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10th Mountain Soldiers Learn Their History, Join the Legacy

Thursday, March 6th, 2025

VAIL, Colorado — With the fierce and ever-consistent snowfall, the 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers enter the Camp Hale and Vail communities ready to begin the Legacy Days events, with 2025 marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Riva Ridge, a turning point in World War II.

Legacy Days is a combination of events that honor the resiliency and commitment of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers who trained at Camp Hale before setting off to fight for their country in the Battle of Riva Ridge in Italy, February 1945.

Camp Hale was built in 1942 at 9,224 feet, making it the highest-altitude permanent military post in World War II. The altitude made training especially difficult, and elevations reached as high as 13,100 feet.

The 10th Mountain Division (LI) was activated and placed at Camp Hale to train in high altitude mountaineering and alpine combat for the sole reason of defeating the Germans that were entrenched high up on ridges, preventing allied forces from advancing into Europe.

Today’s 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers carry on the legacy and respect the history of their predecessors through Legacy Days in Vail, Colorado.

The Soldiers accepted the privilege of participating in Legacy Days and learning more about their division’s heritage with eagerness.

“Just being in the same area that our predecessors, the first 10th Mountain Soldiers, not only trained at but also proved that this is an achievable task that we can overcome and apply in warfighting,” Staff Sgt. George Matthews, weapon squad leader with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade stated. “It’s very exciting for us.”

Upon entering Vail, the community, and more specifically the 10th Mountain Division descendants and veterans, welcomed the Soldiers and immediately began sharing stories of the past. The connection and sense of pride that ran through the community resonated with the Soldiers and made them that much more eager to begin the Hale to Vail Traverse, the first event.

Only a few days before the event began, a snowstorm passed through the area adding nearly 50 inches of fresh powder.

Originally, the Hale to Vail Traverse is a 26-mile cross-country ski trek that starts in Camp Hale, Colorado, and ends at Vail. However, to mitigate the risk of avalanches happening enroute, a different route was selected making it nine miles long with a 2,000-feet increase in elevation.

The Hale to Vail Traverse was no less of a challenge despite the route being changed since the Soldiers had to break trail and carve out their own path in the snow.

The event was more than just a test of endurance, it strengthened unit cohesion while honing the specialized tactics, techniques, and skills their forefathers required to operate in extreme mountain conditions.

This nine-mile cross-country ski trek paid tribute to the division’s World War II legacy, when Soldiers trained in the rugged Rockies to prepare for alpine warfare.

The Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) used this event to enhance their skills and techniques while also gaining practical experience in skiing. This preparation ensured that they were well-equipped, just as their predecessors had been, to face any challenges in mountain warfare.

“It’s super cool to be out here teaching the next generation of Soldiers how to ski, not a lot of people have had the opportunity to gain the experience or skill set,” Spc. Rylan Parsons, a Soldier with Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI) stated. “Skiing is both personally and tactically relevant.”

The following day, the Ski Cooper Serpentine Ski Parade took place where the Soldiers, descendants, veterans, National Ski Patrol and the community could participate.

The Serpentine Ski Parade included the participants weaving down the slopes with Maj. Gen. Scott Naumann, commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division (LI), Command Sgt. Maj. Brett Johnson, senior enlisted advisor of 10th Mountain Division (LI) and flag bearers leading the way.

This event was a part of Legacy Days, and celebrated the storied history of the division, which was formed during World War II from elite skiers, climbers, and alpinists to fight in precipitous, mountainous terrain.

The Serpentine Ski Parade was a celebration of history, whereas the next event was an acknowledgment and note of the intense and grueling training the predecessors of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) not only endured, but triumphed in.

The Ski Trooper Cup was a rigorous competition that tested physical fitness, alpine skills and equipment knowledge. It featured teams of three competing in a series of tasks while racing against the clock and other teams. This event combined elements of strength, endurance, and military-specific challenges, all set in winter warfare and alpine environments. Teams were assessed on a variety of skills, including push-ups, slope climbing, rappelling, skiing through gates, performing pull-ups and glacading.

