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Hawaii-based Sailors Test Changes During Physical Fitness Assessment Study

Thursday, October 31st, 2019

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) — Ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of the year again: physical fitness assessment season. As we’re surrounded by the unwavering dedication of command fitness leaders and the Sailors within each command, one can’t help but get in to the fitness spirit. On May 29, the former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson visited Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and announced the addition of the 2-kilometer row cardio option and forearm plank that will replace the curl-up. On Oct. 7, Sailors gathered in the fitness center on base to commence the testing of the new workout metrics.

The study consisted of three different days of exercise. Day one focused on introducing Sailors to the 2-kilometer row, practicing the correct rowing technique. On day two, the Sailors performed pushups, the forearm plank and the 12-minute bike assessment. Day three focused on pushups, the forearm plank and the second trial of the 2-kilometer row. A big focus during this study was how Sailors perform the new plank as opposed to the curl-ups.

“The plank allows you to build that core strength,” said Lt. Cmdr. Melissa Laird, the work sponsor of the study from the 21st Century Sailor office. “It’s really a better test and better modality to assess that core strength than the curl-up is. It works on giving you good posture and it also has less chance of aggravating low back injuries which you can see with the curl-up.”

Laird also said that adopting a new form of cardio within the PFA allows Sailors an alternative to the standard 1.5-mile run. The rower uses approximately 70 percent of the body’s musculature so it provides a good cardiovascular workout that is low impact.

Sailors representing multiple commands volunteered to be the test subjects for this study. A seamless transition into adopting these two modalities for the PFA in the year 2020 is the end goal according to Laird.

Mr. Jay Heaney, a research physiologist from the Naval Health Research Center and the principle investigator for the study, explained the process of gathering the information from the Sailors’ performance and how it will be applied to the new PFA.

“We try to get as many people as we can within the age groups by gender,” said Heaney. “Then we look for what the norms are; what the high, medium and low scores are. From that, we will develop what the scoring metrics are for the different categories of the PFA.”

Heaney said that the Navy is trying to put a bigger emphasis on physical fitness as ship-based Sailors are required to climb ladder ways and do a lot of heavy lifting throughout their workday.

“I volunteered because I wanted to see what the new PFA would look like,” said Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) 3rd Class Amanda Zwiebel. “Not only to prepare myself but to prepare my peers and my command.”

According to Heaney, at the end of the day, it is important that our service members have complete physical readiness. The addition of two new workouts to the PFA helps the U.S. Navy move in the right direction.

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Aja Bleu Jackson, NPASE West det. Hawaii Public Affairs

Posted in Guest Post, Navy, Profession of Arms, Training | 12 Comments »

Brigantes Presents: The Helix Operations Combat Multi Harness

Wednesday, October 30th, 2019

The Helix Combat Multi Harness (HCMH) is a fully modular tactical harness system that has been developed over several years with significant end user input and trials. The system has been specifically designed for military operational use and can be used in a wide range of missions and tasks across all environments and operational theatres. Having a single system increases safety and reduces the training burden. The HCMH system has uniquely acquired UK helicopter clearances for specialist troop emplaning & deplaning techniques as well as fulfilling mission high access requirements. Unlike other off the shelf harnesses, the HCMH fully integrates with other ‘on the man’ systems such as life jackets and plate carriers, ensuring greater comfort and safety of the end user.

The HCMH is issued as a single unit item complete with log cards. This allows logistics staff to easily administer the equipment. The system is initially vacuum packed which simplifies PPE inspection prior to first use. Once the system has been opened for use, all components are stored in one purpose designed breathable bag, which optimises storage. All items are interchangeable meaning when an item is damaged, it can be replaced, and the log card updated which is much more cost effective than replacing an entire system.

