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US Army Certifies Rifle Squads During Live-Fire Training in Poland

Monday, August 24th, 2026

BEMOWO PISKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland — U.S. Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment conducted squad tactical exercises and live-fire training from Aug. 4-13, 2026 at the Bemowo Piskie Training Area, testing their ability to maneuver, communicate and engage targets in day and night conditions.

The training progressed from team live-fire exercises to squad-level tactical movements, allowing Soldiers to build proficiency at the smallest level before operating as a larger formation.

“You just have to make sure the lowest element is trained,” said Sgt. 1st Class Geordie Blower, platoon sergeant with Charlie Company, 2-37 AR. “You need to make sure both the teams are qualified to maneuver before you can maneuver in a squad element.”

During the live-fire event, shots echoed across the training area from early morning into the afternoon. After sunset, the first squad lined up to conduct its mission during nighttime operations.

Soldiers donned night vision goggles and maneuvered through wooded terrain toward an objective marked by targets. From the top of a hill, another soldier monitored and maintained target accuracy through a computer system.

The exercises were designed to certify rifle squads and give soldiers an opportunity to practice battle drills using live ammunition. Capt. Jonathan Downs, commander of Charlie Company, 2-37 AR said the training also tested squad leaders’ ability to make decisions and control their formations under demanding conditions.

“I was really happy to see the squad leaders take initiative and be willing to not just stick to an exact range, but actually command and control their squads in a meaningful way,” Downs said.

Downs also praised Soldiers for their willingness to work through difficult conditions.

“It’s always good to see guys willing to get in the dirt and suffer a little to help their squads succeed,” Downs said.

The Bemowo Piskie Training Area presented challenges that differed from the unit’s home station at Fort Bliss, Texas. Soldiers maneuvered through woods and high grass, negotiating branches, uneven ground and limited visibility during nighttime operations.

Pfc. Rowdy Adams, an infantryman with Charlie Company, 2-37 AR, who normally serves as a radio transmission operator, participated as a rifleman during the squad live-fire exercise. He said the training allowed him to evaluate how well his team worked together.

“It’s been great,” Adams said. “I really enjoy being able to actually test our skills as a squad and a team, to see how well we can work together and accomplish our goal and our mission.”

Adams said the squad live-fire exercise felt more realistic than the earlier team-level training because Soldiers had to move through wooded terrain and coordinate supporting fires while advancing toward the objective.

“There were a lot more moving pieces, which is how it actually would be,” he said.

Daytime and nighttime operations required soldiers to adjust their movement and awareness. Adams said night vision goggles reduced his field of view and depth perception, making obstacles more difficult to identify.

“Night’s definitely a lot more difficult,” Adams said. “It’s harder to see the targets, but I personally enjoyed the night more.”

Downs said the unit must be prepared to operate in any environment and under changing conditions.

“Day or night, we have to be able to do the job,” Downs said. “Any weather condition — you’re not always going to have the weather conditions you want, and you have to be able to do it anywhere, anytime.”

Downs described his company as the battalion’s mechanized infantry force, saying that dismounted Soldiers are responsible for clearing terrain that can restrict armored vehicles.

“Thick terrain, like these woods behind us, or urban terrain — stuff like that — the tanks can’t clear,” Downs said. “Our job is to clear out those areas, to keep the tanks safe, and then to seize and hold terrain that they can’t.”

Throughout the training, leaders observed each iteration and provided feedback to help squads improve their decision-making, movement, and supporting-fire techniques.

Downs said the training improved on the unit’s previous squad live-fire exercise and expressed confidence in the soldiers’ performance.

“My NCOs did a terrific job out here,” Downs said. “The teams and squads both performed not just at standard, but above standard. I’m fully confident in their abilities and I’m happy with their work out here.”

By SSG Emilie Lenglain

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

Army Develops Ultra-Light Vehicle for Changing Battlefields

Sunday, August 23rd, 2026

Getting troops and equipment across the battlefield is a vital part of every theater operation — Soldiers and their kits, as well as spare ammunition and other supplies, all need to arrive quickly, with nothing left behind — or risk jeopardizing the mission.

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and Humvee have done a great job at performing those tasks so far, but the battlefield is always changing. In some cases, those vehicles are too heavy and impractical for the task at hand. So, the Army chose to develop a new, ultra-light troop transport vehicle.

