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Sky Soldiers Train to Defend the Skies with NATO Allies

Sunday, April 30th, 2023

PULA, Croatia — A small group of 173rd Airborne Brigade paratroopers, or “Sky Soldiers,” traveled to Croatia take part in a multinational air defense and electronic warfare exercise from April 19 through 21, 2023 called Exercise Shield 23.

Exercise Shield is an annual Croatian air defense exercise that aims at strengthening the execution of air defense tactics against low and medium altitude moving aerial threats.

During the exercise this year, units from the United States, Croatia, Poland and Slovenia collectively trained on air defense and electronic warfare tactics, techniques and procedures, including air-space control, synchronization, surveillance, threat detection and live fire engagements against flying objects.

The exercise strengthened air defense interoperability between NATO allies by combining multiple air defense platforms in the same area of operations.

Capt. Mitchel Hess, the 173rd Airborne’s air defense officer, has attended the last two Shield exercises.

“The relationship we have built with the Croatians is of great importance to our collective security,” said Hess. “Through allied training and collaboration, we have developed a strong partnership. The Croatians have demonstrated their dedication and professionalism, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them for years to come.”

Croatian Army 2nd Lt. Jure Brkic, Croatian Air Defense Regiment, has been one of the lead officers on the Croatian side for building a successful partnership with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

“From the initial planning to final planning, we had a lot of brainstorming of ideas for training,” said Brkic. “And of course, the relationship between allies is important in many ways. Such as getting familiar with different doctrines, problem solving, interoperability and learning new weapon systems.”

Each country brought a different air defense platform to the seaside training area near Pula and utilized basic drones and flares to simulate detecting and engaging enemy targets. The Sky Soldier air defenders brought Dronebuster 3Bs, while the Croatian Air Defense Regiment used the QR-07S3 Drone Jammer System.

Last year, the Sky Soldiers brought FIM-92 Stinger missiles to engage launched flares. This year, Polish air defenders brought their Piorun Portable Anti-Aircraft Missile System or “Thunderbolt” and demonstrated two live missile launches.

Distinguished visitors from each participating country’s military came to oversee the training at the end of the exercise. The culminating event was an incredible display of NATO air defense. All countries’ militaries demonstrated their capabilities by engaging aerial targets with their respective platforms. From Dronebusters to missiles to anti-aircraft guns, the point got across — the air defenders are truly stronger together.

The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army’s Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance.

Story by MAJ Robyn Haake

Photos by SGT Mariah Gonzalez

Posted in Army, Guest Post, International, Training | 1 Comment »

Squad Immersive Virtual Trainer

Saturday, April 29th, 2023

One feature of the US Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) is the Squad Immersive Virtual Trainer (SiVT) which facilitates squad-level training in a mixed reality-based synthetic environment. It can be used to train almost anywhere at any time; bringing training to Soldiers instead of bringing Soldiers to training.

Taking full advantage of Microsoft’s HoloLens technology which IVAS is based in, Soldiers are immersed in a synthetic, virtual reality environment and can interact, including movement and engagement, with various scenarios, even those created by small unit leaders.

Posted in Army, PEO-Soldier, Training | Comments Off on Squad Immersive Virtual Trainer

Innovative Technology Supports Remediation Success at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

Thursday, April 27th, 2023

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Some of the statistics at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant are attention-grabbers and provide context for the ongoing work and challenges at the small-caliber ammunition production facility.

For starters, the plant annually produces more than 1 billion rounds of ammunition per year on its 3,935 acres in Independence, Missouri.

The installation was established in 1941, and the environmental impacts of that production — particularly in the early years at the facility — generated large quantities of potentially hazardous wastes, including oils/greases, solvents, explosives and metals — some of which were released into the environment.

In 1980, LCAAP instituted an environmental restoration program, and in 1987 the cleanup at LCAAP was added to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List. This cleanup is divided in 36 discrete areas of concern and four operable units to allow for the comprehensive planning, remediation and measurement needed for a project of this scope and scale.

“The environmental restoration program is important at LCAAP. The health and safety of personnel at the installation and in the surrounding community is significant,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Denton, LCAAP commander. “Our teams are continuing a robust monitoring program to ensure that our staff and the local community are not impacted by legacy contaminants. That includes monitoring from things like vapor intrusion, as well as surface water and sentry boundary groundwater monitoring across the entire installation.”

