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Commemorate National POW Day on 19 September at the Airborne and Special Operational Museum in Fayetteville

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024

To commemorate National POW MIA Recognition Day, join us at the ASOM on September 19 for a Lindsay Lecture Series event with MSGT Lawrence “Bud” Wilson, who was a prisoner of war during the Korean War for two years.

MSGT Wilson’s Story

MSGT Lawrence “Bud” Wilson was an Army medic during the Korean War. On May 18, 1951, his team was surrounded, and life changed for him on that day.

“There was nowhere to run. I thought that was the end of me,” Wilson said.

He was taken as a prisoner of war by Chinese forces. For the next two years, four months and 18 days, he lost his freedom. And the captivity was hard.

“The first thing you came down with was diarrhea. The next thing was head lice and body lice,” Wilson described.

He and the other POWs lost almost a third of their weight while they were confined. They also came under fire.

But Wilson managed to survive the ordeal. Learn more about his time in captivity by joining us on the eve of National POW/MIA Day at the ASOM.

Posted in Guest Post, History, Profession of Arms | Comments Off on Commemorate National POW Day on 19 September at the Airborne and Special Operational Museum in Fayetteville

Employing Military Working Dogs in Large-Scale Combat Operations

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024

SECTION 1

Introduction

“As they approached a grass-covered hut, a machine gun opened fire. The hut was, in fact, a camouflaged bunker. Chips (military working dog [MWD]) quickly escaped Rowell’s (handler) control and made a beeline for the bunker. Within seconds, the machine gun fell silent and an Italian soldier tumbled out with Chips chomping at his throat and arms. In short order, three others exited the bunker with arms raised. Chips was lightly wounded in the incident, suffering powder burns and several cuts.”

—Seth Paltzer, THE DOGS OF WAR: THE U.S. ARMY’S USE OF CANINES IN WWII[1]

From 13 to 18 May 2024, an analyst from CALL’s Corps and Division Branch (CDB) attended the 2024 U.S. Army Military Working Dog Leadership and Training Symposium. The analyst observed military initiatives for MWD support to large-scale combat operations (LSCO) at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, MI.

The symposium demonstrated the value MWDs contribute during LSCO, especially by providing Soldiers stand-off during detection and clearing tasks. Also, of note, many MWD programs especially, those in which MWDs perform tasks untethered to the handler, require long-term investment to train and groom MWDs to work in challenging operational environments.

During the symposium, MWDs demonstrated their capability sets, which are unique from any other instrument of war, through a broad range of scenario-based training events, such as search, tracking, detection, and bite techniques. The analyst also interviewed MWD experts from U.S. and allied partners to identify lessons learned from ongoing conflicts and gaps that exist within the U.S. Army MWD program in the context of LSCO.

SECTION 2

Key Symposium Takeaways

Canines have been useful to military organizations since their domestication. Few, if any, instruments of war have the successful track record and longevity of MWDs. They remain effective in a variety of environments, including dense vegetation, subterranean complexes, and trench networks. Even in the current operational environment, there are many situations in which MWDs outperform drones and conventional equipment. Unlike machines, MWDs make decisions, use intuition, and think outside of the realm of algorithmic predictions. This is a unique aspect to their employment in detection, search, attack, and reconnaissance roles. See figures 1, 2, and 3.

Figure 1. An MWD negotiates a tunnel at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea.[2]

Figure 2. An Army MWD receives its protective equipment before training at Al Asad Airbase, Iraq.[3]

Figure 3. An MWD is zip-lined in rolling jungle terrain with the handler in tow.[4]

The U.S. Army has adapted MWDs for the challenging environments of each conflict it has fought in, ranging from LSCO in WWII to counterinsurgency in the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Army MWDs must adapt for 21st-Century LSCO. This will require experimentation, investment, and training for MWDs to aid U.S. Soldiers in their fight against a peer adversary in challenging environments.

