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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – Surrounded by the dense jungle of Oahu’s mountains, members of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 132nd Security Forces Squadron embraced sweat, slope and strain during their annual training in August—pushing beyond routine drills to sharpen skills essential for battlefield readiness and leadership development.
From before sunrise ruck marches to live-fire ranges echoing with the rhythm of the M240 Bravo machine gun, each day of training held a clear intent: prepare tomorrow’s defenders to take the lead.
“The goal wasn’t just to get reps in,” said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Eaton, who oversaw portions of the squadron’s field training. “My intent going into annual training was to challenge the younger guys not just physically, but mentally. I wanted to pass down the knowledge I’ve gained to help them grow, because one day I won’t be there to guide them.”
Eaton added, “This was about showing them the way, giving them space to learn, and letting them succeed whether through failure or success.”
The 132nd Security Forces Squadron conducted its training on and around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, including a grueling land navigation course hosted by the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division near Schofield Barracks. The terrain, characterized by thick vegetation, wet clay and steep elevation changes, forced the Defenders to apply classroom concepts in real-world conditions.
“Finding points in a textbook is one thing,” said Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Phipps. “But locating them through a jungle filled with false trails and obstacles is where you find out if your team can really execute.”
The unit focused heavily on fieldcraft and proficiency in small-unit tactics; squad patrol operations; basic team leader procedures, or TLPs; and sustainment training on heavy weapons systems. The M240 Bravo machine gun, often crew-served and mounted, became a key tool for reinforcing fire team coordination under stress.
Each training lane was built upon the next. Patrol formations led to ambush drills. Route planning flowed into tactical communications. TLPs became second nature under the guidance of experienced noncommissioned officers such as Phipps and Eaton, who made it a personal mission to invest in the Airmen behind him.
When not in the field, the unit engaged in structured classroom instruction followed by hands-on application. Whether reviewing the plotted points or practicing pace counts for land navigation, each lesson was tested by noncommissioned officers.
Some mornings started with loaded rucks down humid mountain trails. Others began in the classroom and ended with bounding movements. The variability kept the Airmen focused and the purpose clear.
2nd Lt. Mike Ploeger, a 132nd Security Forces officer, was satisfied with the training during the two weeks.
“This annual training for security forces highlighted a growing emphasis on integrated base defense, infantry-style tactics and readiness for near-peer threats,” Ploeger said. “Sharpening our members’ abilities shifting with the career field toward more agile, multi-capable and strategically minded defenders.”
For the 132nd Security Forces Squadron, annual training in Hawaii became more than a requirement—it was a proving ground. That proving ground was where junior Airmen learned to read a map by terrain, not screen; where leadership meant setting the pace on the ruck march, not barking orders; and where knowledge passed down might one day save lives.
By SSgt John Johnson, Iowa Air National Guard
Origins and Development
The clicker, formally known as the ‘cricket’, was developed to counteract the challenges of operating in low-visibility conditions, particularly during airborne drops behind enemy lines. The idea was simple yet ingenious—create an audible signal that Allied soldiers could easily use to identify one another without revealing their position to the enemy. The cricket was an inconspicuous, compact device, resembling a small, metal pocket-sized container with a lever that produced a distinct clicking sound. Its design allowed for quick operation—just a light flick of the finger yielded a sound that could travel several yards, depending on the terrain and conditions.
The Man Behind the Clicker
The cricket was popularized by the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Division, during the D-Day operations in Normandy. Soldiers were trained to use the clicker to establish contact with fellow paratroopers in the dark chaos after jumping from planes. Major Richard Winters, who commanded Easy Company, famously employed the clickers in his strategic operations. His regiment, featured in the book and television series “Band of Brothers,” highlighted the crucial role the cricket played in navigating post-drop confusion.
The Sound of Survival
During the intense nights following the D-Day drop on June 6, 1944, the air was filled with the sounds of war—artillery fire, distant explosions, and the muffled chatter of troops. Amid this cacophony, the click of the cricket became a lifeline, allowing soldiers to identify allies in a sea of shadows. Each click was more than a sound; it was a coded message that signaled, “I’m friendly—where are you?” Simplicity was the clicker’s most significant advantage. Unlike radios, which could fail due to interference or battery depletion, the cricket worked without any power source and was remarkably easy to use under stress. It allowed soldiers to communicate discreetly and efficiently, minimizing the risk of detection from enemy forces.
