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Orange boat maker supplies defense for Super Bowl

rick

rick

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By Tommy Mann Jr.

The Orange Leader

ORANGE - Orange County will be well represented at Super Bowl XL in Detroit by three intimidating defenders that would make even the biggest offensive lineman stop and stare.

American Airboats Inc. is sending three airboats to Detroit to help with security for the Super Bowl. The boats were ordered and are going to be operated on game day by the U.S. Coast Guard.

“This is the second contract we've had with the Coast Guard,� said Stan Floyd, owner of American Airboats. “We added several extra features or made changes to these that most airboats don't have like....

The rest: http://www.orangeleader.com/articles/2006/01/24/news/news2.txt
 
I'm all for airboats and airboat stories, but why does the Coast Guard use them for security at a domed stadium in Detroit?
 
Hi-5's to Faron's family!

Hmmmm..... Randy... That domed stadium is on the river, and not only is that river the city limits of Detroit, it's the state line for Michigan.... and the BORDER OF OUR COUNTRY. Canada's security is good I'm sure.... but it's THEIR security, not ours. And the Superbowl has become a symbol of American life which makes it a tempting target for cowardly terrorists trying to make a statement.

How are they going to protect it? I dunno. But I like having tools in my tollbox that I may not use.... but nice to have just in case. Maybe the Coast Guard is just getting out all it's tools - just in case.

matt
 
I could be mistaken, but I think the CG is using their new airboats to do security patrols on the Detroit River during the Super Bowl. Faron, help me out here...
 
I am a little unclear on the details but I will make a phone call to find out and post more info.
I have a couple pictures of the boats to post too. I will also ask them if they take any pictures to forward them to me so I can share with all of you guys.
Thanks for the support.
 
I called the Coast Guard just to get a little clearer on the details and the boats are being used on the U.S. Border around the SuperBowl. Watch the Blimp Cam and maybe we will get a view of them.
 
Cool,

50 caliber on an airboat? (talk about torque roll)! I finally got a reason to watch "stick and ball" sports instead of NASCAR!

Basketcase
 
Faron, you've gotta be taking a lot of satisfaction in this .... 8) . Like Matt said, "High 5's" to you and Stan.

K.
 
basketcase0302":1sxfqfxa said:
50 caliber on an airboat? (talk about torque roll)! Basketcase
Click to expand...

Airboatcapt2":1sxfqfxa said:
There are guns on board but not permanent mount. I will ask them what they carry.
Click to expand...


I can't seem to read the article but I doubt it's a .50. They may have M240B's (that replaced the M60 for you oldtimers) or the coasties still may use the M60.

I was up at the Armor Conference in Ft. Knox this week and went to the sim center there. They have a training set of M2 .50 and MK19 grenade launchers there. They fire using a computer and some sort of pneumatic rig. Anyways, these sims actually recoil at 80% of real ammo. They have stands set up with mounts that replicate the turret of a gun truck. They had to bolt these stands into the ground to keep them from walking backwards with the students inside!!! So, I'm not sure how well it would work on an airboat.

I got to do the MK19 simulation and WOW!! I have used the MK19 before but this sim was OUTSTANDING!! It is amazing how far technology has come. Trainees can use these sim centers to familiarize themselves with the weapons prior to going downrange and save the govt tons of money in wasted ammo. It really helps acclimate those who have never been around weapons and saves ammo at the same time. besides, MK19 training rounds are damn near impossible to get now anyways...but I digress..

Yes Faron, please find out what they are using on your boats :wink:

Adam
[/quote]
 
They will probably be carring there standard bording party guns on the Boats I woul be real surprised if they had any belt fed weapons in sight of the general public it will most likely 40 cal MP5 or m16 m4's and shot guns
but there will probably be a sniper or two with 50 cal sniper rifles to stop any threat with a car or truck that seem to be the norm now on high profile protection details.
 
Sniper & BPS .... what do snipers use today, is it the 50 cal. Armalite? I read an article recently that said that the warriors in Iraq were still using the 7.62 NATO round. I guess that's Geneva Convention required?

K.
 
These are one of the types they use.
Kills have been made at altra long ranges. One confirmed at +2,000 yards.

http://www.mcbrosrifles.com/

SPORTER.jpg


Of course the convention prohibits targeting personell for dispatch with 50 cal. weapons.
 
Thanks, Cowboy.

The role of a sniper is probably one of the most misunderstood in all of the military. Liberal thinking would probably like to paint them as a mindless killing machine ..... in fact, just the opposite is true. A sniper has an emotional responsibility so unique that most people are incapable of comprehending it. It takes a man (or woman) of extrordinary character to perform their mission.

Fighter pilots can release a missle, make a turn, and then wait to hear about the damage. A sniper can probably often tell you what color the eyes were of the opponent he dismissed. To be able to do that and still maintain any sense of sanity requires a VERY special individual.

I have an enormous amount of respect for anyone capable of shouldering that kind of responsibility.

K.
 
Big Feather...

The Army uses several different weapons platforms. Everything depends on the mission. The .50 cal is a great weapon for certain jobs but not that effective for others. Most guys really don't want to hump a .50 through the mountains to far...

I am not a sniper nor do I claim to be one (I'm just a humble Cavalry Scout). We use a 25mm chain gun that can kill out to around 3000m or at the push of button I can select a TOW2B that will kill ANY tank in the world at 3750m I'm pretty sure many infantry units are still equipped with bolt action Remington's chambered in .308 I think. When you start getting into the Special Forces arena who knows what they have. I've seen some crazy hybrid weapons that those guys use. They are or were trying to develop a M4 variant that is chambered in a 6.7mm. They said the 5.56 M4 wasn't killing effectively enough.

Adam
 
.308 Winchester. What a round. Don't know how they'd silence it much though ..... :) .
 
When I meet you, remind me to tell you the story about a guy who came out to our range one afternoon with a gorgeous new Weatherby .... in .506 Rigby cal. Too funny !!
 
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