Please join us for the Sterling Promise Foundation fundraiser this Tuesday, 9 May from 1700-2000 at the Channelside Terrace room in the Westin.
Those of you at home can participate as well. The auction at qtego.net/qlink/sterlingpromise and closes at 1945.
Additionally, a unique serial number matched pair of surplus Modular Handgun System M17 & M18 pistols produced by SIG SAUER. That online auction at Guns America lasts until
1200 Thursday, May 11th.
During SHOT Show I had the opportunity to see new plate carrier from Blue Force Gear which featured new attachment system for placards and other pouches.
The Railz Plate Carrier and attachment system will debut during SOF Week, this week in Tampa, Florida.
Visit Blue Force Gear in the SOF Select Pavilion at the Westin to learn more.
S.O.Tech is proud to debut our M320 Carriage Ensemble for commercial sales as it has been going through testing by the Army with positive results and by the USMC resulting is the purchase of over 13,000 weapon retention clamp systems.
Our M320 Grenade Launcher 40mm Ammunition Deployment System is designed around the shooter not the weapon system maximizing mobility, organization, and access. Using MOLLE compatible 3 round 40mm pouch modules or current issue 40mm round pouches, the M320 grenadier has the option to MOLLE attach any number of them to a strap that can be worn as a belt or bandolier. They can also attach some pouches to their vest or belt, and secure the balance of their rounds on the bandolier strap stowing it in butt pouch for easy draw and donning. This can give the grenadier 3 or 6 rounds of 40mm in quick access on their front for a typical firefight, and the option to pull out and don the full bandoleer in case of a prolonged engagement. This flexibility gives the grenadier better movement with less clutter than the older static bandolier with unused loops in an unwieldy configuration. A custom-built grenadier’s large butt pouch can hold the strap with 15 rounds in 3 round modules attached. This bandolier extracts from the pouch with one strong pull.
The base set includes the strap (adjustable for belt or bandolier use) and 6 modules of 3 rounds (adjustable length or static for HE rounds). This is unless the unit already has a stock of prior issue 40mm MOLLE pouches. The 40mm Grenadier’s butt pouch can be added, or a pair can be added with one of the two intended for operator survival gear.
These systems are fully compatible with S.O.Tech’s M320 Holster, Sling, Thigh Panel, and our Micro Pack-M320 being fielded by units across the US Army as well as the S.O.Tech Grenade Launcher Weapons Retention Catch currently NSNed and fielded by the USMC. Our M320 GL Holster was designed for versatility, protection, multi-platform, ease of draw and re-holster, and easy field reparability.
We saw that other holsters on the market failed to mitigate sway during movement during DoD testing, so we contoured our design and added MOLLE at key points to hold the weapon close to the shooter’s body. Next we set out to protect the sight and weapon body, developing a padded hood stitched to form a cup protecting the optics. This hood is open to allow the weapon to be drawn and re-holstered with the hood in place. We also added a tab to rip open the hood and secure it to the side out of the way for those wanting an easier draw. We also made the hood removable. In non-threat environments, units may want to provide ample padded coverage to the optics. Units in direct action may want it stripped down for speed.
We also supplied a high ride carbon fiber thigh plate to complement the belt and vest mount, along with a bungee sling. The cloth covered carbon fiber plate can be worn as a drop-down plate from the belt alone, or a leg strap can be added to provide more stability. Some operators prefer the stability of the leg strap, others don’t like to leg strap tight on their leg. These rigs will be attached with Flex Tab (SOTECH’s counterpart to MOLLE/PALS). The holster can be attached to the MOLLE belt, riggers belt, vest, plate carrier or backpack without adapters.
Also compatible with the system is our Marine Corps retention clamp. S.O.Tech is proud to have delivered over 11,000 of their M320 Grenade Launcher Weapon Retention Clamps to the United States Marine Corps. The MOLLE compatible ambidextrous, simple, field reparable plastic quad-retention clamp was awarded NSN 1005-01-691-9320 by MARCORSYSCOM. According to S.O.Tech owner Jim Cragg, “the best part was working with Marines of multiple battalions to arrive at the optimal design, and then to see the rig on Marines deployed across the Corps.”
