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West Point’s Hypersonic Rocket Team Sets Record-Breaking Rocket Launch

Friday, May 2nd, 2025

WEST POINT, N.Y. — On Jan. 11, 2025, a team of eight cadets and their advisors prepared their equipment on a cold morning in the remote desert of Black Rock Playa, Nevada. The team was about to face a challenge that would test both their engineering skills and their resilience: to break the Karman Line, the boundary of space, 100 kilometers above Earth. But this was not just a mission to reach space; it was a journey of innovation and determination – built on the teamwork of six years of cadets designing, testing, failing, and succeeding to do something that few people have ever accomplished. It was a test of what they had been taught, their ability to adapt, and the courage to push past their limits. In alignment with the Academy’s annual intellectual theme, “The Human and the Machine: Leadership on the Emerging Battlefield”, this mission highlighted the powerful intersection of human determination and technological advancement.

That day, the SPEAR Hypersonic Rocket Team successfully launched a two-stage hypersonic rocket to an astonishing 149.556 km—surpassing the amateur rocketry altitude record by 6 km and the Karman Line (100 km), the internationally recognized boundary of space!

The day before the launch, the team huddled together, surrounded by planning documents and scattered components, making last minute decisions that would shape the outcome. At the heart of their strategy was simplicity – every decision driven by efficiency. That mindset paid off.

The next morning, as the countdown reached zero, the rocket ignited. The team watched in tense anticipation as it soared through the atmosphere. Every calculation, every design choice led to this very moment. As the vehicle soared beyond the Karman Line, the mission’s success depended on one final challenge – recovery.

Hiking through the rocky terrain, the team could hear the crunch of the desert crust beneath their boots as they trudged up the mountain in search of the rocket. The air was cold, their bodies were tired, and the uncertainty of the outcome loomed.

“We had a track on the rocket during flight, but we didn’t know the condition of the system after descent. It was unclear whether we would be able to recover anything”, Major Kevin Zander, Advisor and Instructor, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering recalled. The team pushed deeper into the mountains following a GPS signal, ascending 1,500 feet to reach over 6,000 feet in total altitude.

As the team surveyed the landscape, a glint of sunlight reflected off metal caught their eyes – Cadet Barrett Connor (‘25) spotted the payload amidst the rocks. The moment was surreal.

“We didn’t want this to be a case where the telemetry data says we made it, but there’s no physical evidence”, Cadet Ida McLaughlin (‘25) explained. “Now we can hold in our hands a part of the vehicle that actually touched space”.

After six years of development and perseverance, the team has set new records by crossing the Karman Line with precision and confidence.

Colonel Aaron Hill, Deputy Head, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, reflected “It would be an understatement to say I’m proud of this team! This successful launch upholds the long legacy of excellence at West Point and proves that our graduates are prepared to design and implement solutions in complex environments as trusted Army professionals.”

The success of their mission was a validation of the decisions made over years of planning, testing, and refining. Every step, every choice, led them to this moment.

The team returned to Black Rock Playa in April to launch again, testing new capabilities, and laying the groundwork to guide the 2026 team to even more success. SPEAR Hypersonic Rocket Team continued to push the boundaries of what is possible, ensuring that West Point cadets remain at the forefront of innovation and leadership.

Born from a cadet-driven initiative in 2018, the Space Engineering and Applied Research program found early support from mentors within the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command, and the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering. The SPEAR Hypersonic Rocket Team is now one of the most ambitious undergraduate rocketry programs in the Nation and a critical part of the Space Community of Practice at West Point that is developing Army officers who are capable of leading in emerging space operations, hypersonics, and cutting-edge rocket technology.

This historic launch would not have been possible without the support of many dedicated individuals and organizations. A special thank you to DEVCOM AvMC, the Office of Naval Research, Pyramid Lake Fire Department, Bureau of Land Management Black Rock Field Office, Gerlach Community, and FAA Western Service Area. Their guidance, support, and resources played a crucial role in making this mission a success!

