Message from our Contact in-Country

20 Nov 07

This message is to all contributors to the War Effort. It is from CWO Danny Luke who is our contact in-Country:

"I need to thank you, all of your students and friends. My request for tools and various items has been met with unbelievable support and patriotism. I have received all of the tools that I asked for and more.

Please pass to all: My requests have been filled, and I am indebted to all of them. The tools will be passed to my replacement next year, and the supplies should last us well past the New Year if not the entire deployment.

I have taken pictures of all that I have received and sent them to the generous donors. I have taken some pictures of my instructors at work and will take more in the coming months. I will ask you for an address at a later date to send them on to you. Our Internet service here is extremely poor. Sending just one picture is difficult.

The Battalion is in good shape and has done a tremendous job thus far in securing our AO and training Iraqi Police and Army to assume the security responsibilities when we leave. We have not lost one Marine and have suffered only a few significant injuries.

I say to one and all: We will keep up the fight. Please accept our best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving and the safest of Holiday Seasons!"

/John

ITOA Show, 2007

20 Nov 07

We attended the last day of the ITOA Show (Illinois Tactical Officers' Assn) today in Oakbrook, IL. Things of note:

Chicago Police Department has, at long last, approved Glock pistols. Glock was frozen out of CPD for many years, because of several individuals up the food chain, who, for reasons known only to them, just didn't like the pistol. They're now out of the way, and Glocks are finally approved for general carry. CPD has also, finally, approved the 40S&W round.

John Klein's (Sage International) replacement chasses for the M-14 rifle has been purchased by both the Marines and the Army. Designated the M-39 by the USMC, it is being issued to the "Designated Marksman" at squad level. It has rails for mounting accessories, along with a stock that is adjustable in length as well as height. Stock is also collapsible. A similar replacement chasses is available for the Mini-14, breathing new life into that gun as a patrol rifle. I've known John for many years, and everything he makes is top-drawer.

My friends at Glock tell me that the G19 has superceded the G23 as Glock's current best seller. The 9mm, they believe, has reemerged at the defensive pistol caliber of choice, at least in the non-police market. The shift is at least partially due to recent improvements in high-performance ammunition available in 9mm. The G21SF has now largely displaced the G21. Most departments looking for a pistol in 45ACP specify the G21SF

Friends with SIG report that many departments that had been using the DAK have abandoned it in favor of the conventional SIG system, now with the SRT (short-reset trigger)

Ruger's new SR9 was on display and garnered interest. It'srelatively low retail price, combined with its similarity to Glock, will insure at least some sales.

Throwing flash-bang munitions into doors is now considered an obsolete tactic by most SWAT units. The current trend it to insert flash-bang grenades through windows, on the end of specially-designed poles. This is a direct response to many unintentional injuries, to officers, suspects, and bystanders alike, associated with thrown flash-bangs.

ITOA, under the inspired leadership of Chief Jeff Chudwin, has established itself as the premier training organization in the Midwest. Good show, Jeff!

/John