the city of Marjeh, Nad Ali district, Helmand province, in the past three days.

The Afghan and Coalition forces launched an operation to disrupt activities in the key militant stronghold and narcotics hub May 19.

ISTANBUL -- The Somali pirates who hijacked the Danish tug Svitzer Korsakov telephoned Yemen, Djibouti and Dubai in a futile search for someone to collect a ransom and forward it to them for a fee. To the captive captain, they seemed like amateurs with no backup on shore.

That was in early 2008, before the explosive growth in piracy around the Horn of Africa. Late that year, the gang that seized the Karagol, a Turkish tanker, was more polished, used a negotiator who spoke good English and brought in other pirates to relieve them while awaiting the payoff.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea launched tests Tuesday of two more short-range missiles a day after detonating a nuclear bomb underground, a news report said, pushing the regime's confrontation with world powers further despite the threat of U.N. Security Council action.

Two missiles - one ground-to-air, the other ground-to-ship - with a range of about 80 miles (130 kilometers) were test-fired from an east coast launch pad, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported, citing an unnamed government official.

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Tactical Equipment Evaluation

When I first started in police work the "rescue tool" was a tire iron. It was used to break out a window so that someone could be extricated from a burning car. When I needed to justify carrying my knife, THAT became my rescue tool so that my Chief wouldn't tell me not to carry it. I had to be able to cut that seatbelt for the person stuck in the burning car (wink, wink). Now Buck Knives has come out with a specifically designed folding lock blade knife that actually IS a rescue tool: let me introduce you to the Buck Bravo Rescue.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

Recreational Equipment Review

I've been hiking for 35 years now and have been in search of the perfect pack for day hikes for almost that long. I think I've finally found it in the Kelty Strike. Kelty is a renowned name in packs. Dick Kelty invented many of the innovations that we take for granted in packs back in the 1950s. His packs were used on countless expeditions since 1952 and on the first American ascent of Mt. Everest's west ridge in 1963. The Kelty Strike is one of a line of packs that Kelty recently developed for the military market. The Strike is a 2300 cubic inch pack, with adjustable suspension and two aluminum stays (that is, an internal frame) to help carry heavy loads.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/campback/keltystrike.htm

MEMORIAL

1. something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc., as a monument or a holiday.

3. preserving the memory of a person or thing; commemorative: memorial services.

4. of or pertaining to the memory.

"Jesus wept." (John 11:35) His friend Lazarus had died. He had been in the tomb four days. Jesus arrived at the location of their home. He was greeted by first one sister and then the other. Both were hung up in their own thoughts and did not appear to have heard what He said to them... He wept because He told them truth they would not hear because they were thinking something else. Not only did they not listen and comprehend... They did not even hear.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.ustraining.com/new/btw/Chaplain/052609chaplain.htm

Forty-nine teams are primed to compete in the 26th annual Lt. Gen. David E. Grange Best Ranger Competition - the largest entry pool in recent years.

The Ranger Training Brigade hosts the grueling three-day competition at Fort Benning to identify the best two-man Ranger team in the military.

Best Ranger Competition: Final results

Here are some links for charitable organizations.

The Blackwater Tactical Weekly does not endorse any organization over another nor encourage charitable contributions, we provide these links as a public service, and take no responsibility for the actual sites. Although we strive to validate the sites before linking we caution you to do your own research, as the internet is ripe with scams.

The history of the American Ranger is a long and colorful saga of courage, daring, and outstanding leadership. It is a story of men whose skills in the art of fighting have seldom been surpassed. The purpose of the United States Army Ranger Association (USARA) is to promote and preserve the heritage, spirit, image and service of U.S. Army Rangers. Interested in joining the USARA? Click Join USARA for membership requirements and application.

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