SPEAR Hypersonic Rocket Team is administered by the Center for Applied Research in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, with contributions across West Point including the Departments of Systems Engineering, Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry and Life Sciences, and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

This project is part of West Point’s 26th annual Projects Day Research Symposium that showcases more than 350 cadet-led research projects. Learn more about the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at bit.ly/WP_CME and check out more project features at www.westpoint.edu/werx

By Jana Scardigno Marketing Specialist, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Research | Comments Off on West Point’s Hypersonic Rocket Team Sets Record-Breaking Rocket Launch

Letter to the Force: Army Transformation Initiative

Friday, May 2nd, 2025

Army Leaders,

Battlefields across the world are changing at a rapid pace. Autonomous systems are becoming more lethal and less expensive. Sensors and decoys are everywhere. Dual-use technologies are continuously evolving and outpacing our processes to defeat them. To maintain our edge on the battlefield, our Army will transform to a leaner, more lethal force by adapting how we fight, train, organize, and buy equipment.

Consistent with the Secretary of Defense directive dated 30 April 2025, the Army is implementing a comprehensive transformation strategy — the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI). This initiative will reexamine all requirements and eliminate unnecessary ones, ruthlessly prioritize fighting formations to directly contribute to lethality, and empower leaders at echelon to make hard calls to ensure resources align with strategic objectives. To achieve this, ATI comprises three lines of effort: deliver critical warfighting capabilities, optimize our force structure, and eliminate waste and obsolete programs.

Deliver Warfighting Capabilities. ATI builds upon our Transformation in Contact (TiC) effort, which prototypes organizational changes and integrates emerging technology into formations to innovate, learn, refine requirements, and develop solutions faster. We will introduce long-range missiles and modernized UAS into formations, field the M1E3 tank, develop the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft, and close the C-sUAS capability gap. Command and control nodes will integrate Artificial Intelligence to accelerate decision-making and preserve the initiative. Agile funding, which shifts from program-centric to capability-based portfolios, will increase timely equipment fielding and accelerate innovation cycles. Adaptation is no longer an advantage — it’s a requirement for survival.

Optimize Force Structure. Our focus is on filling combat formations with Soldiers. Every role must sharpen the spear or be cut away. We are eliminating 1,000 staff positions at HQDA. To further optimize force structure, Army Futures Command and Training and Doctrine Command will merge into a single command that aligns force generation, force design, and force development under a single headquarters. Forces Command will transform into Western Hemisphere Command through the consolidation of Army North and Army South. Multi-Domain Task Forces will align with theater headquarters to operate under relevant authorities. We will trim general officer positions to streamline command structures and revise civilian talent management policies to prioritize performance.

We will also restructure Army Aviation by reducing one Aerial Cavalry Squadron per Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) in the Active Component, and we will consolidate aviation sustainment requirements and increase operational readiness. We will convert all Infantry Brigade Combat Teams to Mobile Brigade Combat Teams to improve mobility and lethality in a leaner formation. We are trading weight for speed, and mass for decisive force.

Eliminate Waste and Obsolete Programs. We will cancel procurement of outdated crewed attack aircraft such as the AH-64D, excess ground vehicles like the HMMWV and JLTV, and obsolete UAVs like the Gray Eagle. We will also continue to cancel programs that deliver dated, late-to-need, overpriced, or difficult-to-maintain capabilities. Yesterday’s weapons will not win tomorrow’s wars.

This is a first step. We have already directed a second round of transformation efforts to be delivered in the coming months.

Leaders, we need you to drive change to ensure we stay lethal, ready, and continue to build cohesive teams that take care of our Soldiers and families. Our Army must transform now to a leaner, more lethal force by infusing technology, cutting obsolete systems, and reducing overhead to defeat any adversary on an ever-changing battlefield. Our continuous transformation is underpinned by strong, agile leaders who act on their initiative.

This We’ll Defend.

Dan Driscoll, Secretary of the Army

Randy A. George, General, United States Army, Chief of Staff

Letter to the Force

Posted in Army, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

BCM Gunfighter History : Ukraine

Thursday, May 1st, 2025

What started as providing security for humanitarian aid vehicles on their way to the front, my time in Ukraine has had many twists and turns. From training to “volunteer efforts”, I needed something with the flexibility to go from slick to full combat loads. Enter the Crye LVMBAV.

Light and packable, the MBAV is made of a 4 way stretch material that allows me to cinch the vest down to a minimal profile whether slick or jocked up. That minimal profile is essential for Ukraine and makes a huge difference when quickly getting in and out of vehicles/damaged buildings.