Denton said that as a mature site with continuing remediation needs, the LCAAP team is working to continually improve and upgrade the use of cutting-edge technology to produce high-resolution site assessment, aggressive monitoring, and treatment of non-aqueous phase liquids — known as NAPL, while maintaining a strong community involvement program. This includes the establishment in 1997 of a Restoration Advisory Board, with both regular meetings and information sharing, as well as an extensive archive of data at the local public library.

Part of successfully managing a remediation site of this complexity is understanding the need for developing new solutions to existing issues.

For example, the cleanup of waste pits that contain an estimated 2 million pounds of petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents and extensive NAPL contamination. The LCAAP team had been using limited zero valent iron and established barriers to prevent movement of the contaminants and used hydraulic fracturing techniques. However, the restoration timeline estimated for the site remained at hundreds of years using these methods.

The team, in collaboration with Army contractor Environmental Chemical Corporation, is now at work using an in situ thermal remediation system that has allowed for treatment of 28,000 bank cubic yards of the waste pits contaminated with NAPL. The process uses thermal gas conduction and high-resolution site assessment as well as dye-enhanced laser induced fluorescence.

“The DyeLIF system provided real-time NAPL results, allowing for a real-time, dynamic and adaptive strategy to deal with a complex problem,” said Sara Clark, environmental coordinator at the Joint Munitions Command. “This high-resolution site assessment has been used to generate more than 100,000 readings to create a precise 3D model of the NAPL contaminants within these pits.”

Another example is the use of the in situ thermal remediation system to heat soil, groundwater and NAPL contaminants within the waste pits to the boiling point of water for effective extraction and treatment, which dramatically improved restoration timelines.

The team is employing similar methods on other sites at LCAAP and working to build actionable models for use at other sites with legacy contaminants. These efforts have gained LCAAP’s team Secretary of the Army recognition for innovative planning and implementation of remediation efforts. The team has been selected to represent the Army in the Department of Defense Environmental Awards competition in recognition of this work.

By Thomas Milligan, USAEC

Posted in Ammo, Army, Guest Post | Comments Off on Innovative Technology Supports Remediation Success at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

DEVCOM Soldier Center Supports Development of Improved Liquid Cooling Garments

Thursday, April 20th, 2023

NATICK, Mass. — The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, or DEVCOM SC, is supporting the development of new liquid cooling garments for prolonged in-field use. The cooling garments, a component of the microclimate cooling system, will help protect Soldiers from overheating, a condition that can lead to diminished cognitive and physical performance, heat injury, and in extreme cases, death.

The new garments are an improvement over the existing microclimate cooling garment, or MCG, and the environmental control vest, or ECV.

“The newly developed thermally conductive flame-resistant cooling vest, liquid cooling garment, is significantly — nearly 30 percent — more efficient in extracting body heat than the currently fielded ECV, and the new garment is 15 percent lighter,” said Joe Salmeron, a project engineer at DEVCOM SC. “With a higher heat extraction rate, warfighters are likely to have reduced thermal burden. This could lead to carrying fewer batteries and allow more time for mission execution.”

The liquid cooling garment, or LCG, can be seamlessly integrated into any protective garment using a cooling vest, including the Joint Science and Technology Office for Chemical and Biological Defense of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency-funded S&T developing system, the Tactical All-Hazards Ensemble.

DEVCOM SC led the effort for the Phase II Enhancement of a Small Business Innovation Research agreement. Through the Small Business Innovation Research program, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center Air Warrior group contracted the small business, Oceanit. Oceanit was tasked with developing a high-performance, lightweight LCG.

Through this effort, Oceanit has created a highly effective cooling vest by incorporating its proprietary tubing material, Thermocore®. The tubing material’s thermal conductivity matches that of the human body, enabling effective heat transfer between the body and the coolant in the tubing.

DEVCOM SC and the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, or USARIEM, worked jointly to provide testing support that played a key role in the product’s development. DEVCOM SC and USARIEM conducted thermal manikin testing and modeling simulations to measure physiological thermal burden.

Due to the garment’s improved compressive fit, the garment doesn’t add bulk or negatively impact mobility. The garment also features custom manifolds that allows for the inclusion of additional items such as shorts, pants, sleeves, and cap.

The new garment is part of DEVCOM SC’s larger commitment to improving Soldier protection and performance while increasing lethality.

“Knowing that the cooling garments can make a difference for the warfighter by reducing heat injuries is very rewarding,” said Pratibha Sinha, DEVCOM SC’s project lead for the microclimate cooling program.

