I wish this feature the from USSOCOM were longer, but it offers some great insight into an SF legend, LTC Bucky Burrus, a founding member of the Army SMU and a very well deserved recipient of the 2025 Bull Simon Award.
Archive for July, 2025
2025 Bull Simons Awardee – Bucky Burrus
Saturday, July 5th, 2025US, Sweden Partner for CSAR Training
Saturday, July 5th, 2025LULEA, Sweden (AFNS) —
In the challenging terrain of northern Sweden, the 57th Rescue Squadron based out of Aviano, Italy and Swedish air force rangers based out of Ronneby, Sweden, collaborated to accomplish high-stakes personnel recovery training from March 30 through June 14. What began as planned participation in the Arctic Challenge Exercise transformed into a focused bilateral mission in one of Europe’s most strategically vital regions.
“This exercise focuses on traditional personnel recovery—retrieving simulated downed pilots or isolated personnel from contested areas and safely reintegrating them into friendly forces,” explained U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Drew Guerra, 57th RQS Tactical Air Control Party joint terminal attack controller.
The 57th RQS sent a small, specialized team composed of TACP, intelligence, communications and survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists to integrate with the Swedish air force rangers. Together, they executed live, full-mission profiles to develop and test tactics, techniques and procedures for the ever-evolving battlefield in Unmanned Aircraft Systems, counter-UAS and infiltration methods for traditional and non-traditional personnel recovery.
“We like to have [the 57th RQS] join us on as many occasions as possible, and vice versa,” said Master Sgt. Rasmus Antonsson, Swedish air force ranger troop chief. “We aim to train and compete with the best, and to us, that is the U.S. Air Force.”
The unforgiving northern terrain of swamps, hills and dense woods presents unique operational challenges. Helicopter teams must adapt to limited landing zones while ground crews navigate harsh conditions to move patients swiftly and safely.
For the 57th RQS, this environment is unfamiliar and the experience is invaluable. Training in Sweden offers critical exposure to the operational demands of northern Europe and deepens integration with Swedish partners.
“We have a great history of integration with Sweden and are always grateful for the opportunity to work with our northern allies,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Doyle, 57th RQS SERE specialist. “Their constant professionalism and willingness to exchange lessons learned is a testament to our seamless partnership.”
Located near the Arctic Circle, northern Sweden offers a critical staging ground for allied operations. In the event of conflict, pre-positioned aircraft and recovery forces in the region could launch missions across the Baltic Sea faster and with greater cohesion. Thanks to this training, U.S. and Swedish teams are laying the groundwork for an integrated, ready and resilient task force in the High North.
By SSgt Brooke Rogers, 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FirstSpear Friday Focus: Wetter Is Better V2
Friday, July 4th, 2025
The WETTER IS BETTER V2 T-shirt is made for those who thrive in the mud, surf, and grind—not behind a desk. Constructed from a saltwater-approved cotton/poly blend, this shirt holds up against the elements while maintaining its soft, comfortable feel.
The athletic cut ensures a dialed-in fit that stays true, even after a plunge in the ocean or a downpour. Proudly printed in the USA, this tee is a nod to the kind of people who embrace the suck and keep moving.
For those who see rain and waves not as obstacles, but as invitations—this is your uniform. It’s more than just a shirt—it’s a statement. Staying dry is for tourists, office workers, and the uninitiated.
Wetter means you’re doing it right. Whether you’re trudging through surf zones, getting smoked in the rain, or just living on the edge, this shirt lets others know you’re built different. Wetter is better—and you wouldn’t have it any other way. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting edge-tactical gear for military, law enforcement and those who train.
For more information visit First-Spear.com.
Happy Independence Day
Friday, July 4th, 2025
Today I’d like to honor the 56 men who stood up and declared independence for this new nation.
Of them, five were captured by the British and tortured as traitors, before dying. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the revolutionary army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war.
They sacrificed so that we could prevail. God bless them all and God bless America!
Celebrate the 249th birthday of this great republic.
USACE Marks 250 Years with Pivotal Support to the Army’s Birthday
Friday, July 4th, 2025WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the U.S. Army celebrated its 250th anniversary June 14 with a birthday festival and parade in the nation’s capital, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was hard at work behind the scenes and on the logistical front lines. In a powerful intersection of history and engineering excellence, USACE’s contributions helped ensure parade success while also symbolizing its own 250th anniversary of building and defending the nation.
Just two days later, June 16, USACE marked its own 250th anniversary, dual milestones that illustrate the organization’s longstanding role in supporting the nation and the warfighter.
“Army engineers have served and strengthened America since 1775,” said Lt. Gen. William “Butch” Graham Jr., USACE commanding general and 56th Chief of Engineers. “We are proud to carry on that legacy as we continue engineering solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges.”
Protecting the Parade Route: USACE Baltimore District installs protective plating
One of the parade’s logistical challenges was how to safely operate heavy tracked vehicles like the M1 Abrams main battle tanks, M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, M109 Paladins and M88 Hercules recovery vehicles through the heart of Washington, D.C. In particular, the Abrams, weighing more than 140,000 pounds and nearly 30 times the weight of a standard SUV, could have posed a risk to city streets, especially at any turning points where tracked vehicles must pivot, creating added stress and friction on asphalt.
To help protect the parade route, USACE Baltimore District spearheaded the installation of metal plating at critical 13 pivot points along the route. These protective measures ensured that turns and idling points where tracked vehicles exert the most pressure would not result in damage to the roads.