Plussing up an MBAV is as easy as attaching an AXL Advanced Adaptive Placard. I have three or four of these with unique set ups at any given time depending on where I am based. The placard hooks into/out off mounting interfaces on the MBAV so changing from one to another or going completely slick takes a matter of seconds.

Centerline front, the Shaw Concepts 3-Magazine Elastic 556 Placard is the best fit for my day to day. The elastic cells reliably retains magazines, without flaps or bungie. When empty, the pouches completely collapse. Having an integral TQ holder and the ability to molle a large admin onto the front of the placard is also preferable to layering a number of Velcro backed pouches and adding unwanted bulk on the front of the vest.

Below the Shaw, I keep a groin protector and a Platatac ASAD. The Platatac is perfect for “overflow” items, like pick ups(items found or given) or empty magazines, etc. I sometimes run these on my belt but I’ve found it’s easier to stow/unstow this pouch when mounted up front over the groin protector.

The groin protector itself has Ukrainian made soft armor that is based off of the Russian GOST system as well as an upside down shooters cut Hesco L210 size small. No idea who makes it, but this particular groin protector and the Hesco plate are a perfect fit (not sure how many beers deep I was in the kit room when I figured it out but there you have it).

On the sides, I prefer a Crye Stretch Cummerbund. Even loaded up, I can run the sides tight to my body without sacrificing movement or breathing. I typically run a magazine and radio in the forward cells, and then a water bottle and magnet for shotguns or other tools in others.

If the Crye Stretch is not available, their JTAC cummerbund will do. While not as dynamic, the JTAC cummerbund supports a hard 6×6 plate and a 6×9 soft armor panel. While not always available, running PPE on the side is a must for work in contested areas.

On my left, I also run a Titan Retention system. A ratcheting system, the Titan can accommodate any number of different tool/weapons that you may come across. It’s also nice if I have to climb or work anything/anyone that requires both hands without having a rifle constantly getting hung up on the environment or other people.

While “green” comms are not a constant, the Silynx Clarus PTT has been a winner over multiple trips. It supports easy control of dual comm systems without creating a tangle of cables and devices. The lapel clips also attach to the AXL placard seamlessly.

Finally, in back, I have a Ferro Concepts Roll 1 pouch. Wearing a plate carrier inside of a vehicle with no lower back support wears on you even after a short period of time so I was super happy when this was first announced. In the field, I cut out a portion of the Velcro interface used to attach it to the carrier so I can rip the entire IFAK off my back versus traditional method, which is difficult to access with gloves or cold hands.

Behind the Roll 1 is another Ukrainian made soft armor panel. The lower back is typically overlooked when considering armor so while it’s just soft armor, it’s better than nothing.

After three years, the LVMBAV has become my go to. It’s not the shiny new thing, but the design and materials work in ways many of the “latest and greatest” do not. Whether comfort, flexibility, or durability the LV MBAV is my standard and has a permanent spot in my kit bag.

Visit instagram.com/bravocompanyusa for more BCM content.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Gunfighter Moment | Comments Off on BCM Gunfighter History : Ukraine

What is a Sapper? 250 Years of ‘Badass’ Engineers

Tuesday, April 29th, 2025

WASHINGTON — In the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the term sapper carries weight. For 250 years, sappers have served as elite combat engineers, supporting frontline infantry in every war throughout American history.

“A sapper, in a historic sense, goes back to the 17th century. It’s a French term,” said USACE Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Galick.

Back then, military engineers would dig trenches to breach enemy defenses without direct exposure to enemy fire.

“Those trenches were called saps. The Soldiers that dug them were sappers,” adds Brig. Gen. Joseph Goetz, USACE Pacific Ocean Division commanding general.

The tradition of sappers dates to the American Revolution, where military engineers built critical infrastructure like roads and fortifications. “It really has its roots in trench warfare that started very early, earlier than the American Army,” says Col. Francis Pera, USACE Baltimore District commander.

Today, sappers are still combat engineers, trained to execute the most demanding and vital battlefield roles: “An engineer leader that is an expert in mobility, countermobility and survivability,” Galick adds.