The Infantry Squad Vehicle is an ultra-light tactical vehicle that carries nine passengers and their equipment. Its evolution was informed by Soldier touchpoint events.

“We are extremely proud of this program and what we’ve been able to achieve in a short period of time,” said Susan Fung, Portfolio Acquisition Executive Maneuver Ground’s mobile brigade combat team deputy project manager. “In this high-stakes environment of modern warfare, playing it completely safe is often the most dangerous thing a leader can do for decades.”

Fung explained that the team is intentionally trading the illusion of a risk-free acquisition process for the ability to use commercial products and iterating with continuous Soldier feedback through the Army’s Transformation in Contact program.

“Traditional defense acquisition has prioritized its bureaucratic processes and zero-defect mentality over speed, and while well-intentioned, that approach often meant our Soldiers had to wait quite a bit for critical capabilities to reach the field,” she said.

Exponential Growth

The Infantry Squad Vehicle program began in 2019, with a procurement objective of 649 vehicles. However, based on Soldier feedback and TIC experimentation, Fung said Soldiers told them what they truly needed.

“This led to an explosive growth driven entirely by operational demand,” she added.

The number of vehicles required increased to 900 in February 2021. It increased two more times and was set at 2,593. In April 2025, the service approved the ISV utility variant and increased the Army procurement objective, bringing the total to 5,733 vehicles across both variants, Fung explained.

“In February of 2026, the Army established the current position objective and procurement objective at 11,582 vehicles,” she said. “That shows you the increased objective based on Soldier demand, and that’s really equivalent to about an 18-fold increase from the original requirement. Not because of requirements creep, but really because Soldiers validated the capability in the combat training environments and demanded more.”

John Hufstedler, the product director for ground mobility vehicles at PAE Maneuver Ground, said that connecting with the system’s mission was critical during the development of the vehicle.

“Early on, the ISV succeeded by staying locked-in. A few key requirements were transportability, [but] mobility and payload and resisting requirements creep,” he said, adding Army senior leaders kept the vehicle’s mission in focus.

“Anytime somebody wanted to add a radio with encrypted keys or hang another piece of encrypted equipment off the platform, leadership just didn’t buy into it. And that allowed the vehicle to stay focused and true to its mission, so we didn’t have to leave a Soldier back with the vehicle. All nine could go execute the mission and objective,” Hufstedler said.

The traditional acquisition approach allows custom military specifications, extensive government testing and sequential milestone gates. Hufstedler explained that this process can take four to 10 years, often resulting in cost overruns and technological obsolescence.

Instead, he explained that the ISV took the rapid acquisition approach, using commercial off-the-shelf solutions and minimal military modifications. That approach resulted in the first unit being equipped within 24 months.

Transparency Aids Progress

Taking a more risk-positive approach to developing the ISV required somewhat of a culture change within PAE Maneuver Ground. Specifically, it required more direct, transparent communication.

Hufstedler believes that leading by example, empathy, listening, incorporating team feedback into decisions and a willingness to stand by those decisions as leaders were key. He added that providing team autonomy, while clearly defining boundaries and success criteria and transparency at all levels of communication, also contributed to their success.

Next-generation Variants

“With the ISV program, we prove[d] that calculated risk works,” Hufstedler said. “We keep going back to commerciality — I think that has helped us a lot — trusting our Soldiers’ judgment and moving at the speed of relevance; I think we’ve delivered that capability.”

The Army’s willingness to accept commercial standards as a starting point and make the Soldiers the primary evaluators of the equipment will be critical to the success of developing ISV variants, he noted.

Fung said the team is currently developing the ISV heavy variant. It will include enhanced onboard power generation and storage capability to support next-generation command and control equipment.

“Overall, the ISV program is a great example of our acquisition reform, which allows getting capabilities to the field faster, leveraging commercial technologies while staying agile and giving Soldiers what they really want,” she said.

For more information, visit the CPE Ground website.

JACQUELINE M. HAMES is an editor with Behind the Frontlines. She has 15 years of writing, editing and reporting experience with the federal government, and has a B.A. in creative writing from Christopher Newport University.

