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21st Special Tactics Squadron Recognized for Deployment Action in Fight Against Extremist Organizations

Saturday, August 1st, 2020

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. – The 21st Special Tactics Squadron assigned to Pope Field, North Carolina gathered with family and friends July 24, 2020 to watch the presentation of over 90 awards for the squadron’s most recent deployment in 2019, battling six extremist organizations across three areas of responsibility.

“The majority of you would rather receive a decoration in your team room, your office or at home maybe, and not in public, but it’s important,” said Lt. Col. Randall Harvey, former commander of the 21st STS and ceremony speaker. “It’s important for you, because you need to understand that we know what you do and what you sacrifice. It’s important for your families because they need to know your stories. It’s important for Americans out there to know what other Americans are doing on their behalf. Finally, it’s important for those who have come before us and those who are no longer with us. We owe it to them to be here and be standing strong.”

The presentations started by recognizing the members of the squadron who deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. The Special Tactics unit served as primary tactical planners for infiltration, exfiltration, fires, as well as Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance taskings in the execution of 241 direct-action raids during an especially “kinetic winter fighting season”. The team engaged in 235 firefights with hardened Taliban and ISIS-K fighters, controlled 4,985 aircraft, which conducted over 622 airstrikes on enemy targets, 235 of which were within “danger close” range. Their efforts removed 1,880 enemy personnel from the battlefield. Twelve Bronze Star Medals and four Bronze Star Medals with Valor were presented for actions contributed in this area of responsibility.

“In many ways it’s the greatest adventure to put yourself on the line… and step up when it counts the most,” said Harvey. “For some of you that line was a razor’s edge between life and death.”

In addition to the numerous precision strikes and direct action raids, the team made Special Tactics history by employing their leading global access capabilities. Specifically, one of the deployed teams single-handedly secured, established, controlled and commanded a mission support site during a 96-hour ST-organic and presidentially approved operation.

The squadron members deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve were also recognized for actions ranging from controlled fires, which put pressure on thousands of enemy fighters to surrender, to driving 190 joint and coalition missions and working with United Nations and Department of Defense partners to provide food and supplies to over 40,000 internally displaced citizens. Three additional Bronze Star Medals along with several Air Force and Army commendation medals were presented for OIR.

“You may not realize it, but you are the privileged ones,” said Harvey. “You are the privileged ones to have stepped into that arena and stepped on to the line when it mattered most. Many Americans will never know what that’s like.”

Lastly, a 12-person flight deployed to Africa was recognized for their integral role in building counter violent extremist capabilities with allied nations in Northwest and East Africa while navigating complex state and military systems to establish enduring Special Tactics-led foreign internal defense missions.

“In Africa, we partnered with key allies in Mali and Kenya, establishing new partnerships to integrate airpower into the ground scheme of maneuver… things no other [special operations force] can do out there,” said Harvey. “Our guys were on the ground day and night enhancing counterterrorism capabilities of these SOF units, while simultaneously reinforcing that the United States is the partner of choice in the region.”

The squadron’s Special Tactics leaders won approval from key Kenyan military leaders to craft and launch an air to ground integration training program for the Kenyan military, focused on improving tactics in the fight against Al Shabaab extremists. The program was deemed successful and sparked demand among Kenyan military and Air Force leaders for similar programs going forward.

“I want to say congratulations on a job well done,” said Harvey. “I’ll close with a quote from John F. Kennedy, he said ‘there are risks and costs to programs of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.’ Thank you for being men and women of action.”

Special Tactics is U.S. Special Operation Command’s tactical air and ground integration force, and the Air Force’s special operations ground force, leading Global Access, Precision Strike, Personnel Recovery and Battlefield Surgery operations on the battlefield. Since 9/11, Air Force Special Tactics operators have been involved in almost every major operation and have seen a significant amount of combat. It is the most highly decorated community in the Air Force since the end of the Vietnam War.

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, Guest Post | Comments Off on 21st Special Tactics Squadron Recognized for Deployment Action in Fight Against Extremist Organizations

FirstSpear Friday Focus – OEM Partner Series, Tuff Possum Gear

Friday, July 31st, 2020

Today we have another edition of the FirstSpear OEM Partner series taking a closer look at an all new company FirstSpear manufacturers private label equipment for. Introducing Tuff Possum Gear and the Shackleton EDC Satchel, 100% American Made by FirstSpear. Currently available in Coyote Brown, Ranger Green, and Black.

tuffpossumgear.com/product/shackleton-edc-satchel

How was Tuff Possum started?

