1st Annual 2012 Northwest Tactical Expo
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The companies that unloaded their trucks, vans and trailers at the Northwest Tactical Expo on Saturday September 22nd produce some of the finest armaments, ammunition and gear the nation has to offer. Its just pure demographics and a positive corporate landscape that brings most of these companies to be based in the northwest, hence the name of the event. While most of these companies besides household names like GLOCK and Smith & Wesson aren’t recognized on Main Street, they certainly are by military, police and contract operators whose lives often depend on them.
With nearly 25% of the Expo attendees having a military, law enforcement or an emergency services background, companies like SureFire, Gemtech and Primary Weapons Systems couldn’t answer questions or show off their hardware fast enough. Attendees from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Federal Law Enforcement, Boise and Ada and Police, Paramedics and Fire as well as professionals from 5 counties and 2 other states were the staple of the event. Ada County SWAT brought their tactical teams and their hardware including their newly designed APC to show off to the public.
ESS, Eberlestock and Cortac had the chance to debut new technology that makes operators safer and more comfortable in the field but will allow civilians to benefit from this technology while hunting or hiking.
The hosts of this years event, Ambush Tactical and Universal Security and Training gave away thousands of dollars of gear for the Wyakin Warrior Foundation courtesy of registered vendors (thanks Calico Forge Knives and Smith and Wesson), held hourly free gear drawings and sold guns and equipment and provided information on local training courses just inside the front door.
Alliance Jiu Jitsu and Commando Krav Maga gave demonstrations on self defense techniques in the South demonstration room and on the main stage in between top notch speaking presentations by Tier One Operators like Colonel Randy Watt, Master Sgt John Steinbaugh and Sgt. Chuck Mawhinney.
MGM Targets and NEMO Arms had sprawling booths chock full of their award winning target systems and state of the art rifle technology respectfully. I2 Technologies had a booth with a display of their cutting edge night vision systems along with a variety of mounting options. PNW Arms based out Potlach, Idaho offered amazing ammunition technologies such as cold tracer rounds and TacOps rounds designed for Tier One operators to get the most bang for their buck.
AmericanSniper.org was in attendance to support the mission with education and information sharing to brothers in arms. Boise Crossfit‘s owner and private military contractor Chazz Rudolph brought a rowing machine and some kettle bells and answered questions about high intensity functional fitness and its contribution to operators who work in a demanding high tempo environment while hosting a row/handstand push up challenge for a free month’s membership.
All in all, it was a great Saturday and one that had a much different vibe from your common gun show, all for just $7 for the civilian crowd. You can bet the event will return next year with even more to offer and more participation from the community that the Expo set out to serve. As always, look for more information on NorthwestTacticalExpo.com!
