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Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment Tests Emerging Battlefront Advancements

Tuesday, February 20th, 2024

FORT MOORE, Ga. — Operational insights on the battlefront are crucial. The Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment executes field experiments in real time, featuring live fires, simulations and force-on-force engagements to validate what will and won’t work for Soldiers amidst the conflicts of today and the challenges of tomorrow.

DRIVING CHANGE IN THE MANEUVER FORCE

The Maneuver Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate leads the Maneuver Battle Lab’s Live Experimentation Branch and sets the stage for the Army’s concept and materiel development for small unit modernization. As a key proponent on rising technologies, MBL hosts AEWE, an annual event held at the Maneuver Center of Excellence, a premiere showcase of innovations come to life. Each year, MBL partners with the science and technology community to submit ideas that can enhance the future of warfare.

Chris Willis, director of the MCoE Maneuver Battle Lab, shared this year’s experiment focus is “increasing the lethality of the infantry brigade combat team through robotic-enabled maneuver.” This means “taking capability, state-of-the-art technologies, and putting it into the hands of Soldiers, increasing the lethality to deliver the Army of 2030, and design the Army of 2040.”

AEWE

“For twenty years, AEWE has served as our Army’s premiere choice for modernization experimentation,” said Col. Scott A. Shaw, director of Maneuver CDID. “Vendors from all over the world, both industry and government based, submit to participate in the event to gather invaluable data, test their applications, and better yet, receive informative outcomes without the fear of failure when it really matters — in combat.”

Selected systems are presented for Army leadership interaction and put to the test throughout the experiment with Soldier touchpoints. Soldiers at the lowest tactical level can directly engage with the new technologies and various prototypes, and vendors receive invaluable feedback from experienced potential end users.

Willis noted, “AEWE brings together a live experiment and simulation. They are doing live field maneuvers that tie in, and a fighting simulation is simultaneously running.”

There have been a wide range of concepts showcased at AEWE, and some that incorporated feedback have been implemented into real Army applications.

“I remember seeing things like the Black Hornets, which are micro unmanned aerial vehicles, and the Nett Warrior system where Soldiers wear smartphones on their chest, and night vision goggles with infrared and thermal technology — they were all presented and tested here,” said Maj. Joseph Tague, Maneuver Battle Lab operations officer.

The AEWE runs from the beginning of the fiscal year in October, through second quarter, culminating in March with an insights brief. Outcomes and recommendations gathered during AEWE feed the Army Modernization Strategy, support the U.S. Army in Multi-Domain Operations, and this data informs leadership about the functionality and capabilities available. For many participating technologies, this means getting on the radar for future Army equipment decisions.

HERE AND NOW

“Inviting our partners and allies to collaborate on next-generation military warfare enhances our foreign relationships and underlines the significance of how enduring partnerships are a way our joint forces can deliver ready combat formations and strengthen the profession of arms,” said Shaw.

This year, AEWE has 48 participating concepts that will be put to the test over 50 days, which includes training and data collection conducted at Fort Moore. For AEWE, MBL brought together 182 Soldiers to comprise a multifaceted experimentation force of MCoE service members, foreign allies participating from the British Army, Dutch Army and German Army, and a platoon of Soldiers from Fort Johnson, Louisiana, who will serve as the opposition force acting as near-peer adversaries during Force-on-Force exercises.

“We need to be able to understand how we can integrate new technologies into both our infantry and armor formations,” Willis said. “From the experiment, we are trying to understand the operational effectiveness of new capabilities, looking at concepts, formations, or technologies, and how all three of these connect and could affect each other.”

Soldiers will evaluate components from seven categories — lethality, survivability, mobility, training, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, command and control, and sustainment — of these emerging technologies to gauge their potential effectiveness on modern battlefields. Experimenting and testing proposed concepts and capabilities can directly determine what tools could benefit the force and enhance tactical skills at the lowest echelon.

Shaw emphasized “Across multiple domains, innovation is key in warfighting and successful implementation of cutting-edge technology creates the overmatch necessary to win on future battlefields.”

