Pictures Surface of a Sniper Nest at the Super Bowl — and They’re Apparently Real
- Posted on February 8, 2012 at 10:51am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
Some pictures have started to make their way around the internet today showing a sniper nest at Sunday’s Super Bowl. They feature a state-of-the-art rifle set up in a box high above the field. But now the question is: Are the pictures real? The answer: it seems that way.
The pictures were posted on the Facebook page of U.S. Tactical Supply Inc. in the album “Super Bowl 2012 Security Overwatch.” They boast about some of the gear seen in the pictures, including the tripod:
So are they real?
Robert Johnson over at Business Insider thinks it’s a good possibility. He called the tactical company which told him the pictures were taken by Alamo Four Star, which manufactures the tripod seen in the photos. He also notes that Jerry Jones — owner of the Dallas Cowboys who hosted the Super Bowl last year — admitted to them being present in 2011:
And even Hollywood star Ashton Kutcher captured video of them in 2009:
So it does seem plausible, but we’re waiting on confirmation. In the meantime, a raucous debate is occurring over on the U.S. Tactical Supply Facebook page about whether the sniper pictures create a sense of safety or if they are too big brother:
Curious about the rifle you’re seeing? That’s apparently the XM 2010 custom 700 Remington.* Head over to Business Insider to read more about it and get updates to the story.
UPDATE:
Johnson is now reporting that the president of Alamo Four Star is saying the pictures are the “real deal.” He got them from a member of the Indianapolis SWAT member. Check out his story for more.
Editor’s note: Business Insider has updated its story to note that the rifle is not an XM 2010, but rather a custom Remington 700. Blaze reader Ben writes that it’s actually “a custom built Remington action and barrel that’s in an XLR Industries chassis system,” and it’s the product of Kyle Miller who works on the western slope of Colorado.
























Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (232)
Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:20pmIt‘s Casey Anthony’s fault
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:20pmI saw you paste the same comment on the other page. You romney supporters are DESPERATE. Not suprising that his campaign stoops to this level. How can you honestly say that mitt romney is more tea party than rick santorum or any of the other candidates. Go back to your “only i can beat obama” message – oh wait, nobody buys it anymore
Report Post »mils
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:19pmwhat does this have to do with the topic????? go away
Report Post »sy212
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:15pmWTF are you talking about
Report Post »Biddle
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:13pmI was born yesterday and I am shocked!!!!
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on February 9, 2012 at 12:52amHmm….when I go to the next game, I don’t think I will be waving my hotdog around in threatening manner……
Report Post »WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges10
Posted on February 9, 2012 at 1:23amUh oh! Too many orphan replies!
Report Post »Looks like TheBlaze sniper took out the main comment!
(Doesn’t everyone feel safer with a sniper pointing at them?)
Secret Squirrel
Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:48am.
Report Post »You know these guys are really disappointed
when they don’t get to shoot anyone.
All that training, and no climax.
its_time_to_arrest_our_government
Posted on February 11, 2012 at 12:56pmits time to bring this kind of b/s to an end. since when do we need snipers watching over us? this is the Obama police state we are seeing. the feel us up to fly the stand watch over us with guns. we dont need this kind of protection. this needs to stop and its got to be stopped now!
Report Post »Semperkill0844
Posted on February 12, 2012 at 4:23pmI can’t imagine a scenario where a sniper (that high up) would shoot into a crowd in a packed stadium like that… I wouldn’t want that liability!
Report Post »merchantsailor
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:11pmI thought meal team six had all this covered
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 3:02pmThe snipers were searching for Glen Beck who must be on the Obama Kill List. Glen Beck and the TEA are the greatest threat to America than the Chinese and Russian ICBMs
Report Post »robert
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 4:00pmSnipers at large events?
Somebody tell me why this is considered news. I mean, when are there NOT snipers inundatin g every large event that needs some kind of security?
Trained military personnel know this and will take counter measures to neutralize them, as, for example, in attacks by military trained jihadists here in the US.