I, Jayberry, grew up hiking, camping, fishing, hunting and just generally exploring like kids ought to be able to do. A fellow needs a way to carry those essentials for his adventure, right?

My mother was working as a part time private seamstress, so naturally I would bring requests for pouches and bags for my “kit”. These grew until, when I brought her a small pack design, she decided it was time for me to learn to sew.

That summer of 2012, a family friend gave 13 yr old me a little home sewing machine that she no longer needed and so it began. I only sewed projects for myself and friends for a few years.

But around age 15, in search of funding my own material purchasing, I started selling a few pieces on an online discussion forum and quickly realized there were customers to be had. People who took this gear out and used it hard.

Fast forward to November of 2017, I graduated highschool, quit my part time machining job of 3 years, and decided to launch this full time. Tuff Possum Gear was born!

We exist to bring trustworthy gear to people who go places and do things. Whether that means hiking to Machu Picchu, commuting in the heart of New York City, or camping along a riverbank in the Missouri Ozarks.

Why was the Shackleton Developed?

The Roman emperor and philosopher, Marcus Aurelius, once said, “Usefulness and happiness are largely found in the same soul.” The Shackleton EDC Satchel was really developed as a grab-and-go, everyday carry bag. Designed to easily carry the items I wanted to have on hand, no matter where I go. Namely: A water bottle, a battery pack and charger cords for my phone, a first aid kit to lend help around me, a pair of gloves, a multitool, 550 parachute cord, and the like.

If something isn’t easy to keep with you at all times, you are more likely to leave it behind. A single strap satchel is preferable, in my opinion, for easy access on the go. It has merit as well, when it comes to donning and doffing when entering and exiting motor vehicles.

Why did you choose FS manufacturing?

For for a small business like ours, scalability is hard. Producing gear at high enough quantities and maintaining a high standard of quality is the challenge of the day.

FirstSpear has the manufacturing capabilities, both in the pool of talent and the specialized equipment, to make that a smooth process. For a small business owner doing almost everything himself and bootstrapping a brand from nothing, this is a huge boon.

As part of this, this also meant we have the ability to take advantage of utilizing FirstSpear’s patented 6/12 material and their laser cutting abilities with other laminate components.

Why is American manufacturing important to Tuff Possum?

The answer is twofold.

The first is transparency and human connection. We place a lot of value on the ability to drive to whereever our products are made, talk to the people making them,see the machines they are being made on and know that the people value the things we value.

The second is gratitude. For the land and the country that has given us so much. Despite its flaws, it has stood as a bastion for freedom and righteousness in a world of darkness. And it is truly a land of opportunity. A land that has been fertile ground for generations of our forefathers. American manufacturing is important to us as a way of giving back. Of supporting the industry, the grit and tenacity, the people, and the families that compose this great country.

Posted in Advertiser, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Load Carrying | 7 Comments »

SOLGW – Origins

Thursday, July 30th, 2020

How we started… and how the hell did we get here?

www.SOLGW.com

Posted in Advertiser, Black Rifle, Guest Post, Industry | Comments Off on SOLGW – Origins

McHenry Introduces Bipartisan American PPE Supply Chain Integrity Act – Widens Berry Amendment Across Departments

Thursday, July 30th, 2020

Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10), joined Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) to introduce the American PPE Supply Chain Integrity Act. This bipartisan legislation will help end the United States’ reliance on Chinese-made personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure that hospitals and frontline healthcare workers have access to a plentiful supply of high-quality American made PPE.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it painfully clear that the United States has failed its hospitals and frontline healthcare workers because of our over-reliance on Chinese-made PPE,” said Congressman McHenry. “By returning production of PPE to the United States, we will address the concerns raised by the current crisis while also incentivizing future investments in high quality PPE made by American companies, ensuring the long-term protection of our hospitals and frontline healthcare workers. I am glad to partner with Representative Pascrell to introduce a bipartisan bill that does just that.”

