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JIATF-401 Leads a New Era in Counter-SUAS Defense

Friday, October 30th, 2026

The Joint Interagency Task Force 401 is leading the Department of War’s efforts to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving threat posed by small unmanned aircraft systems. As adversaries continue to expand their use of low-cost, highly adaptable drones for surveillance, disruption and attack, the DoW is transforming how it acquires technology, fields capabilities and integrates operations across the counter-UAS enterprise.

Established in August 2025, JIATF-401 serves as a centralized organization focused on rapidly delivering C-UAS capabilities while improving the policies, standards, partnerships and training needed to meet an increasingly evolving threat environment. By bringing together stakeholders across government, industry and the joint force, the task force is helping create a more integrated approach to homeland defense and warfighter readiness.

JIATF-401 AND THE NEED FOR A UNIFIED COUNTER-SUAS APPROACH

The establishment of JIATF-401 reflected a growing recognition that traditional processes were not designed to keep pace with the speed at which drone threats are evolving. sUAS have become increasingly accessible, adaptable and difficult to counter, creating new challenges for military operations, homeland security and critical infrastructure protection. Over the past year, JIATF-401 has focused on closing the gap between operational needs and fielded solutions.

According to JIATF-401 Rapid Acquisition Chief U.S. Army Col. Tony Lindh, “Over the past 12 months, JIATF-401 worked to translate operational requirements into fielded capabilities while improving the policies, standards, training and partnerships needed to build a more integrated C-UAS enterprise.”

That effort extends beyond technology alone. By bringing together organizations across the DoW, the federal government and private industry, the task force has focused on one central objective — rapidly delivering C-UAS capabilities to warfighters at home and abroad.

The results have been felt across multiple mission areas.

“In our first year, these efforts produced results across the C-UAS mission, strengthening homeland defense, improving joint force readiness and increasing warfighter lethality while laying the groundwork for faster and more effective responses to an evolving threat,” Lindh said.

The task force’s establishment reflects a strategic shift away from fragmented efforts toward a unified approach that can quickly identify capability gaps, streamline technology adoption and ensure operational units receive the tools they need at the speed of relevance. By placing authorities, resources and decision-making under one coordinated structure, the Department aims to break down silos, reduce redundancy and accelerate the pace at which counter?sUAS capabilities are developed and deployed.

A MULTI?AGENCY TEAM DRIVING TRANSFORMATION

One of the defining characteristics of JIATF-401 is its integrated organizational structure. Rather than approaching the drone threat through separate organizations operating independently, the task force was built to bring together expertise from across the military and federal government under a common mission.

“JIATF-401 was established as a jointly manned organization composed of Department of War personnel drawn from across the military services, with embedded interagency expertise,” Lindh explained. “To ensure a broader whole-of-government approach, the task force incorporates embedded subject matter experts from other federal departments and agencies to align with the C-sUAS mission.”

These subject matter experts represent federal partners such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Federal Aviation Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Department of Homeland Security; Department of State; Department of Transportation; Federal Communications Commission; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; and U.S. Secret Service.

The result is a team capable of addressing operational, technical, acquisition and policy challenges while maintaining unity of effort across the broader C-UAS enterprise.

NEW PROCESSES DESIGNED FOR SPEED AND ADAPTABILITY

At the heart of JIATF-401’s mission is the recognition that countering rapidly evolving drone threats requires faster and more adaptable processes than those traditionally used to acquire and field capabilities.

According to Lindh, “JIATF-401 utilizes unique procurement and acquisition authorities to bypass traditional timelines and deliver C-UAS capabilities at the speed of relevance.”

A key component of that effort, he said, is drones.mil, a first-of-its-kind centralized marketplace that aggregates demand and streamlines pathways to procurement. This allows authorized users across the joint force, the interagency, as well as allies and partners, to rapidly acquire validated, tested technologies.

The task force has also helped reshape how C-UAS operations are approached in the field.

“Operationally, JIATF-401 has transitioned from traditional air defense mindset of single systems providing near-perfect defense towards a layered ‘systems-of-systems’ approach,” Lindh explained.

That shift reflects a broader understanding that countering drone threats requires more than a single technology or platform.

