Chameleox
12-10-09, 11:44
To All,
(please bear with me; there's some backstory, and details are necessary)
I belong to a relatively large city's part time tactical team. I'm currently assigned to a perimeter element. Due to recent team shake ups, our section's responsibilities have switched to close perimeter support (runners, gas, break and rake, arrest team/entry support, and driving the Bearcat) from a role best described as "sniper support". The latter didn't make sense as we're in an urban environment, but we trained as if a 100 yard crawl and stalk (with vest, backpack, and 30lb spotlight) was the norm. This was obviously flawed, and was likely an adaptation to our more rural or secluded training environments, vs our operating environment.
So, now we're realized that for the most part, we'll be setting up a perimeter within a 1-2 house radius around the target for actual call ups, and are more likely than not going to be holding on windows, backdoors, and making some entries on warrants (which are really our primary jobs) and being closer to the problem than we originally thought (I can remember in some circumstances in our older model the snipers were closer to the target house than we were).
The PROBLEM is that with this shift in duties and training (which was needed) we need to look at how our gear is set up. Entry uses III armor and occasionally plates. We're issued OD Blackhawk zip up MOLLE vests, and have to either bring in our patrol armor or put an old vest in the gear truck. A lot of our gear funds go elsewhere (thats a rant for later).
When the shift in duties, along with a new team leader, came up, I proposed that we look for some sort of armor and LB system that will suit our needs for protection and mobility. I figured that we'd need more protection than an old patrol vest, but probably less than the entry team's setup. I also didn't want to use the entry teams old vests for a number of reasons, not least of which is that as the perimeter team, concealment and mobility are still somewhat important to us, and the old entry vests wouldn't let us carry our equipment where we're used to and don't blend in as well as our multicam does.
So, I proposed looking at MOLLE plate carriers that would allow us to work with our concealed vests, and allow us to "up-armor" if needed. I figured that we'd get them in OD or Ranger/Smoke Green to aid in concealment.
SO, I looked at several plate carriers, and Eagle's Rhodesian Plate Carrier stands out for these reasons:
1. It allows the operator to carry plates or not, depending on the mission
2. It's not too big, so it would allow for more mobility, and allow us to carry gas or the dam spotlights on our backs
3. There is a back panel available (as well as the Yote pack), which would allow us to put plates on our backs (and hang POLICE placards, which is important to the brass)
4. Not too expensive (we have the plates)
Summed up, I'm looking for suggestions for an armor/load bearing setup for a perimeter element for a tactical team that will either operate with or close to the entry element in a close support role, or separately in an open field type environment (we also have several large parks). I'm looking for a system that can be worn with armor or without, depending on mission needs. Our loadout is typically 200 rnds of .223, comms, cuffs, and water (gas and bangs are carried sometimes, too, and a couple of us also have IFAKs).
Any help that you can provide is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for looking.
(please bear with me; there's some backstory, and details are necessary)
I belong to a relatively large city's part time tactical team. I'm currently assigned to a perimeter element. Due to recent team shake ups, our section's responsibilities have switched to close perimeter support (runners, gas, break and rake, arrest team/entry support, and driving the Bearcat) from a role best described as "sniper support". The latter didn't make sense as we're in an urban environment, but we trained as if a 100 yard crawl and stalk (with vest, backpack, and 30lb spotlight) was the norm. This was obviously flawed, and was likely an adaptation to our more rural or secluded training environments, vs our operating environment.
So, now we're realized that for the most part, we'll be setting up a perimeter within a 1-2 house radius around the target for actual call ups, and are more likely than not going to be holding on windows, backdoors, and making some entries on warrants (which are really our primary jobs) and being closer to the problem than we originally thought (I can remember in some circumstances in our older model the snipers were closer to the target house than we were).
The PROBLEM is that with this shift in duties and training (which was needed) we need to look at how our gear is set up. Entry uses III armor and occasionally plates. We're issued OD Blackhawk zip up MOLLE vests, and have to either bring in our patrol armor or put an old vest in the gear truck. A lot of our gear funds go elsewhere (thats a rant for later).
When the shift in duties, along with a new team leader, came up, I proposed that we look for some sort of armor and LB system that will suit our needs for protection and mobility. I figured that we'd need more protection than an old patrol vest, but probably less than the entry team's setup. I also didn't want to use the entry teams old vests for a number of reasons, not least of which is that as the perimeter team, concealment and mobility are still somewhat important to us, and the old entry vests wouldn't let us carry our equipment where we're used to and don't blend in as well as our multicam does.
So, I proposed looking at MOLLE plate carriers that would allow us to work with our concealed vests, and allow us to "up-armor" if needed. I figured that we'd get them in OD or Ranger/Smoke Green to aid in concealment.
SO, I looked at several plate carriers, and Eagle's Rhodesian Plate Carrier stands out for these reasons:
1. It allows the operator to carry plates or not, depending on the mission
2. It's not too big, so it would allow for more mobility, and allow us to carry gas or the dam spotlights on our backs
3. There is a back panel available (as well as the Yote pack), which would allow us to put plates on our backs (and hang POLICE placards, which is important to the brass)
4. Not too expensive (we have the plates)
Summed up, I'm looking for suggestions for an armor/load bearing setup for a perimeter element for a tactical team that will either operate with or close to the entry element in a close support role, or separately in an open field type environment (we also have several large parks). I'm looking for a system that can be worn with armor or without, depending on mission needs. Our loadout is typically 200 rnds of .223, comms, cuffs, and water (gas and bangs are carried sometimes, too, and a couple of us also have IFAKs).
Any help that you can provide is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for looking.