SWAT COLLECTOR'S DIGEST

SWAT COUNTERFEIT CLINIC: LAPD SWAT

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 09:08:07 GMT

SWAT TRICK TRIVIA QUESTION: In the Movie "HEAT" what Actor portrayed the Blonde LAPD SWAT Officer that is pictured above to the right? What Action Figure was modelled after his image?

The vast majority of LAPD SWAT insignia currently offered on E-bay auctions are counterfeits, or outright fakes as evidenced by the black variant of the LAPD SWAT patch shown on this full-size mannekin. The problem, as described by LAPD SWAT Team member Mike Odle, is that there is no black version of their patch, as well as the Desert Brown version that has been offered by a dealer in Spain. The black version is believed to have come about by a "rip-off" artist seeing photos of LAPD SWAT Team members wearing under their vests, during hot weather, a black T-Shirt that had the shoulder patch printed on the shoulder area and believing it to be a new embroidered variant, quickly counterfeited it.The baseball cap pictured is a fantasy piece that may have been made back in 1984, but according to Lt. Ron McCarthy (ret.) it was not made or authorized by the Team. Most of the Collectible items produced by the Team are of high-quality.The Badge pictured is another example of a total fantasy item made to seperate the Collector from his hard-earned money.The LAPD SWAT Team do not carry a badge that says SWAT TEAM on it.

At one of the SWAT ROUND-UP Tournaments there was a Dealer who set up Shop selling various LAPD SWAT items (Posters, Shirts,etc) there. Great, the problem was that the LAPD SWAT who were there competing had not authorized any of this material. It was all totally Bogus. The Team had with them a large numer of Shirts that they were selling to offset the expenses that were incurred just being at the Competition. I agreed to help them by selling their items at my Table. It was an Honor.

LAPD SNIPER Patch (Velcro Back- Nice Touch!) According to Team Member its another in the long list of Fantasies attributed to their Team.

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:18:33 GMT

SWAT Goes To The Movies:

The SWAT Van that appeared in the Film BATMAN BEGINS was recently sold on EBAY by a Texan for $1300+ to a female "Parrothead" (A Jimmy Buffet Fan).

An area of Collecting that we do not often think of as it relates to SWAT is "Prop Items" that are used in Films and Television to depict fictional Police Tactical Response Units. In researching my Book Project I was constantly being contacted by Collectors asking how authentic did I think a particular SWAT uniform was that had appeared in some Movie , suprisingly a lot of Foreign Intervention Units such as seen in THE KINGDOM or THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM. I encourage anyone who knows of any of the SWAT Props being sold from these two films to contact me.

Here is a Prop Shirt that was used in the Film TERMINATOR THREE. It was obtained from The Prop Shop of London (A Great Company to Deal With).

SOME MORE SWAT MOVIE TRIVIA: In the Movie "HOOPER" Brurt Reynolds and his Stunt Men get into a fight with a SWAT Team at the Palomino Club? What Major City Police Department are they supposedly from? What well-known Titan of the Gridiron played one of their members? For EXTRA CREDIT: Name the Stripper who jumps up from inside a birthday box to kiss Comedian Robert Klein in the Film?

OK, real quick, without looking at the Films name the SWAT Teams pictured or depicted in the following films : The Bourne Ultimatim, WASABI (starring Jean Reno), and The Da Vinci Code (They take out Silas,the Albino Monk).

IN THE SHADOWS: With Michele McPhee at a Book Signing in East Boston. She has penned two compelling crime books and is working on a third. Her appropriately named paperback HEARTLESS details the Entwhistle Murders where a Mother and Infant were killed by the Husband/Father because he could not keep up a charade as a financial mover and shaker. A gutless coward who should die a slow and painfull death. A pool full of starving Sharks with chipped teeth come to mind as appropriate executioners. McPhee's MOB OVER MIAMI is being made into a feature film.