“There is no silver bullet technology that will solve the drone problem,” Lindh said. “We need the right people, policy, permissions and training to build a layered defense against the threat of drones.”

To support that layered approach, JIATF-401 has focused on eliminating barriers to integration across the C-UAS enterprise.

In support of this ‘system-of-system’ approach, Lindh said the task force has eliminated the reliance on stove-piped systems by establishing an enterprise-wide agreement for a common tactical user interface and advanced standardized data protocols.

“This open architecture ensures plug-and-play interoperability, allowing sensors and effectors to rapidly integrate and share threat data,” he said. “These updates provide tailored, layered defenses to help warfighters and homeland security personnel adapt as sUAS threats continue to evolve.”

TESTING, FIELDING AND PREPARING FOR FUTURE CHALLENGES

Keeping pace with the threat requires more than rapidly acquiring technologies. It also requires continuous testing, evaluation and refinement to ensure new capabilities remain effective in a changing operational environment.

To that end, “JIATF-401 is rapidly delivering and testing C-UAS capabilities in multiple theaters,” Lindh said. “These updated operational capabilities and processes are evaluated in battle labs, during joint exercises and alongside partners and allies.”

The insights gained through those activities help inform both current capability development and long-term planning efforts. Looking ahead, the task force remains focused on building systems that can adapt as drone technologies continue to evolve.

“To plan for continually evolving drone threat, JIATF-401 is advancing software-defined, hardware-enabled systems that can be updated over the air, while establishing standard test guidelines and an enterprise-wide agreement for a common tactical user interface,” he said.

At the same time, JIATF-401 is leveraging acquisition reform to strengthen the broader industrial base supporting the mission.

Through our first-of-its-kind C-UAS marketplace, accessible on drones.mil, Lindh said we are “aggregating demand to expand the industrial base, lower costs and ensure U.S. and allied forces can rapidly procure vetted, interoperable capabilities at the speed of the evolving threat.”

Together, these efforts are positioning the DoW to anticipate emerging challenges rather than simply reacting to them.

WORKFORCE AND TRAINING FOR A MODERN C-SUAS MISSION

Technology remains a critical part of the C-UAS mission, but JIATF-401 emphasizes that success depends equally on trained personnel, effective policies and strong partnerships. Lindh explained that JIATF-401 works closely with industry, academia and across the military to help expand the definition of C-UAS capability beyond hardware.

Recognizing the importance of education and professional development, the organization has invested in training initiatives designed to expand expertise across the joint force.

“To ensure education and training is available, JIATF-401 assumed oversight of the Joint Counter-UAS University at Fort Sill and developed a Train-the-Trainer model to expand C-UAS expertise across the joint force,” he said.

Additionally, the task force has strengthened collaboration with interagency partners responsible for C-UAS training and knowledge sharing.

“We have also expanded our partnership with the FBI National Counter-UAS Training Center, where JIATF-401 personnel are embedded to support instruction, and share lessons learned with our interagency partners,” Lindh said. The NCUTC is the nation’s first dedicated federal hub for training law enforcement and security professionals to detect, assess and counter unlawful drone activity.

These efforts are helping build a workforce capable of supporting a layered defense against increasingly sophisticated drone threats, while ensuring lessons learned are shared across the broader C-UAS community.

One year after its establishment, JIATF-401 continues to reshape the Department of War’s approach to the C-UAS mission by accelerating capability delivery, strengthening interoperability and bringing together military, interagency and industry partners under a more integrated framework.

Through innovative acquisition pathways, enterprise-wide standards and a layered system-of-systems approach, the task force is helping close the gap between emerging threats and operational capabilities. Its efforts span acquisition, testing, training and partnership development, all aimed at delivering effective C-UAS solutions at the speed of relevance.

As drone technology continues to evolve, JIATF-401 is helping ensure the DoW remains prepared to meet today’s challenges while building the agility and adaptability needed to address the threats of tomorrow.

For more information, visit War.gov or go to CUAS.mil to learn more about the C-UAS marketplace.

For the latest Army Acquisition news and information, visit and subscribe to Behind the Frontlines.

