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Whiskey Delta Gulf is an ‘all the lumens’ sort of place. We
like as much light as we can carry in our pockets, on our rigs and, most certainly,
on our weapons. The innovation, from old D cell MagLights taped to MP5s a la
Pogoda Troop era to the modern eye searing models we use today, has been
amazing. This year, especially, is proving to be a pinnacle year for those in
the light fight as tactical light companies are all releasing more formidable and
ground-breaking product.
Weapon lights are simply more than the ability to see in the
dark with a gun. Weapon lights are life savers. Both for the weapon operator
but for non-combatants stumbled upon during operations. I can attest to this
from some real world experience during the GWOT.
Weapon lights are used for Positive Identification (PID),
Force Projection and as a Control Measure. The primary consideration for weapon
lights is PID. We don’t use weapon lights to see. We use them to identify
hostile targets. The Afghans knew that a bright light piercing the darkness of
the desert night was likely attached to a weapon system. We knew they knew. Thus,
we used light as Force Projection by demonstrating our willingness to use force
as we actively searched or denied ground with light. Yes, we aggressively used
other no-light methods as well. But, as a Control Measure, light is very
useful. Nothing says to a subject ‘we have you covered’ like a face full of
bright light. Many a local villager was stopped in his tracks by a bright beam
of light attached to a weapon. Some of these tactical concepts are not intuitive
and need to be taught.
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The officer in the above photo is using his weapon light
mounted to his carbine for an administrative purpose: searching a SECURE crime
scene for shell casings. The scene is obviously clear as the press is filming the search for evidence. At a few points in the short TV clip, he either lazes
himself and/or comes close to lazing his fellow officers. What else got lazed
off camera?
Using a weapon light for administrative purposes is
generally a bad idea. One, powerful weapon lights need charged batteries to put
out the requisite lumens when called upon in a low light fight. If the weapon
light has been used constantly for other purposes, the juice will not be there
when you need it. Running your light dry at the beginning of a fight sucks. Use
your hand held for administrative searching. Two, never let your muzzle cover
anything you are not willing to destroy. Simple, your weapon light is attached
to a weapon! I have had soldiers in training offer me light while working on a
casualty by pointing their weapons at me! This could have been mitigated when interior
by running the weapon muzzle up and splashing the ceiling with light rather
than muzzling teammates. Watch your muzzle awareness and avoid the muzzle
direction dogma.
There are no bad troops. There are only bad leaders. -
Brigadier General S.L.A. Marshall
As said before, these tactical concepts are not necessarily intuitive
and need to be taught. The failure lies within the training system. Obviously,
this officer was not taught correctly. That failure lies with the leadership. Likely, they have not been trained properly either. It is known that certain Canadian police forces and government agencies will
not even issue weapon lights in fear of their use administratively. TV video
clips like these are fuel for that fire. Rather than equip line officers with minimum
requirement gear and training to properly identify threats in adverse lighting,
some chose to control a training issue with gear selection. This, too, is poor
leadership.
I get it. Training is expensive. It costs budget and time.
Time spent training is not time spent writing tickets, completing paperwork or
breaking down doors. In the short term. Proper training reduces injuries, lawsuits
and liability in the long term. Think long term, beyond your mandate, is visionary
leadership.
Be a visionary. Get some training. Then help train others.
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