A PLUG: If you are looking for someone to do some great quality illustrations for you for your next Team T-Shirt, etc. it would be more than prudent to contact Jim Gallagher of JIM'S COMICS in Winthrop, Mass. 02152 who has stuff has not only graced the pages of Comic Books but also the DEA CLET Patches from Texas (an Autographed Pair can be obtained from him). His E-Mail is DARTHOSS@aol.com He also stocks McFarland Military Figures, the Military Police Ogre figurine, etc. Check his store out at: 21 Somerset Avenue in Winthrop,Mass. And down the Street is the CRUSTY CRUMPET that has Peanut Butter Cookies, etc. (that are to die for...and are stocking Cold Milk).

DEA CLET~ Texas set

CZECH MP SOG: Still needed.

M.P. MEANY "OGRE" Statue which now graces O'NEILL'S PUB in Iraq, and has been carried for luck into harm's way by both American and British Military Police Units in Iraq & Afghanistan. It is available for sale at JIM'S COMICS.

CRUSTY CRUMPET:Great Cookies baked fresh. Plenty of places to get coffee within a stone's throw distance.

Jim of JIM'S COMICS with one of his quality grapic SWAT offerings.

GOD DAMN AMERICA? That's what you said, right? I had Uncles I never met who died at Pearl Harbor. Go Screw Yourself,Reverend Wrong! You think I owe you something? Reparations? I am Irish. I owe you nothing. During the Civil War my people wore Blue Uniforms and fought under Green Flags, and coined the phrase "Give em' Hell 54th!" when your people won their respect on the battlefield. Nothing is given ,it is earned.

MORE SWAT TRIVIA: In the Documentary TREKKIES II name the SWAT Officer who attends the "Klingon Feast" in Baltimore. EXTRA CREDIT: What was his nickname given to him after an Incident he responded to on the Washington DC Metro Trains ? EXTREME EXTRA CREDIT: Name two publications where his and my articles appeared in the same issues.

A Gathering of Klingons: Pick out the SWAT Commander.

CHECK OUT THIS NEW TACTICAL BLOG:

www.breachbangclear.com

LORD OF THE WINGS: Sir Christopher Lee holding Court at one of the Annual Chute & Dagger UK Meetings (A Great Organization...MEAN STREETS APPROVED!) in England. Note the Havanna Cigars. Your Chronicler of all things Tactical and representing the USA is at his right hand.

AHOY! HAVE YA SEEN THE GREAT GREEN THREE?

Thu, 25 May 2006 13:07:14 GMT

As SWAT Collectors grow in sophistication and their networking increases their insignia collections are not judged by their quantity but by their completeness. A good friend of mine is amused by some collectors, of FBI insignia in particular, where there are amoung their ranks individuals that assess the quality of another's collection just by the sheer numbers contained within, ignoring the fact that some are of dubious nature (Read: Counterfeits),origin, and authenticity. I prefer to aim my efforts in acquiring, and eventually displaying museum-quality offerings. So to that end,I am reaching out to Collectors and operators for one small patch that has continued to elude me, namely the Green Three Diamond (Task Force Three) patch that was worn by members of the United States Marshals Special Operations Group back when they wore the powder blue jumpsuits (circa Wounded Knee). As I have said in regard to this patch and the Hobby, we are all that little kid with the Lincoln Head Penny Collection who is missing the 1909 "S" VDB Penny that eludes him because of price and rarity. I am willing to pay a substantial bounty on this one (No Whining,Bitching, or Complaining...Big Boys Rules apply).

United States Marshal Service Special Operations Group Insignia Display (Patches Circa "Wounded Knee" 1970s onward)

MUSEUM GRADE DISPLAY: My US Marshal SOG display has been somewhat expanded to include a larger case and a Half-Torso Military Mannekin (from Webster Displays).