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

The US Army Marksmanship Unit’s Instructor Training Group: Strengthening Lethality Through Expert Instruction

Saturday, August 22nd, 2026

The Instructor Training Group (ITG) of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) is one of the Army’s most influential training assets. Based at Fort Benning, Georgia, the ITG delivers expert small-arms instruction to servicemembers across the force, ensuring marksmanship fundamentals, coaching skills and weapons proficiency remain at the highest possible standard.

Mission and Core Purpose The ITG’s mission is to increase small-arms lethality across the force by training servicemembers and developing instructors who can return to their units and elevate marksmanship programs. As part of USAMU’s broader training mission, the ITG provides:

• Mobile training teams that travel worldwide.

• Instructor development courses that teach Soldiers how to coach, evaluate and build sustainable marksmanship programs.

• Weapons-specific training aligned with Army doctrine and modernization efforts.

This dual focus—training shooters and training instructors—makes the ITG a force multiplier across the Army.

Training Methods and Curriculum ITG instruction blends data-driven training, doctrinal consistency and adaptable teaching methods. Training packages typically include:

• Baseline marksmanship assessments.

• Classroom instruction on preliminary marksmanship, ballistics, weapons familiarization, optics familiarization, shot analysis and coaching techniques.

• Hands-on weapons training with systems such as the M4, M17/M18 and emerging platforms like the M7/M8 rifle.

• Instructor development modules.

• Final evaluations measuring improvements in hit probability, consistency and proficiency.

The curriculum reinforces proven fundamentals while integrating modern optics, fire-control systems and Army lethality initiatives.

Verified Impact on Army Readiness Across its annual training cycle, the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit consistently delivers measurable improvements in small-arms proficiency—an impact strongly driven by the Instructor Training Group. On average, USAMU conducts about 80 training missions each year, providing advanced marksmanship instruction to more than 4,000 Soldiers.

One of the ITG’s greatest advantages—and a major selling point for commanders—is its ability to tailor every training mission to the unit’s specific needs. Commanders dictate the training intent, and ITG cadre build a customized program of instruction that focuses on the formation’s mission requirements, weapons systems and operational environment. Rather than selecting a preset course, units receive training built specifically around their mission parameters, ensuring relevance, efficiency and maximum lethality gains.

These tailored efforts produce significant, documented improvements in battlefield effectiveness. Servicemembers routinely achieve substantial increases in lethal-hit averages and overall marksmanship proficiency after completing an ITG training package, demonstrating the value of customized instruction delivered by expert cadre.

Together, these results highlight the ITG’s role as a critical contributor to Army readiness and small-arms modernization.

Reach Across the Army The ITG supports a wide range of Army organizations, including:

• Basic Combat Training and One Station Unit Training.

• ROTC Cadet Summer Training.

• Infantry and Armor Basic Officer Leader Courses.

• Maneuver Captain’s Career Course.

• National Guard and Reserve units.

• Partner-nation forces during joint training events.

• U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM).

• U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC).

ITG mobile training teams frequently travel to remote or resource-limited ranges, ensuring units across the Army receive expert instruction regardless of location.

Strategic Importance The Instructor Training Group is central to the Army’s long-term lethality strategy. By focusing on instructor development, the ITG ensures:

• Units maintain higher lethality long after training ends.

• Marksmanship doctrine remains standardized across the Army.

• New weapons and optics—such as the M7/M8 rifle and Next Generation Squad Weapon systems—are integrated effectively.

• Leaders at every level understand how to coach, evaluate and sustain marksmanship programs.

As small-arms proficiency becomes increasingly decisive in close combat, the ITG’s role is more vital than ever.

Contact The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s Instructor Training Group can be reached at AMU-ITG@army.mil.

Story by LTC Michelle Lunato

U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit

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

Department of War Confirms Modular Handgun System (MHS) is Safe and Reliable

Friday, August 21st, 2026

PICATINNY ARSENAL, NJ –

Despite public speculation and online misinformation regarding the pistol’s safety, Project Manager Soldier Lethality (PM SL), the Department of War’s official lead for the Modular Handgun System (MHS), confirms that there has never been a mechanically-caused accidental discharge. All investigated incidents of alleged “uncommanded discharges” have been traced back to the trigger being pulled.