By Cheryl Marino for Behind the Frontlines

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

Hands-On Experiment: User Experimentation Accelerates Technology Adoption

Thursday, October 29th, 2026

In 2025, the Department of War (DoW) articulated delivering at speed as a top priority. Putting technology and capabilities into the hands of warfighters as fast as possible, when they need it, even ahead of need, can help warfighters maintain lethality and overmatch adversaries on the battlefield. Along with fielding the equipment faster, it must also be adopted and willingly used by warfighters for it to be effective. Sometimes adoption can be a bigger hurdle than clearing the process to fielding. Warfighters may opt out of using some equipment because it is not mission operable. It could be too heavy, counterintuitive, or there could just be an easier way to get the job done.

To overcome those challenges, the Portfolio Management Executive for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (PME CBRND) is bringing together scientists and engineers who are developing systems to interact with and observe warfighters in relevant operational scenarios using actual equipment—a process commonly known as experimentation— to identify areas of improvement and develop equipment that suits warfighters’ needs. This partnership has been successful in speeding up the acquisition process and ensuring technology adoption.

“To accelerate timelines, we have to get technology in front of the warfighter as early as possible,” said Jerrett Davis, deputy joint product lead for the Joint Project Manager for CBRN Special Operations Forces (JPM CBRN SOF). “Through experimentation, we can host demonstrations where our user groups evaluate and down-select from a range of S&T, government, and commercial equipment. This process provides a validated starting point that ensures the capability we build is not only adopted but is also delivered at the speed of relevance.”

Both experimentation and demonstrations are critical to ensuring that warfighters have a voice in the acquisition process. Experimentation increases knowledge in a specific domain, while demonstrations present and confirm what is already known. Experimentation identifies specific areas of uncertainty, custom designs and conducts experiments to address that uncertainty, whereas with demonstrations, the uncertainty has already been resolved.

“Experimentation and demonstrations are an important part of the process within the special operations community because they can be flexible and move faster given the urgency of the mission. Now we’re trying to expand experimentation efforts and spread the knowledge of how to incorporate it into non-SOCOM [Special Operations Command] programs,” said Osa Penny, director of strategic stakeholder engagements for PME CBRND.

Traditional acquisition is a regimented, sequential process that flows from requirements to science & technology to testing, acquisition and ultimately fielding. Although the user receives the final product in the end, they are not always intertwined in the process. Sometimes this results in a capability that is no longer relevant; or it may be difficult to use, unwieldy to hold; or a host of other issues that could have been adjusted if the user was able to provide early and consistent input. Experimentation maintains the traditional sequence but puts feedback and warfighter touchpoints at the center of the process, allowing for direct feedback and suggestions.

Experimentation exercises are designed using relevant warfighter operational concepts. During these exercises, PME CBRND engineers and their technology developers observe warfighters using the systems in various scenarios, actively capturing data and feedback for consideration into system refinements.

Recognizing the utility of experimentation in the development process, PME CBRND and its partners at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) created a space to conduct experimentation outside of formal exercises called the Foundry.

The Foundry is an established collection of functions and services designed to build, integrate, and assess potential capability sets for rapid delivery. It provides an opportunity for technical and operational evaluation to assess technical viability, interoperability, operational relevance and implementation factors. The current CBRN defense enterprise Foundry is located at DEVCOM CBC at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

“If we can secure service member buy-in ahead of Milestone B [the decision point where Service leadership decides if a product is mature enough to move forward into development], we can ensure resources are not wasted on developing a capability that will never be used during operations,” said Joshua Liles, assistant program manager, JPM CBRN SOF.

Liles leads several experimentation efforts with USSOCOM. He said that many of the methods SOCOM uses to speed up acquisition can be applied to non-SOCOM programs, but doing so requires thinking outside of the box and a willingness to pursue the ‘art of the possible.’

“There are many mechanisms available to support flexible agile acquisition, and some program managers are just not aware of them,” said Liles. “Many were trained to think of things in one way, but today in 2026, we have options. If PMs can think more along the lines of ‘what if we could?’ and then seek ways to accomplish it rather than trying to fit their program into a predetermined model, we can expand the possibilities and see unconventional solutions.” Some of those mechanisms include Title 10, Section 4023, Other Transactional Agreements, and rapid prototyping opportunities, all of which could pave the way for incorporating experimentation into the process earlier.