ATTENTION: There is an individual out there that took the photo of me with my HRT collection and "Cropped" me out of the photo. He has been going around telling people that it is either his collection or his Brother's who bought it from a Wealthy Mexican. Really? Well, Amigo you start that type of story with (whatever the Spanish equivalent is) "Once upon a time..." because its a freakin' fairy tale. Do everybody a favor and crawl back under what ever rock you came from. People are not that stupid, they were hip to what you were doing almost immediately.

FBI HRT FAKE PATCH

Sat, 10 Jun 2006 17:31:53 GMT

This is the current addition to the long list of totally fake Federal SWAT patches being foisted on unsuspecting Collectors. Of course, they want to trade it for other HRT items, namely real, legitimate HRT insignia.

And since its been a bit hot lately, a cool treat for those die-hard HRT Collectors. Yes, I have more beer glasses. And No, I am not sending anyone a photo. Try buying my freakin' book if you want a reference.

NEED IDENTIFICATION: What FBI SWAT Team wore this Rocker/Arc/Half-Moon Patch?

INFO NEEDED: Was this a Proto-type for the SWAT Lads of the Garda? No, Its a FAKE according to the Republic's Top Elfin Assassin (you know, Army Sniper) & Collector of Spec Ops Insignia.It does appear in Sam Katz's Magazine on SPECIAL OPS accompanying his Article. Were they "goofing" on him when they gave it to him?

Some of my Brazil SWAT Collection, still looking for the (Small Hat Size) Ceara GATE patch that features a head in balaclava (Larger Size just rec'd from an Austrian SWAT Collector).

FYI, as to the photo: I am happy,deliriously so, we just don't walk around with a goofey grin.

Many thanks to my Buddy Gregor in Austria for obtaining this for me. A Credit to Vienna and one of the most honest & discreet SWAT Collectors in Europe(or anywhere) and an enemy of Counterfeiters & Scam Artists that prey on the Hobby .

PHOTO from the Preface of a Great New Book on the Austrian EKO COBRA Counter-Terrorist Commando.

The Photo above that: Sir Christopher Lee who has graciously agreed to, and has written the foreword to my tome on INTERNATIONAL SWAT COLLECTIBLES for which I am very thankful had informed me that he has also penned the preface to a book on Austria's premier Police SWAT Team: COBRA. It is available only in German at this time.For the uninformed, my good friend spent most of his time in WWII in harm's way as a member of various Special Forces Units including the SAS.He is one of the "Old School" Good Guys that were the original "sharp end of the stick". A different time, and I dare say a different Hollywood.Extremely honored to have him as a friend and as my elder Uncle in "the Community".

MORE SWAT STUFF

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 21:42:17 GMT

A Thanks to our German and Danish CounterTerrorism friends for their continued vigilance. Good Job! Danke,Wundebar!

TRUE BLUE: The new German GSG-9 Wings. Their Elite membership are not exactly thrilled about changing their Uniforms from the tried and tested Forrest Green Border Police color scheme to the "new" blue BundesPolizei issue. I believe the Unit should decide what collr they want to wear, they earned it.

SWAT WINGS:

As there has been some recent enquiries regarding SWAT Qualification/Membership "Wings" and am addressing it in my Book, I invite anyone that may have information to submit it even if they are referring to Police Airborne "Jump" Wings such as the ones worn by the French Police Nationale elite RAID Team.

A Bullion reproduction of the 1st Issue Jump Wing.

METAL JUMP WINGS (Current Issue) "Gee, I wonder who did their miniature Lapel Size Wings for this Elite French Unit? Hmmmmm.... Let me think, its a bit fuzzy.....is he an Irishman from Boston that drinks Diet Mountain Dew until it squirts out of his ears. BTW, I will trade SWAT Insignia for other Mountain Dew DIET flavors such as the Red,Orange, and Grape.

METAL RAID JUMP WINGS (1st issue):

1st Photograph. As photographed on the Black BDU of its first Commander (Photo:Daniel J. Meany III)

These (Metal) are actually worn, the ones pictured above and "bullion" variants have not been confirmed.

