Tony,
 
Greetings from San Diego! I just finished a CQC training evolution with our SWAT team wearing your High Gear Suit. First, I got to use the suit. (I was a non-compliant "bad guy"). Second, the SWAT team was taught the SPEAR System for the first time. Needless to say, today was a GREAT day!! I am a believer in SPEAR and enjoyed what the gear offered. Last Friday, I took four brutal knee shots under the armpit in a grappling session and am still sucking air from my bruised ribs. They would definitely have been broken without the suit... and provided the chance to do some real, full contact training. Today, I survived without more damaged body parts.
 
Your SPEAR System is taking over San Diego County from what I'm hearing. The Corrections Deputy Academies are now using your program full time and we, the PD, are slowly working our way in that direction. Our head DETAC instructor from the SD Police Academy, Chris Cross, is apparently on line with your program and pursuing full accreditation from you. That will only make things good for all of us that train throughout the County.
 
My best to you. Keep up your great work and stay safe!
 
Officer Eric Farwell
 
 

Dear Tony,
 
Just wanted to drop you a line after a recent evacuation operation in Iraq.  I also thought you’d enjoy this picture taken prior to this mission.  I’m wearing your SPEAR System hat form our course. The story (short version) behind the picture is the following:
 
During Aug. - Sept 2003, I was assigned to do a training mission in Baghdad/Iraq. After the attack on the UN headquarters 19 Aug, I was then assigned to the protection detail due to the aftermaths of this incident.
In connection with this I was also assigned to evacuate a large number of UN staff members located throughout different locations in central Baghdad to an aircraft standing by at the Baghdad International Airport.
 
Again due to the aftermaths of the attack we did not have many officers to spare for this operation, in addition to the protection of our principals, which led to me going myself with one more officer that I could spare...
 
It took us approx 18 hours to collect, evacuate all staff and negotiate the distance to the airport ...we were finally able to get all staff safely to the airport.
 
Without going into specifics I want you to know that the S.P.E.A.R System clearly played its part in this operation.... and your concept of the “Three Fight’s” proved to be very true and useful as we encountered all three along the way.
 
All the best to you and your team!
 
Anders Brynnel
UNSSS
 
Anders wearing our SPEAR hat.