In 2026, a team working on handheld detectors successfully used Title 10, Section 4023 (a dedicated legal authority that allows the military to rapidly purchase or acquire emerging technologies and prototypes for testing and experimentation), bypassing the standard, lengthy federal procurement process to accelerate innovation to purchase commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) detector systems to use for warfighter experimentation during the 2026 Dragon Shield Exercise.

The team first investigated if there were any relevant commercially available systems submitted by vendors through the Joint Enterprise Technology Tool, the CBRN defense enterprise’s industry connector. When a few looked promising and fit within the requirements, the purchase was made under Title 10, Section 4023. They then created scenarios where warfighters tested the systems in would-be operational environments. Based on the feedback provided at that event, the team down selected two viable systems that will be further adapted and modified when the program officially starts in FY27. Starting the program with systems they know users will like and use allows system developers to focus on refinement using warfighter data points to help clear Milestone decisions faster.

In FY27, PME CBRND and its Joint Project Managers intend to have increased presence at experimentation events to include programs that support military communities beyond special operations forces. With a cross functional team that meets frequently to discuss logistics, strategy, and constantly keeps an eye on COTS technologies that are available for experimentation events, PME CBRND plans to get technology in the hands of warfighters as early as possible to learn, iterate and field.

By Kelly Burkhalter

Posted in Army, CBRNE, Guest Post, SOF | No Comments »

US Army Launches Project Gatekeeper to Accelerate Commercial Software Adoption, Streamline Cybersecurity Accreditation

Wednesday, October 28th, 2026

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army’s Office of the Chief Information Officer launched Project Gatekeeper on Oct. 23, a DevSecOps platform and security evaluation sandbox designed to transform how the service tests, accredits and deploys commercial software.

Project Gatekeeper, which comes online this afternoon, draws its authorization framework from the Army’s DevSecOps Platform, which provides a dedicated commercial-facing relay into the Army’s non-classified internet protocol router network ecosystem. The platform serves as a prescreening software assurance capability that enables commercial developers to submit code and containerized applications into isolated testing environments, providing automated security feedback and risk assessments in near-real time.

“The concept behind Project Gatekeeper is to set industry up for success to engage with the Army rapidly and securely,” said Gabe Chiulli, acting Army chief information officer. “Historically, companies had to navigate disparate, ad-hoc mechanisms simply to get their code evaluated. Project Gatekeeperreplaces operational bottlenecks with an automated, commercial-friendly intake pipeline that cuts evaluation cycles from months down to minutes while safeguarding our network perimeter.”

For years, commercial software providers – particularly non-traditional defense vendors and small technology startups – faced significant friction when navigating the Army’s cybersecurity accreditation process. Obtaining an authority to operate, known as an ATO, or military sponsorship, often required existing defense contracts, common access card credentials and approval timelines stretching from six to eight months or longer.

Using state-of-the-art security tooling, Project Gatekeeper conducts comprehensive automated code scans, identifies vulnerabilities, verifies compliance guardrails and provides commercial engineers with immediate remediation guidance. Rather than burdening software vendors with manual documentation, the platform’s automated pipelines generate standardized compliance artifacts and evidence dossiers needed by authorizing officials to make fast, risk-informed ATO determinations.

Vendor code runs in secure, containerized enclaves that prevent unauthorized exposure to operational data while allowing authentic testing against Army enterprise standards. Shortly after release, through super intelligence, known as SI, integration, the platform will also begin leveraging frontier security models from SI partners to strengthen existing security tools, provide aggregated security reporting and help prioritize remediation efforts.

Access to Project Gatekeeper is currently available to vendors with a Department of War common access card. Public access will become available soon through Login.gov, a secure gateway that enables authentication and vetting of personnel who are accessing the DevSecOps platform from the commercial internet.

Project Gatekeeper aligns with broader Department of War initiatives to maintain technological overmatch through agile acquisition and continuous software delivery. By bridging commercial innovation with mission-critical security standards, the platform ensures warfighters operate with modern, dependable digital tools.

“Our warfighters are digital natives who expect modern software capabilities to support their mission,” Chiulli added. “Project Gatekeeper establishes the automated foundation required to scale with the speed of commercial technology, ensuring our troops receive cutting-edge tools safely and without unnecessary administrative delays.”