SETA: These were the first SWAT "Wings" worn by Washington Area Tactical Officers who made up the Membership of the now defunct Special Equipment and Tactics Association. As time passed many of the teams started producing their own SWAT Qualification Wings. The Editor for GUNG HO Magazine took umbrage about a photo of me wearinga SETA Baseballhat that accompanied my article on SWAT Collectibles in SWAT Magazine. He was not happy with SETA adopting the SF Design as part of their logo, and he pointed out that I had not been a member of the Green Berets. Well,Pal...neither were you. I was an MP.

A glimpse at the very Rare and obsolete Washington DC Metropolitan Police ERT Wings.(Author's Collection). Look for a piece in my book about "Wings over Washington".

WHAT ONCE STOOD, WHAT WE FIGHT FOR, & WHY WE WILL NEVER FORGIVE or FORGET! AN IMAGE: FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FORGOT HOW LARGE THE TWIN TOWERS WERE (Photo:DJ Meany III)

A Neighbor of mine, a Flight Attendant, who caught the early moring free shuttle Bus from Winthrop to Boston's Logan Airport on September 11th, 2001 and never returned home.

MOVIE REVIEW:

I went to see Oliver Stone's new film WORLD TRADE CENTER and anticipating that it would be for me an emotional experience (as was UNITED 93) , I made sure that I went to the earliest Matinee where there would be less of a crowd. It is a must see, but be forewarned I went through at least two Kleenexes. I gritted my teeth in an attempt not to have my eyes well up with tears, but to no avail. I readily admit I am not a big fan of Nicholas Cage but his remarkable performance honored those brave souls that "stepped up" that fateful day. I was impressed .Therewas one scene that triggered a "flashback" for me to when I served on the Dignitary Protection Team (the only one representing Red Sox Nation there) for the 50th Anniversary of our World War II Victory Celebration and Parade in New York City.I had also produced the 3000 Medals given to the Veterans on that occasion. In the darkened theater, for a moment I could see the smiling faces of the members NYPD,PAPD, and NYFD who proudly participated that day. Mayor Guiliani marched slightly left and forward to me, as we were the rear of the Protective Ring. It dawned on me that, like ghosts from the past, many of those intrepid souls that I had shared a few laughs with on that proud moment in time had later vanished from the face of the earth on 9/11. They were truly New York's Finest and Bravest.

1995 New York City V-Day WWII 50th Anniversary Celebration: Shown is the Secretary of the Navy and the Dignitary Protection Team, on the far right is the only representative from Boston that served. The pins we wore are something I will cherish as on it appears the World Trade Center, six years before it vanished. I am at the far right in brown leather jacket.

A Special Thanks to Beau of Chesapeake Beach,Maryland for sending me the pair of U.S. Congress 9-11 Memorial Coins to me during this week when we look back, they mean a lot to me. Never Forget,Never Forgive,Never Surrender.

Bo Dietl in Boston (right), and avid SWAT COLLECTOR on Left.

POLICE TRIVIA: What special relationship did the WTC hold for Detective Bo Dietl?

Who complained to me, through Security Consultant Graham Knowles, that prior to the first World Trade Center Bombing that his Bureau handlers had refused to provide him with "fake" detonators that would have prevented the explosion? Where was he from? Who do you think sent him to infiltrate the "Blind Cleric's" Mosque? What is the only book penned by Graham Knowles? What alias did former Special Agent Christopher Whitcomb give him in the pages of his personal memoirs (COLD ZERO) of his service on the FBI HRT Team?

REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 1972: THE MUNICH MASSACRE

As we say in Boston when someone has done a really great job on something significant and things have really fallen into place, that they "Have cleared the Wall (The Green Monster) and hit the Citgo Sign (the huge neon landmark in Kenmore Square down the street from Fenway Park). I believe that this Red Sox Nation reference fittingly describes the research and fine work done by my buddy and fellow writer Leroy Thompson on the upcoming National Geographic Special on the MUNICH OLYMPIC MASSACRE as part of their Series: SECONDS FROM DISASTER.This incident was one the prime reasons that I enlisted in the U.S. ARMY MILITARY POLICE CORPS in 1973, so it holds a special significanse for me.Note Leroy's smooth handling of the AK versuses the fumbling of the late islamofascist Zarqawi ( he was more adept at cutting off (sawing) the head of a trussed-up unarmed American Civilian with a knife than anything related to actual combat). Read Leroy's related "Munich" articles in SWAT Magazine.To view a short clip of the Munich program , it is available via the British National Geographic website, here is the path:

http://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/explore/seconds/

Also, highly reccomended is two films : THE DEPARTED (starring my favorite ex-Inmate Mark Wahlberg, yes...he did a bit at the Ol'Deer Island Prison where I worked) and FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (Semper Fi, Clint. Great Job on this one).

QUICK KUDOS: Goes out to SEAL Team 2 "Plank Owner" Harry Humphries for his Technical Advisor/Military Consultant work on the Film: THE KINGDOM. keep up the Good Job from the guy that helped teargas the Republican Guard during the First Gulf War (Yep, they thought it was your guys (SEALS) using Nerve Gas! OC/CS in a clear vapor tossed by SF .)

Don't forget to read SWAT Magazine. My exclusive article on the Federal Air Marshals appeared in an expanded April 2007 issue.Also, you can go back to the first entries on this Blog in the "VIEW ARCHIVES"feature and check out the SWAT Trivia Section (Yes, I know the Saying: "If you ain't cheating,then you ain't trying" ....try that with the IRS and E-Mail to tell me how far that got you. You Tax Lab Monkey.)

12 Gauge NAVY SEAL Submachinegun

We Need More General John Singlaubs, and Far Less Michael Moores in the Country! Sorry for the blurry image, but I'm in the Photo and not taking it.

POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION NEEDED

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 07:07:33 GMT

FROM THE MIDDLE EAST,WHERE ALLIANCES AND THE POLITICS SHIFT AS QUICKLY AS THE DESERT SANDS. Here are a couple of insignia purported to be Police SWAT or Police Special Forces. The First reportedly coming from Eygpt that features a parachute and a happy Black Demon/Devil on flames and the Second hailing from the Kurd Section of Iraq. Anyone seen these or have some thoughts?

SOME OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN ADVERTISED AS BEING SWAT, from a Poland Source : THAYLANDER on EBAY (One Tomasz Macki, supposedly a Police Officer in that Country). Any identification would be helpful. Brunei, Fiji, and Romania. And now a Moroccan and a Lebanon SWAT Patches that apparently no one has seen before.Are these figments of his imagination and he's just making them up to feed a greed. If so, he is taking away much of the Honor the Polish Police Community has earned after the "IRON CURTAIN" finally fell.

UPDATE: He (THAYLANDER) has knocked off the Moroccan GIGR, Honduras COBRA (Older Version), Rennes GIPN "L'Ankou" (Death Figure) Sniper Patch, and a Guatelmala SWAT patch amoung others.He downloaded the images from a website, and counterfeited the the nearly impossible to obtain insignia so that he can greddily sell it to uninformed Collectors.

One Belguim Police Officer who has maintained a Great Website on Police SWAT & Anti-Terror Insignia worldwide has announced that he is selling his Collection due to all the fakes, fantasies, and counterfeits that are floating around out there, particularly on EBAY which continues to do nothing in confronting the Sellers (THAYLANDER should be barred for life) of these fraudulent items on their online auctions.

