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Archive for June, 2024

Wreaths Across America Radio Round Table Celebrates Women in Military Service

Sunday, June 2nd, 2024

Tune in on June 12 at 1 pm EST to hear stories of resiliency, purpose, and success.

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine, and ARLINGTON, Va. — May 30, 2024 —Wreaths Across America Radio proudly announces the upcoming round table celebrating women in military service. This discussion will air onWednesday, June 12, 2024, at 1 PM EST – Women Veterans Recognition Day – and can be heard exclusively on Wreaths Across America Radio, available on the iHeart Radio app, TuneIn, the Audacy app and www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio.

The discussion will focus on women in service, highlighting their contributions throughout history to national security through military service. It will also touch on issues and opportunities unique to women veterans and the history of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act.

The guest panelists listed below will be interviewed by Phyllis Wilson, retired United States Army Chief Warrant Officer Five and President of the Military Women’s Memorial, and Karen Worcester, Wreaths Across America’s Executive Director. 

Distinguished panelists:

JoAnne S. Bass, Retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and Honorary Board Chair, Military Women’s Memorial Foundation. CMSAFBass served in the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force and, as such, provided direction for the enlisted force, representing their interests, as appropriate, to the American public and to those in all levels of government. She served as the personal adviser to the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and progress of more than 600,000 Total Force Airmen. Chief Bass was the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force to be appointed to and serve in the highest noncommissioned officer position in the Air Force. She was also the first woman to hold the highest senior enlisted rank in any United States military branch.

Octavia Harris, Command Master Chief, U.S. Navy (Ret.). She is a Subcommittee Chair, Secretary of Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services and the former Chair, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. Additionally, Harris is a member of the Secretary of Human and Health Services Advisory Committee on Women and Children and the NAACP Armed Services and Veterans Committee member. In 1994, the combat prohibition ban was lifted, and Harris became one of the first enlisted women to serve aboard a combatant warship. She served aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68), her Command Master Chief Petty Officer (CMDCM) sea tour was aboard USS Pinckney (DDG 91), and her last tour was as CMDCM of Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, leading 10,000 men and women in support of the command’s vision and mission. She served for 30 years, mentoring hundreds of Sailors, and still uses her military training to help sexual assault survivors today. Additionally, Harris is the Texas Ambassador for the Military Women’s Memorial.

Lourdes Tiglao, Executive Director, Center for Women Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Air Force Veteran. Tiglao serves as primary advisor to the Secretary on Department policies, programs, and legislation that affect women veterans. In addition, she oversees the Center’s activities, which include monitoring and coordinating VA’s administration of health care, benefits, services, and programs for women Veterans; serving as an advocate for cultural transformation (both within VA and in the general public) in recognizing the service and contributions of women veterans and servicemembers and raising awareness of the responsibility to treat women veterans with dignity and respect.

“Through our partnership with the Military Women’s Memorial, we are committed to sharing the stories of resiliency, purpose, and success so that future generations of women understand the opportunities available to them through military service,” said Jeff Pierce, Director of Broadcast and Media Partnerships, Wreaths Across America. “We are grateful to be joined by this distinguished panel of veterans who continue to serve our nation, communities and their fellow veterans.”

For a complete list of programming and to tune in to Wreaths Across America Radio, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio. The station can also be heard on the iHeartRadio, Audacy, and TuneIn apps.

Soldiers Assess New Technologies at Fort Leonard Wood

Sunday, June 2nd, 2024

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The Army Futures Command Maneuver Support Battle Lab is winding down this year’s Maneuver Support and Protection Integration eXperiments event, commonly referred to as MSPIX, after assessing 16 emerging technologies from May 6 to 23, 2024, at locations across Fort Leonard Wood.

According to Kyle Henry, MSBL Experimentation Branch chief and one of the key organizers of the event, MSPIX puts the latest tools in the hands of Soldiers while also giving capability developers and the science and technology community credible and validated operational experiment venues for their conceptual and materiel development.

Soldiers from Fort Leonard Wood; Fort Bliss, Texas; and Fort Riley, Kansas took part in the assessments.

“Soldier touchpoints early in the capability design process are key to influencing the end product and its ability to support the end user, U.S. Army Soldiers. Key stakeholders are invited to observe the assessment, including the (Maneuver Support Center of Excellence) regiments and members of the (protection warfighting function) community,” Henry said.

Jarret Ellis, an MSBL engineer, said it is crucial to get Soldiers involved in the development of technologies early on to make sure new equipment being issued meets their current needs.