SECTION 3

Ongoing Conflict Observations

Israel-Hamas Conflict. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have employed MWDs at a large scale since their counterattack against Hamas and invasion of Gazan territories in 2023. The IDF MWD attrition rate has averaged several dozen per week in their employment roles of detection and assault. This has led to significant IDF investment in MWDs to sustain such attrition.[5] Current IDF replacement rates will likely create shortages in the long term. The U.S. acquires MWDs from many of the same suppliers as the IDF, Chinese, British, and others while producing few domestically. The rate of procurement and attrition of MWDs by the IDF is likely going to impact the world market and the U.S. Army’s ability to procure MWDs.[6]

The IDF have primarily employed MWDs to clear the pervasive subterranean environments in Gaza while limiting risk to their Soldiers. MWDs require familiarization with subterranean environments from a young age to be effective in those conditions. Changes in air flow, sound echoes, temperatures, confined spaces, and low light reduce MWD detection and cognition abilities without familiarization.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict.[7] Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have used MWDs in many situations. MWDs have been used in rear areas and the close fight to achieve effects that cannot be accomplished by drones or other equipment. The AFU primarily employs their MWDs in unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO) detection roles while maintaining stand-off distance with a handler.

Since February 2022, the AFU has detected vast numbers of UXO using MWDs in rubbled urban environments and captured trenches.[8] Metal pollution from shrapnel and other debris have required them to use MWDs in addition to standard detection equipment. MWDs are more effective than detection equipment because of high metal pollution from shrapnel. The U.S. Army can expect similar mine-clearing requirements during LSCO.

Russian tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) have evolved to rigging positions with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and booby traps before abandoning them to inflict casualties on the pursuing Ukrainian forces. MWD capability has enabled the AFU to clear these positions rapidly and to occupy them to consolidate territorial gains while preserving human life.

SECTION 4

U.S. Army Military Working Dog Gaps

Combat Training Center Involvement. The U.S. Army is currently transforming into an organization focused on fighting in large-scale conflicts against peer and near-peer adversaries. The U.S. Army uses combat training centers (CTCs) as venues for experimentation and adaptation during the shift away from counterinsurgency-focused warfighting. Two of the seven key tasks assigned to the CTC Program in Army Regulation (AR) 350-50, Combat Training Center Program, 2 May 2018, are to —

Provide a data source for lessons learned to improve doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, and policy (DOTMLPF-P) in preparation for unified land operations.
Embed the most recent TTPs from current operations in theater to better prepare follow-on units.[9]

MWDs have had minimal involvement at the CTCs since 2022. The National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, CA, is the only CTC that has resident MWD handlers (military occupational specialty [MOS] 31K) assigned as observer coach/trainers (OC/Ts) and has only hosted three MWDs since 2022.[10] This has created several shortfalls. Current doctrine does not address the role of MWDs in LSCO.[11] Maneuver commanders are unfamiliar with their doctrinal employment. These two impacts have created integration gaps for MWDs in LSCO-focused training and operations.[12]

CTCs provide a realistic training environment to observe MWD’s integration into unit operations. To generate lessons for LSCO, MWD participation at the CTCs should increase. This can be accomplished by adding MWD capabilities to the CTC troop lists outlined in U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) Regulation 350-50-1, Training at the National Training Center, 29 October 2018.

“Off-Leash” Capability. A patrol explosive detector dog-enhanced (PEDD-E) is an MWD trained to operate off leash. The PEDD-E enables the handler to employ MWDs in the roles of detection, attack, and reconnaissance while maintaining distance from the search area. The value of this during LSCO when operating in unknown environments cannot be overstated for the preservation of human life while enabling maneuver.

The U.S. Army maintains additional MWD capabilities that have retained their funding. These capabilities each require the handler to employ MWDs “on leash.” This reduces MWD agility, flexibility, and the ability to preserve human life. The on-leash capability is not recommended for LSCO.

