Bomb Disposal After Desert Storm

I am an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Journeyman in the US Air Force, now the Reserves. While still on active duty, I was deployed to Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait throughout the summer of 1999. One of our missions was to clear and neutralize any unexploded ordnance (bombs, rockets, grenades, etc) found in the area left over from Desert Storm, which there were many despite the nearly 10 year time span. We were issued the large and small Mag Lites but one of my supervisors had, in his personal gear, a SureFire 6P flashlight. It was definitely the flashlight of choice. It was undoubtedly the brightest of all of our equipment and the most durable. I wish everyone had had one.

James S., USAF Reserves, El Paso, TX, United States

SureFire Flies With Blackhawk

I use the SureFire light both in my Remington 870 Shotgun and my H&K MP5 Sub-Machine gun as a pilot in command of a US Customs h40 Blackhawk Drug Interdiction Flight Crew. They are awesome - I also had one attached to a Steyer AUG gun with a pressure sensitive grip. You may use this WITHOUT mentioning my name (for security purposes).

Pilot and Commander, US Customs Drug Interdiction Flight Crew, Homestead, FL, USA

On patrol in the city of Gnjilane, Kosovo

Currently our unit is on patrol in the city of Gnjilane, Kosovo. We are responsible for a safe and secure enviroment for all the people, about 85,000. The power goes out daily and usually at night and the Maglite most carry just doesn't cut it. Leaders have been buying the G2 and C2. These lights provide an outstanding beam of light that not only lights up an alley but the whole street. Also since they run on lithium batteries they are always ready even in the extreme winter conditions we patrol in. Thanks for making such a fantastic light. It should be standard issue.

David M., Camp Monteith, Kosovo

Instructor’s Students Zap ‘Terrorists’

My experience with your products has been nothing less than exceptional. I am a US Navy Weapons and Tactics Instructor and utilize your lights for work. My students are amazed at the power of your lights both in illumination and in the effect that they have on the terrorists. Thanks for a great tactical advantage.

Howard C., US Navy Weapons & Tactics Instructor, Virginia Beach, VA

Marines Call 9P “The Sun”

I have used a 9p for years as an officer of Marines. As a platoon commander it proved invaluable during the Corps' Urban Warrior experimentation. My 9P justly earned the nickname the sun from my troops who dreaded its focused beam during infiltration exercises. More than one lost piece of gear has been found late at night thanks to its superior lighting when normal lights have us come up empty-handed. On occasion my 9p has also provided the necessary light for my corpsmen to patch up one of my Marines. The only way I would go to the field without it would be if I retired it and upgraded to a newer SureFire.

Justin D., Platoon Commander, US Marines, Chesapeake, UA, USA

Soldier "Donates" To Enemy

In 1998 I was stationed at Ft. Bragg N. Carolina, and participated in the Special Forces exercise "Robin Sage" as a guerilla. The Special Forces candidates/students encouraged us to tape flashlights to the handguards of our weapons while conducting room/vehicle-clearing drills. I had my first SureFire, a 6P, and was very happy to use it the way it was meant to be used - in combat. The last mission the team was given was a raid behind "enemy" lines via helicopter. Upon completion of the primary objective, we made our way back to the LZ and were engaged by an enemy platoon (82nd Airborne plays the role of aggressor in these exercises). After this engagement, we were pulling security along the wood line adjacent to the LZ, and started to hear movement directly in front of us. We called for whoever was there to ID themselves, and were answered by a few short bursts of fire. After another 5 minutes or so, I heard movement again in front of me. I knew calling for this person to identify himself would probably only bring more fire, so instead, I thumbed the 6P on and instantly blinded an "enemy" soldier. While shielding his face, and no doubt grimacing from the sheer blinding light, he could only manage to ask: "Schoffel, is that you?" I answered, yeah, it's me, do you need some more ammo?" He said yes, and I gladly gave him three rounds...in the chest. The Special Forces students later warned me that, while this was a good method, it just didn't fit within the parameters of the Geneva Convention.

I was also told the story of a former retired Special Forces member who participated in the famed "Son Tay" raid. He had landed at what was supposed to have been a "secondary school" but actually turned out to be a garrison of Chinese, or Russian troops. This member of the raiding force told the candidates something to this effect: "As we were moving though this place, I saw two (enemy) soldiers, who looked like they could use some ammo, so, I gave them 20 rounds." The Special Forces candidate who related the story to me had been next to me on the LZ, and we had a good laugh over my "donation" of extra ammunition to the "enemy" soldier.

Soldier's Story: Bosnia

I just want to tell you that the SureFire G2 Nitrolon flashlight has been one of the best investments I have made. I am a deployed US soldier on SFOR14 in Bosnia. The G2 is the perfect light for me: the price was in my budget and it is sturdy enough for field conditions.
I purchased my SureFire at the PX before this deployment, and I don't go anywhere without it. It is much brighter and easier to carry than the old issue plastic flashlight, and has been most useful on "active harvest" missions when we search buildings for weapons and explosives (it's nice to really see what's in a dark attic or barn before you go in). Using my SureFire, I have found many explosives and weapons here in Bosnia and it's always on my LBV (Load Bearing Vest).