“The ongoing pandemic has exposed America’s over-reliance on personal protective equipment made in other countries. In a cruel twist of irony we are especially dependent on medical supplies made in China, where COVID-19 originated and whose totalitarian secrecy deepened the world crisis,” said Congressman Pascrell. “Our reliance on non-American-made PPE has crippled our response to COVID from the start. Even as we continue to fight the virus, we must use this painful lesson to change our behavior now. Our bipartisan American PPE Supply Chain Integrity Act will ensure we are investing in the best tools in the world at our disposal by making our own PPE right here in America. Encouraging production of medical supplies within our borders will ultimately help our economy, create jobs, ensure higher-grade equipment, and most important save American lives. This cannot wait until the next pandemic.”

“The U.S. textile industry would like to sincerely thank Congressman McHenry and Congressman Pascrell for introducing the American PPE Supply Chain Integrity Act, a bill we believe will create strong domestic procurement rules to incentivize investment and the onshoring of critical medical textiles,” said National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President and CEO Kim Glas. “Re-creating the successful domestic purchasing rules found in the Berry Amendment for all federal PPE purchases will not only help our country reduce its overreliance on China for PPE but also provide longer term support for our domestic supply chain that has supplied hundreds of millions of urgently needed items including face masks, isolation gowns and other needed PPE to frontline health care workers.”

“The American manufacturers who comprise the Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition (WPRC) applaud the leadership of Congressman McHenry and Congressman Pascrell, demonstrated by their introduction of the American PPE Supply Chain Integrity Act,” said David Costello, Executive Director of the Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition (WPRC). “This thoughtful legislation recognizes that a 100% American PPE supply chain is a matter of our national security and that ending reliance on unreliable, foreign made products is essential to ensure the health and safety of our nation. Our members are already investing their time and energy bolstering their domestic PPE capability and we look forward to working with Mr. McHenry and Mr. Pascrell to see this bill become law. “

Background: The American PPE Supply Chain Integrity Act implements the Berry Amendment standard of “100 percent of a product that is grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced in the United States” for the purchas of personal protective equipment (PPE) by Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It also resets the contract level for the Berry Amendment from $250,000 to $150,000 to ensure more PPE is made in America.

Posted in COVID-19 Pandemic, Guest Post, Industry, Made In USA!, Materials | 2 Comments »

Army Project Develops Self-Healing Material Patterned After Nature

Wednesday, July 29th, 2020

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — An Army-funded project developed a self-healing material patterned after squid ring teeth protein. The biodegradable biosynthetic polymer could be used to repair materials that are under continual repetitive movement such as robotic machines, prosthetic legs, ventilators and personal protective equipment like hazmat suits.

“Materials that undergo continual repetitive motion often develop tiny tears and cracks that can expand, leading to catastrophic failure,” said Dr. Stephanie McElhinny, biochemistry program manager, Army Research Office, an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory. “With a self-healing bio-based synthetic material, any sites of damage that emerge can be repaired, extending the lifetime of the system or device.”

The research at Penn State University and Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany, funded in by part by ARO, and published in Nature Materials produced high-strength synthetic proteins that mimic those found in nature. The researchers surveyed large libraries of novel proteins created by assembling repetitive sequences from the squid ring teeth protein in different configurations.

Squid ring teeth are circular predatory appendages located on the suction cups of squid used to grasp prey. If the teeth are broken — they can heal themselves. The soft parts in the proteins help the broken proteins fuse back together in water, while the hard parts help to reinforce the structure and keep it strong.

“Our goal is to create self-healing programmable materials with unprecedented control over their physical properties using synthetic biology,” said Melik Demirel, professor of engineering science and mechanics at Penn State and the paper’s co-author.

Current strategies for material self-healing have significant limitations, including requirements for potentially hazardous chemicals, loss in functionality of the healed material relative to the original state, and long healing times, often greater than 24 hours.

“We were able to reduce a typical 24-hour healing period to one second, so our protein-based soft robots can now repair themselves immediately,” said Abdon Pena-Francelsch, Humboldt postdoctoral fellow, physical intelligence department at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and lead author of the paper. “In nature, self-healing takes a long time. In this sense, our technology outsmarts nature.”

The self-healing polymer heals with the application of water and heat, although Demirel said that it could also heal using light.

“Self-repairing physically intelligent soft materials are essential for building robust and fault-tolerant soft robots and actuators in the near future,” said Metin Sitti, director, physical intelligence department at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems.