Story by Jane Benson, DEVCOM Soldier Center Public Affairs

Photos by David Kamm

Posted in Army, Press Release, Research | 2 Comments »

Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense System Achieves Full Rate Production

Tuesday, April 18th, 2023

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Integrated Fires Mission Command Project Office, under Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, announced that the Army’s Integrated Battle Command System received a successful full rate production Defense Acquisition Board decision on April 10.

This major milestone for the Integrated Battle Command System, or IBCS, follows completion of initial operational test and evaluation, which concluded in October 2022.

“IBCS is the Army’s top air and missile defense modernization effort and the only Army acquisition category 1D program with the Defense Acquisition Executive, Dr. William LaPlante, as the milestone decision authority,” said Col. Chris Hill, project manager of the Integrated Fires Mission Command Project Office in Huntsville. “Navigating a successful [full rate production Defense Acquisition Board decision] is truly a monumental accomplishment for the collective team. Our Soldiers’ and civilians’ dedication, expertise and collaboration with industry and the stakeholder community has paved the way for a more effective and coordinated capability against complex air and missile threats that will serve our Army and joint force for decades to come.”

IBCS executed a diverse range of rigorous testing on its path to achieving FRP. Testing and evaluation proved the system’s capability to integrate a variety of sensors and effectors to work together under an integrated command and control system. IBCS is a key component of the Army’s broader modernization efforts and provides transformational air and missile defense capabilities.

“The Army is proving it can and will succeed with its modernization plans as we continue to build momentum for the future,” said Brig. Gen. Frank Lozano, Program Executive Officer, Missiles and Space. “The sensor and effector integration this program brings to air and missile defense will ensure that our warfighters are best equipped to provide air defense against enemy threats. The success of this program is a testament to the incredible talent and capability of the Soldiers, civilians and industry partners whose work ensures the safety and security of our nation.”

Story by Nathaniel Pierce

Posted in Army, Guest Post, weapons | Comments Off on Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense System Achieves Full Rate Production

Croatia, Canada Join Minnesota Best Warrior Competition

Monday, April 17th, 2023

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. – Minnesota National Guard Soldiers and Croatian and Canadian Armed Forces competed to find this year’s best Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier during Minnesota’s 2023 Best Warrior Competition at Camp Ripley March 29-April 1.

The Minnesota Guard and Croatia have a 27-year relationship through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, and Minnesota has longstanding ties with Canada.

“The continued coordination with partners like Croatia and Canada is rewarding for our Soldiers and leaders alike,” said Army 1st Sgt. Jack Esget, the competition’s noncommissioned officer in charge.

The Best Warrior Competition tested participants’ knowledge of Soldier skills over four days. The competition included an appearance board, written exams, essays, a physical fitness event, weapons qualifications, medical evacuation tasks, an obstacle course, a live-fire exercise, and a ruck march. In addition, this year’s contest featured the “Valor Ruck,” which included five stations, each highlighting the story of a Medal of Honor recipient.

“Camp Ripley is a world-class training site, and we are excited to host not only Minnesota’s best noncommissioned officers and Soldiers, but also seven competitors from Croatia and Canada,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Rian Hofstad, Camp Ripley’s garrison command sergeant major.

Of the 20 Minnesota National Guard, four Croatian, and three Canadian Soldiers who competed, only one Minnesota noncommissioned officer and one Minnesota Soldier will advance to compete at the next level, the National Guard’s Region IV Best Warrior Competition, hosted by the Ohio National Guard in May. Special recognition and pride go with the international allies as they place throughout the event.

On Day One, Soldiers conducted vehicle maintenance checks and services, changed tires and competed in the live-fire exercise. Next, the noncommissioned officers took on the valor ruck march around Camp Ripley’s cantonment area and tested their knowledge of Army tasks and drills.

“I hope this competition is a career-developing experience for all our competitors and that this opportunity continues to foster our long-lasting international partnerships,” Esget said.

On the second day of the competition, in cold and icy conditions, the noncommissioned officers treated a simulated casualty and performed vehicle maintenance and live-fire exercises. The Soldiers took on the valor ruck with an ice sheet covering Camp Ripley.

Participants also competed in low-light land navigation with snowshoes, combating the deep snowpack of north central Minnesota.

The 2023 Minnesota Soldier of the Year is Spc. Gabriel Senf, an infantryman with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment. Army Staff Sgt. Leo Kerfeld, an infantryman with the Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment, is the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

By CPT William Hermanson, Minnesota National Guard

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | 1 Comment »

In Edelweiss Raid, the Competition Is Seriously Steep

Friday, April 14th, 2023

How tough is the Edelweiss Raid?

