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Wild Things Tactical Transport Parka Integrated into BAMS

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

The Wild Things Tactical Transport Parka, formerly known as the Stadium Jacket, is now available via the USAF BAMS (Battlefield Airman Management System) contract.

With a 70D nylon shell it integrates 330d Cordura reinforced shoulders, elbows and reinforced seat to protect the jacket from rough or sandy surfaces when sitting including vehicle and helicopter floors. It is insulated using 6 oz PrimaLoft Sport synthetic and incorporates hand warmer pockets lined with 2 oz PrimaLoft. Additionally there are 2 interior mesh storage pockets to keep items warm as well as 2 bicep pockets. This level 7 parka features extended length for added warmth when standing or sitting; up to a foot longer than other High Loft Jackets.

This Berry Amendment Compliant jacket is offered in sizes Small – XXLarge in Coyote and MultiCam. As with all Wild Things products, The Transport Parka is available on GSA as well as other sales vehicles to accommodate your needs.

www.wildthingsgear.com/wt-tactical

Tags: Wild Things Tactical
Posted in Air Force, Clothing | 3 Comments »

Black Diamond Wearable Modular Tactical System Chosen by USAF for Dismounted Close Air Support

Monday, July 9th, 2012

Under a Firm Fixed-Price Contract the US Air Force has chosen the Black Diamond Advanced Technology‘s Modular Tactical System (MTS) as their next-generation US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Operator Control System (OCS). Used by Special Operations Forces and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, the Battlefield Air Operations (BAO) OCS is a wearable solution, incorporating a tactical vest with power management and a rugged computing device, designed for dismounted Close Air Support operations and communications control.

A component of the BAO kit, the MTS is a wearable, combat-enabled tactical communications tool providing situational awareness and blue force tracking. It also functions as a precision strike tool that facilitates control of multiple mission-critical peripherals on a central display, eliminating battery and equipment redundancies and lightening the load on the operator.

With the MTS at the core, the overall solution reduces the time required for the JTAC to prosecute a target and increases accuracy and efficiency by allowing the operator to maximize the existing radio and air-asset capabilities during dismounted operations.

I was able to try out a version of the MTS last year. It is an impressive system that is integrated directly into an armor carrier. What really impressed me was that it is right there in front of you and you don’t have to pack up a laptop to move. You can quickly transition back and forth between the screen and your surroundings to maintain situational awareness.

You can run it through the paces as well at this week’s Warrior Expo East. Additionally, ADS Inc offers the MTS for units and organizations that require on the move computing but who are not part of this program of record.

Warrior Expo EAST
July 12 1030 – 1600 EDT
July 13 1030 – 1500 EDT
Virginia Beach Convention Ctr
Virginia Beach, VA

Tags: Battlefield Airman, Black Diamond Advanced Technology, CAS, Warrior Expo East
Posted in Air Force, Comms, Digitization, Warrior Expo | 4 Comments »

CCT Down Under

Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

Royal Australian Air Force No. 4 Squadron Combat Controllers, Sergeant G (left) and Corporal R, conducting assault zone survey training with a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer and a handheld Global Positioning System.

Photos – © Commonwealth of Australia

Tags: Australia
Posted in Air Force, Foreign | 9 Comments »

Forces Focus – 24 SOW Standup

Thursday, June 21st, 2012

On June 1st, to little fanfare, the US Air Force activated it’s newest wing, the 24th SOW. It is comprised of the 720th Special Tactics Group and the Special Tactics Training Squadron based at Hurlburt Field, FL, the 724th Special Tactics Group, Pope Field, NC and 16 recruiting locations scattered around the country. It’s also the third wing under AFSOC alongside the 1st Special Operations Wing also located at Hurlburt Field and the 27 Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, NM.

Capabilities of the Wing include airfield reconnaissance, assessment and control. Special tactics Airmen also engage in joint terminal attack control, personnel recovery, weather and environmental reconnaissance.

“Establishment of the 24th Special Operations Wing allows a single commander to lead the recruiting, training and development of our special tactics warriors and ultimately provide combatant commanders with world-class Airmen to accomplish their mission,” said Lt Gen Eric Fiel, AFSOC Commander.

By creating the 24 SOW, not only is a single Special Tactics commander enabled to lead, but pressure is alleviated by removing the responsibility of logistical planning from the groups so they can concentrate on the operational mission. No word yet on what the additional Wing structure will consist of.