By Camelia Streff

Posted in Army, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

MATBOCK Monday: Rain or Shine

Monday, February 19th, 2024

As military operatives, we know that the battleground doesn’t always adhere to the convenience of dry conditions. In the crucible of operational environments, where water, mud, and extreme weather are constants, gear failure is not an option. That’s where the MR Dry 2.0 asserts its dominance, leaving competitors behind.

Engineered through hard-won experience, the MR Dry 2.0 has long surpassed its rivals, setting the standard for durability and adaptability in the field. From amphibious assaults to rugged land operations, this bag stands as the quintessential solution to the challenges of modern warfare.

Pairing seamlessly with the renowned Mystery Ranch NICE frame, or adaptable to other rigid frames, the MR Dry 2.0 embodies versatility.
Its three size options cater to the diverse needs of military units, ensuring that no mission is compromised by inadequate gear storage.

Gear integrity is non-negotiable for SEALs, Marines, and maritime teams navigating unforgiving terrains. The genesis of the MR Dry 2.0 emerges from the necessity of safeguarding mission-critical equipment against the elements on the frontline. Its innovative design shields gear from moisture and debris and streamlines accessibility and organization—a game-changer for those operating in wet and demanding
conditions.

In the crucible of combat, where success hinges on preparedness and adaptability, the MR Dry 2.0 is an indispensable ally. It’s not just a bag; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of innovation forged through experience—the kind of innovation that ensures mission success and brings our troops home safely.

For more information, check out their maritime line: www.matbock.com/collections/maritime or email sales@matbock.com

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Maritime, Packs | Comments Off on MATBOCK Monday: Rain or Shine

Swapping Skills and Patches at the Panzer Shooting Range

Monday, February 19th, 2024

STUTTGART, Germany – Ten soldiers from the German military, the Bundeswehr, earned U.S. Army Marksmanship Qualification Badges at Panzer Kaserne in Böblingen Oct. 18, while strengthening German-American friendship.

After a three-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, the USAG Stuttgart Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) was finally able to host German Soldiers at the Panzer shooting range again, allowing them to earn the American marksmanship badges.

Capt. Andrew Horn, who assumed command of the HHC in early 2023, expressed satisfaction in hosting the Bundeswehr personnel and enabling their increased understanding of American weaponry.

“When we have these events, it keeps communication between us open, and therefore the friendship keeps going,” said Horn.

Following a round of practice shots, the invited German soldiers got the green light to demonstrate their shooting skills. Three Bundeswehr soldiers scored a perfect 40, earning the highly coveted ‘expert’ badge and the admiration of their colleagues.

Events like these provide opportunities for soldiers on both sides to bond, swap stories, and learn about each other’s cultures and military life. They sometimes include the chance to exchange keepsakes such as badges worn on their arms to symbolize their regiment or corps.

Sergeant Erik one of the Bundeswehr soldiers who scored a perfect 40, was eager to swap some of his patches for American ones. “It’s always fun to exchange badges. I love hearing the story behind them. I have some that have already caught my eye, and I hope to exchange them for some of mine,” he said.

Hauptfeldwebel (Sgt. 1st Class) Michel, who previously shot with American soldiers, always welcomes participation in these types of events.

“Days like these are always special as it’s like being together with brothers, and it increases the teamwork amongst ourselves,” Michel said.

These events are not only for bonding, but also serve practical purposes. “It’s helpful in case there is a real-world scenario, and we’d have to consider each other’s capabilities,” explained Horn. “We are familiar with it since we’ve already seen and practiced with each other’s equipment before.”

After a long and exhausting day, everyone gathered for a typical American barbecue, closing out with hamburgers and new patches from their counterparts.

Per Bundeswehr policy, German soldiers are identified only by rank and first name.

By BALMINA SEHRA

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

Guardians Demonstrate Physical, Mental Resilience During Marine Corps Martial Arts Program

Sunday, February 18th, 2024

CAMP KINSER, Japan —

At 3:15 a.m., U.S. Space Force Capt. Peter Simon turns off his alarm, quickly checks his emails, puts on his uniform and heads to his car.