The 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers who fought in the Battle of Riva Ridge trained fiercely to ensure their victory, this event was a testament to the difficulties and commitment of those Soldiers.

“It encompassed skinning up a section of the mountain, repelling down, boot packing up and then glacading down to the finish,” Capt. Lauren Takayesu, a physical therapist with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) H2F stated. “Then of course it’s the Army, so we had to do push-ups and pull-ups in between, it was incredible.”

Legacy Days is a way of honoring the history and legacy of the 10th Mountain Division predecessors and Soldiers alike, but it’s also a way to keep that connection with their origins, descendants and the community.

“If there was no 10th Mountain Division, there would be no Vail. That’s because about 20 miles behind me is a place called Camp Hale, Colorado, and during WWII, it was at Camp Hale where skiers, climbers and outdoorsmen came to become mountain Soldiers,” stated Naumann.

The 10th Mountain Division lost 1,000 Soldiers in service and had more than 4,000 wounded, however, thanks to their sacrifices the division was able to secure victory in the Battle of Riva Ridge and pave the way to victory during WWII.

“The mountain Soldiers climbed a place that was thought to be unclimbable, and they broke through the defensive line that was thought to be unbreakable, a place held by the Germans and they kept fighting, always forward until the end of the war,” stated Naumann.

By PFC Abigail Stewart, 27th Public Affairs Detachment

Posted in Army, Guest Post, History, Mountaineering | Comments Off on 10th Mountain Soldiers Learn Their History, Join the Legacy

Mach Industries Selected by Army for Contract to Develop Strategic Strike Aircraft

Wednesday, March 5th, 2025

Huntington Beach, CA, March 4th, 2025 – Mach Industries, a defense manufacturing company that develops advanced aircraft, was selected by the Army Applications Laboratory to develop Strategic Strike, a vertical takeoff (VTO) cruise missile, enabling a precision strike for maneuver units. The contract for Strategic Strike, awarded in Q3 of 2024, will enhance the strike capabilities of Company through Brigade-level maneuver elements.

Since winning this contract, Mach has rapidly developed the Strategic Strike program, locking Strategic Strike’s design by the end of September 2024, and successfully testing vertical takeoff into full-performance wingborne flight by mid-January 2025. Work is currently underway to rapidly integrate AI visual and RF sensing techniques to allow Strategic Strike’s operation in GPS and comms-denied environments.

Strategic Strike has a range of 290 km, carrying a 10+ kg warhead. The combination of VTO, high speed and range/payload is radically novel for the current fighting force. At the culmination of the contract, Mach will provide the warfighter with a VTO asset that has HIMARS range, cruise missile speed, and Hellfire effects.

The emergence of low-cost, man-portable intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets has resulted in a new challenge: maneuver elements are now able to sense farther than they can shoot. Presently, the elimination of high-payoff targets is a collaborative effort requiring the coordination of several services or levels of organizations.

Strategic Strike, by contrast, is designed to dramatically improve a maneuver force’s ability to engage high-payoff targets beyond the forward line of troops. This product refinement will produce a versatile strike vehicle to deliver a mission-relevant payload at range.

The primary objective for Strategic Strike is to launch from beyond enemy radar range, reducing the probability of detection, and increasing launch team survivability. Tactical maneuver units will be able to engage and prosecute high-payoff targets, such as radar arrays and artillery pieces, well beyond the forward line of troops.