“When these private industry companies come out with technology they think will be helpful, the Soldiers can point them in the right direction,” Ellis said. “A lot of times, the people developing the equipment are not Soldiers in the field — they are from academia, engineers and scientists. MSPIX brings the groups together.”

Soldiers from Army Engineer; Military Police; and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear backgrounds participated in this year’s assessments, Henry said.

On May 15, Soldiers from the 16th Brigade Engineer Battalion at Fort Bliss and the 50th Multi-Role Bridge Company, based on Fort Leonard Wood, were at training area 224 to get their hands on a drone programmed to find subsurface explosives in real time by performing aerial surveillance.

The Soldiers were handed instructions on how to setup the Airborne Ground Mines Detection System, calibrate the software and prepare the unmanned aircraft system to sweep a designated area. After the Soldiers performed the steps, the drone took flight over the training area while sending data back to a computer the Soldiers were monitoring.

“Today we are assessing a means to detect explosive hazards. We are working on detecting threats that are buried or partially buried that could kill Soldiers and destroy equipment,” Ellis said. “This is one of the first looks we have had at something that is UAS-borne that could potentially detect hazards without putting Soldiers into the threat.”

Henry said the AGMDS was one of the technologies he was personally most excited to see in action this year. The others were the robotics for engineering operations and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear sensors in robotic platforms.

“The REO provides standoff and autonomous terrain shaping. The CSIRP is an unmanned and autonomous area reconnaissance that relays information to mission commanders,” Henry explained.

Next year’s MSPIX focus areas will include, according to Henry, wet-gap crossing, situational understanding and protection decision support, obscuration and camouflage and toxic industrial materials site assessment.

By Melissa Buckley, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office

P320-M17 Ceremonial – Forge a New Legacy

Saturday, June 1st, 2024

SIG SAUER is honored to introduce the P320-M17 Ceremonial. Exquisitely crafted to help honor and celebrate a legacy of service.

Inspired by the SIG SAUER ceremonial pistols created for the soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The P320-M17 Ceremonial is built around a high-polish AXG all metal grip module fitted with custom Hogue walnut grip panels. Featuring a high-polish optics-ready slide and SIGLITE front and rear day/night sights. Chambered in 9mm, the P320-M17 Ceremonial maintains the same reliability as its duty-grade cousins with a 4.7” carbon steel barrel, M1913 accessory rail, and 21+1 round capacity. The P320-M17 Ceremonial – an acknowledgement of dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to our country – a symbol of courage, resilience, and undeniable impact, marking the end of a commendable career of service and beginning of active duty alike.

Silence, Respect, Dignity, and Perseverance: The Story of the M17 Tomb of the Unknown Pistols

The M17 Tomb of the Unknown Pistols were presented to the Old Guard in an official ceremony on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at the Arlington National Cemetery Chapel.

www.sigsauer.com/p320-m17-ceremonial

Emerging Trends in Rifle Scopes and Reflex Sights

Saturday, June 1st, 2024

The world of firearm optics is evolving at a breakneck pace, driven by advancements in technology and innovative engineering. As each new release grows increasingly complex in their features and benefits, it’s important to keep up to date on the latest trends that are pushing the industry forward.

Today, we’re looking at the most significant trends in firearm optics, from digital advancements and thermal fusion systems to the use of exotic materials and compact designs. No matter whether you’re shooting professionally or just an enthusiast,understanding these trends will help you make informed decisions about your equipment and what you can expect to see in the near future.

Digitally Integrated Rifle Scopes

Digitally integrated optics, such as the Vortex NGSW-FC and Magpul/Maztech X4-FCS, are the bleeding edge for rifle scopes.These devices can integrate real-time data display, ballistic calculators, and enhanced user interfaces to enable greater precision downrange. And although these technologies are still new, it’s fair to say that the concepts and technologies behind them are a good representation of what we can expect to become widespread in the future.

Even though traditional rifle scopes optics have improved a lot over the years, there is a limit to the capabilities one can add to an analog optic. New reticles, improved coatings, and wider magnification ranges can make it easier to range and engage targets, but they don’t really change the procedures behind precision marksmanship.

In contrast, digitally integrated optics have the potential to completely streamline the way a marksman approaches long-range shooting. For example, the recently-selected Vortex NGSW-FC (Next Generation Squad Weapon – Fire Control) system incorporates advanced targeting algorithms and environmental sensors to deliver precise ballistic solutionsdirectly in the image. Similarly, the upcoming Magpul/MaztechX4-FCS plans to offer features like shot tracking, hit detection, and augmented overlays, which significantly improve situational awareness and accuracy.

If these optics can achieve their claimed features, there could be a major shift in how we think about precision marksmanship.

