January 2022 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for January, 2022

AFIMSC Announces 2022 I-WEPTAC Topics, Seeks Working Group Volunteers

Tuesday, January 4th, 2022

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) —

The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center has announced topics and chairs for the 2022 Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference.

With a theme of “Adaptive Operations through Expeditionary Combat Support,” I-WEPTAC 2022 topics and Mission Area Working Group chairs are:

Transition the Agile Combat Support Deployment Model from the Air and Space Expeditionary Force to Air Force Force Generation, chaired by Capt. Randi Brown, Expeditionary Engineering Branch Chief, Air Combat Command Headquarters, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

Enterprise-as-a-Service and Base Operation Support Broken Glass for Expeditionary and Base Operation Support Communications, chaired by Donald Lewis, Cyberspace Systems Support Branch Chief, AFIMSC, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Operationalize Blue Small Unmanned Aerial Systems for Installation and Mission Support, chaired by Capt. Kristin Ober, Operations Branch Chief, AFIMSC Detachment 4, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Passive Defense for Adaptive Operations, chaired by Maj. Kendall Benton, Policy Branch Action Officer, Headquarters Air Force Security Forces Directorate, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.

MAWG chairs, who were selected from 33 nominations submitted from across the Department of the Air Force, represent the diversity of installation and mission support Airmen and Guardians.

“Selections were based on relevant experience and their commanders’ acknowledgement of their exceptional leadership qualities,” said Col. Lance Clark, director of AFIMSC’s Expeditionary Support and Innovation Directorate.

AFIMSC assigned mentors to guide the working groups as they develop solutions for the topics. Mentors include retired Maj. Gen. Theresa Carter, former AFIMSC commander; retired Gen. Frank Gorenc, former commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe; and retired Maj. Gen. Timothy M. Zadalis, former U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa vice commander.

“We are lucky to have such great support from these senior leaders,” Ober said. “The encouragement and expectation to reach out to the highest ranks in the Air Force underscore how vital it is that we get these answers right and it speaks to AFIMSC’s commitment to get the most out of I-WEPTAC.”

With the MAWG leadership now in place, the chairs will be looking for Airmen and Guardians to build out their teams over the next few months. They welcome nominations for Airmen, Guardians and government civilians who want to participate in this year’s I-WEPTAC.

“As we’re selecting our teams, my focus is going to be on people who understand the current system, but are excited about change, because what we’re going to propose hasn’t been done before by the Air and Space Forces and can affect the entire enterprise,” Brown said. “So we’re looking for people who are ready to get after these solutions.”

The target team members are lieutenants through majors, GS-11 through GS-13, and technical sergeants through senior master sergeants, who are actively working in or have recent experience with the associated topic.

I-WEPTAC is an annual event that examines fundamental installation and mission support challenges to identify deficiencies, shortfalls and developmental gaps that limit the Air Force’s and Space Force’s ability to execute and operate efficiently. MAWGs develop executable courses of action for their topics and recommend solutions to senior leaders during their final out-briefs. MAWGs will present out-briefs virtually April 4-7.

For more information, visit the I-WEPTAC website.

For more information on volunteering to become a MAWG member, click here.

By Malcolm McClendon, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post | Comments Off on AFIMSC Announces 2022 I-WEPTAC Topics, Seeks Working Group Volunteers

90s-Era 5th Group Mod Demo Video – Run Through The Jungle

Monday, January 3rd, 2022

One of the banes of existence in SOF is the requirement to conduct periodic Mod Demos and static displays for visiting dignitaries.

5th SFG(A) created several videos to assist them in this endeavor. This is one of those videos entitled: “Run Through The Jungle” which depicts a Foreign Internal Defense mission, training indigenous forces in infantry tactics for their Counter Narcotics role.

Posted in History, SOF | Comments Off on 90s-Era 5th Group Mod Demo Video – Run Through The Jungle

Vertx Gamut Checkpoint Backpack in Tigerstripe

Monday, January 3rd, 2022

A Tigerstripe version of the popular Vertx Gamut Checkpoint Backpack in now available exclusively from Amazon.

Features:

• Convertible front panel stows behind loop-faced MOLLE webbing to provide ready access to items mounted there and to rapidly change the bag’s appearance.

• Main compartment has adjustable padded laptop sleeve, three gear slots, one abrasion-resistant zippered mesh pocket and strategically located loop panels for Tactigami and other hook and loop-compatible accessories.

• Weapon-compatible concealed carry platform with loop lining & Rapid Access Pull tab.

• Hydration bladder compatible with dual hose pass-through ports.

• G-hook straps enable front panel to convert to a sling for larger items.

Order yours here.