FBI SWAT OPERATOR FIGURINE

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 17:31:12 GMT

The specially commissioned FBI SWAT OPERATOR Figurine was done in a very small edition, Artist Proofs. Several of the Bureau SWAT Teams cooperated in the design most notably the Memphis Team that posed for photographs.Members from the Houston, San Francisco, Miami, and Boston Teams lent their advice, guidance , and expert opinions on the project.The UK Sculptor (who has since retired) stated that this statue was the most detailed that he had ever produced. He had done special commission renditions for the Special Air Service and the Royal Marine Commandos. As to availability, there are only a couple left, being held for some Bureau SWAT members (current & former). When Chicago FBI SWAT Team Leader Anthony "Tony" Saverese retired after many long years of service on that Team, he was presented with one of these. The price is $350 each plus shipping,insurance, & handling (approx. $17.75). Will advise, if the people that they are being held for fail to conclude the deal before the 15th of this month.

Are you looking for SWAT Action Figures: Check out Tony's Toys of Fall River, Massachusetts. It is a bitch and a half to get to and to finally locate, but well worth the drive, time, and the half a tank of gas it cost me to get there. It is on the Second Floor in the Wampanoag Mill, 420 Quequechan Street, Fall River, Mass. 02723 PH: (508) 672-3555

"I picked up a couple of Rare SWAT Figures there."

SWAT ROUND-UP ENDS

Fri, 11 Nov 2005 17:40:39 GMT

SWAT ROUND-UP 06 , the largest Tactical Competition in the world concluded with Orlando PD SWAT taking first place, the Federal Air Marshal Service taking second (a Force to be reckoned with), and Team SWEDEN taking third.. It is a credit to Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary that this annual tournament has grown and improved over the last couple of decades. The Judges are to be commended for their dedication, as they sacrifise their vacations and days off each year to volunteer for this yearly gathering of the world's elite. (New JUDGE'S Patch designed but not received in time for the Competition).A SWAT Team from UAE (Abu Dhabi) competed at the event, previously the Kuwait Police SF Team made the journey across the Big Pond to match their skills honed during the first Gulf War.

DEDICATED: A Special Forces Veteran who is retired, and despite more than a few surgeries ( Combat Related, not the assorted Ass Surgeries that plague the over 50 set....what did we do deserve this?) shows up for his duty as a Line Judge every year. Having spent many years in Asia, his command of their languages has made them feel very comfortable so many miles from home. Are you listening Thailand Unit ?

The Stockholm (SWEDEN) Team receive instructions from Judge V. Arnone before entering the Closed "Blind" HOSTAGE RESCUE Event (SWAT ROUND-UP INTERNATIONAL 2007).

KOREA NATIONAL POLICE SWAT TEAM: After watching from the sidelines and studying the Competition fot several years Korea sent thier Team to compete. This is their Presentation Medallion.

Only 66 Teams competed this year , not 85 as previously reported. No Powerhouse Teams such as LAPD SWAT or GSG-9 making an appearance, very noticible by their absence. Tactical Artist Dick Kramer had a table at the event returning after a long hiatus and his move to Virginia. Update 2007: 67 Teams competed. Orange County SO took FIRST and THIRD Place.

Thanks to WATERBORNE for the update. Be advised that WATERBORNE is presently far away in Persia on a one year contract. Be safe, CYA, Wear your vest.Update for July 2007, WATREBORNE will once again return to the swirling sands of the desert. Remember the line from Casablanca when Rick (Humphrey Bogart) was informed by Captain Reno that there was no water in Casablanca as it is "in the desert"after citing that it was the main reason he had come there, "I was misinformed".he dryly added. Its too bad that most modern movies lack that sort of quality of writing in their scripts.

(MORE INFORMATION TO BE POSTED LATER) 69 Teams competed in the 2006 Competition including Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, and Korea!

LOOKING FOR SWAT INSIGNIA FROM FEDERAL MEXICAN POLICE UNITS:

FRENCH INFLUENCE: Knowing that a friend of mine in RAID had conducted SWAT Training in Mexico many years ago, I did not want to immediately rule this patch out as a "fantasy". So, "as my Research showed" (A favorite phrase of a less than pompous member of a Collector's Group) it is an obsolete patch for a Municipality in the Mexico State, Mexico. It is interesting that the SWAT Team "borrowed" the Dick Kramer "Make My Day" design that appears on one of the RAID Coffee Cups that were sold in France. A number of Mexican Police SWAT Teams, early on, used or adapted US Army patch designs for their use such as the "Alamo" Group. Did any of them or a relative serve in the US Military? I am interested in what Radio Commentator Paul Harvey refers to as the "Story behind the Story".