The jihadists are here and are biding their time, waiting for the right time to act. Snipers aren’t going to stop them.
Report Post »readytostand
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:11pmThat would have been a ton of fun in that Dome down in New orleans after KATRINA .! Could you imagine targeting on all those RATS .! ( NO I meant the furry little rodents .! ) after all the people were out ! You guyz are terrible!! GEEZ !
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:57pm“People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 7:44pmWhy aren’t these guys stationed along our Southern border with Mexico?
jespasinthru
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 8:09pmTHE-MONK, then they’d have humanitarian issues. People drag their babies across the border, and the babies have no choice but to go where their parents take them.
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 8:41pmAnd what freedom did you lose??…none. It was a management decision based on current affairs…frankly I feel safer in Israel, where everyone is watching everything.
You enemies knows you and knows when to attack.
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on February 9, 2012 at 2:26am@ The-Monk
Why aren’t these guys stationed along our Southern border with Mexico?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Because someone might get offended. You see, it’s perfectly ok to have the bullets coming INTO America, not the other way around…………..yet.
Sooner or later American thinking will be forced to remove it’s head from its rectum and will start to understand how truly golden common sense really is.
…..or else we’ll either die, or become totally subservient to the state.
Report Post »GeneTracy
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:05pmGetting “picked off” has new meaning at football games.
Report Post »katamb55
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 2:29pmWhy should this surprise anybody? It would be surprising if there were not snipers at big events like this. (Man, these comments are all over the place today!)
Report Post »girving
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 2:50pm“Picked Off” is a baseball term.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 3:12pm@girving
See also: interception
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 3:15pm@katamb55
Grrr… I’m torn. I like that they’re up there making sure people are safe, but “those who would give up a little liberty for safety…” you know?
I guess it comes down to this: How can they tell who a Jihadi is at that kind of a distance (and that’s just a Jihadi), nevermind Tim McVeigh.
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 3:29pmLmao!
Report Post »Airb0rne4325
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:08pmIf they hadn‘t have been there and something would have happened then people would be complaining that there weren’t any of them there. Lose-lose situation. Can’t please everyone, so might as well be on the err side of caution.
Report Post »readytostand
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:20pmGettin picked off indeed , YEA a new meaning to puttin a hurt on em !
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:25pmI agree! These guy’s were hired security not terrorists IMO!
Report Post »jespasinthru
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 7:35pmThe Blaze shouldn’t have posted this article. America and the world does not need to know about this. Some serious cover could have been blown that way.
Report Post »attack5804
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 8:09pmVery well played
Report Post »Benji
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:00pmWhat does that have to do with the above topic?
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on February 9, 2012 at 6:23amCheck out to Secret Service counter-sniper teams that cover Obumbler. I don’t know about current units but in the 80s they had close (100yds or less)coverage, medium coverage (500yds to 100yds) and long range (over 500 yds) teams and used different rifles for each range.
With our current fear level and willingness to give up our freedoms this should not surprise anybody.
OMG
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:58amWay to stay on topic there bud.
Report Post »Buck Shane
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:48am.308 in a relitively small space – the bullet would go thru 4 people. Who are they protecting?
Report Post »Benji
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:58amNot necessarily. They could be using 260′s. Or if they’re shooting .308 168SMK BTHP’s (which is pretty standard for most LE) then a solid center mass shot would only barely go through.
Report Post »Buck Shane
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:15pm@ Benji
Report Post »You are right, and in that relatively small area they could put the round where the wanted it to go.
I wonder what targets they expected to see. I’m having trouble coming up with a scenario.
gaijinsamurai
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:20pmThey would be using frangible rounds that break apart once they hit someone serving a dual purpose, not going through the person and also making sure that the transfer of energy goes completely into the person giving maximum stopping power.
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:43pmI don’t care how good of a shot they are or what ammo they use. The fact of the matter is that they had a condition 3 weapon (if not a condition 1) pointed into a crowd of people. The possibility of a threat occurring for which a sniper could be utilized in this situation is infinitesimally small. The bad guy would have to be out in the open, not surrounded by people, and easily recognized. The most credible threat to a crowded area would have been a suicide bomber and a sniper rifle wouldn’t do anything for that situation as the bomber would blend into a crowd and then detonate.