“The infrastructure protection plan was a success,” said Baltimore District Commander Col. Francis Pera. “Close coordination with partner agencies allowed us to honor our rich history while preserving the structural integrity of D.C.’s roadways.”
Plate removal was complete by June 17 and officials determined the protective plates performed as intended. Subsurface inspections will also be completed in the coming weeks in conjunction with the NPS.
Beyond the protective plating, other key precautions included installation of new rubber track pads on all tracked vehicles to avoid the stresses of direct metal-on-pavement contact, and slow driving speeds that allowed vehicle crews to exercise maximum caution as they moved along the route.
Geospatial Precision: AGC mapping supports parade safety and planning
Beyond road protection, the Army Geospatial Center (AGC) played a crucial role in assessing the parade route through geospatial analysis. The Geospatial Visualization Team (GVT) from the Warfighter Support Directorate’s Engagements Branch conducted ground-based video reconnaissance both before and after the Army’s 250th Birthday parade to support damage assessments and potential repair planning.
Using vehicle-mounted cameras, the team captured more than 155 gigabytes of high-resolution 4K video from both the front and rear perspectives of the route. Engineers then reviewed and analyzed the footage to identify any signs of road damage directly linked to the movement of tracked and heavy wheeled Army vehicles.
Keeping the Mission on Track: ERDC optimizes vehicle transport
Further north in Jessup, Maryland, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) played a pivotal role in the logistical success of the parade. With just hours to offload more than 60 heavy combat vehicles, engineers turned to ERDC’s Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading (RAIL) system, a mobile solution built to speed up rail operations while reducing manpower and safety risks.
“The RAIL system for rail ops proved 100% critical for timely operations,” said Col. Brandon Perdue, NORTHCOM Plans Team chief. “This system reduced download and upload times from about 2.5 days on both ends to just a few hours. Without this system, the only option for tracked vehicle download was a single crane.”
The modular RAIL system was designed to offload military vehicles at any point along a rail line, providing greater operational flexibility to quickly move combat power where and when it’s needed most. Two RAIL systems were used to simultaneously unload the various tracked and wheeled vehicles. Soldiers received onsite training from ERDC experts, proving how the organization’s innovation directly supports mission readiness and modern solutions.
Building the Nation, Supporting the Army
As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues celebrating 250 years of service to the nation, the role of Army Engineers remains vital. From battlefield engineering in the Revolutionary War to modern-day infrastructure, mapping and mobility solutions, Army Engineers continue to deliver solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges.
By MAJ Spencer Garrison and Kathryne Gest
Saab Receives Order for Ground-Based Air Defence from Sweden
Thursday, July 3rd, 2025Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the mobile short-range air defence solution RBS 70 NG with missiles. The order value is approximately SEK 1.5 billion and deliveries are scheduled 2027-2028. This order was booked in Q2 2025.
The order also includes equipment which will enable the Swedish Armed Forces to integrate the system on a Mobile Short-Range Air Defence (MSHORAD) solution in the future.
“We are continuously contributing to strengthening the capabilities of the Swedish Armed Forces and Saab’s air defence systems play a vital role in keeping Sweden’s skies secure,” says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.
Saab’s MSHORAD system with RBS 70 NG features an automatic target tracker and a built-in night sight and provides the user with capability to defeat threats including aircraft, drones and missiles from distances of up to nine kilometers.
Primary Arms Exclusive Source for Geissele Blemula Line
Thursday, July 3rd, 2025We’re excited to announce a powerful new partnership between Primary Arms and Geissele Automatics!
In addition to having the largest selection of Geissele products online, Primary Arms is now the exclusive source for the highly sought-after Geissele ‘Blemula’ blemished product line, which offers the full performance of Geissele products at a fraction of the regular price.
This collaboration brings together Geissele’s industry-leading craftsmanship and innovation with Primary Arms’ commitment to providing everyday great prices and world-class service.
Primary Arms now offers the most comprehensive selection of Geissele products available anywhere. From small parts to complete rifles and accessories, PA is the best place to shop for anything Geissele.
Shop confidently with Primary Arms’ renowned customer service, easy ordering, and fast shipping.
ASA Statement on Final Passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill
Thursday, July 3rd, 2025WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Suppressor Association (ASA) issued a statement following the final passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which eliminates the National Firearms Act (NFA) tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and AOWs.
“The One Big Beautiful Bill passed by Congress and sent to President Trump’s desk includes a $200 million annual tax cut for gun owners,” said Knox Williams, President and Executive Director of the American Suppressor Association. “While we fought hard on behalf of millions of Americans for full removal of suppressors and other items from the NFA tax scheme, this outcome is a critical step in our plan to dismantle the NFA once and for all. We will not stop fighting until that goal is achieved.”
ASA also joined the National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Second Amendment Foundation in a joint statement announcing pending litigation to challenge the NFA following the elimination of the tax:
“When President Trump signs the One Big Beautiful Bill — which will eliminate the excise tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and AOWs — he will have delivered the biggest blow to the National Firearms Act since its passage nearly a century ago. We thank President Trump for his leadership and every member of Congress who fought for law-abiding gun owners throughout the reconciliation process.
“By eliminating the excise tax on these NFA items, the OBBB will not only lift the heavy burden of an unconstitutional tax from the backs of hard-working Americans, it will also serve as a critical step towards our ultimate goal of dismantling the NFA once and for all. But there is much work yet to be done.
“While we will continue to fight for the total legislative elimination of the NFA, our organizations are proud to stand together in a new strategic lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of the NFA in Federal Court.”
