Introduction
I remember the first time I got my hands on a PEQ-15. Thought it was just another fancy laser attachment—until I saw what it could actually do through a set of NVGs. It’s wild. In complete darkness, that little box turns your rifle into a flashlight, pointer, and silent communicator all at once… but only if you’re looking through night vision. Otherwise, it’s just invisible voodoo magic to the naked eye.
A Tactical Flashlight for the Night They’ll Never See Coming
In A Debt of Honor, the main character, Mitch—callsign Nada—is working a dark structure and using his “attached aiming laser like a flashlight.” That right there is classic IR illumination. What’s cool is, he’s not just swinging around a visible laser beam like you see in action movies. Nope. He’s running an infrared aiming laser and IR illuminator—tools that only show up when you’re looking through something like AN/PVS-15 night vision goggles. To everyone else? He’s just a dude waving a rifle in the dark.
Let me break it down: in this scene he’s using an AN/PEQ-15, also called the ATPIAL (Advanced Target Pointer, Illuminator, Aiming Light). Think of it like a Swiss Army knife for nighttime shooting. You’ve got a visible red laser for the range or daytime ops, and then the secret sauce—your infrared laser and illuminator. The aiming IR laser is zeroed to your optic, which means wherever that little invisible dot goes, your bullet follows. It lets you keep your head up and your situational awareness high.
What Is a PEQ-15, and Why Does It Matter?
The PEQ-15—short for AN/PEQ-15 Advanced Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Laser—is basically a multi-function laser device designed for use with night vision goggles. It projects both a visible red laser (think range-day stuff) and an infrared laser that only shows up when viewed through night vision.
But here’s the kicker: it also includes an IR illuminator—kind of like a flashlight beam that only folks wearing NVGs can see. That’s what Mitch was using in the novel’s opening scene to clear rooms and light up dark recesses without tipping off anyone not wearing nods. Pretty slick, huh?
Using the IR Illuminator Like a Tactical Flashlight
Here’s something I had to learn the hard way—IR illuminators don’t throw light the way you might expect. They’re not long-range spotlights. They’re more like short-range floodlights. Inside a building or under a thick canopy, they’re worth their weight in gold. Outdoors? You’ll need to adjust expectations.
Mitch uses his laser “like a flashlight,” which tells you he’s relying on that illuminator to navigate a pitch-black environment. It’s especially useful in tight spots like stairwells, closets, or alleyways where NVGs alone can get pretty grainy. You can’t see what isn’t lit, even with good night vision. The PEQ’s IR beam fills in those shadows, giving you contrast and depth you wouldn’t otherwise get.
Just remember—you won’t see a thing with your bare eyes. That dot Mitch’s tracking? It’s invisible to everyone except the guy wearing NVGs. That’s what makes this setup so deadly efficient.
High vs. Low Power Settings: Use With Caution
Now, let’s talk power settings. The PEQ-15 comes with high and low power modes, and that ain’t just for convenience—it’s for safety. On high, the laser and illuminator are strong enough to cause serious eye damage. Not great for casual training. That’s why most units have a removable safety screw that blocks the high setting unless you deliberately take it off.
I always tell people: leave the high mode for live ops or designated live-fire exercises where everyone’s briefed and wearing proper gear. For everything else? Stick with low power. It’s more than enough for standard clearing drills or low-light room entries. Plus, it preserves battery life—these things chew through juice if you’re running them on high too often.
Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your PEQ-15
Here’s a few things I’ve picked up along the way, some of them the hard way:
- Zero your IR laser properly. A sloppy zero means sloppy shooting. I do mine at 50 meters—good middle ground for most scenarios.
- Bring spare batteries. Seriously. If you’re training hard, expect to swap them more often than you think.
- Use the illuminator conservatively. It’s tempting to leave it on, but it can bloom your NVG image if you’re too close to walls.
- Mark your settings. If you’re operating in different environments (indoor vs. outdoor), know which settings give you the right beam shape and spread.
Final Thoughts: The Invisible Advantage
What makes the PEQ-15 so powerful isn’t just the tech—it’s the tactical advantage of being able to see and aim without giving away your position. That’s what Mitch Greenfield taps into in A Debt of Honor, and it’s what real-world operators rely on every day.
Whether you’re building a character for a novel, putting together your first night-fighting rifle, or just fascinated by gear that gives you an edge when the lights go out, the PEQ-15 is a piece of kit that earns respect. It’s not cheap, and it’s not a toy—but if you know how to use it, it opens up a whole new dimension of tactical capability.
Just make sure you respect the beam, double-check your zero, and don’t forget: sometimes the most dangerous thing in the room is the thing you can’t even see.
Do you have first hand experience with newer IR pointers like the MIPM (Mini Integrated Illumination Module), also called the AN/PEQ-16B, or the NGAL (Next Generation Aiming Laser)? Drop a comment and let us know your thoughts on their performance