That means clearing paths for friendly forces to maneuver, creating obstacles to slow or stop enemy advances, and building fortifications that protect Soldiers during battle. “That’s really about how we create pathways for maneuver,” explains Pera. “How we stop enemy movement, and then how we buy time and space for our team while we’re in the middle of a battle.”

“They’re advisors to maneuver commanders that put engineer effects into place on a battlefield so that we can win,” adds Goetz.

Sappers also operate as infantry when needed, fully engaged in modern offensive, defensive and peacekeeping operations. “A sapper is really the cutting edge of the nation’s sword,” says Col. Christopher Klein, commander of the USACE Middle East District. “They are the best of the best in the engineer corps, who lead the infantry when the infantry even gets in trouble.”

The Sapper Leader Course is a grueling 28-day program that spans the terrain of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and the Mark Twain National Forest. It teaches mobility, countermobility, survivability, demolitions, engineer reconnaissance and other technical skills at the small unit level. The course provides maneuver commanders with a force multiplier to succeed in both competition and conflict.

The course includes two phases: general skills and patrolling. “Techniques, from advanced demolitions into land navigation, and the basics in waterborne (and) airborne operations (are part of phase one),” says Maj. Blake Jones from USACE New England District.

In the patrolling phase, leadership is tested under extreme stress. “The course is very, very intense,” says Maj. Charles Martin, USACE Baltimore District Real Estate Field Office realty specialist. “It will push you to your limits.”

That intensity is intentional. “Set a good baseline, so when you have to do it in real life, you do the right things,” says Lt. Col. Nicholas Lorusso, USACE New England District deputy commander.

“Sapper School showed me that I can be hungry, I can be tired, I can push my body to the margins and still make sound decisions; sound technical decisions and sound tactical decisions, in a stressful environment,” said Lt. Col. Lamar Cantelou, USACE aide de camp. “And that’s why you need to do it.”

In 2024, the Sapper School had a graduation rate of just under 50%.

“As an engineer, you learn to become almost a Swiss Army knife,” says Capt. Walter Dezir, USACE Honolulu District project engineer. “And the Sapper Leader Course is all about teaching you to be able to function in a variety of different weather conditions and situations.”

Earning the Sapper Tab is a mark of distinction that signals mastery in combat engineering and leadership. “There’s a credibility to other engineer leaders that wear the tab,” said Galick. “When you interact with our maneuver counterparts, they truly believe that an engineer leader that wears a Sapper Tab is a master of their craft and they are the expert engineer on the battlefield.”

The U.S. Army Engineer School (USAES), established in 1866, formalized the training and development of combat engineers, ensuring sappers remain a crucial component of U.S. military strategy. The course started in 1985 and became fully accredited as a United States Army Training and Doctrine Command course in 2004. That same year, on June 28, the Army officially authorized the wearing of the Sapper Tab, an initiative approved by then-Chief of Engineers Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers.

Since 2005, USAES has hosted the Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers Best Sapper Competition at Fort Leonard Wood, challenging the physical prowess, mental fortitude and technical skills of sappers. Competitors cover 50 miles in 50 hours while executing a myriad of tactical and technical tasks. This year’s competition, taking place April 25–29, celebrates both the 40th anniversary of the Sapper Leader Course and the 250th anniversary of the Engineer Regiment.

Retired Lt. Gen. Flowers is quoted: “When our nation needs a tough job done, they call the Army. When our Army needs a tough job done, they call on the sappers.”

After 250 years, the role of the sapper continues to evolve, but remains essential to military operations worldwide. Their expertise in breaching obstacles, laying and clearing mines, and constructing field defenses makes them indispensable to military operations and a force multiplier on the battlefield.

Klein arguably captures the unique duality of sappers best, saying, “Sapper combines the nerdiness of being an engineer with the badass of being in the Army.”

By Kathryne Gest

Posted in Army, Forces Focus, Guest Post | 3 Comments »

Marine Corps to Deploy Counter-Drone Systems Across Units in 2025

Monday, April 28th, 2025

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —

The proliferation of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems presents a significant tactical challenge for modern military forces. As adversaries across the globe increasingly mature and employ low-cost sUAS for reconnaissance, surveillance, and attack missions, it is imperative for the Marine Corps to enhance its capability to counter these threats in a dynamic, contested, and distributed environment.