Scenarios where MWD capability is most valued during LSCO are near the forward line of own troops (FLOT). The off-leash PEDD-Es, when employed in environments such as rubbled urban structures, subterranean networks, and trench clearing, can identify and neutralize threats, inform U.S. personnel, and preserve human life.

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) stopped funding the PEDD-E course in fiscal year 2024. Consequently, the Army will exhaust its inventory of off-leash trained MWDs between 2030 and 2032. The re-establishment of a PEDD-E training program and procurement of MWDs, training, and certification to restore this capability would likely range between two and three years.

SECTION 5

Conclusion

MWDs have consistently proven their value over centuries of evolving warfare. The United States and others have continuously adapted the employment tactics and training methodologies to tailor MWDs to the current operational environment. Drones and other detection and sensing technologies will continue to evolve. The ability to counteract and deny these technologies will also evolve. MWDs can operate in technologically nonpermissive environments and outperform technology in many situations.

AFU and IDF experiences demonstrate the value off-leash MWDs provide to maneuver forces during LSCO. The U.S. Army should consider these recent experiences and leverage resources like the CTCs to refine TTPs being employed by AFU and IDF partners. The U.S. Army may also want to reconsider funding levels for the program, considering the lead times required to train off- leash MWDs.

SECTION 6

Endnotes

1. Paltzer, Seth, THE DOGS OF WAR: THE U.S. ARMY’S USE OF CANINES IN WWII, The Army Historical Foundation, https://armyhistory.org/the-dogs-of-war-the-u-s-armys-use-of-canines-in-wwii/.

2. Photo by SRA Ashley L. Gardner, U.S. Air Force, www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/706335/ mwd-train-to-keep-paws-on-the-ground.

3. Photo by SPC Derek Mustard, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, www.dvidshub.net/image/6231629/military-working-dogs-wear-protective-equipment-live-fire-exercise.

4. Photo provided by the U.S. Army MWD Program, www.facebook.com/photo/.

5. In-person interview with an operations officer from the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, British Army, 16 May 2024.

6. Ibid.

7. Ibid.

8. Ibid.

9. AR 350-50, Combat Training Center Program, 2 May 2018, page 2, armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN8650_AR350_50_Final.pdf.

10. SFC Phillip Ventimiglia, NTC 31K OC/T, in-person interview, 14 May 2024.

11. Army Techniques Publication (ATP) 3-39.34, Military Working Dogs, 19 May 2022, armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_d/ARN35094-ATP_3-39.34-000-WEB-1. (common access card [CAC] required)

12. SFC Phillip Ventimiglia, NTC 31K OC/T, in-person interview, 14 May 2024.

By CPT Alexander Spook, CPT James Campbell, Center for Army Lessons Learned

Posted in Army, Guest Post, K9 | 2 Comments »

Army Begins Cognitive Testing at Initial Entry Training

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024

WASHINGTON — The Army has begun baseline cognitive assessments during Initial Entry Training, and all services will follow in the coming months, officials say.

The Army is taking a multipronged approach to reduce brain health risks, including improved awareness through a Force Health Protection Information Campaign; expanded brain health monitoring; identification of blast overpressure protective measures; tracking and monitoring blast exposure; and developing a comprehensive strategy to enhance and advance the science and medical care for brain injuries, said Col. Jama Vanhorne-Sealy, who oversees the Occupational Health Directive, Force Health Protection in the Office of the Surgeon General.

Fort Sill, Oklahoma, home of the United States Army Field Artillery School, was the first Army Initial Entry Training location to establish permanent cognitive testing, with all services scheduled to roll out the testing at all entry training locations by the end of 2024.

In addition, Army personnel will be evaluated at least every three years after initial screening, which can help identify any unusual cognitive change, Vanhorne-Sealy said. Early detection allows for early intervention to restore or enhance cognition, should it be necessary, she said.

A long-standing cognitive assessment program that began in 2007 has shifted from a pre-deployment and injury-centric model to a regular cognitive monitoring program, which means military health authorities can better help Soldiers throughout their career, said the Chief of Neurocognitive Assessment in the Office of the Army Surgeon General, Dr. Steven J. Porter.