Rigorous Testing and Safety by Design

The MHS, comprised of the M17 (full-size) and M18 (compact) 9mm striker-fired pistols, is a thoroughly tested, safe, and reliable weapon system for the modern Warfighter. Since the first systems were fielded to the 101st Airborne Division in 2017, the MHS has replaced the legacy M9 and M11 pistols and is now in service with over 400,000 pistols across the U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy.

The MHS was designed with four internal safety mechanisms (primary sear notch, secondary sear notch, striker safety lock, and a disconnector safety mechanism) and features an external ambidextrous manual safety, bringing the total number of safety mechanisms to five.

Before fielding, the MHS underwent extensive Production Verification Testing, where over 200 pistols fired more than 1.5 million rounds. This testing regimen included evaluations for reliability, durability, accuracy, rough handling, drop safety, and performance in extreme environmental conditions. Early in this process, engineering changes were implemented to address and rectify all initial drop-test concerns, and these updates were applied to every MHS pistol before it was fielded.

To ensure quality and safety during production, the government performs Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT) for each production lot. During LAT, Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Quality Assurance Representatives (QARs) randomly selects a statistically significant number of samples from each production lot to undergo LAT. If any weapon fails LAT, the entire lot is rejected. All lots of weapons produced to date have passed LAT prior to being fielded to warfighters.

Investigating Field Incidents

When a potential uncommanded discharge is reported in the field, the Army follows a stringent investigation protocol to determine the cause. According to the Army Safety Management Information System 2.0 (ASMIS 2.0), reported firearms mishaps account for less than 0.006% of all MHS pistols issued.

When a report is filed within ASMIS, the weapon is promptly shipped to the contractor in the same configuration as it was when the incident occurred. Once the weapon arrives at the contractor’s facility, the Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Small/Medium Caliber Weapons Branch Chief is notified. DCMA will have the contractor open the box to verify the serial number. After the serial number is verified, the weapon is escorted and secured under U.S. Government property control pending the investigator’s arrival. Once the investigator is present, the weapon is brought out of the property cage and the investigation begins.

The investigation process is meticulous:

Visual inspection of the weapon in its current state
Examination of the weapon to check all safeties, internal and external, are functioning correctly
The weapon is taken into the range where it is functionally tested with live ammunition. At least 1 (One) 21 round magazine is used to verify proper function of all safeties.
After the range, the weapon is moved back to the armorer’s bench where the striker operation is thoroughly tested
Finally, the weapon is broken down to each individual part to ensure all the parts look normal.
After this, the weapon is cleaned and returned to the original unit.

To date, all investigated incidents of alleged “uncommanded discharges” have been traced back to the trigger being pulled, and not due to an issue with the firearm. Investigators have been unable to induce a discharge without disengaging the manual safety and pulling the trigger.

Joint Service Confidence

Most recently, a review of the MHS was initiated after the Air Force reported a potential “uncommanded discharge” involving the tragic loss of an Airman. As the lead for the MHS program, PM SL immediately engaged with our Air Force partners to assist in developing and implementing a Supplemental Inspection Criteria (SIC) as a precautionary action to investigate the incident and validate the weapon’s integrity.

The USAF’s SIC effort mandated a 100% inspection of the DAF’s “in-use” M18 inventory. It is confirmed that of the nearly 114,000 pistols inspected to date, none exhibited any conditions that could have led to an uncommanded discharge.

PM SL is confident that the MHS pistol continues to meet and exceed that standard for the entire Joint Force. The DAF’s Director of Security Forces, Brig. Gen. Brian Filler, affirmed this, stating, “It can now be stated that the M18 is safe and reliable for DAF missions.”

By CPE Ground Army

Posted in Army, Guest Post, weapons | Comments Off on Department of War Confirms Modular Handgun System (MHS) is Safe and Reliable

Hanwha Wins US Army Mobile Tactical Cannon Contract

Thursday, August 20th, 2026

Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) announced that it has won a contract from the U.S. Army to deliver prototype K9 Mobile Howitzers (K9MH) for the Army’s new Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program. The agreement provides for the accelerated delivery of six prototype MTC systems, with an option for an additional 12. This award marks HDUSA’s first major contract with the U.S. Army.