Onboard Fusion Systems for Reflex Sights

The integration of thermal and night vision (NV) capabilities into a single optic system is another game-changer in the field. In the past few years, several optics manufacturers have announced fusion-style optics—usually reflex sights with an onboard sensor for night vision or thermal overlay. You may have already seen this sort of technology showcased by Holosun in their Digital Reflex Sight series, specifically the DRS-NV (Digital Reflex Sight-Night Vision) and DRS-TH (Digital Reflex Sight-Thermal).

Once this technology is fully explored, fusion systems could become a popular alternative to basic reflex sights. An optionaloverlay, whether thermal or night vision, could be a compelling option for defensive carbines, where the user isn’t necessarily going to have helmet-mounted NODs available. These sights are also likely to be more affordable than dedicated night vision or thermal units themselves.

Of course, this technology is still relatively new, and today’sprice point is a bit of a deterrent, but it’s likely that future iterations will be cheaper (and smarter too).

Larger Erector Ratios in Rifle Scopes

The evolution of magnification ratios in rifle scopes has seen significant advancements over the years.

Historically, early scopes offered magnification factors in the range of 3x or 4x, which were considered sufficient for most shooting applications at the time. As lens technology improved and the needs of shooters evolved, manufacturers began to introduce scopes with higher magnification ratios, moving up to 6x and eventually 8x. These higher ratios allowed for greater flexibility, enabling shooters to engage targets at both close and long ranges with a single optic .

Recently, the trend has continued with scopes pushing the boundaries to 10x magnification ratios and beyond. With such a wide range, these scopes can provide a very low magnification for close-quarters agility and a high magnification for long-distance precision. On paper, these benefits appear compelling, especially to those in the military and law enforcement sectors, who require optics that can adapt to various mission profiles.

However, the benefits of larger erector ratios come with certain drawbacks. One of the primary challenges is the increased weight and size of these scopes. As the magnification range expands, the internal components of the scope, such as the lenses and erector assembly, become more complex and heavier. This added optic weight can affect the balance and handling of the firearm, making it less agile and harder to maneuver.

But an even larger consideration is the impact on the exit pupil. Exit pupil is the diameter of the beam of light that exits the eyepiece of the scope and enters the shooter’s eye. Exit pupils contribute exponentially to the size of the usable eyebox, so scopes with thinner exit pupil are considerably stricter when it comes to cheekweld and eye placement.

The two factors that contribute to the exit pupil are the diameter of the objective lens and the magnification of the scope itself. As optics manufacturers push higher magnifications into smaller scopes, the maximum magnification gets harder and harder to use. The result is that many users feel that 1-10x and 1-12x scopes are unforgiving when shooting from dynamic or alternative positions.

Overall, the advancements in magnification ratios in modern rifle scopes provide significant benefits, but they also necessitate a balance between versatility, weight, size, and optical performance. It’s likely we won’t see erector ratios go much higher unless manufacturers begin moving to larger objective lenses to accommodate them.

LPVOs with Diffractive or Fiber Wire Reticles

For years, the market has been pushing for brighter and brighter reticles in low-power variable optics (LPVOs), leading to the development of both diffractive and fiber wire technologies.

In first focal plane optics, diffractive reticle technology is the latest and greatest in illumination. Compared to the current standard of ‘etch-and-fill’ illumination, diffractive reticlesgenerate a significantly brighter image by passing collimated light through an amplitude grating. The result is reticle illumination that can nearly match a red dot in overall brightness. Unfortunately, given the complexity and cost of manufacture, diffractive reticles are usually exclusive to high-end rifle scopes, but it’s likely to become more affordable as manufacturers continue to innovate around it.

A similar level of brightness can be achieved in second focal plane optics with a fiber wire reticle. Unlike diffractive reticles, fiber wire reticles can now be found in even affordable rifle scopes, making it a more accessible option for the average enthusiast. In essence, fiber wire reticles use a laminated fiber optic wire on a conventional crosshair. The tip of the wire is positioned at the center of the crosshair, so when it’s illuminated, your aiming point will appear as bright as a red dot sight.

Until diffractive technology becomes more accessible, fiber wire scopes are likely to continue to grow in popularity, potentially becoming the new standard for second focal plane LPVOs.

Advanced Materials & Manufacturing

Changes in materials and manufacturing methods are also revolutionizing the optics industry, offering significant advantages in terms of weight reduction, durability, and performance.

One of the most notable materials making its way into scope design is titanium. Given its high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance, titanium is an ideal material for producing lightweight optic components. Moreover, the improved durability of materials like titanium ensures that the optics can endure rough handling and adverse conditions, extending the lifespan of the equipment and maintaining reliable performance over time.