The Cognitive Monitoring Program, much like the Army’s ongoing hearing testing, is a screening tool to assess for cognitive change in soldiers.

Cognitive assessment means documenting the way an individual thinks, reasons and remembers.

“Without ongoing testing, changes to a Soldier’s thought processes may not be evident until an event that could put both the Service Member or their unit in jeopardy,” Porter said.

Since June 2007, more than 3.4 million assessments have been collected, processed, and stored at the Neurocognitive Assessment Branch Data Repository at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, to aid in treatment and track recovery after a concussive or suspected concussive event, Porter said. The testing identifies cognitive changes to help inform a Soldiers need for medical care, rest and recovery. Early identification can help avert further potential injury.

Vanhorne-Sealy said over time, advancements in understanding of brain functionality have led to improved testing, expanding the program to better evaluate areas of the brain potentially impacted by blast overpressure.

Blast overpressure is the sharp rise in atmospheric pressure from an explosive or firing of a weapon causing shockwave, traveling faster than the speed of sound. Blast overpressure exposure occurs when someone is close enough to physically feel the shockwave.

In a report by the House Committee on Appropriations regarding the Department of Defense Appropriation Bill of 2021, the Committee asked the Department of Defense to develop a cost analysis plan for conducting traumatic brain injury baseline testing for all new recruits.

Currently, a medical provider may request a Soldier’s cognitive baseline from the repository if it needed for treatment planning and tracking recovery. CMP authorities are working to develop a system to directly upload the test data to the Soldier’s medical record.

The CMP assessment tool is an FDA-approved medical device, and all test records are privileged information.

By Jonathan Austin, Army News Service

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | Comments Off on Army Begins Cognitive Testing at Initial Entry Training

Army Family Takes on New Meaning for Soldier Reunited with Biological Father Also Training at Fort Leonard Wood

Monday, September 2nd, 2024

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — When Pfc. Brayden Sumare’s bus pulled into Fort Leonard Wood, nothing could have prepared him for the twist of fate that awaited him just inside the doors of the 43rd Adjutant General Reception Battalion.

The 18 year old graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in the summer of 2023, between his junior and senior years of high school. He arrived at Fort Leonard Wood in July, to complete his initial entry training.

Sumare, a native of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, said he arrived at Fort Leonard Wood at about 3 a.m., and there was something oddly familiar about his bay leader, a trainee everybody called “Pops” — he exchanged a few lingering glances with him — but didn’t think much about it.

“The next day, I was laying down in my bunk as the bay leader was walking around getting all the new people’s names for the roster,” Sumare said. “When he got to me, he asked my last name, and I said ‘Sumare.’ And then he asked, ‘Brayden Hunter Sumare?’”

Sumare said he was bewildered and returned the man’s question with another question, “How did you know that?”

According to Sumare, he was “shocked” at the man’s response of — “I’m William Reeves” — his biological father.

Pfc. William Reeves said he will never forget the moment he realized he was looking into the eyes of his biological son.

“It was unbelievable,” Reeves said. “What are the chances we both joined the Army and were at Fort Leonard Wood at the same time for our training?”

Sumare said he thought they didn’t recognize each other because they both looked very different than when they met for the first, and only, time about four years ago.

“When I met him, he had long hair and a full beard. When I saw him at reception, he had a buzzed haircut and was cleanly shaven,” Sumare said.

To add to the unbelievable happenstance, Reeves said he had been nicknamed “Pops” before Sumare even arrived on post.

“I’m almost 40; I have life experience. My peers lean on me for that. They started calling me Pops and it stuck,” Reeves said.

Amanda Sumare, Brayden’s mother, said when Brayden called her to let her know he made it to Fort Leonard Wood and tell her Reeves was also there, she was awestruck, and it took her a minute to wrap her head around the coincidence.

“I was so very shocked. It is the craziest thing ever,” Amanda said.