What’s different about his uniform compared to those of his fellow Guardians from the 161st Electromagnetic Warfare Combat Detachment, a unit within Space Delta 3 – Space Electromagnetic Warfare, is that his uniform doesn’t contain any nametape. No last name on the right side of his chest. No “U.S. SPACE FORCE” written in all blue letters. Nothing that would clearly distinguish his name, rank, or military branch from another Space Force Guardian.

But, in a group of 50 Marines, Simon stands out. Surrounded by Marines who are also nameless and rankless, it’s the difference in camouflage pattern, and perhaps the 10-year age difference, that clearly distinguishes Simon from the pack.

Simon, detachment commander of the 161st EWCD, and Staff Sgt. Clifton Trujillo, an Air Force reservist and expeditionary cyber lead for 161st EWCD, are deployed to Camp Kinser, Japan, with the intent of developing a larger Space Force presence on the primarily Marine Corps base.
While deployed, both Simon and Trujillo serve 12-hour shifts Monday through Friday but remain “on call at a moment’s notice” during the weekends. Despite the long shift, both Guardians have signed up to participate in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.

Delivered in various stages, the MCMAP functions as a combat system developed by the United States Marine Corps to combine existing and new hand-to-hand and close quarters combat techniques with morale and team-building functions as well as instruction in the Warrior Ethos.
Serving as a foundational pillar for the USMC, the MCMAP is comprised of learning armed and unarmed combative techniques while also forging mental and physical toughness amongst the ranks.

Like many martial arts disciplines, a servicemember’s qualifications are demonstrated by the color of belt he or she receives. The levels of qualification include tan, gray, green, brown and black; tan representing the earliest qualification and black representing the most senior level of proficiency a Marine can achieve.

“The program is so ingrained into USMC culture that it may become a barrier to promotion if a member doesn’t achieve a certain level by the time they are eligible for promotion,” explained Simon.

Simon first heard of the program from his brother-in-law, a former Marine who had spoken highly of the program.

“He described what the course was about and some of the drills they did, which made me want to get involved,” said Simon. “I reached out to the course instructor when I got settled at Camp Kinser and he agreed to include two Guardians in the course.”

From there, five days a week for three weeks, Simon and Trujillo woke up well before the sun or their fellow Guardians would rise, perfecting combative techniques and conquering various obstacle courses, only to then shower and make it to work on time for their 6 a.m. roll call.

“We would finish the day absolutely exhausted, said Trujillo. “Everything hurt for those entire three weeks.”

Despite the early mornings and the course’s physical toll, compounded by an already demanding deployment schedule, Simon and Trujillo stuck it out to the course’s culminating event: a four-hour test of participants’ physical and mental resilience.

“Through it all, I learned I’m a lot more resilient than I thought I was,” said Trujillo. “I’m more than 20 years older than most of the Marines in the course. To be able to keep up with them and see the course to its end was a great feeling.”

Upon completing the course, both Guardians received tan belts, symbolizing their level of proficiency in the MCMAP.

“It doesn’t look too different from the belts we wear every day in the Space Force,” admitted Simon. “Most people probably wouldn’t know the difference, but I’ll still wear it proudly.”

As for what’s next, Simon says he wants to continue working his way up the MCMAP ladder, eventually earning the highest level of proficiency: the black belt.

“The Space Force values unique experiences like this because it allows Guardians to approach problems differently and communicate more effectively across the Joint Force,” said Simon. “If I can continue to find programs such as the MCMAP, I can not only better myself, but create opportunities for the next generation of Guardians that I wish I had when I first joined the military.”

By Emily Peacock

Posted in Combatives, Guest Post, Space | Comments Off on Guardians Demonstrate Physical, Mental Resilience During Marine Corps Martial Arts Program

First Sky Soldier Earns Italian Jumpmaster Title

Sunday, February 18th, 2024

VICENZA, Italy – Few achievements stand out for a paratrooper as distinctly as earning foreign jump wings. U.S. Army Sgt. Mathew Pous, a paratrooper with 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, took this one step further, etching his name into history as the first ‘Sky Soldier’ to attain the title of Italian Jumpmaster.

