Author: news

When one of the world’s most expensive, coveted luxury watchmakers collaborates with a value-driven brand like Swatch, rumors swirl. For the last few weeks, horology nuts have been tripping over themselves trying to figure out what Audemars Piguet and Swatch were up to. Most figured it would be an attainable tribute to the AP Royal Oak, which would have followed a previously trodden path. But whoa, did we get it wrong. The watch world ignited yesterday as Swatch and Audemars Piguet (AP) officially unveiled a historic collaboration: the Royal Pop. Breaking from the traditional wristwatch format, the collection reimagines the beloved Royal Oak as a…

By Kevin Creighton Posted in #Skills Let’s take a quick trip back in time, around 15 years or so, Travis Haley and Chris Costa had just released a very popular DVD (remember those?) called “The Art of the Tactical Carbine,” and pretty much everyone in the firearms training industry picked up a copy and watched it from beginning to end. The techniques demonstrated by Haley and Costa on that DVD, as well as similar techniques that were coming out of a decade of U.S. involvement in the Global War On Terror, were all the rage in the…

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team (USSS) will have a fresh line of gear when it hits the slopes at the next Olympic Games. The North Face (TNF) announced an 8-year partnership today as the official performance apparel sponsor of the USSS. The legacy outdoor brand will outfit athletes in specially designed “cutting-edge” uniforms for both the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in the French Alps and the 2034 Games in Salt Lake City. Leadership for both organizations called it a milestone. “We were looking for a partner that shares our commitment to performance, innovation, and the athlete experience,…

13th May 2026, Melksham, UK: The Government of Canada has awarded Avon Protection a five-year contract for the MITR-M1 Half Mask, MITR-PF Compact Particulate Filter, and accessories. The contract provides a framework agreement under which the MITR-M1 Half Mask and MITR-PF can be ordered for the Canadian Armed Forces. With this contract, Canada has become the first FVEY nation defence force to award a contract for the MITR-M1 Half Mask, ensuring its personnel are equipped with a lightweight, flexible respiratory solution for tactical low- to mid-level threat environments. Designed for fast-evolving operational scenarios that are unsuited to single-use face masks or…

KOMENDA, SLOVENIA (12 May 2026) UF PRO expands its clothing portfolio with the introduction of Woodland camouflage across several established products. Few camouflage patterns carry the same legacy and recognition as the iconic Woodland pattern, also widely known as M81. Introduced in the early 1980s as the standard camouflage of the United States Armed Forces, the pattern quickly became one of the most recognisable military camouflage designs worldwide. Over the decades, Woodland evolved far beyond its original military role, finding its place across special operations units, law enforcement teams, training environments, and the broader tactical community. Its characteristic four-colour composition,…

Benchmade Names Revered Industry Veteran Ryan Coulter Vice President of Product
 Coulter joins Benchmade Knife Company at a pivotal moment for the American-made knife manufacturer as the brand accelerates innovation, manufacturing and global expansion. PORTLAND, Ore. (May 11, 2026) — Benchmade Knife Company today announced the appointment of Ryan Coulter as Vice President of Product, bringing one of the outdoor and design industry’s most respected innovation leaders to the Oregon-based knife manufacturer as the brand accelerates its next chapter of product development, domestic manufacturing and global growth. Coulter officially joined Benchmade May 2026. Effective immediately, Coulter will oversee all aspects…

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Türkiye (AFNS) —   Explosive Ordnance Disposal Airmen from the 39th Civil Engineer Squadron, Incirlik Air Base, Turkiye, participated in Operation Deterrent Viking II, hosted by 786th Civil Engineer Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, at Baumholder Military Training Area, Germany, May 3–8. The exercise brought together EOD personnel from across the European theater for a multi-day training exercise focused on enhancing operational readiness and strengthening regional EOD response capabilities through realistic, scenario-based training. Events included unexploded ordnance identification and disposal, land navigation, casualty evacuation procedures and controlled explosive operations. “EOD plays a critical role in keeping the 39th Air Base Wing and our…

Deep inside Olympic National Park in Washington state lies a near–century-old, log-cabin–style chalet. The building is the centerpiece of Enchanted Valley, a striking landscape of rivers, waterfalls, and jagged peaks. For all its beauty, this structure has endured a string of logistical and communication issues that reveal what happens when the National Park Service (NPS) faces the perfect storm of underfunding, overcrowding, and poor planning. The History of Enchanted Valley Chalet With the U.S. Forest Service’s permission, a recreation company built the 2.5-story building in 1931 and operated it as a lodge for 11 years. Enchanted Valley is deep within…

Houston, TX — May 11, 2026 — ARO Products is expanding its line of holster-mounted gear solutions with the release of a new ARO Wrap™ designed for Alien Gear’s RAPID FORCE® Level 3 WML Holsters. The new ARO Wrap™ gives users the ability to add PALS-compatible mounting space directly to their RAPID FORCE® holster setup, creating more options for carrying essential gear without changing their primary holster platform. Built for duty, training, and range use, the ARO Wrap allows users to mount MOLLE-compatible accessories, pouches, and other supported gear where they need it most. “Many professionals and serious users already…

After fishing for nearly three decades, I only recently decided to start over and learn to fly fish. I never had the patience or determination before, but this time was different. The Pflueger President XT Fly Combo was shipped to my door because it was advertised as beginner-friendly and high-quality. I don’t want to buy a new fly combo every year because I break one; I want to buy a new one every year because I just want another one. Over the last several months, I’ve taken this 9’ #5 combo bass fishing, panfishing, and trout fishing in rivers and…