August 2020 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for August, 2020

Special Tactics Airman Awarded Silver Star Medal

Sunday, August 16th, 2020

POPE FIELD, N.C. – A Special Tactics Airman was awarded the nation’s third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal, during a ceremony at Pope Field, N.C., Aug. 14, 2020.

Master Sgt. John Grimesey, a Special Tactics combat controller with the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, 24th Special Operations Wing, was recognized for his efforts in Afghanistan in 2013. He not only saved the life of a fellow special operations troop, but called in multiple airstrikes while being under attack by the enemy.

It was supposed to be a routine mission. Then again, no mission in Afghanistan in 2013 was “routine.” The objective was to clear and secure a village in Ghazni Provence to establish local Afghan police presence without the threat of opposition forces. Grimesey and his team partnered with the local Afghan police and together they set out to clear the area. Until one of the teams encountered a large band of Taliban fighters.

“Our Afghan team got separated and started to take on enemy fire,” said Grimesey. “Myself and an Army Special Forces Solider maneuvered to provide assistance and quickly found ourselves engaged with the Taliban.”

When Grimesey peered around the wall to gain situational awareness, he noticed the wounded and dead Afghan police officers, to include the police chief. It was then Grimesey was struck by a rocket propelled grenade. “I remember the ringing in my ears,” recalled Grimesey. “I knew I was concussed from the blast because of the ringing, my vision was blurry and I was fatigued.”

Despite suffering a concussion and shrapnel wounds, Grimesey was able to drag his Army Special Forces teammate away from the immediate danger zone and assess the situation. “I snapped into a problem solving mode,” he said. “The situation was dire and the only way to solve it was to rely on my extensive training and attempt to break down the large problem into small chunks. I had to prioritize with what I was being faced with.”

The Special Tactics combat controller was able to call in additional support from other Army Special Forces units, and from aircraft for close-air-support; all the while engaging in a fire fight with opposition forces. “Eventually we were able to gain control and eliminate the Taliban resistance while also finishing the mission to secure the village,” he said.

Grimesey said it was later discovered there was a Taliban training team who had made their way to the village thus drastically increasing the number of fighters they encountered.

Lt. Gen. James Slife, commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, presided over the ceremony and remarked on Grimesey’s actions.

“You may not call yourself a hero Master Sgt. Grimesey, but I do,” said Slife. “Because of your actions that day, families and friends did not experience loss. The men whose lives you saved will continue to positively impact those around them creating a chain of reaction that ripples across generations.”

“I think about it every day. I even dream about it,” reflected Grimesey. “It’s an event that left an impression on me. While it was a harrowing experience, I look back with great pride and believe that my team and I were able to save lives and help ensure the security of the village.”

Grimesey’s Silver Star Medal was upgraded from an Army Achievement Medal. During the ceremony he also received the Bronze Star Medal, second oak leaf cluster with Valor for another battle in the Middle East in 2017.

As Grimesey looks ahead to start his medical retirement process, he remembers his time in the Special Tactics community fondly, “If there are any other young men and women out there looking for a community with a sense of purpose and opportunity to make a positive impact on the world at large, they don’t have to look any further than Air Force Special Tactics.”

Special Tactics Airmen are U.S. Special Operations Command’s tactical air to ground integration force, and AFSOC’s special operations ground force, leading global access, precision strike, personnel recovery and battlefield surgery operations. Since 9/11, Special Tactics Airmen have received one Medal of Honor, 11 Air Force Crosses and 49 Silver Star Medals making Grimesey’s the 50th.

By Capt Katie Spencer

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | 2 Comments »

Champion Awards 2020 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Sunday, August 16th, 2020

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – August 5, 2020 – Champion Traps & Targets, maker of interactive and challenging target systems and trusted eye and ear protection, has awarded 2020 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H student ambassadors: Cecelia Ossi of New Jersey and Thomas Singleton of Louisiana.

The scholarship program was created to honor legendary exhibition shooter Tom Knapp, who passed away in April 2013. Champion teamed with the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee to create the Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarship in his name. Knapp was a long-time ambassador for both Champion and Federal Premium Ammunition, and was included in licensed products from Champion. With the support of Knapp’s wife, Colleen, Champion extended his licensed products program to fund an endowed scholarship that awards $2,500 each to two National 4-H Ambassadors per year.

“Federal and Champion Targets have been long-time supporters of the National 4-H Shooting Sports and seeing the bright future of the next generation of shooting sports enthusiasts is always a highlight,” said Jason Slinkard, Director of Shooting Accessories for Vista Outdoor. “These applicants for the Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarship will continue to represent the shooting sports industry, sharing a powerful message of leadership and new life skills as they head off to college.”

“Cecelia and Thomas are true leaders in the youth shooting sports arena and Federal is proud of their accomplishments with the National 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador program,” added Jon Zinnel, Conservation and Youth Shooting Sports Program Manager for Federal and CCI Ammunition. “Seeing leaders graduating from the 4-H Ambassador Training reinforces the fact that our industry is strong and in good hands that are building future generations of shooting sports enthusiasts.”

Applicants for the scholarship are required to be 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassadors with a 3.0 or higher GPA, and enrolled in an accredited college or university.

www.championtarget.com

Posted in Press Release, Shooting Sports | Comments Off on Champion Awards 2020 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

In Memoriam – Melvin Hill, Veteran of First Combat HALO Mission

Saturday, August 15th, 2020

It has come to our attention that MSG Melvin Hill (USA, Ret) has passed away at age 81. He was not only an Army veteran but served in Special Forces and MACV-SOG during the Vietnam war where he was the team leader for the first combat HALO mission. He was awarded the Silver Star for that mission.