By adjusting the number of tandem repeats, the researchers created a soft polymer that healed rapidly and retained its original strength. They also created a polymer that is 100% biodegradable and 100% recyclable into the same, original polymer.

“We want to minimize the use of petroleum-based polymers for many reasons,” Demirel said. “Sooner or later we will run out of petroleum and it is also polluting and causing global warming. We can’t compete with the really inexpensive plastics. The only way to compete is to supply something the petroleum-based polymers can’t deliver and self-healing provides the performance needed.”

Demirel explained that while many petroleum-based polymers can be recycled, they are recycled into something different. For example, polyester t-shirts can be recycled into bottles, but not into polyester fibers again.

Just as the squid the polymer mimics biodegrades in the ocean, the biomimetic polymer will biodegrade. With the addition of an acid like vinegar, the polymer will also recycle into a powder that is manufacturable into the same, soft, self-healing polymer.

“This research illuminates the landscape of material properties that become accessible by going beyond proteins that exist in nature using synthetic biology approaches,” McElhinny said. “The rapid and high-strength self-healing of these synthetic proteins demonstrates the potential of this approach to deliver novel materials for future Army applications, such as personal protective equipment or flexible robots that could maneuver in confined spaces.”

In addition to Army funding, the Max Planck Society, the Alexander von Humbolt Foundation, the Federal Ministry for Education and Research of Germany and the Huck Endowment of the Pennsylvania State University supported this work.

By U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Materials | 3 Comments »

New MYSTERY RANCH Medic Pack: MOLE

Tuesday, July 28th, 2020

Designed for requirements around their winning bid in the Norwegian TCCC program, the MYSTERY RANCH MOLE fills the demand for a scaled-down, feature-rich medical pack. Every square inch of this pack was designed with function in mind.

At 22L, the MOLE is similar in size, but has a slimmer profile than its popular predecessor, the RATS pack. It is built with custom spec’d 500D CORDURA® with Teflon® and PU coatings for maximum durability, UV and weather protection and finished off with IR-compliant YKK® zippers. The MOLE is highly configurable with its carrying options and internal organization, adapting to changing mission profiles.

It features removable shoulder straps and waist belt, along with a system for attaching directly to body armor, and a top handle for multiple carrying options. Also noticeable is the incorporation of the removable Stick-it pouch for stowing a helmet, jacket or other bulky object on the outside. Underneath that are a sheath for trauma shears and dual tourniquet holders. The clamshell top lid opens widely for full-viewing access to contents.

Interior removable panel for single-access items.

External shear pocket with elastic on either side for quick access items (tourniquets).

The main compartment splays open via one-handed access from its two-zip design, allowing full access to the removable internal pouches inside the pack. An additional, internal handle keeps from fighting the top lid when hanging the pack to work out of.

The internal main compartment is lined with loop fuzz which allows you to customize its five removable medical pockets. Each pocket has clear vinyl windows and internal elastic bands to keep items tidy. An extra removable panel is included for even faster access to certain materials such as tourniquets, gauze and/or gloves. Two inner sleeves along the sides provide secure slots for splints or other long items.

Here’s a quick video detailing the MOLE:

MYSTERY RANCH really stayed focused on versatility and quick access on this pack. The MOLE has already been very popular in Europe as it launches here, looks to be a consideration for your combat trauma essentials. Check out the full line of medical military packs and accessories at MYSTERY RANCH.

We are pleased to collaborate with our friends at North American Rescue for kitting out our medical packs for these photos and videos. Please contact NARescue customer service to order medical contents as shown.

*Contents not included with MR pack.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Medical, Packs | 2 Comments »

TYR Tuesday – IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| PICO-MVW-DSX Plate Carrier System

Tuesday, July 28th, 2020

Show #IDTOURVTS is here!

Episode Five:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| PICO-MVW-DSX Plate Carrier System

New episode launching every Tuesday.

New PICO-MVW-DSX Plate Carrier System

Coming Soon: 2021

What is IDTOURVTS?

Our mission has always been about protecting those who run towards the threat. To that end, we created the Innovate or Die® Tour and Mobile Showroom. Over the past couple years it has allowed us to meet you face-to-face, gather your feedback and answer your questions.

