November 18, 2024
As Tomahawk Strategic Solutions continues its expansion into Europe, Mads Schreiber Carmés, Managing Director of Tomahawk’s EU Operations, is taking a multifaceted approach to analyzing the market for Corporate Security and Law Enforcement (LE) training. As part of this deliberate strategy, we established a key partnership with H. Henriksen/REBS, a company renowned for its cutting-edge solutions in maritime boarding operations.
The REBS (Rapid Entering and Boarding Systems) division was established by Henriksen in 2003 in response to a Norwegian Defense initiative aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and safety of maritime boarding operations, particularly in high-risk environments. Over time, REBS has evolved through multinational cooperation, incorporating feedback from users in various countries to refine their products and reduce operational risk. The result is a portfolio of state-of-the-art equipment tailored for maritime operations.
REBS acknowledges that “boarding operations pose many challenges, with equipment subjected to rough use in demanding environments.” REBS produces lightweight, strong, and durable products, using high-performance materials like carbon fiber and titanium. They produce many products in-house, ensuring the highest quality standards while enabling them to partner with other leading manufacturers.
Many of us at Tomahawk have firsthand experience using REBS equipment during our former careers in maritime operations, specifically for Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) missions. As former Tier-1 operators, we are committed to delivering the highest-quality training to our clients and demand only the best equipment. That’s where REBS comes in – with a superior product line featuring everything from hooks and ladders to poles, launchers, and other essential maritime boarding gear.
This partnership, formally announced in the summer of 2024, positions Tomahawk to introduce REBS’s advanced knowledge and equipment to our LE clients that operate in a maritime environment. In turn, REBS will leverage Tomahawk's expertise as a trusted training provider for their global client base. Our discussions with REBS also included plans for supporting operations in the U.S., including a recent VBSS training session with the New Jersey State Police.
2024 REBS Annual Gathering
In early autumn, a few Tomahawk leaders traveled to Norway for the REBS Annual Gathering. The REBS team warmly welcomed us, giving us an exclusive tour of their production facility, where we saw firsthand how their innovative products are developed from concept to completion. We also had the chance to experience the natural beauty of the Norwegian fjords, combining invigorating cold-water dips with the warmth of traditional saunas.
The gathering’s first evening was dedicated to networking with fellow partners and end-users from across the globe. The next day, we attended a series of informative briefings covering topics such as REBS’s expanding portfolio, the history of Atlas Devices, current terrorist threats in Europe, and innovations for Norwegian Special Operations Forces. Wally and Nobby also presented a detailed briefing on VBSS Operations, focusing on key considerations and lessons learned. On the second day, we learned about REBS partners’ capabilities and gave everyone the chance to get hands-on experience with the latest offerings. The event was impressively organized, providing both valuable insights and a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with friends from the U.S. and make new connections worldwide.
We’re proud to partner with REBS, and we left Norway with a deeper appreciation of their world-class products and vision. We're excited to collaborate further and look forward to what the future holds for both companies.
