FAST SYSTEM

AFTER ACTION REPORT

The evaluation for the M4 FAST System was conducted in the Al AnBar Province of Iraq. The conditions ranged from 25 degrees to 120 degrees, in primarily arid and dry weather. The FAST system was used by the operator on a daily basis while in the performance of his duties as an International Police Advisor. These duties required the operator to work in a sometimes hostile environment with his military counterparts. This included participating in foot patrols, humanitarian aid missions and criminal investigations in the Sajariyah and Juaiba areas. During this 5 month period of time the operator was unable to observe any deterioration of system components. The nylon bag covering the system showed no signs of wear and suffered no rips, tears or other component failures after repeated use and exposure to hostile weather conditions. The main spring used in the FAST system also showed no signs of weakening or loss of tension after repeated use (to include leaving magazines in the system for extended periods
of time). The nylon polymer portion, system rails, and magazine retaining extensions have also shown no signs of wear. This would have been the area most likely to have shown signs of wear, especially due to the constant dirt and sand blown into the rail and spring areas.

The operator is a 20yr retired military veteran with multiple combat tours in the Middle East. After using a variety of load bearing equipment over the years this operator feels that the FAST system is the most effective magazine storage device he had ever used. My repeated reload times had dropped under 2 seconds using the FAST system. The ability to always have the magazines fed from the same position and angle is a great advantage when time is crucial. I was able to reload easily from a variety of firing positions to include seated in the back of a Humvee and MRAP. I believe that the lethality and survivability of the operator will greatly increase with
the use of the FAST system due to the increased speed at which the operator is now able to reload. Not only will he be able to reload in less than 2 seconds, but he is now able to do so while keeping eyes and weapon trained on the threat. Another great advantage is the ability to reload your main weapon rather than having to transition to secondary weapon.

US IPA Contractor