For a detailed explanation of the system, check out this video:
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Find more information here: sotechtactical.com/collections/m320suite
Brisbane, Australia, May 8th, 2023 – Athena AI, the Australian AI enabled soldier decision support company, is pleased to announce its first export sale. The sale, led by Tomahawk Robotics, provides the US DoD with Tomahawk’s common controller for unmanned systems, augmented by Athena AI’s Mission Module.
Athena AI is a featured AI partner in Tomahawk Robotics’ Kinesis command and control software ecosystem. Kinesis gives you the freedom to control the robotic platform you need to get the job done – all from a single interface and while integrating with your TAK/ATAK teammates. Athena AI’s role in the partnership is to leverage networked robotic platforms to extend soldiers’ sensory perception. The Athena AI Mission Module monitors platform video feeds and autonomously detects mission critical information, such as threats or objects of interest. This reduces the cognitive load required for soldiers to take in their surroundings and enables faster, more robust tactical decisions.
This is just one of the ways Athena AI is looking to improve combat capability for Defence Forces. Ultimately, Athena exists to help allied nations drive efficiencies and deliver decision superiority at the tactical level, all whilst mitigating risk to personnel. Athena also has products in development to support accelerated, ethically sound targeting cycles, autonomous geospatial analysis, AI-enabled mission planning, and the synchronisation and autonomous tasking of uncrewed air and ground platform effects.
Athena’s CEO Stephen Bornstein explained “Our MOU with Tomahawk has been ongoing for over 18 months, and we are pleased to now mature this into a fully integrated application available to Kinesis users. We thank both Tomahawk and the US DoD for their consideration in how we can support the RAS enabled warfighter”.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFNS) —
The Air Force Medical Service is expanding its MEDIC-X initiative across the Air Force to ensure all Airmen assigned to medical treatment facilities are adaptable and ready for a dynamic future battlefield.
Brig. Gen. Thomas Harrell, Air Force Medical Readiness Agency commander, signed a memo on April 3 outlining the rollout of MEDIC-X across the Air Force by July 1. MEDIC-X is the Air Force Surgeon General’s initiative to ensure all medical personnel are equipped with the life-sustaining skills needed for a challenging and dynamic future battlefield where resources may be limited.
“We know the future fight will be different, and so will the idea of what it will take for us to sustain readiness. I believe we are taking the necessary steps to do just that.”
Lt. Gen. Robert Miller, U.S. Air Force Surgeon General
The rollout of MEDIC-X is the Air Force Medical Service’s response to the demand for multi-capable Airmen, aligning with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s operational doctrine, which requires equipping Airmen with skills that go beyond their duty title.
“Future conflict will never look like wars of the past, and that is why we have to get after building multi-capable, strategically minded Airmen today, so they can compete, deter, and win tomorrow,” said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass. “AFDN 1-21 presents, in doctrine, expeditionary and multi-capable Airmen capable of accomplishing tasks outside of their core Air Force specialty to provide combat support and combat service support to [Agile Combat Employment] force elements.”
With MEDIC-X, every Air Force medic, including those not involved in patient care like administrators or lab technicians, will need to be proficient in 52 skills that will ensure the Air Force’s medical force is ready for the next fight.
“These 52 skills are not normally within a majority of medical group training,” said Lt. Col. Samantha Kelpis, the Air Force Medical Service’s MEDIC-X team lead. “An administrator doesn’t normally do any hands-on patient care. MEDIC-X trains them on skills they will need in a challenging deployed environment where the priority is not going to be completing administrative tasks, it is going to be saving lives. When they are deployed and resources are limited, they need to know how to perform some level of patient care.”
MEDIC-X’s 52 skills encompass base-level patient care that is easily teachable through hands-on, in-person training to any medical personnel, whether they treat patients regularly or not. The training includes such skills as assessing pain levels, infection control, taking a patient’s vital signs, assisting with spinal immobilization, patient movement, and respiratory care.
