This is one of the best reading I  have had so far this week, in terms of learning about tactics and using tactical illumination for low light conditions. Posted at Soldier Systems, "Modern Day Minuteman – 'Strobing' Technique, Not Function" as written by Brian Bishop discusses "Strobing" as a valuable technique in low light and close quarter battles rather than as a feature in our taclights.

I am one of the most hesitant to use tactical lights in CQBs, even it's dark, as I tend to trust my senses even more in this types of situation and I always fear the use of tactical illumination in making tactical movements since the human eye is always attracted to light and thus light is a most obvious point of reference for the OPFOR to shoot at. Though depending on the intensity of lighting employed in these situations, it's always a two-way street: you can disorient the OPFOR or the OPFOR can use your light's origin to shoot back or anticipate your next move. Thus, I avoid using the taclight unless it's absolutely necessary to use it (or when the benefits of using it outweigh the risks).

Strobing is one illumination tactic that I am interested in, but if gauging strobe lights in a club, you know it's disorienting to both yourself and others. I always try to blink often as if to defeat the effects of the strobe on my eyes. Knowing such quick disorienting effect of strobing, I wondered if it's really such an effective technique in low-light CQB games.

The article says it is very effective --- if done right. Whilst we can all switch on and off our taclights or use the strobe feature in taclights if available, strobing is not really as simple as it seems, until you learn how to properly "strobe". It’s not just blinking the lights, as you may disorient yourself rather than the enemy as there's an effective "Pulse Rate". So even if your taclight has a strobe feature, it's better not to trust it and better trust the strobing skill you develop through practice. Apart from a constant "beam" or always on approach in using tactical illumination,  which is not recommended by experienced operators, the use of illumination should be quick and intermittent, and strobing is the best use of such technique.

So how does one effectively strobe? It's a combination of the proper "Pulse Rate" and adequate Lumens (or light intensity as perceived by the human eye) to put the light power enough to disorient the target. The question is what existing taclights that have the desired Pulse Rate and Lumens for the ideal strobe light for CQB? So far, there is none mentioned and thus it is up to the Operator to develop the Strobing Technique so it can be used in different types of weapon lights, especially those which do not have strobe features.

It's highly recommended reading for those who want to hone their CQB skills. A good number CQB games happen in low light situations as firefights happen in rooms and corridor with few light sources and thus, having a taclight and a strobing technique can give you a good advantage.

Read the full story at Soldier Systems.