The HCMH Pack includes the following components:

1 x Riggers Belt – A 45mm wide belt which fits into standard belt loops and can take molle attachments and heavier equipment such as pistol holders. It is fully adjustable and excess material is easily stowed away. The lightweight material has minimal volume to reduce water absorption and drying time. The outside surface of the belt uses fine velcro, allowing battle belts to be positioned on top of the belt and won’t move around. The belt includes a low-profile textile belay loop on the front of the belt which allows the user to connect quickly into an anchor or system using a tested belt.

2 x Gear Loops – These velcro into position onto the harness in the position required by the user.

1 x Set of Leg Loops – These are very lightweight and compact due to the synthetic mesh which minimises their bulk and moisture retention. Weighing just 260g they can pack down into a pouch which is just 12 x 8cm. They are fully adjustable and use the same corrosion resistant buckles as the belt. They can be added to the sit harness in less than 15 seconds.

1 x Chest Harness – Can be worn over or underneath plate carriers and is made from mesh fabric which minimises bulk, water absorption and drying time. The integrated attachment point for the chest ascender is compatible with body armour.

2 x PerfectO Carabiners – This compact oval carabiner connects the chest harness to the sit harness.

1 x Fifi Hook with retaining grommet and mouth tab – Provides a ladder attachment point to support the load of the operator and is useful for resting or situations where two free hands are required.

1 x Chest Ascender

1 x Storage Bag

1 x User Instructions

For more information contact international@brigantes.com

For UK sales contact warrior@brigantes.com

Posted in Guest Post, Mountaineering | Comments Off on Brigantes Presents: The Helix Operations Combat Multi Harness

US Army Develops TITAN System To Tie ‘Deep Sensing’ To Long-Range Fires

Tuesday, October 29th, 2019

WASHINGTON — The Army plans to use one of the largest exercises in Europe since the Cold War to pilot new tactical space technology that will help Soldiers carry out mission command on a multi-domain battlefield.

An initial prototype of TITAN — Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node — will be tested during the Defender-Europe 20 exercise next spring. The exercise is set to have about 37,000 U.S. and European troops training in 10 nations across the continent.

The TITAN system, which is a scalable and expeditionary intelligence ground station, leverages space and high altitude, aerial, and terrestrial layer sensors to provide targetable data to fires networks. It also provides multi-discipline intelligence support to targeting, and situational awareness and understanding for mission command.

Today, the Army has roughly 100 tactical ground stations, 13 operational ground stations and a few other dissemination vehicles to inform battlefield commanders, said Brig. Gen. Rob Collins, Program Executive Officer for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors, or PEO IEW&S.

But “some of those are more specific to the echelon,” he said Oct. 16 at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition. “They’re not necessarily tailorable, easy to use or expeditionary as we want them to be.”

TITAN aims to consolidate much of those capabilities to better provide “deep sensing” information from intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors from all domains.

It also ties deep sensing to long-range precision strike options to defeat enemy anti-access/aerial denial environments, officials said.

An industry day is scheduled for Dec. 4 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, to further discuss the way forward with TITAN.

A TITAN space prototype is expected to be delivered by early fiscal year 2022.

“How do you bring those ground stations together in one platform, or a series of platforms, that are modular, scalable and [with] open systems architecture,” said Willie Nelson, director of Army Futures Command’s Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing Cross-Functional Team.

Collins said they are looking for a modular “Lego approach” for the system that will go through an iterative testing process, starting with the Defender exercise.

It is then expected to be rolled out in another exercise in the Pacific region to get additional user feedback later next year, Nelson said.

TITAN will fit into the Army’s Multi-Domain Task Forces being built up in the Pacific and in Europe. The system will work with the task force’s unit called I2CEWS, which stands for intelligence, information, cyber, electronic warfare and space.

It will “absolutely be part of that task force to be able to see deep and target deep,” Collins said. “It’s going to be a key capability, key enabler.”

TITAN will also play a large role in the Army’s space strategy, in which one of its main areas is battle management command and control.

