I just got back from a two week small unit exchange my unit did with the Georgia Army National Guard.
It was neat to see in these pictures some of the kit we were playing with while in Florida this past two weeks.
I used the PAQ-4 IR laser, and can see plenty of potential with it (although my own results were horrible on the qual range, since we only had 9 rounds to zero it with, and weren't told how to adjust it). Shooting and using night vision was a learning experience, and something that I haven't yet done on Canadian soil, being a reservist. It's rare to see that sort of kit at my level.
I carried a Colt M4 for the whole exercise. It was brand new, right out of the box, bone dry and only test fired. What a pleasure to play with that kit, and I certainly hope the C8 comes into more use in the 031 trade, it was very good kit for OBUA/MOUT ops. The accuracy wasn't a problem, I scored 36/40 on the US army's rifle qualification, (although my first score of 33 was the one that counted - I earned a Sharpshooter marksmanship badge). Unlike out 1989-1991 era C7's, which are filthy no matter how well you clean them, the M4's we used left our hands as spotless at they were given to us, and the Americans couldn't tell we had fired them. By contrast, the M249's (C9s) they signed out to us were disgusting and rusty, which would have earned a charge up here. We did them the favour of removing the rust and thoroguhly cleaning them before returning them.
Finally, with regards to the C79 Elcan sights. Thank god we didn't bring ours done, I never would have qualified on the rifle range. I used to think this was a great sight, and it certainly does have it's high points. But in Florida, we were issued the M68, a red-dot sight made by Aimpoint, a Swedish firm. This sight was infantry proof! Oncezeroed, it can be removed from the rifle and replaced, and it will retain its zero. It does not rely on eye relief, and when firing beyong 50m, the red dot stays on target, even if it is not centred within the sight or you move your head around. You fire it with both eyes open, and it is accurate even if the front sight cover is closed. One eye sees the dot, the other sees the target. We tested it, and it works. It is also lighter and smaller than the bulky C79. Unfortunately, it is cost prohibitive for the Canadian Forces. Back in April, I met an Aimpoint rep at a police trade show in Markham. He explained the cost of these sights was somewhere around $2,000 per (although I found out the cost to the US Army was probably far less). If you can get your hands on this kit, I recommend it. It takes some getting used to - firing with both eyes open, no magnification, etc, but it's well worth it.
Finally, I saw from the pictures those guys in Afghanistan carrying a handheld GPS. The PLGR, I believe the Americans call it. I got to play with this same kit last week, and thought it was an effective tool to aid map & compass navigation (but not a replacement for it). Wish I had more time to play with it.
Anyway, glad to see we are finally getting the good kit. If only we can get those Aimpoint sights!