“I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity to deliver a war-changing capability to our military, and impressed by the engineering and manufacturing team’s hard work–taking Strategic Strike from design kickoff in September to flight just 14 weeks later,” said Ethan Thornton, CEO and Founder of Mach Industries. “I truly think the product team we’ve assembled here will drive generational value to the U.S. at this critical time, and I’m excited every day to see the rate of product development continue to accelerate. The entire Mach team is eagerly awaiting the day when the factory we’re prototyping Strategic Strike in turns on production and deploys them by the thousands to deter wars.”

machindustries.co

Posted in Army, Contracts, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Mach Industries Selected by Army for Contract to Develop Strategic Strike Aircraft

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Renames Fort Moore to Fort Benning

Tuesday, March 4th, 2025

Today Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum renaming Fort Moore in Georgia to Fort Benning. The new name pays tribute to Corporal (CPL) Fred G. Benning, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in action during World War I with the U.S. Army in France in 1918. This change underscores the installation’s storied history of service to the United States of America, honors the warfighter ethos, and recognizes the heroes who have trained at the installation for decades and will continue to train on its storied ranges.

Posted in Army, Press Release | 10 Comments »

Forging Lifelines: 5th SFAB’s Medical Mission in the Indo-Pacific

Sunday, March 2nd, 2025

The 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade (5th SFAB) plays a pivotal role in enhancing medical capabilities across the Indo-Pacific, fostering stronger partnerships and improving the readiness of allied and partner nations. Through collaborative training, operational support, and knowledge sharing, 5th SFAB’s medical teams help partner forces advance their trauma care, casualty evacuation, and medical logistics, ensuring greater resilience during both peacetime and large-scale combat operations (LSCO).

Building Medical Readiness Through Collaboration

Since 2023, the 5th SFAB has conducted over 70 medical assessments and numerous training events with nine Indo-Pacific partners. These engagements focus on improving tactical combat casualty care (TCCC), prolonged field care (PFC), whole blood programs, and medical evacuation systems. By introducing advanced trauma care techniques and refining medical processes, 5th SFAB advisors help partner forces reduce casualty fatality rates, increase return-to-duty rates, and enhance overall battlefield survivability.

Advancing Tactical Medical Training

One of the cornerstone initiatives is training partner forces in TCCC and PFC. These programs teach critical skills for stabilizing casualties and providing lifesaving care in austere environments, ensuring that medical personnel can sustain injured soldiers until evacuation. Additionally, the implementation of whole blood programs improves trauma survival rates, aligning partner force capabilities with proven U.S. military practices.

Enhancing Medical Evacuation and Logistics

Effective casualty evacuation is essential during crises. 5th SFAB advisors work closely with partner forces to optimize evacuation routes, establish Patient Evacuation Coordination Cells (PECCs), and ensure seamless coordination between military and civilian healthcare facilities. By embedding medical advisors within partner force headquarters, the brigade enhances real-time reporting and facilitates bilateral evacuation requests, strengthening interoperability and reducing response times.

Supporting Medical Logistics and Supply Chains

Sustaining medical operations during high-casualty scenarios requires robust supply chains. 5th SFAB advisors collaborate with partner force logistics teams to assess supply levels, forecast consumption rates, and address Class VIII medical supply needs. By establishing pre-positioned stockpiles and implementing walking blood banks, partner forces can maintain critical care capabilities even in contested environments. The brigade also advocates for agreements such as Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreements (ACSAs) to ensure reliable resupply during operations.

Building Sustainable Medical Capabilities

The 5th SFAB’s approach emphasizes long-term capacity building through train-the-trainer programs and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs). By empowering partner nations to develop and sustain their own medical training and operational systems, the brigade fosters enduring self-reliance and strengthens regional stability. Additionally, the use of tools like the Medical Advisor Specific Tool (MEDASAT) ensures consistent progress tracking and continuous improvement.

Strengthening Regional Resilience

Through its advisory efforts, the 5th SFAB is enhancing the medical readiness and interoperability of Indo-Pacific partner forces, ensuring they can respond effectively to both peacetime emergencies and combat operations. By sharing expertise, improving casualty care, and optimizing logistics, the brigade is helping to save lives and strengthen alliances across the region, reinforcing collective security and promoting long-term stability.