“It’s leveraging both commercial and military capabilities to be able to provide eyes and ears on the battlefield for our Soldiers and our platforms,” Nelson said.

Since the sensors will compile massive amounts of data, TITAN will need to rely on artificial intelligence and machine learning to sift through it.

“As we start pulling in all this data, there’s going to be a significant and overwhelming amount for our intelligence Soldiers to be able to process,” Collins said.

The goal will then be to quickly deliver easily-digestible data to Soldiers in combat and to their systems.

“We just don’t collect this data for the sake of collecting it,” Collins said. “We collect it so that we can distribute that to kinetic, non-kinetic weapon systems and for commanders to be able to make decisions on the battlefield.”

By Sean Kimmons, Army News Service

Posted in Guest Post, ISR | Comments Off on US Army Develops TITAN System To Tie ‘Deep Sensing’ To Long-Range Fires

SKD Tactical’s New Ultimate Tactical Warminess: FDT Cold Weather Gloves!

Tuesday, October 29th, 2019

SKD Tactical has released a new cold-weather version of their FDT (Full Dexterity Tactical) gloves for chillier climes and/or decreasing temperatures. They’re currently (as of this writing) in stock and available now in white and black, with additional colors to come.

28 1015S OCT 2019
Coldsville, USA

It’s a cold day at the local range, but not cold enough to dissuade the hardest among your crew. Everyone knows that you wear PIG FDT Alpha Gloves to shoot, but this time you pull the ALL-NEW PIG FDT Cold Weather Gloves out of your range bag! You beam with pride, saying “Check these out guys… insulated with touch screen compatibility on all five digits.” Shivering figures with numb fingers lean in with jealous eyes. Jaws fall slack in disbelief. As you pull on the fleece-lined wind-resistant gloves, you feel a wave of warmth settle on your hands, partly from the burning hot jealousy from your friends.

For gloves that will keep you warm while offering you unsurpassed tactile dexterity and touchscreen sensitivity, reach for the PIG FDT Cold Weather Gloves when the temperatures drop!

International customers in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Hong Kong, and South Korea will need to contact international dealers.

PIG Full Dexterity Tactical (FDT) Cold Weather Glove

The PIG FDT Cold Weather Glove (CWG) finally brings PIG’s unsurpassed dexterity to a wind-resistant insulated glove. Maintaining the PIG-FDT line-up’s short cuff design, the ALL-NEW CWG includes features such as Touch Screen Compatibility (all 5 digits), grippy Silicon-print palm and a Terry cloth nose-wipe. When the temperatures drop, transition from your current FDT Gloves to the ALL-NEW WARMNESS that is the PIG FDT Cold Weather Glove!

Currently available in colors Black & White.
Carbon Grey available DEC 2019.

Coyote available MAR 2020.

Available in MENS SM-2XL, and WOMENS XS-XL!

Find all versions of the FDT glove line at: bit.ly/PIGglovesFDT

Find in-depth reviews of PIG and other gloves online at MM.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Handwear | Comments Off on SKD Tactical’s New Ultimate Tactical Warminess: FDT Cold Weather Gloves!

US Air Force Announces Criteria for New Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal

Monday, October 28th, 2019

US Air Force Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —
Air Force officials announced nomination criteria for the new Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal following the official establishment of the decoration May 22.

The new medal, established by then-Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, is part of a continuing effort to recognize U.S. Air Force military members in a non-deployed status who directly participated in a Department of Defense combat operation from a remote location.

“Our remote operations community makes vital contributions to our national security and the security of our allies,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. “These Airmen play a crucial role in every campaign we undertake, and this medal is for them.”