Pous completed the Italian Jumpmaster School Dec. 18, 2023, in Pisa, a short distance from the city’s famed leaning tower.

The Sky Soldiers of the 173rd, forward-stationed in Vicenza, Italy, routinely conduct airborne operations alongside their Italian paratrooper counterparts of the Folgore Brigade, but Pous is the first to complete the rigorous Italian school. Paratroopers who successfully pass the course are certified to safely lead an airborne operation in the Italian Army.

“I’m extremely proud to have graduated from the Italian Jumpmaster Course,” said Pous. “Being the first from the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the third overall from the U.S. Army is an honor.”

As with its Italian counterpart, the U.S. Army Jumpmaster School is notoriously difficult. Candidates must memorize a series of intricate parachute inspection sequences to ensure paratroopers are safely rigged into their harness and able to exit the aircraft safely mid-flight.

“Immediately, they were surprised at how good my Italian was,” said Pous. “That I even use Italian slang and lingo to fit in. They appreciated my enthusiasm and respect for their culture, which lifted any barriers or reservations they had prior to meeting me.”

Pous shared that he started learning Italian at the dining facility in Vicenza on base, asking the Italian cooks how to say ‘eggs sunny side up’ and other words.

“I think it’s an added value to open up to another culture and understand their point of view and lifestyle,” he said.

After about a year of practice, he felt sufficiently fluent to tackle the difficult course.

The Italian Jumpmaster School emphasizes adaptability and cross-cultural collaboration. Soldiers are trained to execute their duties seamlessly together with international partners, reflecting Italy’s commitment to participating in multinational operations.

“Attending the school is not only about being a Jumpmaster and knowing how to speak Italian, but being a representative of the U.S. Army,” said Pous.

Prior to his experience in Pisa, Pous completed the U.S. Army Jumpmaster course just three months earlier, Sept. 18, 2023, after completing 35 jumps as a paratrooper. To assist himself and others with the finer details of airborne operations, Pous video documented his progress through the Italian course, as well as several of his multinational jumps.

He shared that one of the key differences between the U.S. and Italian schools lies in what each course emphasizes the most.

“U.S. Jumpmasters have a safety who swings the static lines and that is their primary focus as paratroopers exit the aircraft,” said Pous.

Pous explained that, instead of safeties, Italian Assistant Jumpmasters swing the static lines, then observe each jumper exit the aircraft, checking that the light is still green. Only then, in one fluid motion, does the assistant reach for the next jumper’s static line.

“It was challenging because I wasn’t used to that. I had to learn a new way and build new muscle memory,” said Pous.

Another difference Pous noted was both U.S. primary and assistant Jumpmasters jump out of the aircraft. In the Italian army, the Jumpmaster and assistant remain aboard the entire time, landing with the aircraft at the end of the airborne operation.

“Also, American pre-jump includes four pages of text that must be recited verbatim, whereas the Italian pre-jump consists of a number of bullet points you must convey, but you have the freedom to explain it in your own words,” said Pous. “The advantage is that Jumpmasters can emphasize certain parts in more detail if needed. In this way, jumpers are more attentive when they know something new might be shared.”

Both schools were very professional and meticulous, he added.

Over the three-week course, Pous successfully completed five different Jumpmaster duties, all conducted in Italian. He also served as the Jumpmaster to Italian airborne students, helping them graduate from airborne school.

“My best memory was probably having coffee right after morning formation every day. It was like a ritual,” said Pous. “Everyone would go, students and instructors alike. As their guest, they never let me pay for my own coffee and brioche!”

The morning coffee ritual served as a moment to start the day slowly, said Pous, talking about everything from the course to food to culture, vacation destinations and history.

