0600 – terrorists Mohammed Atta and Abdulaziz al-Omari traveled to Logan International Airport from Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine.
0652 – fellow terrorist Marwan al-Shehhi called Atta at Logan to confirm the plans of the attack.
Archive for September, 2022
9/11 Memorial – As It Happened – 0600
Sunday, September 11th, 2022Michigan ANG Medics Take New Combat Casualty Care Course
Sunday, September 11th, 2022
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. – Aerospace medical technicians with the 127th Medical Group, Michigan Air National Guard, took part in an innovative form of combat lifesaving training during August drill, practicing the battlefield care program replacing self-aid buddy care.
“The Air Force adopted this training to begin to give definitive care to patients early on following a trauma,” said Maj. Patrick Frank, 127th Medical Group medical administrative officer. “They found, through historical evidence, that the earlier patients receive trauma care, the higher their survivability rate will be.”
The tactical combat casualty care training teaches ways to reduce casualties in the field by improving the lifesaving skills of medical and non-medical military personnel.
The training Aug. 15-16 included classroom instruction and a field training exercise to practice applying immediate care on the battlefield. Modules for the 127th Medical Group brought experiences during recent conflicts to life to increase trauma survivability.
“The training scenario was that a bomb had gone off in a building, and it was determined to be a dirty bomb,” Frank said, referring to a conventional explosive containing radiological material. “The medical teams responded, suited up in [mission-oriented protective posture] gear, entered the building, assessed their patients, and were able to get them out and to a casualty collection point.”
To train service members from career fields outside the medical realm, TCCC is offered in three courses. The training at Selfridge was designed for aerospace medical technicians, pararescue and other uniformed medical providers who may deploy to support combat operations.
“We thought that this would be a great opportunity for [our medics] to be in their MOPP gear, go to the front line to get the patients out, and do the lifesaving skills that they need to do to in order to make sure that the patient is safe,” said 1st Lt. Heather Salgat, 127th Medical Group clinical nurse.
Other TCCC course offerings include “combat lifesaver,” designed for non-medical military members deployed to a combat situation, and the “all service member” course for any uniformed service member.
With the successful completion of the TCCC, participating members of the 127th Medical Group are ready to perform the trauma care techniques that can help save more lives.
“We have a lot of new individuals who just joined our unit, and them being involved in this training is exciting and better prepares them for the warfight,” Salgat said. “I am so proud of my team. Everybody jumped into it and did exactly what they needed to do.”
By SSgt Andrew Schumann, 127th Wing Public Affairs
Nite Ize Partners with Leading Outdoor Brands Expanding Reach of Proprietary Thru Zip Technology, First Toothless, Dustproof Waterproof Zipper
Saturday, September 10th, 2022Nite Ize, a manufacturer of solution-based products, announced its partnership with six outdoor brands that use its patented Tru Zip zipper—a toothless, dustproof, waterproof zipper—including Simms Fishing, Hydro Flask, Fishpond, CamelBak, Booe, and & Adventure Medical Kits.
“TRU Zip technology enables us to provide a first-of-its-kind solution across a variety of outdoor activities from hunting and fishing, to travel and watersports and beyond,” said Rick Case, CEO and founder, Nite Ize. “Tru Zip empowers brands to innovate in their product category enabling products to be built that could never be built before. We are proud to collaborate with these legacy brands enabling consumers to have next-generation performance in the outdoors.”
Launched in 2019, the Tru Zip design is snag-proof and can easily open and close. Tested to IP67, TRU Zip has maximum reliability to withstand immersion underwater of up to 1m deep for up to 30 minutes.
For more product information, go here.
Blast From The Past – Don’t Confuse Enthusiasm With Capability
Saturday, September 10th, 2022I can’t remember why I wrote this in 2016, but it’s still true today. Maybe more so, as organizations are tested by social pressures. Keep the faith my brothers and sisters. This too shall pass.
There’s a old adage in Special Operations, “Don’t confuse enthusiasm with capability.” I heard it used a lot over the years and was told it stemmed from the ill-fated Operation Eagle Claw, where an ad-hoc task force made up of different service capabilities was created to attempt the rescue of American hostages held by Iran. Truth be told, it’s probably even older than that. The point is, you can call yourself special all day, but that doesn’t mean that you are. With the Iran mission, everyone wanted a piece of the pie whether they were ready or not and the mission failed. Although the lessons learned from that mission led to the eventual creation of USSOCOM, don’t think this idea is solely the purview of SOF. It doesn’t matter what you do, or where you fit in the food chain, it’s applicable to everyone.