The RCECM will be awarded to Airmen serving in remotely piloted aircraft, cyber, space and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance career fields, who create direct combat effects from remote locations and lead to strategic outcomes or the delivery of lethal force. In some circumstances, Airmen from other career fields may be considered for the RCECM, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Service members may be awarded the RCECM for actions completed on or after Sept. 11, 2001, while also serving under the following conditions:
1) Was assigned or attached to a unit directly in support of a DoD combat operation as approved by the chief of staff of the Air Force (listed below)
2) Was serving in a remotely piloted aircraft; cyber; space or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance career field
3) Personally provided hands-on employment of a weapon system that has direct and immediate impact on combat operations
4) Was not physically exposed to hostile actions or at risk of exposure to hostile action

Qualifying DoD combat operations:
• Enduring Freedom, Sept. 11, 2001 – to be determined
• Iraqi Freedom, March 29, 2003 – Aug. 31, 2010
• New Dawn, Sept. 1, 2010 – Dec. 31, 2011
• Nomad Shadow, Nov. 5, 2007 – TBD
• Freedom’s Sentinel, Jan. 1, 2015 – TBD
• Inherent Resolve, June 15, 2014 – TBD
• Odyssey Lightning, Aug. 1, 2016 – Dec. 19, 2016
• Pacific Eagle – Philippines, Oct. 5, 2017 – TBD

Airmen who have received a DoD or Air Force campaign or expeditionary medal or ribbon for the same period of service are not eligible to receive the RCECM.

For more information and full eligibility criteria or submission procedures, visit myPers at mypers.af.mil and enter “RCECM” in the search window. A fact sheet and graphic is also available on the Air Force’s Personnel Center website.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | 16 Comments »

Max Talk 42: Gear Review: Crossfire DG3 Pack (Part 1)

Monday, October 28th, 2019

This is the forty-second installment of ‘Max Talk Monday’ which shares select episodes from a series of instructional videos. Max Velocity Tactical (MVT) has established a reputation on the leading edge of tactical live fire and force on force training. MVT is dedicated to developing and training tactical excellence at the individual and team level.

This is a gear review of the Crossfire DG-3 Pack. This is part 1, with part 2, a field trial of the pack, also available on YouTube. The U.S. Crossfire website is now up: crossfirepacks.com

More of these instructional videos can be found by subscribing to the Max Velocity Tactical YouTube Channel.

Detailed explanations can be found in the MVT Tactical Manual: Small Unit Tactics.

Max is a tactical trainer and author, a lifelong professional soldier with extensive military experience. He served with British Special Operations Forces, both enlisted and as a commissioned officer; a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Max served on numerous operational deployments, and also served as a recruit instructor. Max spent five years serving as a paramilitary contractor in both Iraq and Afghanistan; the latter two years working for the British Government in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Website: Max Velocity Tactical

YouTube: Max Velocity Tactical

Excellence in Tactical Training.

Posted in Guest Post, Packs | Comments Off on Max Talk 42: Gear Review: Crossfire DG3 Pack (Part 1)

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Adding Pockets

Sunday, October 27th, 2019

Typically when you are diving, you want to stay as streamlined as possible. It will help keep you on time and help you use less air. But sometimes you have more things to carry so you might need to add more storage. The major problem with pockets on your thighs or hips is the drag it will create. When these pockets are full, they add about two to four inches to your profile. You can wear your BDU’s, and that will add pockets to your legs and arms. If you chose to wear a uniform, I would recommend the Patagonia Jungle uniform. It is super light and dries fast. You can also add pouches onto your gear belt, or you can put one or two onto your rebreather straps. An old school M16 pouch is great for a spare mask or extra fin straps. You can cut the grenade pouches off of the sides to reduce the drag. Here are a few after-market pockets options that can help you streamline your profile without sacrificing your gear needs or altering your existing gear in any way.

SCUBAPRO HYBRID CARGO SHORTS form-fit to your body like you were born wearing a pair. On the underside of the nylon panels, a micro-plush interior makes the shorts warm and cozy. This fleece fabric absorbs less water, which keeps heat against the body, increasing overall warmth. They also dry quickly. They can be worn by themselves, over a wetsuit, or if you need a little more warmth, they are great for over dive skins in warm water. They are also useful for items that need to be at the ready or if you need to tuck something away while diving.

