True Stories

It was a pitch-black, quiet night, and I was under the cover of a burned-out house. I saw what appeared to be an iPod and assumed it had been dropped by one of my fellow soldiers. Well, it wasn't an iPod; it was an IED (improvised explosive device).

I remember a bright, white light flashing, and waking up several hours later with a wall on top of me. I was 99% covered and stuck, except for my free right arm. I could not see and could barely breathe, but I could hear what I thought were drones passing by overhead and other units passing by. But I couldn't make a sound. Then I remembered that my SureFire L4 LumaMax® was on my belt.

After 10 minutes of painful wiggling, I was able to reach my L4 with my right hand. My head was split wide open, my nose was nearly completely off my face, so I couldn't get enough air, and I was quickly passing out, but I was able to click my L4 on and off several times before losing consciousness. It was enough to get me noticed by the drone passing over me. Roughly 20 minutes later, I was rescued and extricated from under a ton of debris.

Now, 197 stitches later, I'm back home recuperating and rehabilitating. The hundred-plus dollars I spent on my L4 was worth every penny. This is a life-saving tool. My only regret is that, after I passed out, I dropped my L4 and lost it forever. But I'm already saving up for a new one and hope to rejoin my unit in a few weeks.

God bless America, God bless The Corps, and God bless SureFire!

Gunny David M.
Piscataway, NJ

While in Iraq, my unit did a lot of personal security for the 49th MP brigade, so we were all over the place. In the beginning, we had lasers to warn traffic, but when we received our SureFire M900-Series WeaponLights, we really started to get the attention of the locals. These lights were so incredibly effective at stopping traffic, they even caused an accident or two. It was a shame we had to turn them in to the new unit.

I now own three SureFire flashlights, and I swear by them. Thanks for making such outstanding products, SureFire.

Steve U.
Nogales, AZ

Prior to deploying to the Afghan Pakistani border, we were issued SureFire Helmet Lights. During one of our patrols in a remote village near the border, my platoon stopped to talk to some elders about the security in their village. I was pulling security at the 12 o'clock position, and, after a few moments, many of the villagers started coming out to talk to us. Before long there were about 50 people around us, talking to my platoon leader.

Suddenly, an insurgent in the crowd came up behind me and swung a sickle at my neck. The force of the impact knocked me to the ground. For a second I didn't realize what had happened, but I felt a throbbing pain in my neck. The insurgent immediately dropped his sickle and disappeared into the crowd. It took about two seconds before the entire crowd dispersed in all directions.

After the medic bandaged my neck, I realized my SureFire Helmet Light had been cut in half. The force of the blow had been enough to slice through its tough polymer body. If I hadn't been wearing that light, I'm confident things would've been a lot worse for me. That little Helmet Light saved my life then and there, and continues to protect my colleagues while they're out conducting nighttime missions. Thank you, SureFire, for making such an outstanding product.

Matthew M.
FOB Connolly, Afghanistan

My company purchased 16 HellFighter lights to use while we are deployed to Iraq. They have been working great and serve as a great escalation-of-force tool, among other things, allowing us to get our point across without firing any rounds.

As you probably know, this country is riddled with IED's (improvised explosive devices), which occasionally strike US HMMWVS. Well, last week one of our vehicles sustained a catastrophic hit that obliterated the truck. Of the many pieces we found, one was the upper receiver assembly of the M2 .50 cal machine gun — about 150 meters from the explosion site — that had been ripped from the rest of the weapon in the explosion. To our surprise, the HellFighter light was still attached!

When we got back to our forward observation battalion, we got a power cable from another HellFighter to see if the blown-up one still worked. To our amazement it lit right up.

CPT Michael T
Iraq

While deployed to OIF, the only thing I used more than my issued SureFire M961XM07 were my boots. I used it on my weapon during patrols, and when I was not on a mission, I detached it from my weapon so I could see where I was going. I have used it instead of firing a warning shot; the person in my cross hairs would almost always comply when I gave them a sunburn to the face with my M961XM07.

When I returned home I told my grandfather about how much I love my SureFire. As a welcome-home present, he bought me an M900A-WH, with the KT4-HA, and an HL1-C-TN, with the Z71 carry clip. However, someone who thought they needed them more than I did stole them out of my rucksack. I never found out who took them, but if I ever do, they will need to have it attached to a loaded weapon to stop me from getting them back. I have started saving up to try and buy new ones--maybe next year I'll have another story for you.