With all the other equipment we have to carry, it's nice to have something so useful that doesn't weigh a ton. I hope that one day the Army makes the G2 an issue item. When I get home I plan on purchasing two more SureFire lights for the house and car. I'm sure they will be as handy at home as they are in Bosnia.

26th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Kosovo

I am a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marines and the reason for this letter is to thank you for such a great product. I was a member of 2d Force Reconnaissance Company from 1995 until July 2000 and deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Kosovo last year.

While undergoing our CQB training I had the pleasure of using the SureFire and immediately fell in love with it. Throughout all of our training at night, low light situations and a myriad of other uses the SureFire never once failed me. While deployed into Kosovo, my SureFire once again kept going strong and gave me one hell of an advantage. Attached to my MP-5, the SureFire afforded me light in dark houses, alleys and every other urban environment situation I encountered and to tell you the truth, it amazed me how something so small could put out so much light.

My hand held SureFire met the challenge as well and was on my side at all times. I have since left Force Recon, but I am thankful to have worked with such a great product and congratulate and thank you for a job well done.

Gunnery Sgt Ed W., United States Marine Corps, Military Freefall Jumpmaster

What One Tool Do You Take on Deployment? SureFire

I am currently deployed to Al Dhafra AB, UAE. Both here and at my home station, Edwards AFB in California, I use my SureFire 6Z frequently. I am an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician and my SureFire is probably one of the best and most reliable tools I have. Its design lends itself to be used in a variety of scenarios, from carrying a side arm to performing routine sweep and clear operations. While deployed, I have spent countless hours under and on top of a variety of vehicles. I have dropped, smacked, and snagged my 6Z and it has yet to fail. High-speed equipment like this is hard to come by and when you do find it, you stick with it. I will never consider another brand of flashlight if this one breaks. This is one of only a handful of equipment items I was able to bring when I deployed and as I expected I have no regrets. Thanks for the great piece of gear.

SSgt William F., Sergeant, Edwards Air Force Base

M3 Combatlight on USS Cole

I am a third-class Petty Officer onboard the USS Cole. I first heard about SureFire back in high school when I was a member of a Police Explorer unit back in Dallas, Texas. At that time I could not afford it. Last year, I made the move and bought your newer M3 Combatlight and have had many uses for it. Everything from security alert drills to looking inside electronic cabinets, the M3 never let me down.

When my ship was bombed on October 12, 2000, the M3 received the approval of my shipmates and me as the best flashlight around. I was asked to do numerous jobs from identifying people in the darkness within the ship to constantly illuminating the waters around us at night to ward off any potential follow up attacks.

However, the most memorable moment I had with my M3 was when I had to go down to an engineering space and search for any shipmates that may be trapped and to report the status of flooding. This compartment was huge and is much larger than most people's living rooms. When I reached the space, I was greeted by pitch blackness with only a few battle lanterns dimly lit and the cave like sound of dripping water.

I was very much afraid at this moment. The only thing that really kept me going was my M3. I turned that on and began a methodic search for ruptures in the compartment and any injured or dead shipmates. It took me about 20 minutes to search both decks and I was thankful that I did not find anyone in there. There was trickling water from all over the compartment and with the M3 I was able to determine the water level of the room and how serious the flooding was, which wasn't too serious.

The following three weeks, the M3 was extensively used by me and borrowed by any friends time and time again. Most people used Mag-Lites on board. The security personnel were issued a few Streamlights. But to everyone I talked to, the M3 was the only flashlight we had that left no doubt in their minds over reliability, performance and ruggedness. And they were right, the M3 never let me down on anything and the only thing I ever had to do those three weeks was change the battery.

Thank you for creating a flashlight that I could always rely on and would never fail me. I am now saving my money up and will be getting your new 10X Dominator. My experiences in the police explorers has developed my security consciousness and what happened to us further reinforces my mindset. Thanks again.

FC3 Christopher J.H., USS Cole

The whole boarding team carries nothing but 6P SureFires

I am a Boatswain's Mate 3rd class in the US Coast Guard. Since 9-11 we have stepped up to the job of port security as well as our continuing mission in search and rescue. On many occasions we board large tankers transporting hazardous materials into our home ports. We inspect the whole vessel before letting it pass into our waters. And the whole boarding team carries nothing but 6P SureFire Flashlights. The durability of these small light weight flashlights combined with the power to bring daylight into any dark engine room make it an absolute essential to the safety of our crew. Thanks for doing your part for your country.

BM3 Morin, J., USCG Station Galveston, TX