Surfing the web it becomes apparent that outdoor gear is indeed, a very important part of what outdoor enthusiasts look for; it also becomes apparent that outdoor apparel has become fashionable. That's okay, as long as the main point of getting gear and equipment is not missed: You don't guy gear to look cool, but to be more comfortable and safe.

Of course, we are free to purchase whatever we want, and if you are not a pilot you are still entitled to get a flight jacket if that's what you like; what would be bad is to believe that you are actually a pilot just because you bought that jacket, and while this example might sound a little bit outlandish or extreme, such things do happen, for example, when someone interested in mountain climbing but with relatively low experience buys climbing gear and attempts to use it in ways that go well-beyond his or her skill level believing that using such stuff depends just on buying it.

In the case of some outdoor or extreme activities people know where the limit are; for example, regular pilots generally know and assume that they should not get into the cockpit of a plane designed for aerobatics without proper training. That is so because the whole learning system in aviation is constructed on the basis of getting licenses to use increasingly complex aeronautical equipment. You can buy a plane all right, but you will not be able to use it if you don't get first the proper license. Something similar happens in the case of nautical activities and a few others, but there are many fields in which, while it may be discouraged to act without proper training, it is actually very easy to do so: If you have a brand-new plane sitting on the tarmac at your local airport, it would be hard to attempt to fly it without a license because airports are generally filled with people - even small ones - and someone in a position of authority will probably stop you, but who will take a look at what climbers or hikers or kayaking enthusiasts do?

Don't forget that the single, most important piece of equipment that you have is your own intelligence; if you are getting started in something like mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, etc. it is fundamental that you don't try to do more than you are capable of. Getting new gear is great, but sometimes it could lead to a false sensation of security when experience is somewhat lacking.

Source: Pablo Edronkin, Andinia.com

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NATO Deputy Secretary General, Claudio Bisogniero, presided over a signing ceremony in the margins of the NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Bratislava. The ceremony marked a declaration of intent by nine NATO Allies to contribute to a multi-national helicopter initiative designed to provide NATO and its operations with additional airlift capability through a multi-national cooperative programme run by the HIP Helicopter Task Force.

Created in February 2009 and led by the Czech Republic, the HIP Helicopter Task Force is responsible for the development of a multi-national transport helicopter programme for NATO to help those countries that do not have the resources to deploy and run a transport helicopter operation on their own. This multi-national initiative will facilitate the in-theatre deployment of transport helicopters by NATO and Partner nations through the collective support of other Allies. Assistance ranges from the provision of operational pre-deployment training; command and control capabilities; base support or financial aid.

The Declaration of Intent was signed last week by the Czech Republic, Albania, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Slovakia Spain, Turkey and the UK. This will provide the necessary political mandate to start mitigating critical utility helicopter shortfalls, particularly in the conduct of ISAF operations in Afghanistan. Helicopters remain a critical requirement for NATO operations, especially in Afghanistan given the scope of ISAF operations and the lack of a fully developed road system to transport troops and equipment. Several countries, which operate HIP helicopters, have been willing to send additional aircraft but needed assistance to deploy and operate these vital assets.

Over the past eight months the HIP Helicopter Task Force has been encouraging NATO Allies to provide resources and expertise so that those Allies, including the Czech Republic and Hungary, who operate transport Helicopters such as the MI 8, MI 17 and MI 171, would have the assistance necessary to set up a multi-national deployable operation.

Membership in this initiative is therefore not limited to transport helicopter owners but is open to any country willing to contribute with experience, know-how and/or capabilities. These efforts are part of a broader NATO Helicopter Initiative aimed at addressing helicopter shortfalls on all operations. This programme also includes a UK-French Multinational Helicopter Initiative (MHI), which supports the financing of helicopter deployment-related activities.

It is hoped that other Allies will join this cooperative programme.

Source: NATO News

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From 5-15 October, "BELCOAST 09" is marking the fifth anniversary of NATO's Defence Against Terrorism Programme of Work (DAT PoW), demonstrating technologies that can improve the protection of military installations in operations. The event will take place at Koksijde Air Base and other locations along the Belgian coast.

More than 160 companies will join military units and technology experts to show, test and explain technologies for defending against different threat scenarios, including mortar, rocket and improvised explosive devices; chemical and biological attacks; and threats to land-based, maritime and aviation infrastructure. Technologies for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition and non-lethal capabilities will also be shown.

In response to the terrorist bombings in Madrid in March 2004, NATO launched the DAT PoW to develop cutting-edge technology or adapt existing technology to protect troops and civilians from terrorist attacks and other asymmetric threats. It comprises 10 technology initiatives, to include countering improvised explosive devices, defending against mortar attack and developing non-lethal capabilities. One initiative, critical infrastructure protection, led by Belgium, focuses on technologies that protect important civilian and military infrastructure.

More information on this event can be found at: http://www.belcoast09.org/.

Source: NATO News

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