WEPtAC attendees be sure to visit with these great companies supporting Air Force Special Warfare.
Thanks to PK Gunsmithing for the graphic!
Archive for January, 2025
WEPTAC AFSPECWAR Industry Show This Week at Nellis AFB
Monday, January 13th, 2025Holosun – AEMS PRO X2 & AEMS CORE X2
Monday, January 13th, 2025
Introducing the AEMS PRO X2 & AEMS CORE X2: The Next-Generation.
AEMS PRO X2 enhances the AEMS platform by improving accuracy through an advanced optical system that reduces parallax by 50%. AEMS PRO X2 also introduces a forward-facing light sensor creating a smarter AUTO Mode that drastically improves dot contrast in dynamic lighting conditions. AEMS PRO X2 also includes a new Anti-Reflective Device and an all-new four post, lower 1/3 co-witness mount. AEMS PRO X2 remains backwards compatible with original AEMS mounts.
AEMS CORE X2 enhances the AEMS platform by improving accuracy through an advanced optical system that reduces parallax by 50%. AEMS CORE X2 also features an all-new four post, lower 1/3 co-witness mount. AEMS CORE X2 remains backwards compatible with original AEMS mounts.
Both the AEMS PRO X2 and AEMS CORE X2 will be available in Red, Green, & Gold LED Reticles.
Specifications:
•Up to a 50,000 Hour Battery Life
• Shake Awake Technology™ with Last Setting Recall
• Solar FailSafe™ (AEMS Pro)
• Flip Down Protective Lens Covers (AEMS Pro)
• 2 MOA Dot Reticle Only (AEMS Core Only)
• Battery Type: CR2032
• Housing Material – AEMS: 7075 T6 Aluminum
• Housing Material – AEMS Core: Durable Aluminum
• Multi-Reticle System™ (MRS): 65 MOA Circle & 2 MOA Dot; 2 MOA Dot; 65 MOA Circle (AEMS Pro)
Freedom Atlantic Becomes an Official Reseller and DOD Development Partner for USAS
Monday, January 13th, 2025Freedom Atlantic is thrilled to announce its partnership as an official reseller and Department of Defense (DoD) development partner for USAS, a leader in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide cutting-edge solutions for modern operational challenges.
Why This Partnership Matters
USAS is at the forefront of UAV innovation, offering advanced systems designed to meet the complex demands of surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical operations. As an authorized reseller and development partner, Freedom Atlantic is uniquely positioned to deliver these state-of-the-art UAV products to clients while contributing to the evolution of next-generation systems tailored for military use.
Advancing DoD Integration Through Strategic Development
A pivotal aspect of this partnership is our role as a DoD development partner. Freedom Atlantic and USAS are working closely to design and refine UAV systems specifically tailored for seamless integration into Department of Defense operations.
This collaborative effort focuses on:
Enhanced System Compatibility: Ensuring UAV technology aligns with existing DoD frameworks and communication protocols.
Custom Payload Solutions: Developing adaptable payload options to address mission-specific needs across diverse operational environments.
Future-Proof Innovations: Anticipating emerging challenges to provide advanced capabilities that support the evolving landscape of military operations.
By combining USAS’s technological expertise with Freedom Atlantic’s operational insights, we aim to deliver solutions that empower warfighters with unmatched efficiency, reliability, and tactical advantage.
What This Means for Our Clients
With this partnership, Freedom Atlantic becomes your go-to source for USAS UAV products and a key contributor to their ongoing development for DoD applications. From high-performance drones capable of operating in the harshest environments to modular payload designs, we offer solutions that redefine what’s possible in unmanned operations.
These systems are designed to enhance situational awareness, streamline operations, and provide critical support where it matters most. Clients can trust that the products we deliver not only meet the highest standards but are also built with direct input from military experts.
Our Mission Continues
At Freedom Atlantic, we are dedicated to empowering our clients with innovative technology that drives success. By incorporating USAS UAV products into our offerings and contributing to DoD-focused development, we are advancing our mission to provide superior tools for real-world challenges. This partnership highlights our commitment to delivering excellence and supporting the evolving needs of our clients.
What’s Next
We’re excited to bring USAS’s UAV solutions to a wider audience. Stay tuned for announcements about product demonstrations, training opportunities, and exclusive promotions. Our team is ready to help you explore how these advanced UAV systems can elevate your operations.
For inquiries or to learn more about the USAS UAV products now available through Freedom Atlantic, contact us at Info@Freedom-Atlantic.com. Together, we are redefining the future of unmanned technology.
Introducing Jed Doc LLC, Tech on Tech, and The Forge
Monday, January 13th, 2025About Jed Doc:
Jed Doc is a multi-disciplinary team of tactical practitioners that assists clients with understanding, developing, and deploying capabilities to support the national security interests of the United States and its Allies.
