Flashlight Nanny Blesses a New List of Lights

By

Staff

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Oct. 6, 2014, during RED FLAG-Alaska 15-1. RF-A is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. and partner nation forces, providing combined offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Swafford Jr./Released)

The Army’s Program Office for Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM CIE) has blessed a new list of flashlights that are approved for use. The new Family of Flashlights list includes some solid beams that you and your command can buy without having to worry if the light is going to blow up or get you in trouble.

We’re glad to see Phantom is back on the roster, with their analog brightness dial and easy-to-find AA batteries. Including Tomahawk’s super-ergo angle-head light shows someone at PM CIE was looking for cutting-edge designs to round out the other bulb+tube lights. Surefire got a high-five and a kick in the nuts at the same time. We have to wonder why the nearly ubiquitous Surefire Helmet Light didn’t make the list, while the complex and expensive Kroma did. Perhaps the Helmet Light was left out to keep the the Family of Flashlights catalog from looking like an incestuous family photo album?

Basic White Light

  • Energizer 1AA Lithium
  • Firstlight Tomahawk-GP
  • Gerber Expert-M
  • Phantom 34-S
  • Streamlight TL2-LED
  • Surefire E1b Backup
  • Surefire E2D Defender
  • Surefire E2L Outdoorsman

Handsfree Helmet Light

  • Streamlight Sidewinder Compact

Tactical Handheld Light