This was a stupid idea. A sniper inside of a football stadium is useless unless a group of men come out of a service tunnel armed with rifles of their own. And seeing as how they should and do have security at all entrances and exits, this should be a relative impossibility.
But my most adamant objection to this is that the entire reason they need to provide security in the first place is because it has been legislated out of the individual’s ability. It is stupid to deny a man his right to self defense and if you patronize any venue that keeps you from carrying, you are supporting the stripping of your own rights.
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:51pmIf you guys think that THAT setup and the releasing of the images is in response to an actual threat-real or percieved, think again. The releasing of those photos are nothing more than a brainwashing exercise to show the citizens the the govt is in control and can take them out any time. If this was a real Operation do you think that they would allow those images out? This is nothing other than a threat to everybody from the govt. “don’t mess with us or we will get you”. Big govt goonism at its finest.
Report Post »SLARTIBARTFAST
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 1:23pm@Mil-Dot
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:51pm
If you guys think that THAT setup and the releasing of the images is in response to an actual threat-real or percieved, think again. The releasing of those photos are nothing more than a brainwashing exercise to show the citizens the the govt is in control and can take them out any time. If this was a real Operation do you think that they would allow those images out? This is nothing other than a threat to everybody from the govt. “don’t mess with us or we will get you”. Big govt goonism at its finest.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Could it be that U.S. Tactical Supply, or someone else in the loop, released the pictures in order to sound the alarm to the country, to wake those still asleep as to what is really going on? I’m not surprised that the snipers are there. I am surprised to actually have confirmation of it. I’m also pretty sure that big.gov did NOT authorize the release of these pics.
Report Post »chingachgook
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 1:28pmif something happened and they had no people posted to take action they would get nothing but criticism. Law Enforcement can not win, if you come out in strength your are Gestapo, if you do not show up you are condemned for not doing your job. There are obviously situations that might require a sniper though not many and just because it is there does not mean you are going to use it. I do not think that many were shot at the Superbowl this year. so what is the story that they were doing their jobs and getting to see the game?
Report Post »RRFlyer
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 2:41pmSGTB
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:43pm
—- The possibility of a threat occurring for which a sniper could be utilized in this situation is infinitesimally small. ——-
Yes, just like the idea of two airliners flying into the World Trade Center was unthinkable.
Report Post »OneTermPresident
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 2:50pm@BUCK SHANE and BENJI..
The major configuration change for the XM2010 system is the conversion from 7.62×51mm NATO to more powerful .300 Winchester Magnum ammunition to provide approximately 50% additional effective range.
Report Post »Benji
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 4:21pm@Onetermpresident
Report Post »They‘re aren’t using 300wm though. That’s a short action which could be .243, .260, 6.5×47 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308, 6.5 Grendel etc – not 300wm. The point is that the gun in the picture is not the XM2010, but rather a short action Remington in an XLR Industries chassis which uses AICS metal mags which means that it can’t fit the 300wm.
hidden_lion
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:13pmRRFLYER-
Report Post »The flying of jumbo jets into building was not unthinkable. They knew about the possibility of that kind of attack, just no credible evidence as to a time, place or even if it was a real plan or not. There was nothing they could have done to stop the event unless they would have kept the Jihad joes from entering the country. A sniper at the superbowl is useless, and the fact is any kind of situation would require more mobility. Waste of taxpayer money.
readytostand
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:35pm@ -Mil -dot — man your kinda negative about ( BIG BRO ) ! Well thats OK though ! I happen to have a few nice pieces of IRON also ! Big Bro knows gun sales went thru the roof ! Equalizer – We got some big SH -T TOO BIG BRO.
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on February 9, 2012 at 2:29am@ Buck Shane
Frangible bullets.
Report Post »Byrdi
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:46amThat must be why OWS and the union threats to block roads to the Super Bowl never materialized. They were planning to protest Indiana’s new Right to Work law.