It’s also important to consider how new manufacturing technology is changing the way materials are utilized. As 3D printing becomes more precise, manufacturers will be able tocreate complex parts that were previously impossible or too costly to produce using traditional methods. For example, intricate lattice designs can be printed within the scope’s body to provide structural support while minimizing material use, leading to lighter and more rugged optics .

Compact Prism Scopes

Since the advent of the MicroPrism®, the optics market has seen a surge in the popularity of similarly compact prism scopes with low magnification, typically between 1x and 5x.

These scopes have quickly become a favored alternative to traditional red dot sights, namely due to their etched reticles, which, unlike red dots, are not affected by astigmatism. This makes them an excellent choice for shooters with this common vision issue, as the reticle remains clear and sharp regardless of the user’s eye condition .

At the same time, prism scopes come with the added benefit of battery independence. While red dot sights rely on battery powerto project a reticle, prism scope reticles are etched into the glass and only use battery power for illumination. This means that even if the electronics fail or the battery dies, the user can still use the scope effectively under most conditions.

While some will still favor red dots for the ease-of-use and unrestricted eye box, compact prism scopes like the MicroPrism have become an accessible alternative that delivers some considerable benefits.

Conclusion

The world of firearm optics is continuously evolving, bringing forth innovations that enhance performance, versatility, and reliability.

From the integration of digital and thermal technologies in reflex sights to the use of exotic materials like titanium and advancements in 3D printing, these developments are setting new benchmarks in the industry. Larger erector ratios now offer unprecedented versatility, while compact prism scopes provide a robust alternative to traditional red dot sights, addressing common issues like astigmatism and electronic dependency.

Whether you’re a professional marksman or just an interested enthusiast, these new technologies could bring big changes tohow we select and use our optics. Even within the past decade,the average quality and technology in tactical optics has increased tremendously, and these changes are only continuing to accelerate as competing brands fight to deliver the best to their customers.

Space Force to Accept Air Force Reserve Volunteers for Full-Time Positions

Saturday, June 1st, 2024

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

Air Force Reservists in space-related career fields interested in volunteering for the U.S. Space Force in a fulltime capacity can expect the application window to open June 1–Nov. 30, 2024.

This transfer option is part of the Space Force Personnel Management Act (PMA), approved by Congress and signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

When fully implemented, the PMA will enable the Space Force to create a new model of service that integrates active-component Guardians and Air Force Reservists serving in space-focused career fields into a unified service that offers both full- and part-time service options.

“This is an important first step toward fully integrating critical space expertise from the Reserve into our force,” said Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman. “We’ve been serving side-by-side together, supporting the same mission, for longer than the Space Force has existed. I’m excited to officially call the teammates who decide to transfer Guardians.”

Air Force Reservists who hold the below Air Force Specialty Codes are eligible to apply for transfer into the Space Force in full-time capacity:

Officers: 13S – Space Operations, 17X – Cyberspace Operations, 14N – Intelligence, 62E – Developmental Engineer, 63A – Acquisition Manager, and 61X – Scientist. Officers selected from the 6X career field will re-core to a 62E or 63A since Space Force does not maintain that career specialty.

Enlisted: 1C6 – Space Systems Operations, 1N0 – Intelligence, 1N1 – Imagery Analysis, 1N2 – Sigint, 1N3 – Cryptologic Language Analyst, 1N4 – Network Intelligence Analysis, 1N8 – Targeting Analyst, 1D7X1 – Cyber Defense Operations, 1D7X2 – Spectrum Operations Technician, and 1D7X3 – Cable and Antennae Defense Operations.

“The Space Force is about to integrate some of the most talented space operators,” said Chief of the Air force Reserve and Air force Reserve Command Commander Lt. Gen. John Healy. “I have no doubt they will be key to advancing security in the space domain.”

In time, the Air Force Reserve, like the Air Force, will no longer maintain space operations as career fields, meaning Reservists with 13S and 1C6 specialties must transfer to the Space Force in either a full- or part-time position, or re-train under a different Air Force Specialty Code.

Application windows for Air Force Reservists interested in transferring to the Space Force in a part-time capacity are expected to open in 2026 once policies, processes and systems are established. The PMA does not currently apply to space units and personnel currently resident in the Air National Guard; however, Guard members could expect a similar process to their Reserve counterparts after authorized and appropriate legal and policy changes.
Interested Air Force Reservists can apply via MyVector and can access additional application details and requirements on the Space Force Transfer page.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs