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HISTORY OF THE CHALLENGE COIN

During World War 1, American volunteers from all parts of the country filled the newly formed flying squadrons. Some were wealthy scions attending colleges such as Yale and Harvard who quit in mid-term to join the war. In one squadron, a wealthy lieutenant ordered medallions struck in solid bronze and presented them to his unit. One young pilot placed the medallion in a small leather pouch that he wore about his neck.

Shortly after acquiring the medallions, the pilots’ aircraft was severely damaged by ground fire. He was forced to land behind enemy lines and was immediately captured by a German patrol. In order to discourage his escape, the Germans took all of his personal identification except for the small leather pouch around his neck. In the meantime, he was taken to a small French town near the front. Taking advantage of a bombardment that night, he escaped. However, he was without personal identification.

He succeeded in avoiding German patrols by donning civilian attire and reached the front lines. With great difficulty, he crossed no-man's land. Eventually, he stumbled onto a French outpost. Unfortunately, saboteurs had plagued the French in the sector. They sometimes masqueraded as civilians and wore civilian clothes. Not recognizing the young pilot's American accent, the French thought him to be a saboteur and made ready to execute him. He had no identification to prove his allegiance, but he did have his leather pouch containing the medallion. He showed the medallion to his would- be executioners and one of his French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion. They delayed his execution long enough for him to confirm his identity. Instead of shooting him they gave him a bottle of wine.

Back at his squadron, it became tradition to ensure that all members carried their medallion or coin at all times. This was accomplished through challenge in the following manner - a challenger would ask to see the medallion. If the challenged could not produce a medallion, they were required to buy a drink of choice for the member who challenged them. If the challenged member produced a medallion, then the challenging member was required to pay for the drink. This tradition continued on throughout the war and for many years after the war while surviving members of the squadron were still alive.

Since that time military units, law enforcement and even corporations have struck coins with their symbols as tokens of trust, friendship and alliance.

Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE)

MOLLE is used to define the current generation of load-bearing equipment and backpacks utilized by a number of NATO armed forces, especially the British Army and the United States Army.

The term MOLLE is used not only to describe the specific system manufactured by Speciality Defense Systems, but also interchangeably to describe generically all load bearing systems and subsystems that utilize the woven PALS (Pouch Attachment Ladder System) webbing for modular pouch attachment (though MOLLE is proprietary to Natick Labs, most use MOLLE and PALS interchangeably). Derivatives based on the MOLLE attachment method (such as the Tactical Tailor MALICE clip system) have also been developed. Any system that utilizes modular attachment methods and is usable with U.S. general issue MOLLE components is often considered "MOLLE-compatible" or is called a "MOLLE" system. Increasingly, non-military manufacturers are incorporating MOLLE technology into outdoor equipment.

Veteran Founded | Established 2001

OPSGEAR® was started in the garage of a United States Air Force Veteran. The company has maintained its local touch even as it has had explosive growth. The company ships full head-to-toe Tactical Gear world-wide. Some of the companies hallmarks are the creation of the Urban Warfare Center® (2002-2012) that provided Close Quarters Training to Military and Police FREE for over 10 years. Other impressive focus areas have been the giving time, talent and treasure to humanitarian missions around the world. Some of these missions include Haiti, Alabama, Japan, Burma, Nigaragua, Costa Rica and more others.

OPSGEAR® provides quotes to any agency or group needing volume purchases.

We can be reached at:

OPSGEAR, INC. 1185 S Redwood Road Woods Cross, Utah 84087

(801) 936-2322 | support@opsgear.com | quotes@opsgear.com