Report Post »Benji
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:42amThat’s not the XM 2010 rifle!!!!! That’s a XLR Evolution chassis system from Kyle Miller at XLR Industries, with a drop in Remington 700 barreled action. Blaze – sorry but you guys suck with guns.
Since you incorrectly gave props to Remington, here‘s a link to Kyle’s website. Great guy and an awesome product:
http://www.xlrindustries.com/
Report Post »Ramv36
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:34pmJust to stay completely technical, mistaking a highly modified Remington 700 for a XM2010 is an easy mistake for many to make, considering that the XM2010 is….a highly modified Remington 700.
On first glance I thought it was a XM2010 as well, but a few seconds of logical deduction made me discard that idea: an XM2010 standard caliber is .300 Winchester Magnum, way overkill for the short distances involved. It’s almost assuredly .308 Winchester.
Anyway, MY first impression upon seeing this story was “Nice rifle”…and that people shouldn’t be surprised. You’re under sniper overwatch in daily life much more than you think.
Report Post »Larryjr
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:42pmvery nice!!!!
Report Post »Benji
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:44pm@RAMV36
True statement! God Bless our Troops. Especially our Snipers!
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:57pm@Ramv6
Report Post »And you think that that is cool? To be under “sniper watch” more than we think? Only a big govt goon would say something like that as though it were a good thing. Sycophant.
goahead.makemyday
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 3:22pmMil
Report Post »No it’s a statement of fact. What are you going to do to change it? Pick up your own sniper rifle and try to counter snipe trained professionals? Then you become the problem those snipers are trained to handle, and therefore justify their presence. Once the terror threat goes orange you know that the gov’t will have snipers posted around high profile buildings, why do you think that the mall and the areas around the capitol, WH, and Pentagon have almost no shrubbery and clear lines of sight in all directions?
jespasinthru
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 7:57pmGOAHEAD,MAKEMYDAY, then howcome that OWS jackass managed to pop some caps at the White House, and they actually hit the bulletproof windows? Remember that? It was only a month or so ago.
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on February 9, 2012 at 6:36amHey Goathead
Report Post »I never said anything about “picking up my own rifle and engaging ”trained snipers”. Get your head out of your As$. If you can’t see your freedoms being ripped away from you then you have a very low IQ and minimal situational awareness. You are a joke and a goon lover.
jmresler
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:40amGiven that DHS had threats out from Iran last week, I would not be surprised by this. As a matter of fact, given the closed dome, which would prevent police sniper coverage from helicopters I would be surprised *not* to see it. Chill folks.
Report Post »Airforce_5_O
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:30amThere is no need to panic!! The posting of snipers has been going on for awhile.
Report Post »EchoHawk
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 4:59pmNot sure I concur with that logic.
Report Post »jespasinthru
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 7:50pmBy the way, U.S. Tactical Supply is a private company, not part of the government. I don’t know about now, but years ago you could get their very cool glossy catalog in the mail for two bucks. It was full of all kinds of “legal” implements of destruction that would make you say “I want one of those!”
Report Post »AnAppealToGod
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:24amshut up already………
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:24amProbably real!! Here in Reno we had an incident in the ’80s. A guy died in a confrontation with the police on New Years Eve and for the next 12 years (until the police chief was replaced) we had GUN positions on the rooftops of the hotels for NYE. I know this because I’m an elevator mechanic and had to help the guys get up and down with their gear unnoticed. Sand bags, tripods, fully automatic rifles, sniper rifles, spotting scopes, cameras, night vision stuff. I thought they were insane but they did it for 12 years, might still do it now but with better cover.
Report Post »jespasinthru
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 8:05pmJP4JOY, the weapons technology has come a long way since then. They could probably sneak right past you today.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 9:59pmI’m not sure you could sneak a couple of pallets of sandbags no matter how good the technology but if you want to believe it, let it be so.
Report Post »LouC57
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:23amDelbertino seems to be having trouble posting—I noticed it earlier too.
Only a responsible Stadium owner would do this. I’d like to have that rifle!