The SCUBAPRO Hydro’s Pro Cargo Thigh Pocket (full pocket with clips and straps) can provide the same storage as the Cargo shorts that capacity. Ideal for storing swimmer slates, lights, marker buoys, spare masks, compact cameras. Quick attachment via clips & thigh strap. The pocket has a large flap with a squeeze-style” side-release buckle closure. Bellow pocket design and large flap make access to stowed items easy and secure. The most significant feature is if you don’t need additional storage capacity, you can just remove the pocket for a more streamlined profile.

The SCUBAPRO Hydros Pro BCD Ninja Pocket is ideal for storing swimmer slates, lights, marker buoys, spare masks, compact cameras. Quick deploy when needed, roll-up when not. Pocket has a large flap with squeeze-style” side-release buckle closure. Bellow pocket design and large flap make access to stowed items easy and secure. All of the SCUBAPRO pockets are made from durable nylon fabric for strength and durability.

Another option is to glue pockets onto your wetsuit/ drysuit. This is way more permit, so make sure you get it right. You can do it yourself, but unless you have done things like this before, I would recommend having someone that has done it before showing you how to do it or have them do it. There are a lot of YouTube videos out there and articles about how to do this. There are pockets you can buy just for this purpose.

www.google.com

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Maritime | 3 Comments »

US Army Army Issues Over 10,000 Modern Simple Key Loaders to Units

Saturday, October 26th, 2019

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Maryland — In an ongoing effort to modernize the Army’s network capabilities, Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical’s (PEO C3T) Project Lead Network Enablers (PL Net E) is conducting a Simple Key Loader (SKL) Turn-In and Exchange Program for units all over the world.

The SKL is a hand-held device that Soldiers use to load cryptographic keys onto their equipment; thereby, enabling secure communication. The legacy SKL V1 and V2 are now obsolete, due to their limited capabilities, and are being removed from the field — primarily through the Turn-In and Exchange Program managed by PL Net E’s Product Lead Communications Security (PdL COMSEC) whose responsibility is to develop, procure, test, field and sustain COMSEC solutions to protect the tactical network.

The main objective of the program is to collect legacy devices still in the field, which will reduce vulnerabilities associated with using older equipment, and replacing them with the new SKL V3.1. PL Net E coordinates the shipment of the collected devices back to the Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD), who then marks them for demilitarization and disposal. The issuing of the newer equipment continues to push the Army forward by deploying modern capabilities that are easy to use, resilient and hardened to protect against adversarial cyber threats. To date, the team has issued over 10,000 SKL V3.1s.

The Turn-In and Exchange Program is a coordinated effort with the U.S. Army Forces Command, National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, Communications Security Logistics Activity (CSLA) and TYAD. “The SKL V3.1 Exchange Program schedule is developed in accordance with the Department of the Army Master Priority List, with the focus on deploying units and high priority missions. However, this doesn’t account for units that are not on the priority list that need modern or replacement SKLs,” said Mr. Scott Lambert, PdL COMSEC SKL Assistant Product Manager.

PdL COMSEC and CSLA came together and developed a strategy to address the backlog of units requiring upgraded devices who are not on the priority list. As a resolution, CSLA contributed 2,500 reconditioned V2.1 and V3.0 SKLs from depot stock to the Exchange Program. PL Net E is now collaborating with CSLA to issue the reconditioned V2.1s and V3.0s, as well as new V3.1s to units, depending on the circumstance. The partnership with CSLA frees up V3.1 assets that can fill the requirement of units not on the priority list, but in need of SKLs. “As a result of the collaboration, PdL COMSEC will avoid having to procure those 2,500 assets to meet demands,” said Mr. Lambert.

By Robin Schumacher, PL Network Enablers/PEO C3T Public Affairs

Posted in Comms, Guest Post | 7 Comments »