Readers;

Welcome to another edition of the Blackwater Tactical Weekly. I was able to get out of the office and attend the C&E Gun Show in Fayetteville, NC this weekend. It was great to meet and talk with several BTW readers and BW Alumni members! The Blackwater ProShop and the US Training Center were both represented at this show and a steady stream of people stopped by to check out the top-notch training courses that USTC offers and to buy Blackwater logo’d merchandise. Several people signed up on the spot for our training courses. If you have not already, check out what courses we offer in the USTC section of this newsletter. I hope we get to see you or your unit here soon!

Stay safe.

Zach Taylor

Managing Editor, Blackwater Tactical Weekly
Please continue to submit your suggestions to btw@ustraining.com

- Henry David Thoreau

KBM IGLA-S MANPADS: Russian Manpackable Shoulder-Launched Fire-and-Forget Surface-to-Air Missile System
September 14, 2009
Defense Review
By David Crane

Russian arms manufacturer KBM (KB Mashynostroyeniya) (Moscow region, Russia) is currently offering an improved/uprated next-generation version of the IGLA 9K38 MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defense System) manpackable fire-and-forget surface-to-air missile launcher system called the IGLA-S ("Needle-S"), or IGLA-Super, portable antiaircraft missile complex (PAAMC) for export to foreign countries. "PAAMC" is alternative nomenclature for "MANPADS". The next-gen IGLA-S system, full name 9K338 9M342 Igla-S / SA-24 Grinch offers significantly extended engagement/firing range and enhanced kill probability and warhead lethality over the previous-generation IGLA system against all types of aerial targets, including "small-size targets" like cruise missiles and UAS/UAVs. The IGLA-S brochure also claims that IGLA-S has "night-firing capability" and is difficult to jam (i.e. highly immune to electronic jamming).

Full Story

It is time to clarify the debate over Iran and its nuclear program. It's easy to criticize the current course adopted by the United States and its allies, to huff and puff about Iranian mendacity, to point out that Russia and China won't agree to tougher measures against Tehran, and to detail the leaks in the sanctions already in place. But what, then, should the United States do? The critics are eager to denounce the administration from the sidelines for being weak but rarely detail what they would do to be "tough." Would they attack Iran today? If not, then what should we do? It is time to put up or shut up on Iran.

There are three basic options that the United States and its allies have regarding Iran's nuclear program. We can bomb Iran, engage it diplomatically, or contain and deter the threat it poses. Let me outline what each would entail and then explain why I favor containment and deterrence.

The Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School football team took to the field for Friday night's game with a show of solidarity, bursting through a banner held by the school's cheerleaders as they always do, only this banner had no biblical verse on it.

The Warriors used to begin each home game by crashing through a gigantic banner bearing an inspirational quotation from the Bible, such as "In God I have put my trust. I shall not be afraid."

Tip of the Week:

Choosing a Holster

Choosing the right holster can be just as important as choosing the right handgun. Some considerations are frequency of carry, whether concealment is a factor and level of retention needed and the reason for carrying the weapon, self protection, competition shooting or just recreation. With an open carry holster it is a wise choice to have a positive retention device such as a hooded bale or thumb break. The friction only retention allows for a faster draw in an emergency however the possibility of the weapon being taken during a altercation is increased. With a concealed inside the waistband holster a ridged construction will allow easier one handed return to the holster. However with some users this may cause discomfort. Some quality leather in the waistband holsters allow for comfort but have an insert that holds the top of the holster open for quick re-holstering. There are a wide variety of styles and manufacturers on the market so it is worth the time to research and test a variety before purchasing. Quality and construction is a must also, better to spend a little extra on a well made holster than to buy a cheaply made one and have to purchase a new one. Typically people will spend the extra cash on the handgun and then go cheap on the holster. Having substandard equipment will handicap the skills of the shooter and prove to be a frustrating and counter productive. Before purchasing any system, consult a professional instructor or person in your area who carries a weapon for a living. More than likely, they have received professional training or already suffered with other substandard equipment. Be sure to consult more than one person and if possible, try the system before committing to a purchase. Learn from their experience, minimize expense and train with your system properly.

Chris Costanza
Firearms and Tactics Instructor

To view the latest contract opportunities at U.S. Training Center, visit our Contract Web Page

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Tactical Equipment Evaluation

iSee LED & 888 Knife

Occasionally I get some items in for testing that don't warrant a full review on their own. It's not that they weren't WORTH a review - there simply isn't enough to say about them. This week I'm taking a look at two products I got in, tested and would like to call to your attention: the iSee LED from Insight Tech Gear and a handy knife/rescue tool from Triple Eight Professional. Both fit into the category of "handy dandy" and are the kinds of things you think about at odd moments when you say, "I wish I had..." Let's take a look.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.newamericantruth.com/reviews/other/isee888.htm

Recreational Equipment Review

Angels & Demons... The Da Vinci Code... well known books from author Dan Brown. My introduction to his writing was The Da Vinci Code. I enjoyed it enough that I sought out a few of Dan Brown's other books. I found myself looking forward to the Lost Symbol and was teased by the hints that "the lost symbol" was somehow related to a sculpture in front of CIA's headquarters in Langley, VA. I won't ruin anything by telling you how much of a role that sculpture plays, but I WILL share my outlooks about the book's plot, characters and storyline in general.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.newamericantruth.com/reviews/recread/lostsymbol.htm

VITAL INGREDIENTS (Part 1 of 4)

DISCIPLINE
n.

1. Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.
2. Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self-control.

http://www.ustraining.com/new/btw/chaplain/100509chaplain.htm

DEA Official Testifies to U.S. Senate on Steroids and Health Supplements
September 29, 2009
US Drug Enforcement Administration

DEA Assistant Administrator, Joseph T. Rannazzisi today testified in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs on the rising problem of illegal anabolic steroids and dietary supplements and other over-the-counter health products. The following is Mr. Rannazzisi's statement to the Committee:

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.

Help Hospitalized Veterans

Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) is a national, non-profit organization established for the purpose of distributing therapeutic arts & crafts kits, free of charge, to patients receiving care at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, state nursing homes for veterans and military hospitals. Since 1971, HHV has delivered nearly 25 million kits valued at $402 million. HHV also encourages volunteerism and pen-pal relationships with hospitalized veterans.

The Blackwater Tactical Weekly is a free weekly e-publication.

The Blackwater Tactical Weekly provides readers valuable information from diverse sources regarding tactical and strategic security issues.

Managing Editor - Zach Taylor (ztaylor@ustraining.com)
Format Editor - Jennifer Granoff (jgranoff@ustraining.com)
Frank's Review - Frank Borelli (frank@borelliconsulting.com)
Chaplain's Corner - Chaplain D. R. Staton (chpln1@verizon.net)
Advertising - Jennifer Granoff (jgranoff@ustraining.com
All other inquiries – btw@ustraining.com

Questions regarding Security Consulting or US Training (252) 435-2035

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