Warrior Expo is the brainchild of ADS Inc. based out of Virginia Beach, Virginia. ADS Inc. provides public safety and the military with operational equipment and logistical solutions to meet the requirements of their respective missions. The Warrior Expo gives military, law enforcement, and EMS the opportunity to interact with manufacturers of the products offered by ADS Inc. Check out the ADS Inc. website at: http://www.adsinc.com/
ADS Inc. provides equipment for five key missions:
- Tactical
- Medical
- Expeditionary
- Fire and Emergency Services
- Maintenance, Repair, & Operations (MRO)
Warrior Expo East 2012 took place over two days in July 2012. It was held at theVirginia BeachConvention Centerand featured two hundred vendor booths set up for 1500 attendees. If you can imagine it, you could pretty much find it at Warrior Expo. If you needed heavy equipment to build an airfield in a third world country, you could visit the Case booth to look at bull dozers and loaders. If you need an IR strobe or ID markers, you could go to the CEJAY Engineering booth. Like I said, the expo had everything you need.
Warrior Expo’s Keynote Speaker was Mr. Rudy Giuliani. Mr. Giuliani shared his views about leadership and how success drives excellence. Throughout the Warrior Expo, there were Breakout Sessions that included Early Detection of Intracranial Hematomas, How to Prevent Death Related to Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Tactical Combat Casualty Care updates, Power and Energy Considerations of Forward Operating Bases, and a demonstration of the DuPont Thermo Man to show how well new fire retardant BDU’s work.
My objective for going to the expo was to find several new and different items relevant to the law enforcement community that might help you complete your mission.
ASP had just introduced several new products. The first item was their Talon Baton. ASP says they have produced a new standard with the Talon and that it’s the next generation of intermediate force. It’s a locking baton that uses two opposing discs that cam into an internal groove that is machined into each tube of the baton. Extending the baton is exactly the same as their previous friction lock baton. The big difference is that the tail cap has a push button retraction so you don’t have to smash it on the ground to collapse the baton. Lock up was very positive and there was no wiggle when the baton was extended. ASP also redesigned their Sapphire light. The old Sapphire had a momentary activation pressure pad. The redesigned Sapphire has the switch allowing you to turn it on and leave it on. It can also be recharged by plugging it with a micro USB cable. ASP also introduced their Triad USB Flashlight. It’s a primary flashlight that is charged using a micro USB cable. The kit comes with a wall charger and cigarette plug charger but, you can also plug it in to your lap top. A single charge will last you two hours and if you can’t wait for the light to charge, it’s dual fuel, you can throw in two CR123A batteries and keep going. The Tactical Light Case was designed to carry the Triad USB and can be worn on your gun belt or on MOLLE webbing. Check out the ASP website at: http://www.asponlinestore.com/
Zero Point is a service disabled, veteran owned small business from Virginia Beach, VA offering custom EOD and survival kits. The crew at Zero Point that put these kits together is comprised of highly experienced operators and knows exactly what you need, even if you don’t. Zero Point can also provide training and consultation services. Check out Zero Point on their website at: http://www.zeropointusa.com/
Combat Medical Systems has introduced several new products for tactical trauma care. They have developed a new chest seal called the Sentinel Chest Seal for penetrating chest wounds. It’s a dual vent chest seal that allows the wound to burp itself and drain blood away at the same time. They also developed the MOJODART. It’s a decompression needle for relieving a Tension Pneumothorax. The MOJODART is unique in that the catheter is thicker than other decompression needles and that extra thickness helps to keep the catheter from binding or kinking. CMS also decided to offer a Chest Trauma Kit. It includes two of their Sentinel Chest Seals and one MOJODART in a small tube. CMS also developed the Battle Wrap. Instead of using an ACE bandage to help provide pressure on a wound, you can use the Battle Wrap. The Battle Wrap stretches 30% compared to 80% stretch in an ACE Bandage. The Battle Wrap also has a mild adhesive that sticks to itself rather than the patient. It’s easily removed from skin without causing pain. Check out the Combat Medical Systems website at: http://www.combatmedicalsystems.com/
Otis Technology is known for small, compact gun cleaning kits and has introduced several new products and advancements in their kits. Otis has introduced a 3 Gun cleaning system that can maintain your 5.56 mm, 9 mm, 40 S&W, .45 ACP, and 12 gauge all in one kit. The kit comes with MOLLE straps on the back so it can be attached to your pack or vest easily. They have also started using a polymer insert to hold all the contents instead of their tradition foam inserts. If you still want to be able to have a 3 Gun system in one kit but, want to do it with a little more style, you may opt to get their Zombie Gun Cleaning System. That’s right, there’s no need to worry about weapons maintenance during the apocalypse. Otis has you covered. Check out the Otis Technology website at: http://www.otistec.com/default.asp
5.11 had their Breaching Tool System on display and were doing breaching demos both days. The tools in this system are unlike any breaching tools you’ve seen before. They were designed by two HRT operators from Sweden and are in use all over Europe right now. While you can buy all of the tools separately, you can also get them in kits. For patrol units, you have the Active Patrol Breeching Kit. The Active Patrol Breeching Kit includes a MultiSledge, MultiPry, and Active Patrol Breaching Kit Bag. Then there is the Heavy Breaching Kit for tactical or high risk teams. The Heavy Breaching Kit includes a MultiBreacher, MiniRam, MultiPry, EdgeBender, and Heavy Kit Bag that can be worn like a back pack. The though that has gone in to these tools was obvious. I watched these tools in action and was impressed at just how little force was needed to breech the 5.11 Multi Purpose Training Door. I don’t know if was really a matter of being able to use a little bit of force but, smart force with well designed tools. 5.11 wants to make sure you know how to best employ these tools and offers a one day breeching course or a two day breeching instructor course. Check out the 5.11 website at: http://www.511tactical.com/
This is obviously just a small sampling of what the Warrior Expo had to offer so I suggest that you go to one and check it out for yourself when one comes to a town near you. Check out the Warrior Expo website at: https://warrior-expo.com/.
Max Schulte
Max Schulte is a Nationally Registered EMT-Paramedic that is also an 22 year veteran of law enforcement with 5 years spent on active duty as a US Army Military Policeman. His duties included patrol, Special Reaction Team, SRT Sniper, & Military Police Investigations. He is currently serving with a large law enforcement agency in Maryland where he has worked patrol, criminal investigations, fugitive investigations, and aviation. He is a field armorer for numerous weapon systems and an adjunct firearms instructor for his agency as well as several civilian firearms and tactics training companies.