According to Kelpis, every medical Airman must participate in the full annual training or demonstrate competency in those skills in a formal evaluation. She also explained that most physicians, nurses, and medical technicians can be granted credit for most of the skills, especially the ones they use in their day-to-day jobs.
“Even though the MEDIC-X training is primarily focused on those individuals who do not engage in direct patient care on a regular basis, there could be skills a traditional clinician may need a refresher on,” Kelpis said. “For instance, if you are a critical care medical technician who works with an aeromedical evacuation unit, you would be familiar with most of the MEDIC-X skills already compared to a family medicine medical technician that works in a clinic. Those clinical-focused individuals may not have the working knowledge of a ventilator or offloading a patient from a fixed wing aircraft depending on their prior work or deployment experience. With that said, those individuals would need to go through the training of those skills they are unfamiliar with.”
By Shireen Bedi
Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs
I only recently learned about Born Primitive during Warrior West and their upcoming tactical line. So it was much to my surprise to have this show up in my Instagram feed.
Looking slightly reminiscent of a combat shirt design that is no longer available from another brand, this shirt is made from a 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex blend. It’s nice to see something available again.
It incorporates zippered sleeve pockets with Velcro patches along with a shawl collar to protect the neck while wearing gear.
Also offered in a short sleeve model.
Offered in Jungle Green and Desert Tan in sizes Small – 3 XLarge.
bornprimitive.com/products/op-top-long-sleeve-light-jungle-green
Platatac’s Burrow Bivi Bag is issued to the ADF and has NSN 8465-66-134-9674 (Ranger Green) but is also available in the Terra Firma 2.0 camouflage pattern. Featuring a built-in bug net, these zippered bivi bags are made from PLATATEX, a unique 185gsm, 3-layer waterproof breathable technical laminate.
A version in MultiCam is coming soon and made from Assault Quattro, a 122 gsm, 100% Nylon 3 Layer Waterproof Breathable laminate made by Brookwood in the USA.
NOVO SELO TRAINING AREA, BULGARIA (April 23, 2023) – On 23 April, U.S. Army Soldiers from the Army Support Activity-Black Sea (ASA-Black Sea) stationed at Novo Selo Training Area (NSTA), along with the 1st Battalion 18th Infantry Regiment, and the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion attended a World War II reenactment in Yambol, Bulgaria.
The Military Historical Reenactment of “Hungarian Spring 1945” depicted the battle between the Bulgarians and Germans near Lake Balaton in Hungary at the end of World War II.
The event featured weapons, explosives, howitzers, military trucks, several motorbikes, and a stationary tank.
Twenty students from the National Military University “Vasil Levski” in Veliko Tarnovo and 45 volunteers from the Reenactment Club participated in the reenactment.
The reenactment lasted an entire 20 minutes, and spectators had the opportunity to relive the historic battle through their own eyes.
“It is an honor to be here and learn so much about Bulgarian history and its role in World War II. I got the chance to see many historical vehicles and weapons that were key to the Bulgarians’ success in the battles they fought,” said Cpt. Avery Smith, a team leader assigned to the 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. “The re-enactment was phenomenal, and I could tell that a lot of details and training went into perfecting this performance for the guests. Their ability to preserve their history so well makes me proud to say we are military partners. Bulgaria is a beautiful country, and the community here in Yambol felt friendly and welcoming.”
Besides the reenactment, the museum also set up static displays of tanks and other military equipment from WWII for visitors to see up close.
“This event with the Yambol Military Museum was a wonderful way to educate not only myself but the rest of the U.S. Personnel who were present,” said James Adamski, deputy garrison Manager at NSTA, as he shared his appreciation for the opportunity to learn about Bulgarian history. “Very few people know of the Bulgarian History that was so very critical at the end of WWII.”
ASA-Black Sea continues to build strong relationships with the local communities as it emphasizes the importance of strengthening its ties with the people of Bulgaria.
By Joshua Rojas
