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Home • News • Stories • 2008 • November • Tools of the Trade - SWAT

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All FBI agents train for serious encounters with criminals, and all
are required to carry a firearm. But when there’s an extremely
high-risk situation—a special mission, a dangerous takedown, a
dignitary that needs protection—that’s when SWAT gets the call.
All 56 of our field offices have a SWAT unit. Becoming SWAT-
certified is a highly competitive process, and team members
must pass rigorous fitness tests and be expert marksmen—in
addition to carrying out their regular investigative duties as
agents.
SWAT stands for “Special Weapons and Tactics.” Each team
has specialists, such as snipers, breachers, and assaulters. See
below to learn how an assaulter may be outfitted for a mission.
Click on each picture below for a larger version.

Helmet/Goggles
Helmet: Made with Kevlar for maximum head protection
Goggles: Rated to withstand blasts and to stop flying debris

Vest
Bullet-proof, standard military-issue
FBI-identifying patches on shoulder and chest
Equipped with MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying
Equipment) weaving to attach pouches and other equipment,
based on mission profile
Holds magazine pouches for extra ammunition

Radio
Package consists of ear piece, microphone attached to
shoulder strap, and transmitter in shoulder pouch
Two channels: command net (monitored by those in charge of
the operation) and assault net (accessed by all team members)

Primary Weapon
H&K (Heckler & Koch) MP5 sub-machine gun with collapsible
stock
Fires a 10mm bullet and holds a 30-round magazine; can shoot
one round, a two-shot burst or be set to fully automatic firing
Equipped with flashlight on front, and a laser-pointer sight

Extended Protection
Adds additional Kevlar for pelvic protection
Medical pack attaches here as well as Flexi cuffs—heavy-duty
plastic, flexible handcuffs designed for one-time use

Sub Load
A waist belt with a thigh harness, designed to keep a pistol
stationary
Also supports pouches for extra ammunition and other gear
such as metal handcuffs and a night stick

Pistol
Springfield .45 caliber, equipped with an 8-round magazine and
one bullet in the chamber

Fatigues/Gloves/Kneepads/Boots
Fatigues and gloves are standard military-issue, made from
flame-resistant Nomex fiber
Flight gloves have leather pads on palms
Kneepads are heavy-duty plastic, and cushioned for kneeling
Boots are standard-issue climbing or utility boot

Gas Mask
Military-issue, used for a weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
incident; air filter can be exchanged for one that filters various
chemicals or bio weapons
Equipped with valve for a drink tube that allows for hydration
without removing mask
Voice box amplifier enables unimpeded communication

Additional Tools
Breacher, or battering ram (top)
Hallagan Tool: firefighter tool similar to a crow bar; used for
breaching and entries (center)
Collapsible sledge hammer (bottom)

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