Report Post »qpwillie
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:19am@delbertino
Report Post »The posts don’t show up for a few minutes. You just have to post and wait. They’re usually on within 5 minutes.
jespasinthru
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 9:14pmHere we go again. They have to read and examine these posts, every single one. Because what if you were threatening the president or some other elected official? Or what if your were planning some public mayhem, like blowing things up? If they allowed your dangerous, fiery comments to slide past them right onto the internet, where seven million people could read them unfiltered, then the Men In Black would be right up in their faces in a heartbeat. This is a legitimate website. And they don’t want to be harassed by the Secret Service , just because some slow-thinking poster can’t control his rage against the Machine. Wait at least ten minutes. If your post doesn’t turn up by then, then it was considered dangerous and unacceptable. Will you newbies PLEASE get with the program.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:08amMy only question is: Communist… or American?
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:34pmIt’s not easy to seperate out the government here from a communist one nowadays.
But since it’s some guy in a uniform, expect people to cheer about having a loaded rifle swept across crowds of innocent and disarmed men and women, instead of allowing decent law abiding Americans the ability to arm themselves as is their right. It’s a guy in uniform see, we genuflect before them.
I think it will be really fun when they start putting up barbed wires and showing the guards. Maybe give them some machine guns too.
Report Post »jespasinthru
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 8:39pmGHOSTOFJEFFERSON, the “guy in the uniform” does not command the respect of the American people as he once did, because many of us have woken up and we know what time it is. “Respect My Authority” doesn’t work anymore. Unless, of course, you’re an Oathkeeper. But that’s a whole different can of worms.
Report Post »delbertino
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:07amthey found my stash?
nick7
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:24pmWhere’s the moderator for this stupity ?
Report Post »grudgywoof
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:03amI think they are real. Nice! I would feel safer with a Marine sniper watching over me…..sort of like a gardian angel.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:34amI would feel much safer too.
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:25pmgreat. lets put snipers at every public place – grocery stores, banks, parks. Do you think everyone in the security industry is an angel? All it takes is for someone to infiltrate one of these companies and they have a weapon and a perch – virtually impossible to stop. A terrorist sitting behind that gun could have easily killed hundreds – the only limiting factor would be ammo
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:30pmI feel safer when I am in charge of my own safety. Of all of the entities in history that are proven dangerous to the life of mankind, governments rank by powers of a thousand as the worst threat, more than any random other group of people by far.
You want some state agent to take care of you, while legally disarming you as he’s pointing a loaded weapon at you, go to a prison.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:17pmUntil he puts one in your back because Obama says you are a terrorist.
Report Post »Con_Sanity
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:41pm@Soybomb. You may need to consider the fact that literally millions of people in the USA are in a position, often daily, to wreak havoc on dozens, hundreds, or thousands of innocent people. You see this in many government and military jobs… schools, nursing homes, nuclear reactors, skyscrapers, industrial facilities, arenas, airports, airplanes, theme parks, hospitals, boy scouts, shipping, the mail, medical research, the subway. It is endless. So you hear about people who betray the trust of their country or their employer on the news sometimes. But you would have to shut down the whole world if you can’t trust anybody. I am not saying you should trust professional snipers. But what valid reason do we have not to trust the sniper any less than the guy driving 40,000 pounds of explosive (gasp) gasoline on the highway at 65 mph? Or any other hundred occupations that are dangerous or scary or have a potential to be abused?
Report Post »larman
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:02amAfter 9-11 I attended several baseball games in NY at both stadiums, this was the norm there were police snipers in center field.
Report Post »jespasinthru
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 8:21pmLARMAN, you have to pay 2,500 bucks just to get into the Superbowl’s cheap nosebleed seats. For that kind of jack, wouldn’t you feel better having a professional gunman watching your back?
Report Post »nostromo
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:01amI believe the pics are real. The baseball all star game in Pittsburgh had Pittsburgh police swat team snipers posted in various places where the fans could not see them.
Report Post »CATALYST
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 10:59amLet’s build our stadiums on the border ;^)
Report Post »AnAppealToGod
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 10:57amGonna order a couple of them for myself…….
Report Post »