Understanding: Jed Doc provides Tactical Tech Scouting in current conflict areas and emerging crisis areas to provide insights on emerging tactics, techniques, and technology.
Development: Jed Doc provides Proving Ground Operations and Technical Effects Consulting by leading and organizing events to assess the effectiveness of defense technology products under conditions of current and future operating environments. Jed Doc conducts these events inside, and outside of the continental United States.
Deployment: Jed Doc assists clients with deploying their products to current conflict areas and emerging crisis areas by providing physical security, commercially consistent secure communication systems, infrastructure, logistics, and customer integration.
Tech on Tech:
One way Jed Doc accomplishes development this is through its novel Tech on Tech program, which provides tailored force-on-force environments to aid companies in product development, testing, and evaluation on a monthly basis.
Tech on Tech events are built around the needs of the customer and simulate real-world conditions so that companies can evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and rapidly iterate on-site while simultaneously gaining exposure to end users.
Tech on Tech 25.2 is scheduled for 17-20 February in Moore County, North Carolina and registration is open until February 7th. Slots are available on a limited basis with first come first serve for six companies. The theme of 25.2 is “SUAS/CUAS Capture the Flag” with observer participation from US Government agencies and military organizations.
The Forge:
The Forge Defense Technology Scouting Platform weekly newsletter service and archive is oriented on identifying the ongoing evolution of Tactics, Techniques, and Technology as seen in current crises and conflict zones around the world and providing commentary and analysis. Those interested in The Forge’s weekly updates can subscribe here.
Those interested in learning more about The Forge, Tech on Tech, or other services provided by Jed Doc can contact jeddoc@proton.me.
Exercise Reaper Castillo Pathfinds MQ-9 Capabilities in Austere Environments
Monday, January 13th, 2025HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —
An MQ-9 Reaper circles above the Melrose Air Force Range in New Mexico, surveying the area below as it prepares to land on a dirt strip. On the ground the 1st Special Operations Mission Sustainment Team (SOMST) secures the landing zone, ready to refuel and rearm the aircraft.
More than 1,100 miles away, at Hurlburt Field, Florida, an MQ-9 pilot and sensor operator control the remotely piloted aircraft from a ground control station.
The 65th Special Operations Squadron hosted Exercise Reaper Castillo Nov. 4 to Dec. 18, 2024 to sharpen mission-essential tasks and develop MQ-9 Agile Combat Employment (ACE) capabilities. The goal: create a lighter, leaner and more agile force.
The exercise validated the MQ-9’s ability to conduct key operations in austere environments, including dirt-strip landings, refueling, rearming and rapid relaunch.
“In the future fight, we assess we will no longer be able to rely exclusively on the main operating bases that have persisted,” said the 1st SOMST flight commander. “Operating in austere environments anytime, anyplace and anywhere is critical. It enables commanders to have options – something critically needed in special operations forces.”
Typically, the MQ-9 requires a paved runway with a group of maintainers and extensive support functions. However, during the exercise a light SOMST footprint on an austere dirt airfield provided all necessary functions to support mission execution.
“If special operations MSTs can enable mission generation at the forward edge of the battlefield, it can increase the lethality, range, and overall capability of the aircraft for strategic and tactical national interests,” the flight commander said.
The MQ-9 Reaper is a versatile and precise intelligence, surveillance and strike platform and its adaptability and range of capabilities make it an asset for modern military operations.
These capabilities align with ACE, a strategy focused on enhancing flexibility and resilience by dispersing forces across multiple, often austere, locations. With its ability to operate in remote environments and adapt to rapidly changing mission requirements, the MQ-9 plays a role in supporting ACE’s emphasis on decentralized operations and rapid deployment.
“The MQ-9 is extremely relevant in today’s fight and will be in the future as well,” said a 65th SOS MQ-9 evaluator pilot and exercise mission commander. “It allows us to go places and do things that we cannot risk sending manned aircraft – such as high-threat environments.”
The exercise builds on the hard work of the 65th SOS’s sister squadrons over the past few years and will provide important data and lessons learned for the next squadron to push the concepts even further, said Lt. Col. Kurtis Paul, 65th SOS commander.
“On its surface, Reaper Castillo 24 is an exercise created and executed by the 65th SOS. But in reality, it’s another step in Air Force Special Operations Command’s efforts to push MQ-9 operations beyond conventional means,” Paul added. “It brought together many members from multiple AFSOC wings and it’s humbling to have the Lucky Dicers’ stamp on this iteration – this was truly a win for all of AFSOC remotely piloted aircraft and where we’re headed in the future.”
As the future of Air Force operations adapt to emerging technologies and evolving threats, the forward-thinking approach of these teams is crucial to unlocking the full potential of the MQ-9.