Scott W.
Fort Gratiot, MI

I'm a US Marine infantryman and was in Iraq last year with a military advisor team. We were dispatched to find some oil smugglers at about 2:00 a.m. and after some searching, we found them off the main route, blacked out. I dismounted my vehicle with two other marines. All of us were equipped with Colt M4 rifles outfitted with SureFire Scout Lights and Beretta 9 millimeter pistols with SureFire X-Series lights. As I approached the first truck on foot, a man with an AK-47 climbed out and began shouting. I ordered him to put his weapon down, but he began to walk toward me. So I brought my rifle up and hit the pressure switch on my Scout Light, blinding the suspect. He instantly dropped his weapon, and we took him into custody.

I'm convinced that my SureFire Scout Light® saved us from a deadly force confrontation. I have SureFire lights on all my personal firearms, and I trust my life to them. Thanks for a lifesaving product.

Sergeant Jonathan L., USMC
Fallbrook, CA

I have one of your Scout Light® WeaponLights, and I also used a HellFighter® on my .50 caliber machine gun in Iraq. With the Scout Light, I used it to clear rooms and to find things in the dark. I still use one on my AR-15 at home to keep unwanted trespassers at bay. I loved my HellFighter in Iraq. Our motto was "put daylight on them without them knowing it." And we did just that, because we rarely took the infrared filter off.

Matt Y.
Knoxville, AR

Back in '09, during a deployment in Afghanistan, my squad and I got tasked with a route-clearance mission. We were to be in the middle of the "V," basically serving as the spearhead of the operation. On my M4 I had a SureFire M951 WeaponLight [newer model is M952V] with a pressure pad switch running down onto a vertical foregrip.

After about an hour of patrolling, we were engaged by the enemy and two Marines were wounded. Once contact died down, we entered a small town and began clearing buildings, just as the sun was setting and it was getting dark. My team and I were tasked to clear a building right next to a building that had already been cleared. I took point and entered first, where I was immediately met by a Taliban fighter who was just as surprised to see me as I was to see him. Even with all the training I'd received in the Marine Corp, nothing could have prepared me to finally see the enemy this close. I panicked and tensed up, which actually saved my life, because my rifle was pointed directly at the fighter and when I tensed up I inadvertently squeezed my M951's pressure-pad switch and the light activated, blinding the Taliban fighter and giving me enough time to calm down and fire. Three shots were fired in the next two seconds—one from his rifle; two from mine. He shot first, but my two shots were on target and quickly ended the engagement.

After it was over, I turned around to find a bullet hole in the wall behind me just three inches from where my head was. Because of the blinding beam from my SureFire WeaponLight, he missed his shot and I was able to walk away unharmed. Thank you for making an amazing, lifesaving product. Because of the dedication you put into your lights, I'm still here today to tell you my story.

Devin J.
North Las Vegas, NV

I set my M4 rifle on a tire of an M-ATV, in the wheel well, while prepping the gun truck to go out on mission. Under the pressure of the current situation, I completely forgot about my weapon and continued to drive off. Unfortunately for me, my M4, and my next month's paycheck, I destroyed a PEQ15 (day/night laser designator), the weapon, and a cheap magazine. On the bright side, the SureFire WeaponLight mounted to the M4 made it through with just a scratch.

Thanks, SureFire. I'll use no other brand of light.

Sgt. Robert J.
FOB Fenty, Afghanistan

While stationed in Iraq with the 3rd 116th Infantry as a convoy commander, we were leaving Taji at night, en route to pick up additional vehicles in Baghdad, when the alternator burned out in my armored security vehicle. During the quick stop in Baghdad en route back to Al Taqaddum, the mechanic told me I had a good chance of making it back to Al Taqaddum as long as the batteries maintained their charge. Well, with 150 miles left to travel, the vehicle lights went black, as did the radio communications, and my driver nearly hit a highway divider. So I used my SureFire M951 WeaponLight mounted on my weapon to illuminate the road all the way back to Al Taqaddum. An hour and three quarters later we made it back—and my M951 still had enough power to illuminate the path back to our cans. That's one tough light.

Murril M.
Danville, VA

Back in 2004, my unit was deployed to Iraq. During the deployment, one of the trucks from our headquarters company was hit by an IED. After the explosion, the insurgents who laid the IED ambushed the truck and managed to get away with a few weapons.

In 2006, my unit deployed again to the same area of Iraq, and while on this deployment, men from one of our companies got into a firefight with at least 10 insurgents. After the firefight was over, one of the dispatched insurgents was carrying an M4 belonging to our unit from the '04 deployment that was thought to have been destroyed. This rife had a SureFire WeaponLight and a homemade wooden stock glued to the stock tube. This light survived an IED attack and still worked—unfortunately, in the hands of the enemy.

I wouldn't trust my life with any WeaponLight other than a SureFire. I have seen these blown up, shot, dropped, and burned, and they still work, just like you guys say they will.