This year, the Marine Corps will field dismounted counter-sUAS capabilities across the entire MAGTF, which will allow deployed Marines to effectively conduct self-defense against threat sUAS. The Marine Corps will maintain operational superiority and safeguard Marines, maritime forces, and the Joint Force against this evolving threat in diverse operational environments.

The technologies being fielded will allow Marines to detect, track, identify, and defeat adversary sUAS with both kinetic and non-kinetic means.

These systems will be lightweight, easy-to-use, easy-to-train, military occupational specialty agnostic, and to the maximum extent possible use weapon systems organic to individual units.

Small UAS pose significant risks due to their agility, low signature, and ease of employment. These systems can disrupt operations, compromise security, and destroy critical assets, and result in loss of life. The Marine Corps must therefore prioritize the development and integration of organic CUAS solutions, consisting of both mounted and dismounted capabilities, that provide a comprehensive protection against these emerging threats. Effective countermeasures are essential for safeguarding personnel and critical assets ensuring mission success.

Current Ground Based Air Defense capabilities that are being fielded today predominantly focus on mounted platforms organic to the Low Altitude Air Defense Battalions and the Littoral Anti-Air Battalions, which encompass the entire air defense continuum up to and including defeating manned aircraft and cruise missile threats. Those dedicated air defense assets are not always practical or available at scale to support individual unit operations. The fielding of organic-CUAS capabilities will address this gap by providing essential self-defense equipment while not detracting from the operator’s primary duties.

This decentralization of defensive measures aligns with the Marine Corps’ emphasis on maneuver warfare and dispersed operations, ensuring that all elements of the MAGTF can operate effectively in all environments.

Furthermore, continuous evaluation and adaptation of these systems will be crucial to keep pace with evolving sUAS technologies and tactics. By addressing this need, the MAGTF will enhance its defensive posture, safeguard its operational integrity, and ensure mission success in an increasingly complex threat environment.

By CD&I Staff | Marine Corps Combat Development Command

Posted in Guest Post, UAS, USMC | Comments Off on Marine Corps to Deploy Counter-Drone Systems Across Units in 2025

HunterSeven – Cancer Screening at SOF Week

Sunday, April 27th, 2025

MILITARY VETERANS – HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR CANCER SCREENING? Time is running out cause slots are filling up!

We’ve gotten many questions lately—“Are you guys going to SOF Week this year?”

And the answer is: Absolutely.

But we’re doing it our way.

This year, we’re flipping the script.

Instead of getting tangled in the red tape, we’re staying laser-focused on what matters most:

PREVENTING AS MANY PREVENTABLE CANCER DEATHS AS POSSIBLE.

You’ll find us down by the waterfront alongside our excellent partners— Crye, Arc’teryx, and a lineup of other badass companies—where we’ll be spreading the word about health promotion, early cancer detection, and what it means to take care of our own.

But the real magic? Wednesday night.

That’s when it all comes together.

At the DuckCancer Happy Hour—hosted and sponsored by: Black Rifle Coffee – Crye Precision – Arc’teryx – We will be running on-site blood-based cancer screenings for at-risk post-9/11 military veterans, right in the middle of the action!

We’re talking great people, amazing raffles, tactical ducks, and literal lives being saved in real-time.

Spots for screening are extremely limited, so if you’re a post-9/11 veteran—or you know one—don’t wait.

Let’s party with a purpose and keep pushing forward in the fight against cancer.

Posted in Guest Post, Medical, SOF Week, Veterans | Comments Off on HunterSeven – Cancer Screening at SOF Week

Modern AFE Capabilities Coming to Cannon DRACO Fleet

Sunday, April 27th, 2025

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. —

The Steadfast Line continues to adapt for relevancy, most recently with the U-28A Draco fleet adopting new aircrew flight equipment (AFE) in the near future at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.

The M69 Joint Service Aircrew Mask (JSAM) replaces the Mask Breath Unit-19P Aircrew Eye and Respiratory Protection assembly and is designed to provide ocular and respiratory protection from Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear hazards.

“This new mask allows improved mobility and enhanced protection,” said an AFE specialist assigned to the 27th Special Operation Wing. “The reliability of this new equipment will be critical for our U-28A crews if they find themselves operating in a contested environment.”