But the course itself was all business, with the “difficulty level super high but achievable,” according to Pous. “I liked that they work hard and take their job seriously. They’re experts for sure.”

Pous’ graduation ceremony offered a glimpse into the close cooperation between the U.S. and Italian militaries.

“We know that it is an honor for him to graduate our Italian Jumpmaster School,” said Italian Army Col. Antonio D’agostino, commander of Centro Addestramento Paracadutismo, the Italian airborne school in Pisa. “Just know that it is also an honor for us, as Italians, to present this diploma to him as a representative of the United States of America and the U.S. Army.”

The motivation to excel is deeply ingrained in the ethos of airborne units, where precision and efficiency can be a matter of life and death.

“Sgt. Pous is a great example of someone who takes his job seriously and recognizes our role as ambassadors in a foreign country,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sheldon Broedel, commander of 2nd Bn., 503rd Inf. Regt. “He was motivated to learn Italian, forged many lasting relationships along the way, and successfully represented the U.S. Army in earning Italian Jumpmaster status.”

Pous said the next stop for him might be U.S. Pathfinder School or Air Assault School because he would like to complete the circle on his airborne knowledge. He also will soon complete a divemaster course on his own time in Padova, Italy.

“My next goal would be to attend French Jumpmaster School since I also speak French,” he said. “But that’s going to take some coordination.”

For more information about the 173rd Airborne Brigade, visit www.skysoldiers.army.mil

By MAJ Joe Legros

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

Florida Guard’s 202nd RED HORSE Hosts Contingency Exercise

Sunday, February 18th, 2024

CAMP BLANDING, Fla. – The Florida Air National Guard’s 202nd RED HORSE Squadron conducted the FEBEX24 exercise Feb. 2-3 to assess and enhance the readiness of its members. Airmen assigned to the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Civil Engineer Squadron and 125th Medical Group also participated in the exercise.

“RED HORSE deploys as a unit and is a self-sustaining unit,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Brian Encarnacion, 202nd RED HORSE Squadron unit deployment manager.

The Airmen worked on tactical combat casualty care, force protection, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives training.

Airmen established infrastructure, operated in austere environments, and faced hostile forces attempting to overtake the camp while in a simulated forward operating base. Airmen responded to the hostile forces with fire, practicing core competencies such as TCCC and force protection.

When enemy forces simulated a flight line attack, 202nd RED HORSE members repaired the airfield and built protective structures to keep assets safe. Members completed this task while wearing mission-oriented protective posture gear due to simulated exposure to chemical weapons.

“They’re being tested on different skills that they would need to be utilized for a wartime event,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Abbey Mears, 125th CES installation emergency manager.

The exercise allowed Airmen to step outside their career fields and practice core competencies of other jobs.

“This exercise is important because you get a lot of Airmen that are proficient at only doing their job,” said Encarnacion. “At the end of the day, they have to learn how to be a security forces member, a medic, or even an emergency manager. It’s important for all these Airmen to get this hands-on training.”

The training also featured a joint training sortie with the Florida Army National Guard, in which Airmen were loaded on a U.S. Army HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for a simulated medical evacuation.

“I think the big foot stomp with this is the importance of training like we’re going to fight,” said Mears.

Lessons taken from this experience will help set the foundation for future exercises.

Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer (RED HORSE) Squadrons are highly mobile and rapidly deployable response forces. They repair heavy damage to recover critical Air Force facilities and utility systems following enemy attack or natural disaster in remote, high-threat environments worldwide.

By Senior Airman Brooke Keisler, 125th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post | Comments Off on Florida Guard’s 202nd RED HORSE Hosts Contingency Exercise

Special Ops Command Sees Change in Mission as a Return to Roots

Saturday, February 17th, 2024

WASHINGTON — U.S. Special Operations Command leaders see the current move to integrate the command into great power competition as a return to its roots.

Army Gen. Bryan Fenton and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Shane Shorter, the commander and senior enlisted leader of Socom, spoke with the Defense Writers Group recently and discussed the changes happening in the world and Special Operations Command’s place in it.