Reeves, from Poteau, Oklahoma, said he and Brayden’s mother were young when they found out she was pregnant.

“It was unexpected. We did a DNA test when he was born, and he was mine. Our lives had gone in different directions and Brayden’s mother was living in Wyoming, engaged to the man who eventually became Brayden’s adopted father,” Reeves said. “I supported him financially but decided I didn’t want to be too involved and upset Brayden’s solid family unit.”

The two spent several days together at Fort Leonard Wood’s reception battalion, waiting to go to their separate training units.

“Over the next few days, as I watched him interact with other people, I saw familiar mannerisms. It was like looking in a mirror,” Reeves said. “I got to learn a lot from him, and I think that is really cool.”

Since Brayden had already attended BCT and earned the title of Soldier, Reeves said Brayden was able to help the new trainees at the reception battalion prepare for it.

“Brayden taught me how to Ranger roll my uniform. And not just me, he showed us all how. He also showed us what to pack before we left for our units and what to buy from the Exchange when we got a chance. I enjoyed watching him lead others. I am proud of Brayden. He has a bright future,” Reeves said.

According to Brayden, running into his biological father was, “one of those weird life things,” and he was glad he was there to help Reeves prepare for basic training and wish him well.

“I got to tell him goodbye, good luck and give him a hug,” Brayden said. “I think it is awesome that he joined.”

Amanda said she is impressed by both of them and their desire to serve.

“The Army is a good fit for Brayden because he isn’t one to just sit back and watch the world go by. He wants to be involved. He has a strong love and passion for our military and always has. He has so much potential. I am very proud to be his mama,” Amanda said. “I’m also proud of William for stepping up to serve our country. I wish him the best future.”

Brayden is in the middle of six weeks of advanced individual training, with Company C, 58th Transportation Battalion, learning the military occupational specialty of 88M Motor Transport Operator. Reeves is with Company D, 35th Engineer Battalion, for 14 weeks of one station unit training to become a 12C Bridge Crewmember.

“My fingers are crossed I may be able to attend his graduation next month,” Reeves said. “I like to joke — I am going to build the Army’s bridges, and he is going to drive his truck over it.”

By Melissa Buckley, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office

Posted in Army, Guest Post | Comments Off on Army Family Takes on New Meaning for Soldier Reunited with Biological Father Also Training at Fort Leonard Wood

101st Airborne Division Conducts Historic Air Assault Mission

Monday, September 2nd, 2024

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. –On Aug. 28, 2024, more than 3000 Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team “STRIKE”, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) finished their second rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in eight months. However, the beginning of the exercise was transformative and historic. The 2MBCT conducted a “large-scale, long-range” air assault (L2A2) operation consisting of 80 aircrafts, across three states, flying from Fort Campbell, Ky. to Fort Johnson, La. Aug. 13-17.

After traveling for over 500 miles, including stops at six forward arming and refueling points (FARPs), scattered over multiple southern states, the 2MBCT arrived at JRTC..

The movement method was not a typical way a brigade travels to “The Box”, but a way that was reminiscent to the founding of the 101st. Traditionally, units move by ground to Fort Johnson, spend several days preparing before entering the combat scenario. The Strike Brigade moved by air-to-ground into simulated-contested landing zones. Thus began a two-week bout with the well-known opposing forces “Geronimo,” 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment.

“The legacy that we have, dating all the way back to World War II when we were an Airborne Division fighting in Europe,” said U.S. Army Col. Travis McIntosh, the deputy commanding officer for support for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) “Your 101st Airborne Division now is Air Mobile–it’s Air Assault, we have a number of helicopters. That’s how we fight in this division and we’re demonstrating that from Kentucky and Tennessee all the way down to Louisiana.”

This was much more than an aviation mission. On Aug. 13, troops and equipment from across the Division began their movement from Fort Campbell to FARP s across Mississippi and Louisiana. The sites, far from a simple pit stop along the operational path, provided vital sustainment for the troops and helicopters along the way.