In more recent times, there were many new organizations stood up within DoD after 9/11. They were specialized in nature but not necassarily in capability. In each case, they were weighed and measured by the war. Some matured, others disappeared. The concept of enthusiasm being tempered by capability is an inescapable crucible.
Generally, SSD readers are a cut above. They care about their profession, or interest, and choose the best equipment. Others go a step further and seek out training to improve their capabilities. That is the sign of a true professional. However, such positive traits are not going to be true of everyone in an organization. We are truly as weak our weakest link and we all know someone who is all show and no go. Do not let them define you or your unit and don’t make promises you can’t deliver on.
Everything we do isn’t awesome. Accept criticism and reflect on it. That’s a trait of maturity. If you’re thin skinned, you’ve likely got maturity issues and aren’t very good at what you do. As an aside, don’t take criticisms of your profession in general, or of others in your profession personally. Every profession has plenty of room to improve. However, do deliver constructive criticism to your peers. Use it to grow professionally and personally and encourage others to do so as well. Make things better.
There is a current notion that everyone is a winner and gets a trophy. We must stop this concept from poisoning the profession of arms. Not everyone is going to be an Operator and we don’t need them to be. Figure out what it is you are supposed to do, and be awesome at it, both individually and collectively.
This isn’t meant as discouragement. To the contrary; love what you do. Create enthusiastic capability and make sure that you can deliver on demand, no matter the job. Help others rise to the same level.
STARCOM Executes First JNTC-Accredited, Largest SPACE FLAG Exercise Ever
Saturday, September 10th, 2022
SCHRIEVER SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. — Space Training and Readiness Command completed its first exercise iteration of SPACE FLAG (SPACE FLAG 22-3) since being accredited by the Joint Staff as a Joint National Training Capability.
SPACE FLAG is the first Department of Defense space exercise to receive JNTC-accreditation, joining the likes of the U.S. Air Force’s Red Flag and Green Flag exercises, as well as the U.S. Army’s Joint Warfighter Assessment and the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Synthetic Training.
SPACE FLAG 22-3, which ran from Aug. 8-19, was the largest iteration executed to date with approximately 120 participants from nearly a dozen U.S. Space Force Deltas, as well as members from the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army.
The U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Space Support Team also imbedded members within the exercise, observing the Army’s 1st Space Brigade as part of an effort to integrate them as players in future iterations.
Considered a tactically-focused exercise, SPACE FLAG is designed to provide tactical space units with advanced training in a simulated contested, degraded and operationally-limited environment. The exercise is conducted using live, virtual and constructive simulations which immerse Guardians and participants into a synthetic virtual battlefield.
The 392d Combat Training Squadron’s organic BattleLab and Distributed Mission Operations Center presented a suite of simulators that allowed the training audience to exercise and refine combat tactics in space domain awareness, intelligence, warning and surveillance, navigation warfare, orbital warfare and satellite communications.
The exercise featured three vulnerability periods where combat missions were planned and then subsequently executed using high fidelity models to simulate warfighting effects. Each vulnerability period grew in complexity, allowing the training audience to adjust and apply lessons learned in the previous period.
“I really enjoyed watching our Soldiers, Airmen, and Guardians mission plan and then prosecute the fight against realistic threats to space capabilities,” said U.S. Army Col. Donald Brooks, 1st Space Brigade commander and senior leader for SPACE FLAG’s third and most complex vulnerability period.
Building upon training objectives established in previous iterations, SPACE FLAG 22-3 presented realistic modeling that challenged players to consider complex astrodynamics while maneuvering and operating during simulated on-orbit combat engagements.
For the first time, the 5th Electronic Warfare Squadron participated in SPACE FLAG, giving space warfighters the opportunity to rehearse and visualize force packaging in ways not seen in any other exercise in the Department of Defense.
“My team spent the last six months working with tactical experts from the Army, the National Reconnaissance Office, and the Space Force to build the best exercise experience possible,” said U.S. Space Force 1st Lt. Deshawna Moore, SPACE FLAG 22-3 exercise director. “SPACE FLAG plays a key role in ensuring space forces are ready to win should our nation call us to defend national interest in space.”
The next iteration of SPACE FLAG will occur in December, where STARCOM plans to train U.S. and Coalition space warfighters from multiple nations.