The command has come off more than 20 years as America’s preeminent counterterrorism organization. Even before the attacks on the United States in September 2001, the command was tracking and pursuing violent extremist organizations around the world. The command operated against narco-trafficking gangs in Central and South America, as well as transnational criminal organizations in the Balkans. Socom came into its own in counterterrorism in operations against the Taliban and al-Qaida in Afghanistan, fundamentalist groups in Iraq and against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Special operators also worked with and formed relationships with national and indigenous forces from the Indo-Pacific to Europe to Africa and South America.

But before that, the special operations community was an integral part of great power competition working to “fill in the gaps” of conventional power structures when the Soviet Union controlled Eastern Europe, Fenton said. “We still have to maintain and stay on the [violent extremist organization] threat because it has not gone away. What I will tell you is … the special operations command team frankly is born for the integrated deterrence, great power competition era.”

But while the mission set might be changing, the values behind the force are not. “The most important line of effort that we have in our headquarters is still our people,” said Shorter. “We’re not a platform-centric organization, we’re a people-centric organization.”

The first rule of the command is “Humans are more important than equipment,” and Fenton and Shorter are sticking with that.

Change is tough. Many in the command grew up in the organization when it was sometimes jokingly called “Counter Terrorism Command” and that is what they know. But Shorter said in travels around the command, service members are making the switch to great power competition and integrated deterrence. “We focused hard on the global war on terror, and I’m very proud of what we did, but we’ve never had [to] … pull ‘Socomians’ towards the nation’s main effort.”

So the bulk of the forces is absolutely laser focused on great power competition and integrated deterrence, Shorter said. Special operators are studying China and Russia. They are taking lessons learned from Russia’s war on Ukraine. They are studying the nature of all-domain combat and applying new tactics, techniques and procedures to it. They are also looking at better ways to integrate new technologies and equipment into the fight, the command sergeant major said.

“We always will be focused on the nation’s priorities and the department’s priorities,” Shorter said.

Still, the experience of counterinsurgency combat is valuable, and special operators can take that experience and apply it to new situations and new missions, he said.

Fenton said that people lead in the strategic priorities of the command. “If we have one more dollar to spend, we’re spending it on our people, and then we’ll wrap the technology around them,” he said.

That idea is born in the people attracted to special operations. Service members “go through a rigorous assessment selection process, and more arduous training because they really want to be at the leading edge,” Fenton said.

Transformation of the command also is all about people, the general said. Special operators must “think how we’re going to be prepared, not only in equipment or some level of technology to meet the world, but how are we thinking about the world differently,” he said. “We have to hold these different ideas in our head and actually still complete the mission, even though it doesn’t look the same as it did 20 years ago. But the outcome has still got to be the same. We’ve got to succeed for the nation.”

Typically, when a counterterrorism mission ends, organizations put the capability on the back burner. In the United States, this happened at the end of the Vietnam War and there are moves to cut the number of special operations personnel. This hits at another Special Operations truth: Special operations cannot be mass produced in times of a crisis.

The services, from whom Socom gets their recruits, are having trouble attracting new service members. Fenton said Socom has not felt that problem yet, but says it could happen further down the road. Fenton did say there is no retention problem in special operations, and that the command is already working with the services to improve the recruiting climate.

He has asked members of the command to reach out to recruiters when they travel in the United States to inform the American people about the military in general and Special Operations Command in particular.

By Jim Garamone, DOD News

Posted in Guest Post, SOF | 4 Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Just The Tip v4

Friday, February 16th, 2024

Just The Tip v4 is LIVE!

Just The Tip v4 is a salute to those who’ve seen it all, done it all, and lived to tell the tale. Following the fine lineage of tips that have gone before, this shirt is crafted for the fearless & those in the know. Wear it with a smirk, this shirt is not for the faint of heart. FirstSpear is not liable for broken necks from turning heads.

This is a short batch, limited edition drop, get on it!

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

Posted in Advertiser, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on FirstSpear Friday Focus – Just The Tip v4