“Our birds [aircraft] are able to come in get fueled, get armed and continue the fight,” said 1st Lt. James Tate, a quartermaster officer with Echo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. “We can puddle hop across and get the birds further over a shorter period of time.”

The ability to send an entire brigade into an enemy area of operations further and faster is not the only aspect that allows this type of exercise to succeed – it also needs to be done at night.

“We conduct all our operations under a period of darkness,” said Tate. “We like the birds to get in, receive their fuel, get armed and off of our pads within 12 to 15 minutes.”

The quick turnaround represents a massive amount of coordination from within the division but training like this is only made possible by the support of the local communities, airports, and National Guard locations who hosted the FARPs.

“We are overwhelmed by the support from the community,” said McIntosh. “From law enforcement to the elected and appointed officials, airport management, emergency services, Louisiana National Guard, support has really poured on to the 101st Airborne Division here and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

The Soldiers of the Strike Brigade descended into JRTC for their training in an auxiliary manner as the Army continues to modernize, innovate and transform its warfighting capabilities. The L2A2 displays the combat power of today with 101st, just as airborne paratroopers did in World War II. The 101st doesn’t just keep older ways of combat entry relevant but to make those unique abilities the future of combat operations.

“We’re experimenting on some of the most modern equipment that the Army has fielded and we’re looking forward to providing that feedback to the Army,” said McIntosh. “We’re demonstrating the capability that’s only seen in the 101st Airborne Division and that’s long-range air assault.”

By SSG Kaden Pitt

Posted in Army, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

Combined SOF Training During Ulchi Freedom Shield 24

Sunday, September 1st, 2024

Multi-domain operations, Joint and combined forces planning together, special reconnaissance across various terrains, and enhanced readiness, just a typical day at Special Operations Command, Korea.

Recently U.S. Army Green Berets from the 1st Special Forces Group – Airborne, ROK Special Warfare Command, and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit aviators completed a joint training exercise during the first week of Ulchi Freedom Shield 24, demonstrating their ability to plan and conduct operations across a variety of domains. The combined training included night-time land navigation, special reconnaissance, simulated air strikes during terminal guidance operations training, and joint partner missions over several days and nights in the Korean mountainous terrain.

Even rain from a passing a typhoon didn’t stop the training, fortifying the integrated deterrence posture and response capabilities of our combined forces.

UFS 24 reinforces the role of the alliance as a cornerstone for regional peace and security, reaffirming the ironclad commitment between the United States and the Republic of Korea to defend their homelands.

– Courtesy of SOCKOR

Posted in Guest Post, International, SOF | 1 Comment »

USAMMDA Commercial Partner Receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization for Plasma Powder

Saturday, August 31st, 2024

FORT DETRICK, Md. — A U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity commercial partner received Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the Department of Defense to use octaplasLG Powder — a potentially lifesaving treatment option for blood replacement therapies in certain operational circumstances. Notice of the EUA for this product was received by the company, Octapharma USA, on Aug. 8, 2024.

USAMMDA’s Warfighter Protection and Acute Care Project Management Office, which has a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Octapharma USA, manages research and development efforts for several blood products, including Freeze-Dried Plasma, for the DoD. The EUA for octaplasLG Powder is a significant milestone in WPAC’s development mission, which includes blood replacement therapies for emergent care use during military operations and training.

“The WPAC team played a vital role in assisting our commercial partner under the CRADA, helping them navigate the EUA approval request and process to give our Warfighters another tool in their aid bag in far-forward environments,” said Kendra Lawrence, Ph.D., WPAC’s program manager. “While the octaplasLG Powder is not intended to replace current FDA-approved blood replacement therapies during emergency treatment, it does give medical commands and frontline providers added capabilities when facing possible shortages of traditional blood plasma in austere locations across the world.”