By Space Training and Readiness Command Public Affairs
Photos by Judi Tomich
Silvus Enables U.S. Army’s Integrated Tactical Network with Spectrum Dominance
Friday, September 9th, 2022StreamCaster Radios Selected for Stryker Brigade Combat Teams in Capability Set 23
Los Angeles, California (September 7, 2022) – Silvus Technologies, Inc. (“Silvus”) today announced the award of a $2.4 million order from the U.S. Army to provide StreamCaster mobile ad hoc network (MANET) radios for deployment at scale in the Army’s Integrated Tactical Network. As part of the Army’s Capability Set 23 (CS23), StreamCaster radios were selected for their ability to connect Stryker brigade combat team (SBCTs) command posts, creating a self-organizing mesh network designed to operate in multiple spectrum bands at high data rates, with advanced interference avoidance and cancellation waveform capabilities. The order comes just weeks after Silvus StreamCaster radios and version 4.0.2.8 of StreamScape firmware achieved Authority to Operate (ATO) certification from the U.S. Army.
“StreamCaster radios provide robust, high bandwidth connectivity for the Army with a MANET waveform that has been battle-proven with ground forces, on-the-move and aerial tier units across multi-domain operations,” said Mike Kell, Silvus Director of Army Strategic Accounts, Retired Signal Corps Colonel. “In concert with the Army’s PEO Command, Control, Communications-Tactical (C3T) and Army Futures Command’s Network Cross-Functional Team (N-CFT), we continue to expand Silvus’ MN-MIMO waveform’s Spectrum Dominance capabilities to thrive in congested and contested environments, critical to achieving the Army’s Unified Network modernization objectives.”
For CS23, StreamCaster radios (Joint Electronics Type Designation: AN/PRC-169) will be deployed to Stryker BCTs, providing continuity of operations for mounted and dismounted formations that will extend the distance and range of these units, thereby increasing mobility for maneuver. Previously selected for CS21 to connect key command posts at the brigade and battalion echelons, StreamCaster radios enable transmission of federated TAK data with up to 8W of output power, high data rates and dual frequency band support. Learn more about the StreamCaster family of radios on our website and follow us on LinkedIn.
Services Charity Veterans With Dogs introduces Assistance Dog “Ferris” to the Defence Industry at DVD
Friday, September 9th, 2022
The services charity Veterans With Dogs is introducing their example assistance dog “Ferris” to the UK defence industry at the DVD 2022 Exhibition, taking place at Millbrook, 21/22 September. Ferris will be joined by his Army veteran owner, Bryan Maddams – himself a seasoned member of the defence industry having worked for General Dynamics, and Ultra Electronics on some major programmes such as Ajax, Warrior CSP and CR2 LEP. Bryan and Ferris are attending DVD to raise awareness of Veterans With Dogs across the industry with the aim of generating support and funds, through donations.
Veterans With Dogs is the UK’s leading organisation that trains and provides assistance dogs exclusively for current and former British Armed Forces service personnel diagnosed with a mental health condition, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – a prevalent condition in post-Afghanistan veterans. The charity uses a unique PALS (Partner Animals Life Skills) training programme which combines home support and residential courses, with annual assessments thereafter to maintain the fully accredited assistance dog status. The dogs that undergo this training are always ‘on shift’, providing the veteran with 24/7, 365 days of assistance. They not only change the lives of the veterans – in some cases, they save them too.
At the DVD event, Veterans With Dogs is being supported by the defence industry focussed PR company, Chamois. Chamois are providing PR support to the charity, free of charge. The Chamois team will be helping Bryan and Ferris achieve maximum exposure throughout the event using their media contacts and through a targeted social media campaign.
Bryan Maddams, a volunteer Fundraiser for Veterans With Dogs said: “Ferris and I are very much looking forward to attending DVD. We’ll be on the ground for both event days meeting as many people as possible with the aim of raising awareness of and support for our charity. I’m also looking forward to seeing many of my own industry contacts as we walk around together”.
Jamie Clarke, CEO at Chamois said: “I’m delighted to be helping Bryan, Ferris and Veterans With Dogs at DVD this year. As a veteran and a dog owner myself, I can associate with this charity and having spent time understanding more about what they do, I believe it’s a charity that deserves support from across our fantastic UK defence industry. The work we’re doing will hopefully assist in generating further support”.
TacJobs – CTOMS Seeks Casual Training Support Specialists
Friday, September 9th, 2022
CTOMS looking for casual Training Support Specialists. The position includes logistical management, battlefield simulation, opposing force, and casualty roles. Contracts will occur on a casual basis and may include travel. If you want to join the CTOMS Training Team or for more information contact training@ctoms.ca