The JSAM is already in service on other non-ejection seat, fixed-wing aircraft, including the MC-130J Commando II and AC-130J Ghostrider fleets at Cannon AFB. Once approved for use on the U-28A, the JSAM will join the growing ensemble of next-generation AFE available to the Draco community. This includes the Viking Suit, which improves survivability of aircrew members if they ever are forced to egress in maritime environments, and the Skull Mounting System, which aligns headgear with night vision goggles and other accessories.

“This new protective equipment will enable our U-28 crews to be prepared for tomorrow, adapting for relevancy,” said Col. Robert Johnston, 27th Special Operations Wing commander. “We must maintain our competitive advantage, and this new mask is one more way we are staying ready.”

Air Commandos lead the way in delivering innovation – it’s in our DNA.

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, CBRNE, Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on Modern AFE Capabilities Coming to Cannon DRACO Fleet

Alaska-Based Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team Earns All-Army EOD Team of the Year

Saturday, April 26th, 2025

FORT WALKER, Va. — U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal techs from the Fort Wainwright, Alaska-based 65th Ordnance Company (EOD) “Far North EOD” took top honors in the all-Army EOD Team of the Year competition on Fort Walker, Virginia, April 7-11, 2025.

Staff Sgt. Seth Harper, Sgt. Brandon Grimes and Pfc. Landon Lowrance from the 65th EOD Company, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Pacific, came in first place during the all-Army EOD competition.

Staff Sgt. Isaac Klein, Sgt. Michael Trevino and Sgt. Michael Lavely from the Fort Stewart, Georgia-based 38th EOD Company, 184th EOD Battalion, 52nd EOD Group, took second place.

Staff Sgt. Kyle McLaughlin, Sgt. Justin Hansen and Sgt. Camden Resinger from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington-based 707th EOD Company, 3rd EOD Battalion, 71st EOD Group, came in third place.

The other top EOD teams in the all-Army competition were Staff Sgt. Ronald Helsel, Pfc. Caelan Stanley and 1st Lt. Joseph Hunter from the Baumholder, Germany-based 720th Ordnance Company (EOD) and 702nd Ordnance Company (EOD) in U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

The Massachusetts National Guard was represented by Staff Sgt. Christopher Liberty, Staff Sgt. Raphael Riordan and Sgt. Gerald Harris from the 387th EOD Company, 48th EOD Group.

During the five-day competition, the five Army EOD teams took on challenging training lanes that were built from real-world EOD missions in large-scale combat operations that included joint forcible entry, expanding the lodgment and night operations.

The teams were tested on their ability to both enable lethality and safeguard U.S. forces on battlefields around the world and to support domestic response missions across the nation.

Coming from the much colder climes of the 49th state, Lowrance said the 65th EOD Company team had to overcome many obstacles to prevail in the competition.

“The biggest challenge of this competition was falling in on equipment that was not our own in an environment that we were unfamiliar with,” said Lowrance, who is originally from Valliant, Oklahoma. “It required adaption and overcoming the gaps that we faced with equipment that we may or may not have and try to do our job as best as possible utilizing the tools and equipment we had.”

Grimes said his team fully leveraged the expertise of the 65th EOD Company’s more seasoned EOD techs to hone their lifesaving and mission-enabling skills prior to the competition.

“We prepared for this competition through a structured training program facilitated by the NCOs in our company who have a vast array of experience to include 1st Sgt. Forrest Hull and Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Carr who brought a multitude of real world and training experiences to enhance our ability,” said Grimes, a former Army Combat Engineer and Iraq War veteran from Hemet, California.

“The training received at the U.S. Army Pacific Team of the Year allowed us to enhance our training and skills and prepare for the all-Army Team of the Year competition,” said Grimes.

From Fort Wainwright and Fort Greely, Alaska, the 65th EOD Company supports the 11th Airborne Division and other organizations requiring EOD support while using the 870,000 acres of training land available in Alaska.

The 65th EOD Company also supports civilian and federal law enforcement across the northern half of Alaska.

Harper, the EOD team leader, said the lessons learned from the all-Army competition will make the 65th EOD Company even stronger.