Conclusion

The 5th SFAB’s medical advising mission in the Indo-Pacific demonstrates the power of collaboration in strengthening regional security and resilience. By improving trauma care, enhancing evacuation systems, and supporting sustainable medical logistics, the brigade plays a crucial role in ensuring that partner forces are prepared to save lives and sustain operations during both crises and conflicts. These partnerships not only enhance the capabilities of individual nations but also contribute to the collective readiness of the Indo-Pacific region, fostering a network of allies capable of responding swiftly and effectively to any challenge.

By LTC Matthew Holtkamp

Posted in Army, Forces Focus, Guest Post | No Comments »

Integris and QinetiQ Collaborate on U.S. Army Helicopter Armor

Wednesday, February 26th, 2025

Integris and QinetiQ Join Forces to Enhance Survivability of Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA)

Legacy Resource for Defense Prime Contractors

25 February 2025 – Integris Composites, Inc., a global leader in armor protection for military, police and security has become a Tier 1 supplier of military helicopter armor for defense departments and prime contractors.

Integris Composites, a leading supplier of advanced armor systems, recently announced it is partnering with QinetiQ US to provide armor systems for the U.S. Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA)—the next-generation helicopter program that addresses the U.S. Army’s requirements for increased speed, range, and survivability.

“This collaboration builds upon Integris’ initial selection byBell Textron to provide armor systems for the FLRAA, further solidifying the positioning of Integris Composites in the cutting-edge military aviation sector,” said David Cordova, chief commercial officer of Integris, Inc.

ARMOR SYSTEM: Bell Textron, Inc. has selected Integris Composites to supply armor for the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). The Bell V-280 Valor pictured here was chosen by the US Army as the winner of Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft Program. The new assault aircraft will fly twice as far and twice as fast as the current fleet.

Integris has awarded QinetiQ the contract to provide systems engineering and integration expertise for the materials technology that will be used on both the floor and wing of the advanced rotorcraft. Cordova said this is the latest collaboration in the history between QinetiQ and Integris.

The FLRAA program has entered the engineering and manufacturing development phase, with Bell reporting it has commenced detailed design work on six prototypes.

“We are extremely proud to be part of the team behind this innovative rotorcraft that is ushering in what will become the U.S. Army’s new long-range assault aircraft,” Cordova continued. The QinetiQ-Integris collaboration leverages Integris’ expertise in lightweight, fit-for-purpose composite military armor, which has been successfully applied to various aerospace projects.

Cordova said that Integris, in alignment with other industry partners, supports key program objectives, including Bell’s Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), increased survivability, and alignment with the broader Future Vertical Lift (FVL) initiative, as the FLRAA progresses toward prototype testing in 2026 and fielding by 2030.

Global Helicopter Armor Resource

“Integris is today entering its fourth decade of business as a reliable resource for major military commands as well as a robust partner of choice for the world’s top defense contractors. We are a credentialed tier one supplier to aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and prime defense contractors throughout the world,” said Cordova.

The company is supplying armor kits for the new Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf that will replace the UH-60 Black Hawk for the U.S. Air Force. “We are part of a storied lineage that traces its roots back to the iconic Vietnam-era ‘Huey’ (UH-1 Iroquois) and present-day Black Hawk, which since 1979 has been the Army’s Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS),” Cordova continued.

Integris has provided ballistic protection for various international helicopter platforms, including:

Airbus H-125 – special lightweight, high-performance kits for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol

Airbus Military – H135, NH90, H145, H225M (Super Puma), H175, and potentially the H160

Leonardo Helicopters – AW159, AW101, and AW169

Trusted Resource

In addition to armor kits for rotorcraft, the company has been contracted to support Velocity Systems, the Battelle Memorial Institute, Mack Defense, American Rheinmetall Vehicles, and the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Integris also has a strong reputation for the body armor plates that protect military personnel around the world. “We are pleased to report that our Cratus™ Wave ballistic armor, an innovative thinner and heat stress-reducing body armor insert, was ordered by the U.S. Air Force 582nd Helicopter Group.