Melvin Hill was born March 26, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York and joined the Army in 1955. During his career he served with:

18th Regimental Combat Team (Airborne)

Airborne School – HALO instructor,

Special Forces (joined in 1964)

MAV-SOG (Two tours)

After his retirement Mel worked at the US General Services Administration, Washington, DC for 14 years.

Melvin Hill served two tours in Vietnam. His first tour was in 1966 with MACV-SOG, Khe Sanh, RVN, Spike Team Oklahoma. He returned in 1970 to MACV-SOG, Command and Control North (CCN), Recon Company, Recon Team Florida.

Melvin was the team leader for the first MACV-SOG, High Altitude Low Opening (HALO), Combat Jump. He was awarded the Silver Star for that HALO jump (28 November 1970).

Hill is seen here with Cliff Newman who also participated in that fabled jump along with Sammy Hernandez.

The citation for his Silver Star reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Melvin Hill, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 28 November 1970, while serving as Team Leader of a Combined Reconnaissance Team, Republic of Vietnam. At 0200 hours Sergeant Hill fearlessly led his team from the tail gate of a C-130 aircraft at an altitude of 17,000 feet on the first free fall into hostile territory in the history of the United States Army. This awesome free fall carried him through two cloud layers and light rain to penetrate deep in the enemy’s rear area. The team landed in rugged terrain, but, due to the intensive training and rehearsal conducted by Sergeant Hill, sustained no injuries. Having cached their parachutes, the team moved through the high-threat area toward their target to accomplish their reconnaissance mission. During their five-day stay behind enemy lines, the team gathered sufficient hard intelligence to mark this mission a success. As a result of Sergeant Hill’s training, motivation and fearless leadership, his team was able to accomplish a harrowing mission which testifies to his courage and moral fiber. Sergeant First Class Hill’s conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

Biographical information and photos from Special Operations Association and Special Forces Taps groups on Facebook.

Posted in History, Memorial, SOF | 16 Comments »

Rail Riders – Mojave Sun Shirt

Saturday, August 15th, 2020

The Mojave Sun Shirt is the follow-on to the popular Rail Riders Eco-Mesh Shirt.

Features:
• Featherweight 2ply, 3oz nylon/polester
• UPF 50+
• Deep front zipper for extreme ventilation
• Mesh panels run from cuff under arm and down torso for added ventilation
• Front zippered napolean pocket
• Slot pocket for reading glasses etc.
• back cape and roll up or push up cuffs

Offered in sizes Small – XXLarge in Light Tan, Ocean Blue and White.

www.railriders.com/mojave-sun-shirt

Posted in Clothing | 4 Comments »

Hide and Seek: Stalking With US Marine Scout Sniper Course Students

Saturday, August 15th, 2020

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. —

U.S. Marines with the Scout Sniper Course 2-20, Reconnaissance Training Company, Advanced Infantry Battalion, School of Infantry – West, participated in a stalking and infiltration course in the Romeo Training Area on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, July 26.

The Marines started at a designated grid point then moved forward by various means toward two observers. The objective was to close with a target, fire two shots and then exfiltrate from the training area. The trick is the Marines had to do it all without being detected by the observers. To help them in that, the Marines applied camouflage paint and built their own ghillie suits.

“The most important part of this exercise, in my opinion, is learning how to properly utilize camouflage,” said U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Steven O’keefe, an instructor with the Scout Sniper Course. “The Marines must also learn to utilize the things in front and around them.”

Some challenges that add to the difficulty of stalking exercises are the different types and height of vegetation in the area, route selection, size of the area and the time of day.

“The most important part of this exercise, in my opinion, is learning how to properly utilize camouflage.”

Staff Sgt. Steven O’keefe, Scout Sniper Course instructor

Camp Pendleton has over 25 stalking lanes for sniper training. The training areas differ by vegetation, size of the area and terrain.

Prior to this training the students participated in land navigation, classes on the basic infantry skills, live-fire exercises and other stalking lanes.

“The hardest part for me was moving to the final firing point without being detected,” said Lance Cpl. Norman Ballard a student with the Scout Sniper Course. “The vegetation in this lane is also taller, so that makes the final firing point difficult to find in this lane.”

The class started with over 20 Marines and is now expecting to graduate 14 when the 12-week course ends in late August. Between now and then, the Marines will conduct more ranges and stalking lanes, before finally ending with a culminating event that puts all the skills and knowledge they’ve gained from the course to the test.

By LCpl Drake Nickels

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Posted in Guest Post, Training, USMC | 2 Comments »

Brownells Resumes Standard Capacity Magazine Sales To California

Friday, August 14th, 2020

GRINNELL, Iowa (August 14, 2020) – In the wake of a ruling by a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Brownells has resumed selling its full lineup of rifle, pistol and shotgun magazines to California customers.

Known as Duncan vs Becerra, the case against California’s ban on standard-capacity magazines was brought by the California Rifle & Pistol Association.

The Ninth Circuit applied strict scrutiny in its decision and ruled firearm magazines, including those of 30-rounds capacity or more, are “protected arms under the Second Amendment.”

The entire ruling can be read at the United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit site.

Effective immediately, Brownells will once again ship magazines to California customers.

To see Brownells full lineup for popular magazines for AR-15 style, AK-47 style and other commonly-owned semi-automatic rifles and pistols, visit the magazine section of the Brownells website.

Posted in 2A, Press Release | 21 Comments »

Magpul DAKA Takeout Is Now Shipping

Friday, August 14th, 2020

I’ve been waiting anxiously for these new DAKA Takeout pouches since they were announced during SHOT Show.

Offered in Black or FDE, the Takeout has a taller and wider opening when the quick release buckles on the sides are open. Plus, they double as handles, letting you secure it to anything that keeps your gear close but out of the way.