When a U.S. team competed in the international military mountaineering contest for the first time in 2019, it made history as the first team ever to finish the competition on its inaugural attempt, placing 13th out of 23 teams.

In two days, teams cover 40 kilometers (24.85 miles) of rugged Austrian Alps terrain with up to 14,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain, completing various military tasks at 12 stations in the process. They carry a litter with their equipment — both for challenges and in case of real casualty situations.

U.S. National Guard soldiers — most from Vermont, home of the Army Mountain Warfare School and the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) — returned to Austria earlier this year to compete in the biennial event. This time, the 16-member U.S. team competed in two groups. Both finished; one cracked the top 10.

“We all pretty much call it Type 2 Fun,” Connecticut National Guard Capt. Scott Stone, one of the U.S. competitors, said. “Which is basically … not ‘Ha ha, we’re all having a good time fun,’ but it’s one of things that once you’re done with it, it’s a really awesome experience.”

(Includes information from articles by Timothy Koster, Connecticut National Guard Public Affairs Office; and Army Capt. Mikel Arcovitch, Joint Force Headquarters – Vermont National Guard Public Affairs)

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Mountaineering | 5 Comments »

82nd Airborne Division Hosts Inaugural Innovation Drop Zone Competition

Thursday, April 13th, 2023

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The 82nd Airborne Division hosted its inaugural Innovation Drop Zone competition, March 29, 2023, at the Airborne Innovation Lab at Fort Bragg. The Innovation Drop Zone is the culmination of an ongoing collaboration and partnership between the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command and the 82nd Airborne Division.

The event featured six groundbreaking projects developed into viable products over a six-month period. Each finalist team in the Innovation Drop Zone competition presented a unique problem statement, innovation solution and prototype created through this innovative partnership.

“I expect guns and leaders to the front in order to apply pressure to relieve friction and that’s exactly what our paratroopers are going to do today,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Panel members included Maj. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division; Command Sgt. Maj. Randolph Delapena, command sergeant major of the 82nd Airborne Division; U.K. Brig. Gen. Neil Den-McKay, deputy to the commanding general of plans for the 82nd Airborne Division; Mr. Zeke Topolosky, chief of the Technology Transition Office at the Combat Capabilities Command Army Research Laboratory; Dr. Ronald Reago Jr., director of the C5ISR Center’s Research and Technology Integration Directorate; Dr. Anne Marie Petrock, senior research scientist for Warheads Technology in the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Armaments Center; and Mrs. Meridith Fonseca, director of research and development at the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Force Modernization Center.

The winners of this competition are 1st Lt. Christopher Bruce and Spc. Dimitry Boylan of Delta Company, 2-504 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. They created the flip down keypad display unit holder, which is an attachment that provides an efficient way to secure the end user device while allowing the user to operate it with one hand.

“Participating in this competition was an incredibly rewarding and humbling experience,” said Bruce. “While developing our project, we realized our product could solve a problem the entire division was facing. We hope our experience shows paratroopers that they can make a positive impact on the division and create innovative solutions with the resources available to them.”

The team received an Army Commendation Medal, a four-day pass, attendance to a school of choice within each paratrooper’s MOS and a $500 team cash prize along with the first 82nd Airborne Division Innovation Cup for 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

The competition is part of the division’s transformation efforts that work to accomplish three tasks:

Command-directed “you will go figure this out” problem solving;

Modernizing by integrating and helping to create informed requirements with developmental partners; and

Facilitating a paratrooper raising their hand and stating, “I have this problem, I want to solve it for all paratroopers.”

This is taking care of our piece of the Army by providing the paratrooper the opportunities, facilities and skills necessary to develop tangible and actionable solutions to the contemporary problems faced on the drop zone.

“Today is a historic day in the division,” Maj. Gen. LaNeve stated. “Inside this division we are trying to transform as fast as possible; based off lessons learned from Ukraine, lessons learned over the last 20 years, and taking a look forward as best as we can to train how we will fight.”

The next Innovation Drop Zone will be held Sept. 6, 2023. For more information about the 82nd Airborne Division Innovation Drop Zone or the Airborne Innovation Lab check out the Airborne Innovation Lab website.

Story by MAJ Deirdra Johnson

Photos by SGT Robert Whitlow

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