Posted in Armor, Army, Aviation, Industry, Press Release | No Comments »

TacJobs – Army MOS 35P at 20th Group

Wednesday, February 26th, 2025

20th SFG(A) in Alabama is is looking to fill 35P slots.

You must already be MOS qualified and be E5-E6.

If you qualify, go to guardsf.com and use the registration link under “Special Forces Support”.

joinalguard.formstack.com/forms/35p_ala

Being on a SOT-A is one of the best jobs in the Army.

Have a question on how to earn the Green Beret? Or interested in becoming support?

Click “Contact a Green Beret” at guardsf.com.

Posted in Army, CEMA, Guest Post, SOF, TacJobs | No Comments »

JPMRC Forges Arctic Medical Warriors

Wednesday, February 26th, 2025

FORT GREELY, Alaska — Members of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 307th Forward Resuscitative and Surgical Detachment recently conducted annual training during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 25-02 rotation in early 2025.

JPMRC 25-02 is designed to challenge roughly 10,000 joint, multi-component and multinational partners in remote and extreme Arctic winter conditions. The large-scale combat scenarios help refine tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Medical readiness is a critical component of combat effectiveness and JPMRC 25-02 provided an opportunity for the 307th FRSD to spread their knowledge and enhance their capabilities in a harsh environment.

During the exercise, the 307th FRSD augmented with Charlie Company, 725th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division as a training enabler and allowed surgical capability to Role 2, or advanced medical care.

“This increased the fidelity of the simulated exercise by offering an additional level of patient care. It provided the C-Med team with additional training on patient triage, movement, and high-acuity patient hold scenarios,” said Capt. David Bold, commander of the FRSD.

By simulating real-world casualty scenarios, the 307th FRSD tested and stressed the Role 2 facility while displaying the full spectrum of military healthcare capabilities. Their presence emphasized that “a surgical element is a high functioning and mission capable unit but comes at the cost of being extremely resource heavy,” explained Bold. “The resources required are sourced and provided by C-Med/BSB. Our presence helped to emphasize this fact and provided critical training and education for the support battalion.”

Operating in the Arctic presents challenges beyond combat tactics.

“Being a unit from Wisconsin, we have experience training in the cold, but not to this degree,” Bold admitted. The extreme cold is both a physical and mental drain, impacting movement, equipment functionality, and patient care. For the 307th FRSD, training in Alaska was an invaluable opportunity to prepare for the realities of warfighting in subzero conditions.

“It is important for the FRSD to be here to display various levels of care that military healthcare provides,” said Bold.

The exercise provided ample educational opportunities. The FRSD’s subject matter experts in trauma surgery, orthopedic surgery, critical care and anesthesia conducted hands-on training for medics and junior officers. Topics covered included advanced trauma care, airway management, trauma operative care and care for brain-injured patients.

Sgt. Alexandria Schroeder, an operating room specialist shared that her last unit was a hospital augmentation detachment providing Roles 3 and 4 medical care, said, “they deal with more down the line surgery and capabilities. So yeah, this is new to me. The whole being this close to the front lines.”

Schroeder joined the FRSD a few months prior to coming to Alaska and noted the effective training. “It’s definitely a lot of the Army warrior tasks training that we all do but never really implement. So I feel like coming out here, we actually get to implement a lot of those trainings.”

Not only did the FRSD focus on medicine, one of the highlights both Bold and Schroeder mentioned was the cold weather training they received by the 11th Airborne Soldiers before being sent to the notional battlefield.

“I thought that was cool. Learning how to use the snowshoes, setting up those tents and learning how to get the heaters going,” said Schroeder.

Another highlight for Bold was the collaboration between the FRSD and the Role 2 facility, demonstrating the necessity of seamless coordination between echelons of medical care in combat scenarios.

One notable aspect of the exercise was the exclusion of the FRSD from the initial airborne assault at the drop zone. This decision reflected real-world operational considerations, as a surgical element would not typically be deployed ahead of the initial assaulting force.

Instead, the FRSD’s integration into JPMRC 25-02 focused on later-stage battlefield medical support, reinforcing logistical planning and patient evacuation procedures.

