101st Airborne NCO Gives Vortex Raving Reviews

We received this email a while back and never posted it.  We redacted the name, but the comments make it very clear that the Vortex Flash Hider works.  It is also clear the troops need it and love it.  It just further shows that SEI's products are "Combat Proven", hence the slogan.

Here is the email below:

Mr. Smith,

Things are going well over here on the front. We have been using the Vortex flash hiders like crazy in the valleys and of course up in the mountains. Of course you know we have them on our M-4s, M-14s, M240s, M249s and our MK48s. They work like a dream, but hey I already knew that. That's why I would never think of using another flash hider. I gotta tell you, a lot of people are always asking what it is and after I tell them the great benefits of your vortex flash hiders and how to get them then I see them a couple of weeks later with one. I will continue to spread the word here. I think everyone can benefit from having one on any weapon they use here in combat. Hell even my Commander, First Sergeant and XO have one on their M-4s now and of course they love them too. Our higher ups are not fond of us making changes to our weapons in that fashion so we simply put our muzzle caps on over them and no one is any wiser. I'll keep trying to bring them around they just have to step out of that box they live in and see it will save our lives if the enemy can't find our positions when we are shooting at them at night up in the mountains. Which by the way has already happened several times and we were very successful. I think it scares the hell out of them when they have no idea where we are when we are shooting at them. I have as well been taking some pictures of our guys in action with the vortexs on and will send them to you soon. I didn't know if maybe you might want to put it on the web site or just see them being put to good use. I will enclose my address here in Afghanistan below if you get a new batch of the Vortex flash hiders I can use on my OPS inc sound suppressor. I just need one as I am the only one with the OPS inc can here. Hell that reminds me I have been telling people about your 5.56 and 7.62 cans as well. I never got to use one but I know they are quality items because you are making them. They really like the fact that they can take it apart to clean the inside themselves and that the 762 can will work on the 556  as well. I think my Commander called your military rep from here about a week ago to check on pricing and see how to order one from here. I will keep you posted. Thanks for everything Mr. Smith. I always really appreciate all of the support you have given to me and my unit for the second deployment with a second unit. If you ever need me to write up a letter for you to post or anything you need at all, all you have to do is ask and it would be my pleasure. Thanks again Mr. Smith.

V/R

SFC X (redacted)

SFC X (redacted)

X (redacted), 1 BCT
101st Airborne DIV (AASLT)
COP X (redacted)
APO AE 09310

SEI Gets Feedback from 1-508 PIR from Theater

Rec’d December 29, 2009
Subject: Paratroopers in Afghanistan

Hello and greetings from Afghanistan. My name is SGT Jordan Downs. I am in the 82nd Airborne Division. My Assault Platoon of Airborne Infantrymen and I are at a very (VERY) remote outpost in the Southern Afghanistan. At our small base, we do not have running water or plumbing, and electricity is very limited. We do, however, fly our US Flag with pride.

We survive off of MREs, water, and whenever we can (and their supplies allow), the food prepared by the Afghan National Army or local villagers. The district center here is extremely poor, even without the means to produce the lifeblood of the traditional Afghan meal – "foot" bread.

Morale here is good. I give my guys a lot of credit given the lack of supplies – emergency resupply of diesel fuel is continuously denied - and the rigorous patrol schedule required keeping the bad guys out of the area as much as possible. You can imagine that if we have such a hard time getting fuel what the response from "higher" is like when we request food items or anything to improve our humble "base".


We currently have two Smith Vortexes here; one M14 and a M4, and it makes all the difference between the typical A2 bird cage flash suppressors. The other squad leaders and I are currently working to outfit the whole platoon with the Vortex for our M4s, M249s, M14s, and the M240Bs that we have. We are hoping that you will be able to donate two Vortex Flash Eliminators for our M2s here. Our ultimate goal is to have every weapon here outfitted with the Vortex, minus our MK-19. Having the Vortex on every weapon system increases the safety and lethality of our platoon in our engagements with the enemy in the area.

Thanks again for your time and your support!

Sincerely and Respectfully,
Jordan Downs, SGT, Airborne Infantry
Jordan Downs
C Co 1-508 PIR
FOB Atghar
APO AE 09355


P.S. I have included a picture of a majority of my platoon for you. Also our mail has a habit of being stolen before it gets to us if it has cool identifying marks on it. Simple flat rate box works the best.

On a side note SGT Burrell and I are very interested in your M14 bar stock receiver. We are planning to build an M14 upon our return to the States. Could you also send us some info on your receiver? Thanks again for your support.


Rec’d January 02, 2010
Subject: Re: Paratroopers in Afghanistan

Mr. Smith,

That is awesome news, thank you. We did a little demo out here, Vortex vs Birdcage, everyone one was amazed. PFC Headley stated "There is no flash with the Vortex." Our response was "Thats the point." As for the pictures, feel free to use them. I’ll send some more so you can pick and chose. The quality might not be great because I’m have to compress them for the email. Let me know how it looks. We’ll try and get some unit patches as when we can get to a big FOB. Sorry if this email is kinda bland, We just got got in from a 3 day outing. What can you do? Thanks again

V/R
Jordan Downs


AT-2 OutlawsRec’d March 18, 2011
Subject: Paratroopers in Afghanistan

Mr. Smith,

We received the vortex flash eliminators about three weeks ago and let me tell you how extraordinary the whole thing has been for us. First of all it started with us recieving mail for the first time in about five and one half weeks and so there was alot. A few of my guys and my 1SG stared the typical army chain for unloading the mail with myself placing them in correctly divided area. Towards the end of the sorting process my 1SG will some harsh words tosses me a heavy box and asked me why I am ordering machine part form Smith Enterprise. Everyone form my platoon who was around kinda stopped, knowing what this means, while I stated that this was indeed a package from Smith Enterprise. A joyous aroma of laughter and excitment broke out with others going and telling other battle buddies about it. It was a good day with everyone receiving there much need mail. Then began the process of installing all the Vortexes (which I have included some pictures). There was a lot music excitement and jumping around. Someone explained it to me as he was a little kid on Christmas morning. For a little while everyone seem to forget where they were and just let "loose". A much needed escape.

So once again thank you for what you have done for us. And also if it is possible to get an address for you, my paltoon and I have some stuff that we would like to send you. I will pass that address to my buddies wife and she will mail the items. Since we have no mail system here.

Also I do have a question about going about having your company build me a rifle. One thing that I always to is to buy myself a gift after acomplishing an event. I bought myself and LWRC M6A2 after I graduated Jumpmaster school. I since I have found and new love, more of and infatuation or obsession with M14, I have decided that that's what I want. I had plans all along to build my one but I have been thinking that this would be a lot more meaningful. Since my platoon have a bond of some sort with SEI.

Thanks Again for your Support, you have given us alot more that just the some vortexes.

SSG Downs, Jordan

Steve S Sends us a Picture from Afghanistan with our Scope Mount

September 08, 2009 1:39 PM
Subject: Your Scope Mount at Work .......
 
Here’s your M14 scope mount (P/N 2006) at work in Afghanistan .... Report is that it improved the rifle’s accuracy 100%
 
Thanks,
Steve S.
Milton, Indiana