“We have to break out of the mindset that we need a huge, paved runway with co-located launch and recovery aircrews,” the mission commander added. “If we can free ourselves from the traditional mindset, it makes MQ-9 combat reach nearly limitless.”
By Senior Airman Deanna Muir, 1st Special Operations Wing
One More Time…It’s Pogue
Sunday, January 12th, 2025Can we just cut it with the “POG” usage? The backronym “POG” was created by infantrymen who were Pogues, but didn’t want to be called Pogues anymore. You know it’s true, there are loads of Infantrymen who are Pogues.
This photo was taken during the Vietnam war and it clearly uses the term “Pogue” which dates back to World War I and possibly as far back as the Civil War.
Oddly enough, this “POG” nonsense seems to have started with the Marines during the GWOT which explains quite a bit since they were handing out ASVAB waivers like candy. If “POG” actually stood for “Persons Other Than Grunts” then where is the “T”? Wouldn’t it be “POTG”?
And another thing, who the hell wants to brag about being the “Queen of battle?” I realize it’s a chess reference but nobody plays chess anymore. They do however, know what a drag show is.
Either way my grunt friends, have fun cleaning the barracks while the REMFs do their day-to-day jobs.
HOIST Announces New Flavor in Purposeful Partnership with Folds of Honor
Sunday, January 12th, 2025CINCINNATI, Ohio, (January 7, 2025) – HOIST® is excited to announce the launch of Five Star Punch, a new flavor in HOIST’s lineup of ready to drink options. Five Star Punch offers customers HOIST’s tested, IV-level hydration in a refreshing fruit punch flavor, alongside the opportunity to give back with every purchase.
This new flavor is produced in collaboration with HOIST partner Folds of Honor, a non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships to children and spouses of America’s fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. A portion of the proceeds from each Five Star Punch bottle sold will go directly to Folds of Honor in support of their mission.
“We’re thrilled to introduce Five Star Punch to our customers, especially knowing that with each purchase, they’ll be supporting an incredible cause,” said HOIST Co-founder and President Kelly Heekin. “We pride ourselves on delivering high-performance, IV-level hydration, but with this launch, our customers can now hydrate with a purpose.”?
This fresh addition to the HOIST beverage lineup is sold in a custom-designed bottle, featuring relics of the American flag. This collaboration offers customers the opportunity to contribute directly to educational scholarships for families of the fallen or disabled.
“We’re grateful to the outstanding team at HOIST for including Folds of Honor in the launch of Five Star Punch,” said Lt Col Dan Rooney, founder and CEO of Folds of Honor. “The patriots at HOIST understand the importance of service and an education and are doing something about it. This commitment directly benefits the families of American heroes.”
Five Star Punch is now available at participating retailers nationwide and through HOIST’s online store. Fans of HOIST’s signature IV-level hydration will love trying out the proven formula in a new flavor, while those looking to give back will appreciate the opportunity to contribute to Folds of Honor with every purchase.
HOIST’s affiliation with the U.S. Military, being one of three electrolyte sources approved for use by the U.S. Department of Defense, sets them apart in the hydration market. HOIST’s IV-level hydration is available in bottled beverages, powder sticks and liquid pouches and offers three times the electrolytes and half the sugar of traditional sports drinks, with no artificial sweeteners or dyes.
For more information about HOIST or to see the entire HOIST lineup visit www.drinkhoist.com. Keep up with the latest HOIST news on Instagram @drinkhoist.
Tough Stump Rodeo Update
Sunday, January 12th, 2025
We’re thrilled to announce Augustine Consulting Inc, Galvion, Juggernaut Case, MP Antenna and Somewear Labs as Silver Sponsors for Tough Stump Rodeo 2025!
These incredible sponsors bring innovative solutions and expertise that will elevate this year’s event, supporting the cutting-edge technologies and collaborative efforts that define the Tough Stump Rodeo.
What They Bring to TSR25:
• Augustine Consulting : Delivering tailored engineering and technical solutions for mission success.
• Galvion: Leaders in advanced personal protection and power management systems.
• Juggernaut Case: Providing rugged, mission-ready gear for seamless mobile device integration.
• MP Antenna: Experts in high-performance antenna solutions for mission-critical communications.
• Somewear Labs: Innovators in global satellite communication and situational awareness tools.
We’re honored to have their support as we prepare for an unforgettable week of innovation, problem-solving, and collaboration in Montana’s rugged terrain.
Now in its fifth year, the Tough Stump Rodeo returns, providing attendees with an exclusive in-person opportunity to explore products designed to enhance operational collaboration and boost safety.
Save the Dates: June 2-6, 2025
Registration Opens January 2025 – Limited Seating