As the 307th FRSD refined their ability to provide life-saving care under the harshest conditions, JPMRC 25-02 stands as a testament to the power of deliberate training, adaptability, and joint force collaboration in securing the future of warfare in the world’s coldest and most challenging battlefields.

By SSG Mikayla Fritz

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Medical | No Comments »

Transforming UAS Operations: UAS Summit at Fort Novosel Paves the Way for Future Innovations

Tuesday, February 25th, 2025

FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. — The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence hosted its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Summit at Fort Novosel, from Feb. 10-13, 2025. The summit brought together subject matter experts and operators from around the world to discuss the future of UAS operations.

The summit, which included representatives from agencies such as Army Futures Command, DARPA, DEVCOM, the Department of Defense and the Army’s various Centers of Excellence, aimed to provide a platform for the sharing of lessons learned and the discussion of strategies to inform requirements moving forward.

Col. Joshua Ruisanchez, director of the U.S. Army Futures Command Aviation Capability Development Integration Directorate, highlighted the importance of air-ground integration as the Army continues to transform. The event provided a venue for discussing strategies and approaches moving forward, informed by current global conflicts and future military engagements. Different agencies working within the UAS space showcased their capabilities, which will inform future requirements.

“We’re learning from all the formations that brief this week on how they’re employing UAS, and we’re capturing those lessons learned,” said Col. Scott Shaw, Maneuver Capabilities, Development and Integration Directorate director from the Maneuver Center of Excellence. “We’re also learning from industry about the capabilities that are out there, and how they can help augment our operations.”

The summit included a range of units, including the 101st Airborne Division, the 82nd Airborne Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment, as well as representatives from Special Forces and other agencies.

“This is a great venue to bring in the air-ground integration as we continue to transform the Army,” said Shaw. “We’re seeing what’s happening in Ukraine and what we think the future of UAS operations will look like.”

The summit also included static displays of UAS systems by over 40 industry partners, as well as flight demonstrations.

“This is super important for the Army as a whole,” said Tyler Booth, the small UAS lead at Fort Novosel. “We’re bringing units from all over the UAS enterprise, and this event is a huge information-gathering and disseminating event. It’s also a chance for industry partners to showcase their UAS systems and demonstrate their capabilities.”

The event marked the first time that commercial UAS systems had been flown in such large numbers at Fort Novosel and required significant coordination and planning to ensure its success.

“It’s a large administrative task, and a lot goes into working with all these companies to ensure that we meet the requirements to be able to do this,” said Booth. “But it’s really great that we can do this here, and it’s a testament to the Army’s commitment to innovation and the development of new technologies.”

The summit was seen as a key step in the Army’s efforts to develop and integrate UAS systems into its operations, and to provide its warfighters with the capabilities they need to succeed on the battlefield.

“Robots, in and of themselves, are moderately interesting,” said Lt. Col. Michael Brabner, the Maneuver Center of Excellence’s Robotics Requirements Division chief. “But the effects they help commanders achieve, that’s the compelling piece of all this. We’re trying to give our warfighters the most lethal, apex-predator, robotic and autonomous systems that they can have to simply and intuitively employ on the battlefield to achieve the desired effects.”

Brabner explained that the Army must innovate during peacetime to avoid being reactive in combat situations. By partnering with industry, the Aviation Center of Excellence, and focusing on the end user — the maneuver warfighter — this summit allows the Army to capitalize on opportunities to innovate, learn, and form requirements. These efforts ensure that the Army can effectively fight and win large-scale combat operations.

The summit was part of a larger effort by the Army to develop and integrate UAS systems into its operations, and to provide its warfighters with the capabilities they need to succeed on the battlefield. As the Army continues to transform and adapt to new technologies and threats, events like the UAS Summit will play a critical role in shaping its future.

By Leslie Herlick, Fort Novosel Public Affairs Office

Posted in Army, Guest Post, UAS | No Comments »