Hey Brightnorm-
I hadn't seen that article from Ken Good before, but like many of his other written articles, I find it to be very educational no matter how often I read them. I particularly like how he describes the effective use of light in a fluid situation demanding a quick reaction based upon the disorientation effect of white light (given the added conditions of a nighttime or darkened environment).
Up until the late 90's, I had often relied upon a Mag Charger, similar to the light output of a Streamlight SL20X, and ultimately equipped myself with a SL UltraStinger with a three-cell SF Z3 for backup.
For almost eight years straight, I worked a mid-watch assignment, 6pm to 3am, so I was often equipped with a pair of flashlights. During that time, I relied almost exclusively on the Mag Charger for my lighting needs when it came to any potential confrontation. Its weight and size constantly reminded me that it could potentially serve as an impact device if the need surfaced. It only happened once many, many years ago, and that was the only time during a last ditch effort in what I could only describe as a fight for me and my partner's life. But beyond its physical adjunct properties, I remained faithful to using only the Mag Charger for the majority of my various encounters. I made use of the SL UltraStinger for only a year before going into a different and less visible assignment, and even then, given the short time the UltraStinger was in use -- it was effective in de-escalating numerous confrontations in a solid majority of times (I'm no statistician, but if memory serves correct, it was close to a 90% rate of success).
I'm sure that Ken Good has hit upon this before, I am at a loss as to citing him correctly if he did, but in my own professional opinion, training, and experience, it is in large part the degree of skill in tactics that are employed before, during, and after the use of bright, white light during any confrontation that makes for a successful engagement. Although Mr. Good does go into what I just mentioned with specific regards to dynamic, fluid movement, I do not remember particularly what it is referred to other than his excellent description. SWAT has a term for it... I'm just drawing a blank here...
Speaking of Strategos Forums... I signed up for that forum last week and spent most of my time just reading the posts -- there were plenty of areas that made for good reading, but it doesn't seem to be all that active nowadays. I find my experiences to be in line with many other observers who have had a very similar experience... I don't know if that would be much of a contribution, but if anything, it does help to reaffirm some areas of tactics that go without question, but should be questioned, if that makes any sense. I'm in a business that constantly reassesses itself in terms of performance, success, and failures. I'll take another look over there once again since I do see quite a few of the regulars here, over there.
My apologies... didn't mean to get too long -- Brightnorm, thanks for posting the "Wall of Light" article by KG.
-Jim