Commercial technology firms and software developers interested in using Project Gatekeeper can access the platform here.

The Army’s Office of the Chief Information Officer leads the digital modernization of the U.S. Army, delivering global, modern and resilient information technology architectures, cybersecurity and cloud capabilities to enable multi-domain and joint force operations worldwide.

By U.S. Army Public Affairs

Posted in Admin, Army, C5ISR, Guest Post | No Comments »

Generational Food Changes Optimize Warfighter Performance

Tuesday, October 27th, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Army continues to make big strides in modernizing how it feeds Soldiers across its installations.

Army leaders outlined the Army food ecosystem at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting during a panel on warfighter performance optimization, detailing how initiatives like Campus Style Dining Venues (CSDV), Flexible Eating and Expanded Dining (FEED) and partnerships are bringing generational change.

“We are evolving the Army’s food program from a 20th century chow hall to a modern 21st century network that’s part of a larger food ecosystem on all of our installations,” said Jay Condrey, acting Army Materiel Command G-4. “It’s not just something we are doing out of convenience. It’s about quality of life. It’s about community, and at the end of the day, most importantly, it’s about warfighter readiness.”

Central to this effort is a deliberate shift to separate garrison dining operations from tactical field feeding, ensuring Soldiers receive balanced nutrition while military culinary specialists sharpen their combat readiness. What makes this shift possible is the ability for the Army to partner with commercial food service providers.

“Bringing in a commercial partner to focus solely on garrison feeding absolutely reduces that burden of Tactical Field Feeding Specialist redundancies inside of a brick-and-mortar facility,” said Sgt. Maj. Damarco Wyatt, AMC G-4 sergeant major. “Now what you have is more opportunity for field feeding proficiency and concentration on equipment as we prepare for large-scale combat operations.”

One example of partnering with industry is the CSDV initiative. CSDVs feature varied daily menus curated by professional chefs, a registered dietitian, grab-and-go choices, lounge areas with couches, Ping-Pong and foosball tables, mounted flat-screen televisions and free Wi-Fi. Compass Group USA currently manages the first wave of campus-style dining facilities, located at Forts Hood, Carson, Drum and Bragg, with Fort Stewart coming in 2027 with additional expansions at these sites in the works.

The venues allow meal-card holders to swipe their Common Access Cards and use meal entitlements. While Soldiers on meal cards is a primary audience, families and other patrons are welcome to purchase meals à la carte.

“For the past 29 years, we’ve never seen a highchair inside of a dining facility,” said Wyatt. “That captures that moment where we’re allowing family members to actually come inside of the facility. They can eat with their Soldiers. That’s where the community comes back, because first impressions are long-lasting.”

This approach has driven a sharp rise in meal service. For example, looking at the same facilities a year apart, Fort Hood has seen an increase of more than 312% meals served. Fort Carson and Fort Drum are seeing increases of 385% and 534% respectively.

“Soldiers are voting with their feet,” said Sydney Smith, director of supply policy for the Department of the Army G-4. “The contractors are innovating because they want the foot traffic. They only get paid when our Soldiers go there to eat. It incentivizes them to make sure that it’s well done.”

While the CSDV initiative is the Army’s flagship effort, the service is providing Soldiers with even more options. Starting with Fort Stewart, Georgia, the Army launched the FEED program which enables meal-card holders on essential station messing to use their meal entitlements at select Army & Air Force Exchange Service restaurants, including Qdoba, Starbucks and Subway, with plans to expand to Morale Welfare and Recreation and Defense Commissary Agency locations.

To safeguard nutritional standards, Army dietitians work directly with vendors to configure menus based on the military’s traffic-light nutritional framework. Participating eateries are limited to “green” and “amber” categorized foods, such as lean, high-protein options, fresh produce and whole grains. “Red” designated items are excluded from entitlement purchases.

“About a third of the Soldiers at Fort Stewart are using the AAFES locations for their meals or at least a portion of their meals now,” Smith said. “Overall, the feedback has been great, plus we know they’re getting nutritious food.”