The EUA authorizes U.S. military medical commands to begin procuring octaplasLG Powder (blood types A and AB) and allows military medical personnel and other authorized providers to administer the lifesaving therapy to treat hemorrhage or coagulopathy when no other FDA-approved treatments, like fresh frozen plasma, are available — or when the use of traditional plasma is not practical in a compressed time continuum during military operations.

Blood loss is a significant threat to U.S. service members during combat operations and training, and treating hemorrhage or coagulopathy is imperative to saving the lives of the wounded and injured until medevac to higher echelons of care is arranged. Logistical and supply lines during future conflicts may stretch hundreds or thousands of miles, possibly causing shortages of FDA-approved blood products at and near the point of injury. Therapies like octaplasLG Powder are designed to serve as a stopgap when whole blood, fresh frozen plasma, or liquid plasma are in short supply, according to U.S. Army Maj. Andrea Mountney, WPAC’s military deputy project manager.

“During combat operations, whether in the Arctic, the Indo-Pacific, or other regions of interest, we will be facing the dual challenges of time and distance due to the austerity of those operating environments,” said Mountney. “Each passing second after a Service member is wounded or injured increases the complications caused by combat trauma. The longer it takes to begin blood replacement therapy, the higher the chances of mortality.

The WPAC team provides solutions for capability gaps, working with stakeholders across the DoD, academia, and industry to develop treatments that are affordable, reliable, and expeditionary,” she added. “Our goal is to meet the needs of the customer—the Joint Service end-user who may one day need these life-saving treatments. Solutions like octaplasLG Powder go a long way to equip our medical providers with the tools needed to treat the Warfighter during future operations.”

USAMMDA develops, delivers, and fields critical drugs, vaccines, biologics, devices, and medical support equipment to protect and preserve the lives of Warfighters across the globe. USAMMDA Project Managers guide the development of medical products for the U.S. Army Medical Department, other U.S. military services, the Joint Staff, the Defense Health Agency, and the U.S. Special Forces community. The process takes promising technology from the Department of Defense, industry, and academia to U.S. Forces, from the testing required for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval or licensing to fielding and sustainment of the finished product. USAMMDA Project Management Offices will transition to a Program Executive Office under the Defense Health Agency, Deputy Assistant Director for Acquisition and Sustainment.

No official endorsement of third parties or their products is made or inferred.

Read the FDA’s announcement

By T.T. Parish

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Medical | Comments Off on USAMMDA Commercial Partner Receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization for Plasma Powder

FirstSpear Friday Focus: FS Silkies Restock

Friday, August 30th, 2024

Attention! The FirstSpear Silkies are back in stock, and this is not a drill. Whether you’re running a PT test or making a tactical snack run, these legendary shorts will have you feeling like a lean, mean, freedom-loving machine. With a cut so high they’d make a 1980s gym coach blush, these beauties guarantee maximum ventilation, freedom of movement, and just enough leg exposure to give your CO a minor heart attack. Wear them with pride, whether you’re at the gym or just flexing your quads in the cereal aisle.

And let’s be honest, if Chuck Norris was issued a standard-issue uniform, it would be these Silkies. Pair them with a deployment beard that screams “I just survived 90 days in the field,” and some aviators that reflect both the sun and your unstoppable confidence. You’ll be drawing more attention than an officer at an enlisted party.

• These shorts feature an elastic waistband and no drawstring for a comfortable, high-performance fit and feel
• Brief style liner in these shorts provide additional support and helps prevent chafing
• PT shorts feature a short inseam for optimal athletic capability
• Made of durable, moisture-wicking 100% nylon material that will help keep you cool and dry while you sweat
• Feature an inner waistband pocket for storing a key or money while exercising
• Available in Black & Ranger Green with the FirstSpear Logo in S, M, L, XL, 2XL

Embrace the short shorts life and get ’em before they’re gone. No Returns — Sorry friends, these are too snug—if you buy them and try them, we can’t resell it.

Visit FirstSpear to find American Made kit and accessories, Built For The X.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Warrior Athlete | Comments Off on FirstSpear Friday Focus: FS Silkies Restock