Our friend Tierno Rey has reminded us that today is the 488th birthday of the Spanish Infantería de Marina.
Here is a link to an article he did for Soldier of Fortune magpie back in 2012.
¡Feliz cumpleaños!
Archive for February, 2025
Happy Birthday Spanish Marine Infantry!
Thursday, February 27th, 2025Streamlight Names Michael F. Dineen to President
Thursday, February 27th, 2025
EAGLEVILLE, PA, February 26, 2025 – Streamlight®, Inc., a leading manufacturer of high-performance lighting, announced that it has promoted Michael F. Dineen to President. Formerly Chief Revenue Officer, Dineen succeeds Raymond L. Sharrah. Sharrah will retain the title of Chief Executive Officer while continuing to provide overall corporate executive oversight.
Dineen joined the company in 2009 as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, where he was responsible for the overall sales management and leadership of all Streamlight markets, both domestic and international, including Law Enforcement, Sporting Goods, Industrial, Military and Federal Government, Automotive, and Fire/EMS. During his tenure, he managed the company’s sales organization, which includes direct sales staff and a network of independent sales representatives and distributors, while also leading the development and execution of the company’s marketing strategy.
He was appointed Chief Revenue Officer in 2022, where he oversaw the company’s Materials and Operations departments, in addition to directing Sales and Marketing.
In his new role, Dineen will maintain his previous responsibilities as well as lead Product Management, Accounting and Finance, and IT operations.
Dineen joined Streamlight following a 17-year career with MSA Safety, a global leader in advanced safety products for markets including public safety, military and industrial, which account for a significant portion of Streamlight’s business. He served as the Director of Sales – North American First Responder Markets managing a 35-person sales organization, as well as collaborating on product development and marketing strategies for the company’s Fire Service, Law Enforcement, and Military Base markets. He formerly was Northern North America Sales Manager for the MSA Fire Service Market and held several other sales posts at the company.
“Mike’s deep understanding of our business, combined with his forward-thinking approach to leadership, makes him the ideal candidate to lead Streamlight into its next phase of growth,” said Sharrah. “During his tenures as Vice President of Sales and Marketing and as Chief Revenue Officer, he consistently demonstrated his ability to drive results, foster innovation and build strong relationships with our employees, customers, and suppliers. I am confident that he will show the same exemplary leadership as president of our company.”
Dineen holds a B.S. in Management Information Systems from Saint Joseph’s University as well as an MBA with a focus in Marketing from Seton Hall University.
Hoverfly Spectre Officially Added to DIU Blue List, Cementing NDAA Compliance
Thursday, February 27th, 2025
SANFORD, Fla., February 20, 2025 – Hoverfly Technologies proudly announces that the Hoverfly Spectre has officially been selected to be on the DIU Blue List, confirming its compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and significantly simplifying acquisition processes for all Department of Defense (DoD) end users.
This milestone is a testament to the unwavering trust the U.S. Government has placed in Hoverfly’s cutting-edge tethered UAS technology. With hundreds of systems delivered to DoD customers worldwide, Hoverfly continues to solidify its leadership in the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) market.
Hoverfly Spectre’s inclusion on the Blue Listfollows its selection in the inaugural Blue UAS Refresh Competition in Fall 2024. Spectre is now the first and only tethered UAS to achieve this prestigious designation, further distinguishing Hoverfly as a pioneer in delivering reliable, secure, and mission-critical systems. This achievement also comes on the heels of Hoverfly earning Green List certification from AUVSI, a validation that mirrors the stringent Blue UAS cyber security standards for American-made drones.
With its placement on the Blue List, the Hoverfly Spectre now holds an Authority to Operate (ATO) across all DoD entities, expanding its reach within the rapidly growing unmanned systems market.
The Spectre platform is a fully closed-loop tethered system, transmitting all power and data through its tether for uninterrupted, secure operations. Its payload-agnostic design enables simultaneous use of Variable Height Antenna (VHA) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) payloads to support diverse mission requirements. Additionally, with its MOSA compliant architecture, Spectre accommodates an array of qualified payloads, including counter-UAS sensors, electronic warfare (EW) systems, targeting gimbals, and more.
Hoverfly Spectre’s recent selection in the VHA-H competition through PEO Soldier in Fall 2024 further underscores its operational superiority and mission adaptability.
“Being added to the DIU Blue List is a monumental step for Hoverfly and the Spectre platform,” said Steve Walters, CEO of Hoverfly Technologies. “This achievement reflects our steadfast commitment to providing the DoD with innovative, secure, and compliant tethered UAS solutions that meet the highest standards of reliability and performance. We are honored to continue supporting our defense partners with systems they can trust in every mission.”
For more information about the Hoverfly Spectre and its capabilities, visit hoverflytech.com
IWA 25 – Carinthia Goldeck Hunt Pants & Shorts
Thursday, February 27th, 2025I am very impressed with the new Goldeck pants and shorts from Austria’s Carnithia.
Both the pants and shorts feature an integrated belt with G-LOFT insulation in the waistband for padding.