With these new efforts, Army leaders acknowledged that broad implementation faces logistical hurdles, including infrastructure reinvestment for aging facilities, flexible contracting mechanisms and sustained funding.

The Army is also coordinating with the Office of the Secretary of War to establish cross-service guidelines and IT interoperability, enabling service members from the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard to use dining entitlements interchangeably at joint installations.

“As we begin to roll out the CSDVs, everybody’s asking, ‘Hey, when can I have one?'” Wyatt said. “We’ll ensure that we have a deliberate plan to roll these out accordingly.”

By Samantha Tyler

Posted in Army, Field Gourmet, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

Thin Air Gear Introduces the G5 Olympus Deployment Bag

Monday, October 26th, 2026

The original. The only. Built exclusively by Thin Air Gear™ for nearly 20 years.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – October 26, 2026 – When somebody copies your product, it’s a compliment. At Thin Air Gear LLC™, we take it as one. We also take it as a reason to say this plainly: if it doesn’t carry the Thin Air Gear™ logo, it isn’t an Olympus™.

Ruckable: carry it on your back when wheels can’t go

Today Thin Air Gear™ announces the G5 Olympus™ Deployment Bag, the newest generation of the bag that service members, units and mission planners have trusted for nearly two decades.

ONE COMPANY. ONE OLYMPUS™.

Thin Air Gear™ is the only company that has ever designed, engineered or manufactured the Olympus™ bag. No other company has ever been licensed to build it. Every genuine Olympus™ ever fielded came off a Thin Air Gear™ production line, built to our design, our specifications and our standards.

Retractable heavy-duty 14″ telescoping handle

That matters, because copycats are out there. Lookalike bags, some sold under similar-sounding names, have appeared on the market. Some copy the shape. Some copy the color. Some copy the layout down to the stitch. None of them is an Olympus™, and none of them is built by Thin Air Gear™.

THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE BAG ON THE MARKET

Since Thin Air Gear™? first put the Olympus™ into the field, it has become the most recognizable Wheeled Loadout Bag™ in the military and government market. Units ask for it by name because they know what it delivers: a bag that survives deployments, airfield ramps, conex boxes and years of hard use, and comes home ready to go again.

That reputation wasn’t built overnight. It was built over nearly 20 years of feedback from the field, continuous improvement, and a refusal to cut corners on materials or construction. For nearly 20 years, no other bag has delivered the same quality, and no other company has built the Olympus™.

Expandable from 6,750 to 9,000 cubic inches

Hangable, with three Velcro shelves

INTRODUCING THE G5

The G5 Olympus™ builds on everything that made previous generations the standard:

• Expandable, wheelable, ruckable

• Unexpanded 30″ x 15″ x 15″ (6,750 cu. in.)

• Expanded 40″ x 15″ x 15″ (9,000 cu. in.)

• Patented 4″ Shark Wheels, dual ball bearing, 200 lb load capacity

• Retractable composite HD 14″ metal telescoping handle

• ABS frame system with 360° closed-cell foam protection

• 1000D Cordura fabric with ballistic back

• TEK69 twisted filament thread, double stitched and bartacked

• YKK #10 zippers

• Top opening 12″ access flap

• 3 shelves with top 360° Velcro

• 3 inside storage pockets, 3-D aerospace mesh

• Front document pocket, 4 x 6 marking window, ID insert

• 9″ cloth pull and hanging handle

• Available in Berry Amendment and TAA compliant versions

• TSA compliant · Limited lifetime warranty

PART NUMBERS

Patented 4″ Shark Wheels, rated to 200 lbs

Top access flap: reach your gear without unpacking

HOW TO KNOW IT’S A GENUINE OLYMPUS™

• Look for the logo. Every authentic Olympus™ carries the Thin Air Gear™ logo. No logo, no Olympus™.

• One manufacturer. Thin Air Gear™ is the only company that has ever built the Olympus™. No other company is, or has ever been, licensed to make it.

• Watch the name. Lookalike bags are being offered under similar-sounding names. A similar name is not the same bag.

• Order it right. When buying through government channels, specify a genuine Thin Air Gear™ Olympus™ by our part number (OLY-G5-), manufactured by Thin Air Gear LLC™.