HDUSA will provide a technically superior and rapidly fieldable 155 mm artillery system that supports the U.S. Army’s modernization and long-range precision fires objectives. With more than 2,500 K9 Howitzers already fielded globally, Hanwha is uniquely positioned to partner with the U.S. Department of War (DoW) to establish high-volume industrial capacity centered around the company’s wartime production ethos.

Hanwha’s phased-in localization strategy with domestic production and support means America’s defense industrial base will benefit from advanced manufacturing techniques, demonstrated technology, and good jobs. HDUSA is establishing a Phase I site in Opelika, Alabama, that will serve as the U.S. integration and test facility for Hanwha’s family of K9 Mobile Howitzers. HDUSA signed a three-year lease as part of the company’s strategic commitment to invest in the U.S. artillery system supply chain, enhance America’s combat vehicle industrial base, and serve as a long-term artillery modernization partner to the U.S. Army.

“We’re honored that the U.S. Army has selected Hanwha’s K9 Mobile Howitzer to fulfill its Mobile Tactical Cannon requirement. The K9MH is the total artillery solution and will be the centerpiece of Army Fires’ transformation into a more modern, more lethal force,” said Mike Smith, Hanwha Defense USA COO and President of Land Systems. “The U.S. Army’s selection is a testament to our track record of delivering devastating capability at speed, at scale, on cost, and onshore. As the wheeled variant of the K9, the K9MH provides an expansion path towards a tracked capability with designed-in margin for the future fight. And with such a capability, that fight will not be a fair one.”

Compatible with the Army’s full suite of munitions, the K9MH’s selection means the U.S. has now joined nearly a dozen allies who share a global industrial network and supply chain.

“Hanwha’s global supply chain and local production experience in Australia, Egypt, Poland, and Romania demonstrate a proven commitment to local execution we’re excited to bring to the U.S.,” said Michael Coulter, Hanwha Defense USA CEO. “Localization is central to Hanwha’s global business model, leveraging our global leading industrial technology and process in Korea to create sovereign industrial strength in the U.S., whether it be in shipbuilding, munitions, or combat vehicles.”

“This award reflects Hanwha’s enduring commitment to the United States and to strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base,” said Hanwha Group Chief Strategy Officer Alex Wong. “We are not simply delivering a system — we are building an American manufacturing enterprise, transferring technology, and creating a lasting foundation for broad industrial collaboration. Hanwha is invested in America for the long term.”

“We’re focused on creating a U.S.-anchored K9 Mobile Howitzer manufacturing network — with Opelika, Alabama, as the current Phase I launch point — that can deliver advanced Mobile Tactical Cannons at the speed and scale the U.S. Army needs,” said Jason Pak, Hanwha Defense USA Head of Land Systems-Artillery.

HDUSA will continue to evaluate future phases and locations as the company expands its U.S. artillery systems footprint and production capacity. The company is committed to engaging with suppliers and developing the workforce of the future necessary for long-term sustainment and technology insertion activities.

At a time when the U.S. is placing renewed focus on strengthening America’s defense industrial base, HDUSA believes its combination of mature capability and industrial commitment offers both near-term relevance and long-term value.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Press Release, weapons | No Comments »

The Army Azimuth

Thursday, August 20th, 2026

Since 1775, the United States Army has defended our republic and carried the torch of liberty through suffering and sacrifice. From the frozen Delaware at Trenton to the bluffs of Normandy, the jungles of Guadalcanal, and the winter hills of Chosin, American Soldiers faced enemies in brutal conditions and held the line. They answered the Nation’s call. One hundred and ninety campaign streamers fly from our Army flag, each testifying to the valor of our forebearers. Their legacy is ours to uphold.

Answering the Nation’s Call

The Army serves the Nation. We preserve peace and security, support our national objectives, and overcome any force whose aggression imperils us. Our strategic direction is clear:

Defend the Homeland. We secure our Nation’s borders, protect the American people against attack, and respond to domestic crises — these are our most sacred duties. A secure Western Hemisphere is a prerequisite for joint power projection.

Warfighting. America’s Army applies violence decisively on battlefields marked by unrelenting speed, precision lethality, and persistent observation. We dominate from the outset to control escalation, prevent prolonged war and counter enemies who employ stand-off weapons, including unmanned systems and WMD.

Project Power On and From the Land. The Army projects land power by generating combat credible formations, prepositioning capabilities where they matter most, and strengthening the capacity of our Allies and partners. The Army maintains units postured to respond immediately to crises and contingencies regionally and worldwide.