Nathan R.
Wilmington, NC

We were out on a mounted patrol through the roads of Iraq. We were four trucks, rolling with lights on, my vehicle in the lead with a mine roller mounted to it. The lights on my vehicle died for some unknown reason, and I had to make a call fast: bring up a Humvee with hardly any armor to resist an IED or keep pushing on with the mine roller. All at once, the other two Marines in my truck and I said in unison, "SureFires up!"

The three of us pointed our SureFires on the road and what do we see? Two pressure-plate IEDs waiting for us. We waited for an hour for the IEDs to be destroyed, then continued on our mission for another hour or so when, right there in front of us, appears yet another IED.

The sun finally started to rise, and we made it back safely to our FOB. But without the quick thinking of three highly trained Marines and the brightness of three well-aimed SureFires, the roads of Iraq may very well have eaten us alive.

David T.
Oceanside, CA

Shortly after being sent out on a recovery mission into the mountains of southeastern Afghanistan, my team came under attack by small-arms fire from our north/northeast. It was around the 0230, with snow on the ground and fog in the air, so visibility was not on our side.

Soon after the attack, we began a flank maneuver in order to gain superiority, but with the enemy in an elevated position, we had to call for air support; however, with such low visibility, smoke would not have marked the target. So I removed my SureFire WeaponLight mounted to my M4, turned on its "strobe" feature, and threw it into position to mark the target area. After the aerial barrage, the only thing left intact was my WeaponLight, which was still strobing.

Thanks, SureFire.

Nathan Y.
Pocahontas, AR

While deployed in Panjiway Province, Afghanistan, we often did missions at night. Several months into our mission, our searchlight was destroyed. A replacement light was unavailable.

Now, driving through towns like Khandahar at night without a light is insane. Luckily, I had my Surefire L4 LumaMax®, which we taped to the side of our .50 caliber machine gun mount. We finished the rest of our deployment using that Surefire L4 as a search light. Not only did it work, no one really noticed a difference. A lot of guys on our team refused to believe we used that little light every night--until they saw it light up for themselves. Through Taliban attacks, heavy rain and sandstorms, even rammings from other vehicles, our little L4 kept on working long after our heavy-duty searchlight broke.

Christopher W.
Aiea, HI

I can't tell you how excited I was to install your sights on my scoped LMT MRP rifle. It was like Christmas all over again and my wife was laughing while I was staring at the rifle. The 'RTS' sights are very high quality and will come in useful for any AR/Rail Type rifle that utilizes magnification along the M1913 Rail. The sights are perfect for far and near targets and can be used as a primary or secondary option, depending on the distance and situation. I also like the flat head screw for mounting as you can use a dime or multi-tool screwdriver in the field to tighten them. The container for the thread locker was a hit as well. I can't tell you how many times manufacturer's supply thread locker that comes in a small bag pouch and ends up everywhere but the actual threads. Excellent attention to detail and convenience here! The packaging was nice as well. I can't wait to get these in front of L.E. Departments, 3-Gunners and Military alike. If you can let someone in the U.S. Army Products Procurement Group see these, I am sure they would be highly interested. Thanks again!

Robert Harris

The Surefire Helmet Light with built-in IFF (Identify Friend or Foe) transponder was a piece of equipment my team and my command fought to get for months. Finally, I made a few deals and scored us a couple of Helmet Lights for Downed Aircraft Recovery missions.

During the months in Kandahar, our team responded to multiple sites, all in the middle of the night. One night, our team was inserted under fire. The helicopter and team were taking fire; one round hit the tool box they had and bounced off a team member's helmet. As they took up firing positions, they had the IFFs on their Helmet Lights on. Overwatch provided a Reaper drone that picked up the IFF signals and clearly identified the bad guys from the good guys.

I have no doubt, SureFire, that you provided the necessary tools that saved the lives of my men, preventing friendly fire and getting them home safely. From a grateful and proud team, thank you for having our backs.

Joseph K.
Fort Campbell, KY

PS: I got the go-ahead to order more Helmet Lights. Thanks, Big Army. Also, thanks for the easy-to-find NSNs.

In July of 2010, I was in Marjah, Afghanistan, providing Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) support to 2nd Battalion 6th Marines. I had just received my new surefire E2D LED Defender® flashlight and Saint® headlamp. I was answering a lot of questions from my fellow Marines and naysayers about my new lights, namely, "Are they worth the price?"

We were informed that there had been a series of explosions on a main supply route. We arrived, and with the help of my SureFires, I was able to light up the night, locating all the evidence needed to rebuild the initial device and locate a 60-pound IED buried in a dark spot in the road. There is no doubt that my SureFire combo helped save time, money, and perhaps even the lives of my fellow Marines. Thanks.

S Sgt. Pedro H.
Oceanside, CA