• When in doubt, ask us. Contact Thin Air Gear™ directly and we will verify it.

“When somebody copies your product, it’s a compliment. It means you built something worth copying,” said Anthony Gonzalez, Vice President of Sales at Thin Air Gear™. “But our customers deserve to know what they’re getting. Thin Air Gear™ is the only company that has ever built the Olympus™, and no one else is licensed to make it. If you find one without our logo, it isn’t ours. Accept no substitutes.”

thinairgear.com

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Load Carrying | 2 Comments »

BFG Monday: Four Steps to Not Shoot the Wrong Guy: Safer Armed Movement Around Teammates and Civilians

Monday, October 26th, 2026

Armed movement isn’t only about getting where you need to go. It’s about getting there without putting a teammate or civilian on the wrong side of the muzzle.

In military and law enforcement environments, teammates, civilians, and potential threats may occupy the same space. Attention naturally gets pulled toward what is happening ahead. That makes muzzle awareness and recognition of the people nearby essential.

A simple four-step sequence helps professionals move safely around others while maintaining control of the firearm:

Carry. Look. Move. Ready.

Step 1: Carry

Before moving, transition the firearm into a high- or low-carry position.

The order matters. The muzzle should be directed safely before the first step is taken, not corrected after movement has already begun.

This becomes especially important when moving around a vehicle, passing through a doorway, or working alongside a teammate. The environment can change quickly, and the people around you may move without warning.

Establish control before you move.

Step 2: Look

Once the firearm is in a carry position, look.

Target fixation can narrow your awareness of everything happening nearby. Deliberately identify the people around you and recognize where teammates and civilians are positioned.

Looking is more than turning your head. It means seeing who is there and accounting for their position before moving through the space.

Don’t assume the path is clear. Confirm it.

Step 3: Move

Once the firearm is controlled and you have identified the people around you, move until you’re on line with your partner.

Being on line means occupying approximately the same lateral plane rather than moving significantly ahead of or remaining behind your partner.

Spacing matters. Being on line doesn’t mean standing shoulder to shoulder. Your partner may need to advance, retreat, or move laterally. Crowding their space can interfere with their ability to react and move.

Account for where your partner is, where you need to go, and where both of you may need to move next.

Step 4: Ready

Once you’ve moved into position, come to a ready position or come on target as circumstances require.

These are different outcomes, and the situation determines which is appropriate. What matters is that you have identified the people around you and moved into the proper position before bringing the firearm back into a working position.

Complete the movement deliberately. Then come to ready or on target as the situation requires.

Four Steps. One Repeatable Process.

The process is simple by design:

Carry. Look. Move. Ready.

These four deliberate steps create a repeatable sequence between deciding to move and returning the firearm to a working position.

When teammates or civilians may be only a few feet away, the fundamentals matter. Control the firearm. Identify who is around you. Move with purpose. Finish in the position the situation demands.

The goal isn’t simply to move efficiently with a firearm.

It’s to make sure everyone who shouldn’t get shot doesn’t.

Watch “How to Avoid Shooting the Wrong Person: 4 Key Steps”to see the complete armed-movement sequence demonstrated.

Train deliberately. Move with purpose. Stay ready.

Explore purpose-built gear designed to support the way you train, work, and move at Blue Force Gear.

Safety Notice: This content is provided for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional firearms training, applicable laws, agency policies, or established safety procedures. Firearms should always be handled in accordance with applicable safety rules and training.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Holsters | No Comments »

Brave Rifles Return: 3rd Cavalry Regiment Uncases Colors, Reinforces Readiness in Korea

Monday, October 26th, 2026

CAMP HOVEY, Republic of Korea — The 3rd Cavalry Regiment, known as the “Brave Rifles,” officially marked the beginning of its mission as the 18th Korea Rotational Force (KRF 18) during an uncasing ceremony at Hovey Field, Camp Hovey, Oct. 16, 2026.

The ceremony signified more than the regiment’s arrival on the Korean Peninsula. It marked the return of a combat formation charged with strengthening the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division’s (2ID/RUCD) readiness, reinforcing the ROK-U.S. Alliance and maintaining the combat power necessary to deter aggression and defend the Republic of Korea.