The Army is the Foundation of the Joint Force

The Army has aggressively pursued change to prepare for large scale combat operations. We shifted from brigade modularity to a force organized for multidomain operations at all echelons. We fielded long range precision fires that strike deep and sink ships at sea, evolved air defenses for skies saturated with unmanned systems, upgraded theater logistics, expanded terrestrial intelligence, and established new units integrating space, cyber, electronic warfare, and artificial intelligence into command and control.

The work of change continues. Today we emphasize the fundamentals of Soldiering, ensuring a strong grounding in warrior ethos, individual Soldier readiness, and small unit tactical skills. As the Army campaigns around the world, we turn our focus to operational readiness to achieve our central task: To be ready to fight and win the battles and wars of the Nation.

A ready Army is the foundation of the Joint Force, providing a range of capabilities that underpin joint operations and give our leaders immediate options. We employ four operational warfighting elements — convergence, strike, close battle, and endurance — to deliver joint all domain maneuver. We bind the regional land power networks of Allies and partners, offering distinct advantages for access and interoperability.

What Land Dominance Demands

U.S. Army forces must be prepared to overcome the most complex challenges our adversaries can impose and master an operational environment that looks fundamentally different from the battlefields of yesterday. To prepare for modern war, the Army will:

Embrace a Warrior Mindset. We possess the grit to endure hardship and the courage to act honorably. Our Soldiers and Civilians uphold high standards and seek continuous development. Leaders at all echelons see Soldiers as the decisive advantage and prioritize training mission essential tasks.

Outpace our Adversaries. We learn, innovate, and adapt faster by pairing our human ingenuity and judgment with advanced technologies like autonomy and artificial intelligence. Our professional military educational institutions teach the essence of warfighting, and our combat training centers validate readiness through crucibles designed to replicate the challenge of combat. Experience, reflection, and accountability propel our force to excellence.

Gain Positional Advantage. We gain positional advantage through posture that comes in many forms: from forward basing to campaigning to stockpiling supplies. We continually reinforce forward areas, harden lines of communication, and exploit opportunities.

The next war will not look like our last. Yet there are timeless truths in war. The battlefield does not forgive weakness. Land combat in the modern era will demand every ounce of rigor, endurance, and courage we possess. Every shortcut in training and lapse in discipline will be paid for in blood.

This is the Army we must be: disciplined, lethal, and relentless — an Army that closes with and destroys the enemy, leaving no doubt about the will and power of the United States. As it has for more than 251 years, our Army will stand ready to fight, and win — whenever and wherever the Nation calls.

This We’ll Defend!

Christopher C. LaNeve
40th Vice Chief of Staff
General, United States Army

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | No Comments »

KATUSA: 76 Years of “We Go Together”

Thursday, August 20th, 2026

August 15 is recognized as the birthday of the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army Soldier program, or KATUSA. The program was created only weeks after the Korean War ignited, and to this day KATUSAs continue to serve side-by-side with Eighth Army Soldiers providing priceless support and friendship.

The Korean War began June 25, 1950. Roughly three weeks later the KATUSA program was initiated July 15 by an informal agreement between the Honorable Syngman Rhee, president of the Republic of Korea, and General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, commander in chief, United Nations Command.

During the first two months of the war, the Republic of Korea Army had been destroyed as a fighting force and the U.S. Army was significantly understrength and had been “compressed” into the Pusan perimeter by North Korean forces, as described in an official Army report. Replacements and fighting men were in desperate need.

The concept of the KATUSA program was to augment the U.S. forces. In the beginning most KATUSAs were recruited directly off the streets of Pusan, now spelled Busan. After a basic training period, KATUSA Soldiers were sent to combat units serving as infantrymen. The first KATUSAs reached U.S. Army units by mid-August 1950.

They were issued U.S. supplies, but were paid by and remained administered under the Republic of Korea Army. Throughout the Korean War, up to a maximum of 23,000 KATUSAs served at any one time, according to the Army.

After the 1953 armistice, KATUSA Soldiers remained with U.S. Army units to receive training not readily available in the ROKA and to enhance U.S. Army in Korea’s mission capability.