Posted in Advertiser, Packs | Comments Off on Vertx Gamut Checkpoint Backpack in Tigerstripe

Bill Wilson Announces Purchase of Lehigh Defense

Monday, January 3rd, 2022

[Berryville, Arkansas, January 3, 2022]

Bill Wilson is proud to announce the acquisition of Pennsylvania-based ammunition and bullet manufacturer Lehigh Defense.

Lehigh Defense will join other Wilson-owned companies Chip McCormick Custom, Circle WC Ranch, Khumba Bush Camp, Scattergun Technologies, Wilson Custom Ammunition and Wilson Combat to expand the group’s presence in the firearms and hunting marketplace.

Lehigh Design, originally founded by Dave Fricke later expanded to Lehigh Defense with the addition of Pete Vogel and Mike Cyrus and has been designing and manufacturing solid brass and copper bullets using the latest technology since 2004. In 2009, Lehigh started working with Black Hills Ammunition in developing unique military projectile designs. Years of collaboration later, the Fluid Transfer Monolithic design culminated with the release of the Black Hills Honey Badger line. Another patented design is the Maximum Expansion 300 Blackout subsonic bullet used by US and many NATO special operations groups throughout the world with over 7 million sold to date.

Lehigh Defense currently operates two manufacturing plants, one in Pennsylvania and one in South Dakota. Once a new purpose-built facility in northeast Texas is completed in Q3 2022 some operations will begin the move to their new home in Texas. There are immediate plans to increase production and some products are already in production in Arkansas at the Wilson Combat facility to rapidly increase production capacity. Lehigh will have a substantial increase in manufacturing capacity and a state of the art testing facility once the Texas plant is operational. Our goal is to meet product demand, add exciting new products and build brand awareness.

To add stability to these changes we’re proud to announce Dave Fricke will retain minority ownership and continue to work with Lehigh for several years into the future.

Wilson Combat®

Visit www.wilsoncombat.com for more information.

Lehigh Defense

For additional information on Lehigh Defense LLC email info@lehighdefense.com

Posted in Ammo, Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on Bill Wilson Announces Purchase of Lehigh Defense

Looking to Outsource Your Social Media Presence During SHOT Show?

Monday, January 3rd, 2022

MCT Marketing is a full-service social media management + growth company and we will be at SHOT Show this year.

This is a perfect opportunity for you to showcase your products/services on your social media platforms. MCT will be able to post + create content for you throughout SHOT Show. There is so much going on during SHOT Show, this will keep your clients up to date with any special releases and current offers that are available! We will also be able to help you reach a new audience on your platform and target people that are attending the show with social media strategies and hashtags. This is a great option if your social media manager will not be traveling to SHOT Show and you need someone to document your experience without paying for all the overhead expenses. MCT Marketing will only be taking a limited number of clients so if this is something you are interested in, please let us know as soon as possible to ensure your spot.

NEED help with social media after SHOT Show? Mona Tolleson, founder of MCT Marketing will be available to meet during the show. Before starting MCT Marketing, she was in the defense contracting industry for 7 years. She is a social media expert (with over 35K followers), she strives to help businesses take their social media presence to the next level.

To learn more about our SHOT show packages or to schedule a meeting with Mona, please call 757-300-3627 or email mctmarketingllc@gmail.com.

Website: www.mctmarketing.com

Posted in Guest Post, Media, SHOT Show | Comments Off on Looking to Outsource Your Social Media Presence During SHOT Show?

EOTECH Acquires Intevac Photonics

Monday, January 3rd, 2022

Plymouth, MI (January 4, 2022) –

In an exciting strategic move, EOTECH, the Michigan-based manufacturer of the world’s best holographic and magnified optics, has acquired Intevac Inc’s Photonics business (Photonics), a California-based technology leader in cutting edge digital sensor systems.

Photonics leads the world in the design and manufacturing of high-sensitivity night vision sensors, cameras, and systems. The organization boasts powerful technology-development capabilities and has a long history of successfully delivering winning solutions for the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and the US Army IVAS (Integrated Visual Augmentation System) programs, to name a few.

The combination of EOTECH and Photonics as a single entity opens unique business opportunities, and the integration of the two businesses will result in significant growth in the years to come. “The idea of acquiring Photonics made great strategic sense from Day One.” said Christopher Kouza, Chairman and Founder of Kouza Capital, Inc., the sponsor of the deal. “Combining the Photonics advanced digital sensor capabilities with EOTECH’s world-class marketing and global distribution reach will be a powerful engine for the future.”

Both companies share market leadership positions in their respective sectors, and plan to combine their energies toward the development of all-new product lines and markets. “Naturally we’re looking forward to combining our teams to strengthen our service to the US military as well as our service to the governments of allied nations. The cultures of both companies are tailor-made for that kind of teamwork.” said Matt Van Haaren, CEO of EOTECH, “But we’ll also be working in parallel to develop great new product lines that elevate the performance expectations of digital visual augmentation systems for the soldier, the civilian, the vehicle driver, the aviator, and many other users around the world.”