Tactical Implementation
The use of clickers was not just random; it was part of a broader set of tactical signals that airborne soldiers utilized in conjunction with other means of communication. Soldiers were trained to recognize specific click patterns; one click might mean “good to go,” while a series of clicks could indicate a request for support or urgent assistance. This method of communication was particularly vital during crucial moments, such as consolidating troops after a drop and planning subsequent maneuvers in enemy territory. The ability to quickly identify fellow soldiers was instrumental in U.S. troops’ efforts to regroup and execute their mission, especially in the chaotic aftermath of airborne operations.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Although crickets fell out of use after World War II, their impact on military strategy and communication methods can still be felt today. The lessons learned from utilizing simple tools like the clicker have influenced modern military protocols concerning communication during covert operations. In pop culture, references to the cricket have appeared as symbols of camaraderie, remembrance, and the relentless spirit of the U.S. soldiers who came before us. They serve as a reminder of the ingenuity and resilience of individuals who fought under dire circumstances. The clickers used by U.S. Army airborne soldiers during World War II may seem like a minor tool in the vast arsenal of warfare. Yet, their contribution to the success of numerous operations is undeniable. They embodied the spirit of adaptability and innovation among soldiers who faced extraordinary challenges. In the annals of military history, the clicker remains a testament to the power of simple solutions in complex battles. This small device played a significant role in the fight for freedom.
This article on the military history of the Cricket Clicker was submitted by Black Hills Designs who offers them for sale as well as a mount for a rifle or a pouch for your load bearing gear.
WASHINGTON — The Army highlighted its commitment to innovation, readiness and partnership during the Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition October 14.
Secretary of the Army the Honorable Dan Driscoll announced the launch of The Janus Program, a next-generation nuclear power program designed to provide resilient, secure and reliable energy, strengthening warfighter readiness and combat lethality.
The Army is serving as the executive agent on The Janus Program, fulfilling President Trump’s Executive Order to advance nuclear technologies for national security by 2028. This program will ensure nuclear energy is a decisive advantage for the U.S. Army.
“This is about warfighting power,” said Secretary Driscoll, “Project Janus ensures our warfighters can train, deploy, and fight with the certainty that power will never be the limiting factor in victory.”
Modern combat depends on reliable energy sources to conduct global operations. The Janus Program will provide critical power to our installations and their communication networks, weapons systems, and command nodes. Janus is designed to prevent installation and mission vulnerability to grid instability, natural disasters, or adversarial attacks.
The program will field nuclear microreactors capable of operating independently of the civilian power grid, ensuring uninterrupted power for forces in any environment through collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE). By leveraging its nuclear regulatory authorities in partnership with the DOE, the Army will move forward with microreactors that are safe, resilient, and adaptable.
“Drawing on my experiences leading Project Pele, I will be personally overseeing Project Janus to ensure we deliver the safest, most resilient, and most effective nuclear energy program possible,” said Jeff Waksman, Ph.D., Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. “This effort will directly underpin readiness, lethality, and the warfighter ethos – providing warfighters with reliable power in any environment, at any time.”
The Army partnered with the Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit to bring this microreactor technology to the force quickly and efficiently. The Army will further provide technical oversight and facilitate the uranium fuel cycle and nuclear supply chain.
“The Janus Program is a strategic leap forward in American energy dominance,” said Hon. Emil Michael, Acting Director of the Defense Innovation Unit. “By fusing the Army’s operational might with DIU’s innovation engine, we’re delivering resilient energy to the warfighter. Together, the Army and DIU are driving a domestic nuclear industry that will strengthen U.S. energy security.”
The Janus Program will give Soldiers the necessary edge in contested battlespaces by ensuring reliable uninterrupted, independent energy is available at all times. It will fuel installation resilience, power mission assurance, and guarantee warfighter dominance – ensuring the Joint Force remain the most lethal and ready force in the world.
SGT Woodlyne Escarne
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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, in coordination with Defense Innovation Unit, successfully completed the C-UAS fire control solution competition, selecting Anduril as the winner.
This result represents a critical step in identifying and integrating the most effective fire control solutions to counter the rapidly evolving threat of unmanned aircraft systems. “This competition allowed us to rigorously evaluate innovative technologies in a realistic operational environment, ensuring our Soldiers have the tools they need to maintain air superiority,” said Lt. Col. Adam Samiof, Product Manager, PdM C-UAS.
The Army will continue working closely with Anduril to refine and integrate this cutting-edge technology into its C-UAS architecture, ensuring the highest level of protection for our warfighters.
By Darrell Ames
PRISM is launching their PR-SDHT1 Hybrid Top in Meteorite. Utilizing MMI SAM2 stretch nylon featuring Hydrophobic capabilities as the base material, while a contrast mesh is purposefully paneled and gusseted for better body mobility and breathability.
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