Another Gear Blog

Tuesday 2 January 2024

Early SAS weapons.

Counter Revolutionary Warfare wing on the range with suppressed MAC 10s and Sterling L34A1s. Photo was likely early to mid 70s before the adoption of the H&K MP5 in 1977.

SAS Troopers conducting rehearsals for the Balcombe St siege. The H&K MP5 wasn't issued until the late 70’s. Before that they used the Ingram MAC 10 which had a cyclic rate of 1300 RPM.

The Balcombe Street siege was an incident involving members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and London's Metropolitan Police lasting from 6 to 12 December 1975. The siege ended with the surrender of the four IRA members and the release of their two hostages. The events were televised and watched by millions.

Brazilian troops in the caatinga bioma

PPE comes in many forms, Brazilian troops in the caatinga bioma. The inhospitable caatinga bioma (the driest in South America, covers 12% of Brazil) requires a unique uniform that provides protection from the harsh environment.

The uniform consists of khaki colored denim with leather reinforcement on the arms, legs and chest. It's designed to protect from thorns, branches and rocks. Instead of helmets, which are noisy, too hot and bulky, head gear similar to that adopted by the regional cowboys is used, with a foldable flap and extension to protect the nape of the neck. Lexan goggles complete the uniform.

Pathfinder Capt Blakeley in low pro kit

Capt Blakeley in low pro kit on a mission in Iraq.

His small team of nine men was sent forward to recce Qalat Sikar airfield, 120km north of Nasiriyah, during the invasion of Iraq. Their task was to check its suitability as a LZ for Paratroopers. Relying on US intelligence, they were stunned to suddenly find themselves in the middle of an Iraqi camp, Capt Blakeley explained: “They didn’t do anything because it was so outrageous. They didn’t expect us to suddenly move through their position.”

The Iraqi’s soon recovered their wits and hit back. They watched as the headlights of 15 pick up trucks, each carrying a dozen of Iraq's feared Fedayeen, drove past and realised they were trapped behind enemy lines.

The team was alone and surrounded. They had to fight their way back through five ambushes, past Iraqi bunkers and machine gun positions, with RPG’s flying over them: “It was like Star Wars. The intensity of fire was like nothing I have ever seen. We were stupidly lucky.” Saved by incredible luck and valour two members of the team would earn Military Crosses.

When they tried to call for air support “I was told instantly by a senior officer there was no air. It was like swallowing acid. They didn’t say wait out, we were not told they would try. The team ‘asked again for combat recovery’ but I was told again there was nothing available. It was crushing, devastating. We were totally on our own, abandoned.”

Fortunately they were able to fight their way back to American positions, their vehicles riddled with shrapnel and bullet holes. Capt Blakeley had one through his trouser leg while another soldier had a round embedded in the pistol on his chest. They passed on grid references on all the Iraqi units they had encountered to the US Marines.

“The mission had failed but we had done our damnedest. I was “interviewed without coffee” and asked why I had continued, given the situation in Nasiriyah. When I thought of these amazing guys and what we had contributed to the intelligence picture, I was shaking with anger.”

Captain Blakely recounts his experiences in his book “Pathfinder – A Special Forces Mission Behind Enemy Lines.”

Thursday 12 October 2017

Warrior “Fearless” Fred Marafono.

“Fearless” Fred Marafono, 13/12/40- 27/3/13. Born on the island of Rotuma in Fiji, he joined the British Army at 21 and served in the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, before joining the SAS, where he saw service in Borneo, Aden, Oman, Northern Ireland and the Falklands.

After having left the SAS Fred arrived in Sierra Leone in 1994, he later joined two former members of Executive Outcomes and together they crewed a single helicopter that provided a vital air bridge between Sierra Leone and neighboring Liberia.

During “Op Barras”, the SAS and the Parachute Regiment operation to free five soldiers of the Royal Irish regiment held by the “West Side Boys” militia, Marafono, three months short of his 60th birthday, hovered overhead ready to give cover fire in a helicopter gunship.
Though both sides were accused of atrocities in the war, Marafono was convinced he was fighting on the right side. “I’m not going to boast and brag about killing people. But I never lose a night’s sleep about it. We were not doing it because of money; we were doing it because it was a mission. If we don’t do it, people will die – and die terribly.”

He was widely respected in the SAS for his fearlessness. He was also noted for introducing to the regiment the ritual of drinking flaming Drambuies, which involved igniting, then knocking back, large glasses of the liqueur. As on the battlefield, there were frequent casualties.

He was appointed MBE in the New Year’s Honours of 1983. The citation: “It is doubtful whether any officer or NCO can equal the number of operations which WO1 Marafono has volunteered for and taken part in. On all, his standards of leadership and gallantry have been a positive inspiration to subordinates and superiors who have come into contact with him. Many anti-terrorist techniques currently in use in Northern Ireland and in the UK are the result of his unstinting work and clear vision. Perhaps his greatest contribution to the Regiment has been in the jungle where he has evolved many methods of operating which will form the basis of Special Operations for many years to come. His abilities as a visual tracker are legendary, and he is conceivably the leading expert in this field in the Service. Over many years he has consistently put the Service’s need before his own, and has been a key figure in influencing many matters of Regimental and National importance.”

In his last years he co-authored a book about the time he spent in Sierra Leone, entitled

From SAS to Blood Diamond Wars

(Please note this is an affiliate link).

Monday 15 May 2017

Mayflower/ Velocity Systems Multi-Purpose Patrol Vest in MultiCam.

Mayflower Multi-Purpose Patrol Vest.

This video is a walk through, talk through about Mayflower's (Now Velocity Systems) Multi- Purpose Patrol Vest. This vest is very light weight and innovative with lots of great features.

Description from the Velocity Systems site,

The Mayflower Multi-Purpose Patrol Vest is designed for those patrolling situations where armor is not needed. It has a front center zip for ease of doffing and donning and a mesh back panel sized for a 3-litre water bladder. The vest is adjustable for height as well as girth via ITW G-Hooks and shock cord. The magazine pouches are designed to carry up to eight M4 type magazines or four 7.62x51 magazines. Additionally two of the M4 magazine pouches feature small GP pockets on the front sized for a compass, GPS or similar sized items. The side GP pouches are sized to carry 32 oz Nalgene bottles or smaller items and have PALS webbing on the front and sides for the attachment of additional pouches. The harness and back panel feature an abundance of one-wrap VELCRO® Brand for cable management. All materials and workmanship are 100% made in the USA.

Link to video where Travis Rolph talks about the MPPV.

Link to Arc'teryx LEAF Ready video.

Velocity Systems Website.

Optactical Website.