The uncasing of the regimental colors, a time-honored military tradition, symbolizes the unit’s arrival and assumption of its mission. For the Brave Rifles, it also represents the continuation of a legacy of service and a renewed commitment to readiness on the Korean Peninsula.

The regiment replaces the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, as part of the Army’s rotational force mission in Korea. During its nine-month deployment, 3CR will provide additional maneuver capabilities to the Warrior Division, strengthening its ability to respond rapidly and decisively to potential threats.

“Today, we are uncasing the colors of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment as we begin our mission here on the Korean Peninsula. It is a privilege to serve in the historic 2nd Infantry Division,” said Col. William B. Chastain, the regiment’s commander.

The deployment marks a return to familiar ground for the Brave Rifles. The regiment previously served as KRF 14 in 2024, conducting extensive combined training alongside Republic of Korea (ROK) Army counterparts. That rotation included live-fire exercises and operations at the Korea Combat Training Center, where U.S. and ROK Soldiers trained side by side to strengthen tactical proficiency and interoperability.

Building on that experience, 3CR will focus on generating and sustaining combat power through rigorous training, combined arms maneuver and the integration of fires, intelligence and sustainment capabilities. Working alongside ROK Army counterparts, the regiment will further strengthen the coordination and interoperability essential to combined operations.

As part of the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division, the Army’s only permanently forward-stationed division, the Brave Rifles contribute to a formation whose mission remains central to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The Korea Rotational Force also plays an important role in the broader Indo-Pacific security environment. Maintaining capable, forward-deployed combat formations demonstrates the U.S. Army’s commitment to regional security, reinforces its ability to project combat power and strengthens deterrence through a credible, ready force.

For the Soldiers of 3CR, the uncasing ceremony represents both the beginning of a new mission and the continuation of a proud regimental legacy. Their presence reinforces the enduring commitment of U.S. and ROK Soldiers who train together, stand together and remain prepared to defend the Korean Peninsula.

“We are here to keep the peace and honor the sacrifice of those who came before us. The Regiment of Mounted Riflemen is ready to fight tonight, and we will meet any challenge together,” Chastain said.

With its colors unfurled and its mission underway, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment once again takes its place alongside the Warrior Division, ready to strengthen the Alliance, deter aggression and, if called upon, Fight Tonight.

By LTC Arturo Rodriguez

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Thunder Dome 2027: Vote now to help support AFSOC’s newest innovations

Sunday, October 25th, 2026

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

Air Force Special Operations Command will host its fourth annual Thunder Dome Innovation Competition in fiscal year 2027. The program allows Air Commandos to pitch tactical concepts directly to senior leadership for development funding and prototype support.

Thunder Dome focuses on rapidly developing these concepts into usable tools for frontline units. The program receives proposals from Airmen across active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve components across the command. Winning teams receive direct innovation funding and program office advocacy to prototype, test, and field their solutions.

Voting for the next Thunder Dome Innovation Competition is now open and runs through Oct. 26, 2026. Select the best game-changing ideas to solve our toughest challenges, your vote will help determine the finalists.

Use this link to set up your Department of War-registered account and cast your three votes for the most impactful ideas. Every Air Commando voice matters!

Ahead of the next Thunder Dome competition, several winning projects from last year’s program are already yielding dividends across multiple operational disciplines:

Project SilentSentinel — 193rd Special Operations Wing, Harrisburg International Airport, Pennsylvania ($51,000 awarded):
The 193rd SOW team leveraged additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping to produce 27 custom-shielded lock boxes. The units are currently prepared for tactical field evaluation and stress-testing during upcoming training exercises to validate physical security and RF-shielding capabilities.

Project IRIS — 137th Special Operations Wing, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma ($51,000 awarded):
Air Commandos assigned to the 137th SOW procured specialized communications tracking tags and optical radio frequency scanners. Following initial operational validation within the communications flight, the Wing is developing integration pathways to expand tracking architecture into its security forces, logistics readiness, and force support services squadrons.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Range Modernization — 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida ($510,000 awarded):
The 1st SOW team worked to overhaul tactical demolition and munitions disposal training infrastructure. The modernization project is nearing completion and will support multi-hazard training environments for EOD proficiency.

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