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sun, 25 Dec 2005 19:03:29 GMT

SAS Leads the way! Operation NIMROD/PAGODA TROOP'S Explosive Entry into the Iranian Embassy, Princess Gate, London UK 1980. Good Lads (Red & Blue Teams), all of them.

MORE SAS NEWS: T.E.E.S. has been recently sold to the British Firm OLIVE GROUP, and the Good News is ex-NZSAS member Alan "Kiwi" Brosnan is staying on as Training Director and they will keep their highly recognizable two man SAS Troopers "Always go in Pairs" design as part of their company logo.

With John "Mac" McAleese at SWAT ROUND-UP INTERNATIONAL 2007, whose signature appears on the Signed,Numbered, limited Edition of the SAS Entry Team Poster above.He and Singleton were Pagoda Troop members who participated in the famous Iranian Embassy Siege at Princess Gate, LONDON 1980.

And Yes, I know this is not the flashlight or "torch" if you will, that was used during that siege.Phil Singleton and I worked on a Figurine project together that was the most accurate depiction of a NIMROD SAS CRW Raider to date, and he painstakingly drew each piece of kit that was used for that Op from the underwear on up. Attention to such small details such as the manner to which SAS Troopers laced their boots was paid close attention to. The lessons learned on that project greatly helped me when I commissioned a sculptor in the UK to accurately render my FBI SWAT Operator figurine later.The Sculptor stated that the FBI SWAT figure was the most detailed that he had ever worked on (which says a lot if you see some of the other Work he has rendered). There are only a couple of them left, and they are presently being held.

BACK FROM MY FRENCH SWAT VACATION

Sun, 09 Jul 2006 22:51:05 GMT

Just got back from France and spent some time visiting with RAID, GIGN, and GIPN. I also stopped by the BRI in Paris to check out their armored vehicle, and met with my old friend Eric Micheletti , the Editor-in-Chief of RAIDS magazine. The SWAT Teams of France, despite politics and the problems that plaque police around the world (pay,etc.) do not let anything take away from their dedication to the mission and their SWAT brothers. I am deeply indebted to Officer Bruno Ursch (The IPA in France are indeed lucky to have him repping for them) and Commandant Vincent G. (A legend in the French SWAT fraternite) for their hospitality and friendship. One of the best vacations I have ever experienced. I now speak French like a native.....yes, if that native is from the planet Mars.It was significant that I was there during our 4th of July as if it were not for the French standing tall with us way back then ,we would not have a Country. By the way, McDonald's in France serves COLD BEER! Viva la France, viva la tall cold ones! Its interesting to note that there has been some recent mention of having French troops stationed in Lebanon as a "peacekeeping force". The critics say that they will be as ineffectual as any UN Troops that were stationed there before proved to be, particularly if they are used as a stationary border force, or ordered not to engage as in Rwanda or Somalia. The UN Troops to be effective must, to take a quote from the film BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID, be allowed to "Move and Shoot". They must be allowed to conduct Special Operations Missions (i.e. hunt down and neutralize the terrorist threats and interdict through force of arms those massacring innocent civilians) otherwise they become the human equivalent of the Marginot Line.The Terrorists are well aware of this.The major enemy of successful Special Operations missions is and always will be POLITICS.

SPEAKING OF POLITICS: A Welcome sign in France is the Election of the Former Boss of all Police Mr. Karcozy as their President. If anyone can turn that Country around it is him. He has the Balls of a Lafayette! Congratulations!

Some EPIGN Sniper Badges that have been added to my Collection.

Mini-UZI Submachinegun in the hands of an "Old School" French SWAT Luminary.