Additionally, both options offer 2 leg pockets with side access and additional mesh-separated organizer compartments, 2 leg pockets, 1 rear pocket, and 1 blade pouch for tactical tools.
The cuffs of the pants incorporate a Velcro strap to keep them closed over your boots and there are side zippers for ventilation at the legs.
The pants and shorts are really nice, but the real story here is the fabric. Carinthia worked on their new RE1 fabric (Range Extender) for two years and came up with a blend consisting of 46% cotton, 46% polyamide, and 8% EOL. The fabric is lightweight, breathable, highly durable, and is very comfortable against the skin. What’s more, they’ve woven ripstop into the fabric and it offers four-way stretch.
The fabric is not only quiet, but it can also be washed in temperatures up to 95°C without affecting size or elasticity.
The Goldeck pants and shorts will be available in summer from www.carinthia.eu.
IWA 25 – Heckler & Koch G28 Z
Thursday, February 27th, 2025
Although it’s been around for a while, it was fun to see the G28 Zexhibited on the IWA side after looking at the MR308 A6 at Enforce Tac earlier in the week.
I’ll admit, I’m as confused as you are, seeing an MR designated rifle, which has long been used by Heckler & Koch for commercial rifle models, being displayed along with defense and security weapons, and then running across the G28 Z at what amounts to a hunting and shooting sports show, lined up next to the gamut of MR 556 and MR 308 rifles. You see, G designations are used by the German military and stands for Gewehr or rifle. The G28 is a Bundeswehr or German Army sniper rifle in 7.62.
Chambered in 308 Win, the G28 Z has a 421mm barrel and weighs 5.8 kg.
It is outfitted with a Harris bipod, foregrip, and an HK-Schmidt & Bender 3-20 x 50 PMII optic with a laser filter and piggy-back Aimpoint T1.
Additionally, there is an adjustable gas block (you also get a better look at their muzzle device) and proprietary HK pistol grip and adjustable stock round out the build.
The catalog I was handed listed the color as “Grünbraun” or Green-Brown.
IWA 25 – Bergans of Norway Hogna 3L Anorak
Thursday, February 27th, 2025
Coming this summer, the new Hogna Anorak from Bergans of Norway is a quiet, 3-layer construction with pit zips at either side (the left goes all the way to the waist for donning/doffing) along with a hood, dual Napoleon pockets at the chest and a large kangaroo pocket at the waist with two-zip entry. Additionally, there are internal earpiece pass throughs along with a removable Garmin flip down mount at the front of the anorak.
The microfiber face fabric is PFAS free and is laminated with the Bega membrane sandwiched in between with a 100% polyamide at the back which is soft against the skin. It features an articulated fit and is offered with a matching trouser.
Sized Small – XXLarge.
2025 IWA Outdoor Classics
Thursday, February 27th, 2025
I’m back the Nürnberg Messe for a half-day to catch as much as I can of the massive four-day IWA Outdoor Classics which concentrates on hunting and other shooting sports in Europe.
Due to being incommunicado on Friday due to trans-Atlantic travel, I won’t pick Enforce Tac coverage back up until next week when I’ll be back home and have time to write.
Airmen of the Future: Wing Develops Next-Generation Maintenance Capabilities
Thursday, February 27th, 2025MIDDLETOWN, Pa. —
The 193rd Special Operations Wing is implementing a new cross-training initiative called Ready Airmen Training, designed to increase aircraft maintenance efficiency. This new program — now exercised Air Force-wide — supports efforts to create a more adaptable and deployment ready force.
“We’re working to ensure our maintainers aren’t just locked into one specialty,” said the 193rd Special Operations Group unit deployment manager. “By giving them hands-on experience in multiple areas, we’re building a force that can operate more efficiently.”
Maintenance personnel at the 193rd have previously focused on specific specialties within their job titles. Under the new training model, Airmen are gaining experience across different maintenance specialties, allowing them to assist in multiple areas outside their duty assignment.
“When we deploy, we won’t have to send as many personnel,” the unit deployment manager said. “Our Airmen will have the capability to cover more ground instead of just within their discipline.”
This program enables maintenance personnel to support and assist in tasks outside their primary career field. Therefore, it allows a single expert to be accompanied by two trained personnel within this program, increasing efficiency and reducing the need for multiple specialists to be deployed for a single task.
“We aren’t trying to make a crew chief into an avionics troop,” A 193rd Special Operations Group avionics troop said. “It’s about teaching someone outside of my career field the skills needed in order to assist me, especially when deployed.”
The 193rd is building on its existing strengths by adopting a more flexible maintenance training approach, aligning with the Air Force’s evolving strategy. Leadership here is moving forward with this new program, despite potential challenges.
“The Air Force is evolving, and we’re evolving with it,” the unit deployment manager said. “By training smarter and making our teams more capable, we’re ensuring we can meet mission requirements wherever we’re needed.”
SSgt Bela Vaszlavik, 193rd Special Operations Wing
