Hawk & Axe in the sandbox

[LSkylizard]

Anyone know if the following is accurate? Anyone know of other hawks/axes that are somewhat officially being used in service in the "sandbox" that can be added to the below excerpt? (I am not talking about what "a few buddies of mine bought X and really like it", etc...).

http://www.simplysarasota.com/KnifeCollector/TomahawksAndWar.html
I leave it to others to authenticate.

...Ryan Johnson’s Eagle Talon...is standard issue for the 1st Batalion, 4th Marine Regiment in Iraq...

Strider manufactures an axe with an electrically insulated handle that has been used to hack holes into walls for snipers...

John Greco... Hatch-It, that is carried by the Special Forces troops in Afghanistan... it will fit in a uniform cargo pocket...

ATC’s CQC-T has been issued to the 19th Special Forces Group in Iraq and the Stryker Brigade in Afghanistan...

ATC’s LaGana Tactical Tomahawk (VTAC) is carried by the 172nd Stryker Brigade at Fort Richardson and the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis...

The VTAC are used by all battalions of the 75th Ranger regiment as a rescue-and-vehicle extraction tool...

I leave this list for others to authenticate...if they can?

 

[NorthStarXO]

It is true and they are being issued by specific units. We made a branding iron recently for 2nd Batt over at Fort Lewis, WA and we brand the handles of their tomahawks with their unit scroll.

Ours are being carried in Afganistan and Iraq, also. Oddly enough I just posted in our forum about this because someone called from Afganistan and he's sending pictures so I put out the word requesting more pictures of the hawks in use.

 

[Dead Reconing]

First post. Just thought I would chime in. I think An easy way to at least make an inital determination if it is DoD approved is to check with the maker to see if it has a goverment purchasing contract number. (NSN#). That will allow individual units who had certian funds at their disposal to make purchases using Uncle Sams capital. I know they can do this with almost any type of item, chest rigs, scopes, mounts,etc..... I use to have a link but can't find it. I was almost certian the ATC Lagunal Tactical had an NSN#.
Otherwise they have to use their own funds. There may be other ways around it so I'm not 100% sure. If I'm wrong someone please correct me, I also would be interested as to who is carrying what.

 

[LSkylizard]

... check with the maker to see if it has a goverment purchasing contract number. (NSN#)... There may be other ways around it so I'm not 100% sure...

I believe you are generally correct. However, special ops units have general slush funds that they can use to expedite obtaining gear by circumventing the beuracracy... it can also facilitate the purchase of goats and camels too

 

[flyingcossack]

My unit makes open purchase procurements all the time. It just has to be approved by the accounting staff(ensure we have the money) after it is approved by our XO.

 

[Dead Reconing]

Good info! Thanks!

 

[Lone Piper]

I carried an ATC VTAC in Iraq. Stryker units have hawks issued to them and I know guys from SETAF in Afghanistan who have hawks their battalions bought. I know SF guys in Iraq have'em and that's where I got the idea from. I've personally sent a K5 over to a friend in Iraq and I know a few guys personally who now have the new Strider CR in the box. Its a great tool and weapon to have on you just in case!