Since 1950, the KATUSA Soldier Program has been ongoing with only periodic strength adjustments dictated by requirements. Originally, KATUSA Soldiers were returned to the ROKA after serving with the U.S. Army. Since 1968, however, KATUSA Soldiers remain with Eighth Army until their service commitments are completed. The ROKA Support Group was established May 11, 1965 at the request of the Eighth Army commander to administer the KATUSA Soldier program.

Today, young South Korean men planning to conduct their mandatory military service obligation can apply to become a KATUSA if they have a command of the English language and if positions are available.

Eighth Army has stated the KATUSA program increases the ROK-U.S. combined defense capability on the Korean peninsula. The program is also significant not only because of the military manpower and monetary savings that it provides to the U.S. Army, but also because it puts a face on the ROK-U.S. alliance and the combined commitment to deter war.

The KATUSA program is the very essence of one of Eighth Army’s favorite phrases, “katchi kapshida,” — “we go together.”

Information for this article provided by Eighth Army and these sources:

“Integration of ROK Soldiers into US Army Units (KATUSA)” (U.S. Army)

“The KATUSA Experiment” by David Curtis Skaggs (excerpt)

By Kenji Thuloweit

Posted in Admin, Army, Cold War, Guest Post, History, International | Comments Off on KATUSA: 76 Years of “We Go Together”

BLADE’s Hunter WOLF Robotic UGV Scheduled for Evaluation with the 82nd Airborne Division (TiC)

Tuesday, August 18th, 2026

Third Army training event demonstrates Hunter WOLF adaptability and utility across diverse mission requirementsFREDERICKSBURG, Va., Aug. 17, 2026 — The U.S. Army is expanding the evaluation of the Hunter WOLF unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) from HDT Robotics, LLC dba BLADE, through a Transition in Contact (TiC) event with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Polk, Louisiana. The training and evaluation is taking place August 20, 2026.

The Hunter WOLF from BLADE (formerly HDT) continues to prove its maturity with TiC event with the 82nd Airborne.

The Hunter WOLF is a robotic multi-mission ground vehicle designed to reduce the physical burden on soldiers. With a payload capacity of up to 2,800 lbs, it supports logistics and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) missions while helping to solve the military’s “last tactical mile” of supply challenge. By carrying critical equipment, supplies, and personnel, it extends operational duration, keeps soldiers in the field longer, reduces fatigue, and allows them to operate at safer distances. Built specifically for dismounted military operations, it delivers mobility, payload, and power in a compact system engineered to perform in demanding environments where commercial vehicles fail.

The training event will provide hands-on experience for soldiers from one of the Army’s premier rapid-response units. Known as the “All-American” Division, the 82nd Airborne can deploy worldwide within 18 hours and specializes in parachute assault and other key military operations.

“No two Army units operate the same way,” said Tom Van Doren, President of Robotics, BLADE. “The value of these evaluations is seeing how the Hunter WOLF supports different mission sets, environments, and operational priorities. Every event helps validate the flexibility of the platform and identify new ways it can reduce workload and help keep soldiers out of harm’s way.”

During the training, soldiers will operate and evaluate the Hunter WOLF in real-world scenarios, gaining experience in system operation and mission integration. The vehicles will be configured to support a variety of mission requirements, including communications, logistics, casualty evacuation, mobile power generation, and equipment transport.

Specifically, configurations include:

Two Vehicle-mounted Tactical Radios (AN/VRC-158)
Autonomy
Five Universal Battery Chargers (UBC)
Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC)
15kW Mobile Power Export (120/240VAC inverter offload)
Extended Cargo Rails for Equipment Transport

“The 82nd Airborne brings a unique operational perspective centered on agility, mobility, and rapid deployment,” said John Conway, VP of Business Development, Robotics, BLADE. “Training units like this help demonstrate how the Hunter WOLF can integrate into light / mobile infantry operations while delivering the support soldiers need to stay focused on the warfighting mission.”

This event follows previous Hunter WOLF training and evaluation activities conducted with U.S. Army units earlier this year, including the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, and the 101st Airborne Division. Collectively, these engagements are providing valuable soldier feedback while demonstrating the platform’s adaptability across multiple mission requirements and operational environments.

www.hdtglobal.com

Posted in Army, Contracts, Press Release, Robotics | No Comments »