According to AFSOC, with Col Armfield’s assumption of command of the new 24th SOW, Col Kurt Buller assumed command of the 720 STG. I’m glad to see the ‘Bull’ get this command and I hope we see stars on Col Armfield and his Vice Wing commander, Col Eric Ray soon as well. I’ve worked for or with everyone of those men and they are an amazing bunch.

Having been assigned to the 720th STG and the 21st STS, I can tell you that the men and women assigned to Special Tactics are some of the finest Americans I have ever known and the most competent Special Operators I have served with throughout a variety of Army, Air Force and Joint SOF assignments.

Tags: AFSOC
Posted in Air Force, Forces Focus | Comments Off on Forces Focus – 24 SOW Standup

Batman is an Airman

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

Batman or Battlefield Air Targeting Man-Aided kNowledge is a program at Air Force Research Lab to improve the performance of the Terminal Attack Controller and other Battlefield Airmen. With a motto of “Lighter, Smarter…Deadlier” it couldn’t be anything than Air Force.

CNN Money recently took a look inside the program. Watch it here.

Some of the gems in this ensemble include the “Bat Hook,” the nickname used for the Remote Auxiliary Power System developed by Defense Research Associates, a new wrist mount unlike anything you’ve seen developed by our friends at Juggernaut Defense, and an armor mounted computer system.

While most of these technologies seem TAC-centric, BATMAN works Guardian Angel projects as well. For example, late last year they issued a challenge for a new stretcher system via the website InnoCentive. Seeking a single-rescuer solution, the Air Force also challenged innovators to propose a system that would stabilize the patient.

(Photo by Senior Airman Chris Hubenthal : 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing)

Other interesting items include this grappling hook developed by students at BYU for AFRL.

BATMAN is spirally developed and fields solutions when they are ready for prime time. In fact, the program has been around since 2004 and has already fielded several versions.

Tags: Defense Research Associates, InnoCentive, Juggernaut Defense LLC
Posted in Air Force, Digitization | 5 Comments »

Propper NyCo Ripstop ABU Set with Free Utility Cap Promo

Monday, May 21st, 2012

MilitaryGear.com has the new NYCO Ripstop ABUs for sale and is running a promotion that will get you a free cap with the order of a set of uniforms. These were “developed” because the previous twill uniforms were so oppressively hot. The NYCO is a significant improvement.

militarygear.com/propper-nyco-rip-abu-cap-promo

Tags: MilitaryGear.com, Propper
Posted in Air Force, Clothing | Comments Off on Propper NyCo Ripstop ABU Set with Free Utility Cap Promo

LBT Rifleman’s Kit

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

LBT has introduced the 9525 Riflemen’s Kit in OCP (MultiCam). It is manufactured from 500D Cordura which has cut the weight of the system and features the load carrying pouches and equipment needed for outside the wire use by Airmen.

LBT 9525 Riflemans Kit

The LBT 9525 Rifleman’s Kit is available from LBtinc.com or for unit purchase from ADSinc.com/LBT.

Tags: ADS Inc, LBT
Posted in ADS, Air Force, Load Carrying | 3 Comments »

Forces Focus – USAF EOD

Monday, May 14th, 2012

While they are EOD, these guys aren’t training for dive school. No, this is all about water survival and they are using their PT time to focus on a threat that has taken the life of one of their own. Air Force EOD techs don’t attend dive school.

Photo – SSgt Sara Csurilla

Here you can see members of the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron during PT. “We do the pool training because the only Air Force EOD officer to have died in the current conflicts was Capt. Kermit Evans, who passed away when he was forced to bail out from a helicopter over a lake in Iraq,” said Capt. John Fuson, 380th ECES EOD officer in charge. “This just proves that we must be ready for any situation at any time while deployed. In addition to the survival point of the training, pool PT provides an added avenue for fitness and calorie burning.”

EOD techs also conduct CrossFit training in order to maintain top shape for dismounted operations with the US Army. In a DVIDS news article explained, “We do this training because we have to be able to pull our weight, carry our gear and, if necessary, carry a teammate to safety in any situation we may encounter, whether that be rucks on dismounted patrols, water survival, or surviving a blast from an [improvised explosive device]. Mental and physical recovery is significantly more effective when one is physically fit.”

Tags: EOD
Posted in Air Force, EOD | 1 Comment »