Life has been put on hold for many people around the world, but you have not stopped risking your safety and health against all the threats we face today.

We can’t wait to meet you on the road again.

Thank you to the men and women of the armed forces, first responders and health care professionals who continue to put their lives on the line. You haven’t stopped working and neither will we.

Episode One:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| PICO-DS & DSX Plate Carriers

Episode Two:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| The Ultimate Range Bag

Episode Three:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| Shield & Dolly System

Episode Four:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| Huron™ Hot Weather Uniform

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US Army Prototypes Integrated Visual Augmentation System Network Capabilities for Tactical Vehicles

Tuesday, July 28th, 2020

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (July 23, 2020) — Army Futures Command (AFC) is using rapid prototyping to integrate tactical network systems, which will enhance functionality of the Soldier-worn Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), onto combat vehicles.

IVAS provides Soldiers with improved situational awareness capabilities as they fight, train and rehearse missions. IVAS capabilities include a digital display to access information without taking eyes off the battlefield, thermal and low-light sensors, rapid target acquisition, aided target identification and augmented reality.

The Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center — a component of AFC’s Combat Capabilities Development Command — is leading the prototyping efforts, in coordination with IVAS developers and network project management offices. The Center uses its in-house expertise to inform and refine the design, fit and function needed to house and integrate network components, including radios, servers and cables.

The C5ISR Center started design work this spring to integrate IVAS devices with Stryker armored vehicles, leading to Vehicle Excursion 2 (VE2) in January 2021 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The Soldier Lethality Cross-Functional Team (SL CFT) will host VE 2 with about a dozen participating organizations from Army research and development, acquisition and operational forces. It will be a static vehicle user study focused on assessing the utility and proof of concept of new capabilities on Strykers and Bradley Fighting Vehicles to gain early Soldier feedback.

To enhance IVAS network connectivity and capabilities, C5ISR Center engineers and network system developers engineered a network communications gateway and data management kit known as Project Bloodhound in 2019. The C5ISR Center delivered the integrated network kit mounted on an MRZR all-terrain vehicle, which allowed dismounted Soldiers using IVAS to connect into the broader Army tactical network to share and receive data.

This prototype and others will enhance modernization efforts led by the C5ISR Center, SL CFT, the Network CFT, Program Manager IVAS, and PM Tactical Radios.

Bloodhound allows greater connectivity throughout the company echelon, through a tactical radio integration kit that includes radio gateways that enable voice and data information to be pushed and pulled from multiple sources. This concept is being applied to the Stryker prototype effort.

“We designed Project Bloodhound as a modular vehicle-mounted system that can be integrated into any vehicle,” said C5ISR Center mechanical engineer Ryan Stuk. “Certain features could be employed in a command post or dismounted capacity. We’re now taking the knowledge and expertise gained from the MRZR integration and applying those to Strykers.”

The Stryker effort will provide additional capabilities for Soldiers, whether they are mounted, dismounted or in transition, Stuk said. The Army’s three objectives are to leverage the Strykers as an IVAS power source to maintain mission capability, integrate with existing and future vehicle-based onboard camera systems, and enhance Soldiers’ situational awareness while mounted or transitioning to dismounted.

The Center’s organic, internal prototype integration facility (PIF) has enabled the Army to meets its objectives for multiple design iterations, changing requirements and quick deadlines, said Tom Brutofsky, chief of the C5ISR PIF. A key aspect to Project Bloodhound has been additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing.

“The C5ISR PIF has invested heavily in additive manufacturing to develop a rapid prototyping capability to deliver functional designs with significant cost and time savings,” Brutofsky said. “The PIF manufactured the MRZR Bloodhound prototype approximately 80 percent through additive processes and went from concept to functional prototype in less than three months.

“Additive manufacturing also enables easier modifications as engineers gather Soldier feedback during exercises and as the Army identifies additional vehicles for network kit integration.”

Soldier touch points like VE2 enable the Army to transition from R&D to prototypes and then mature capabilities for fielding.

“For the C5ISR Center, incorporating Soldier feedback is essential,” Brutofsky said. “Understanding the needs of Soldiers on the battlefield early on helps us make better use of time and resources.”

By Dan Lafontaine, CCDC C5ISR Center Public Affairs

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Mobility, Optics | 3 Comments »