Posted in Industry, Optics, Press Release | 1 Comment »

US, Ukrainian Infantry Soldiers Connect at Combined Resolve XVI in Germany

Monday, January 3rd, 2022

HOHENFELS, Germany — On the snow-covered hills of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, U.S. and Ukrainian soldiers solidified their partnership through more ways than just combat training.

Combined Resolve XVI was an exercise to evaluate the U.S. Army’s 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division’s ability to conduct operations in a complex, multi-domain simulated battlespace.

Combined Resolve included approximately 4,600 soldiers from Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States.

Integrated battalions conducted operations with multinational units operating under a unified command and control element, allowing the U.S. and its allies and partners to experience invaluable training alongside each other.

“It’s very different and new for our company to participate in this kind of training,” said 1st Lt. Andrii Tretiak, commander of the Ukrainian Mechanized Company, 92nd Mechanized Brigade. “I think that our company gained new experiences during this training exercise.”

While the overall goal of Combined Resolve was for the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team to get a better feel of its battle rhythm, it creates an environment for multinational soldiers to come together and fight and win as one.

“We’re all out here living together,” said Pfc. Dawson Anderson, a forward observer with 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. “When it’s too cold, we’re all huddled around little camp stoves trying to make some hot coffee. That’s when you start to realize that people across the globe aren’t so much different than you.”

Finding common ground among multiple militaries creates ties that are harder to break than seeing each other in passing. When the smoke clears and everyone makes their way home again, soldiers get to leave with a sense of having developed life-long friendships.

“CBR XVI allows us to build mutual trust, competency and interoperability with our NATO allies and partners,” said Polish Maj. Gen. Adam Joks, Deputy Commander of Interoperability, V Corps. “By conducting combined operations with our allies, our soldiers learn how to work together effectively and efficiently to achieve tactical objectives.”

During the field exercises, every soldier in every uniform played a key role in mission success, coming together and facing a common goal builds team confidence on another level.

“It’s not always about the training and shooting and maneuvering,” Dawson said. “It’s also about seeing different kinds of people and understanding different walks of life.”

Through snow storms and bitter cold, soldiers found ways to coincide. Going through these exercises together on a daily basis builds cohesion that may look different or speak another language but assures continuity if ever faced with opposition.

Story by SGT Tommie Berry

Photos by photo by Ukrainian Army Col Sergii Teliatytskii and US Army SSG George Davis

Posted in Army, Guest Post, International, Training | 5 Comments »

Clif Bar & Company Launches Trailblazers Incubator and Introduces CLIF Pet

Sunday, January 2nd, 2022

EMERYVILLE, Calif. – Dec. 13, 2021 – Today, Clif Bar & Company announced the launch of the Trailblazers Incubator, an in-house new ventures group built to deliver disruptive innovation and create sustainable business opportunities. Based in Clif Bar’s Emeryville, CA headquarters, the Trailblazers team of “intrapreneurs” is applying an agile start-up mindset to driving new growth strategies for Clif Bar. This includes expanding into new categories that align with the company’s Five Aspirations business model.

Overseen by Chief Innovation Officer, Rizal Hamdallah, and led by Incubator Senior Director, Greg Lok, the Trailblazers first venture is CLIF PetTM, with the introduction of plant-based pet snacks. Slated for national launch in early 2022, CLIF Pet will start with three flavors of snacks for dogs with plans to build out the Pet portfolio in the near term.

“Just as Clif Bar was founded on disrupting the energy bar category nearly 30 years ago, the Trailblazers Incubator is built to consistently deliver our bold innovation agenda and accelerate our growth plan,” said Hamdallah. “In addition to a rapid, data-driven product development and go-to-market strategy, what makes our approach different is extending the loyalty of the CLIF® brand. By introducing CLIF Pet, we will bring energy to the whole family.”

Clif Bar has set a bold goal to multiply its positive impact on the world by doubling the size of the company. The decision to enter the pet snacking category is supported by the dramatic increase in pet ownership coupled with the emerging demand for human-grade pet food1. Today, as pets are considered part of the family more than ever before, the category represents a significant growth opportunity for Clif Bar.

“With more than 11 million U.S. households bringing a pet home during the last 18 months of COVID, the category is exploding and ripe for new offerings2,” said Lok. “What makes this launch unique is the combination of speed and discipline to bring an innovative, relevant product to market during a global pandemic. We are truly blazing new trails by applying best practices from tech start-ups to our expertise in consumer insights and packaged goods – it’s a winning combination.”

www.clifbar.com

Posted in K9, Outdooralamode, Press Release | 1 Comment »