“We will use what we learned here at this Team of the Year to bring a wide variety of problem sets to our home station and utilize the scenarios we’ve done here to bring experience to the other EOD techs in our unit. This will ensure our unit can prepare and train for a large-scale combat operations environment, said Harper, a native of Wildomar, California.

A former infantry Soldier who deployed to Cameroon in Africa, Harper was inspired to serve as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician by his brother who served as an EOD tech.

The all-Army EOD Team of the Year competition was hosted by the 52nd EOD Group and 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command. The 52nd EOD Group and 71st EOD Group are part of the 20th CBRNE Command, the U.S. military’s premier multifunctional and deployable CBRNE formation.

Headquartered on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, in Northeast Maryland’s science, technology and security corridor, the 20th CBRNE Command is home to 75 percent of the active-duty U.S. Army EOD techs and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) specialists, as well as the 1st Area Medical Laboratory, CBRNE Analytical and Remediation Activity, Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordination Teams and Nuclear Disablement Teams.

Soldiers and Army civilians from the 20th CBRNE Command deploy from 19 bases in 16 states to confront and defeat the world’s most dangerous hazards in support of joint, interagency and multinational operations.

Brig. Gen. W Bochat, the commanding general of the 20th CBRNE Command, and Command Sgt. Maj. Dave Silva, the senior enlisted leader of the 20th CBRNE Command, attended the award ceremony.

Lt. Gen. Heidi J. Hoyle, the U.S. Army deputy chief of staff (G4) and the senior EOD officer in the U.S. Army, spoke at the awards ceremony.

Hoyle previously commanded the 71st EOD Group, and she served as the 41st U.S. Army Chief of Ordnance and commandant for the Army Ordnance School. She also previously served as the executive officer of the 242nd EOD Battalion in support of Joint Task Force Paladin. The combined task force had the critical mission of locating and defeating improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan.

Command Sgt. Maj. Dave Silva, the senior enlisted leader for 20th CBRNE Command and the senior U.S. Army EOD technician, said the competition strengthened the entire EOD profession.

“The 2025 all-Army EOD Team of the Year Competition was more than just a battle of skill. It was a proving ground for the indomitable spirit of the U.S. Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal warriors. In the face of adversity, these Soldiers displayed unmatched intelligence under pressure, relentless determination and the teamwork that defines our force,” said Silva.

A native of Long Beach, California, Silva has deployed seven times and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has served on protection missions for presidents and the Pope. He has also been to all 50 states and five of the seven continents.

Silva said the all-Army EOD Team of the Year competition showcased the strength, ingenuity and adaptability of the U.S. Army EOD techs who confront and defeat explosive threats.

“Every competitor in this year’s event showed what it means to be an EOD Soldier: the ability to rise, adapt and lead under pressure,” said Silva. “The winning team has earned their place at the top, but every Soldier who stepped into this competition has proven their worth, reinforcing that our Army is built on a foundation of excellence.”

As the U.S. Army’s explosives experts, EOD Soldiers take on dangerous and complex explosive devices that harm people and hinder missions.

Silva said EOD techs operate in a world where precision is essential, and the competition demonstrated the absolute commitment of the EOD techs to their profession.

“It requires a level of composure and frankly, sheer grit that few could comprehend. The focus is not on winning, but on executing flawlessly,” said Silva. “To hone those fundamentals, they lean on their teammates and trust the rigorous training they received.”

Silva said he was inspired by the EOD techs who participated in the competition.

“Your commitment strengthens our Army and safeguards our nation. Let this competition serve as a reminder that greatness is not achieved alone but forged through teamwork, discipline and a shared dedication to the mission. Keep pushing forward. Keep leading. And never stop striving for excellence,” said Silva.

“This wasn’t just another competition,” said Silva. “It was a demonstration of everything we embody as EOD technicians — the courage to face the unthinkable, the technical mastery to neutralize the threat and the unwavering commitment to protecting those who serve.”

Silva said Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians save lives, protect property and enable operational success every day.

“EOD is not just a job — it’s a mission, a calling. It demands precision, resilience and the ability to act decisively when lives hang in the balance,” said Silva, adding that the Army EOD teams had lived up to the highest standards of the profession.

“I had absolute faith in their capabilities. I told them to go out there, be bold, be disciplined, and show the Army — and the world — what it means to be an Army EOD technician – to leave everything on the range, and that they did,” said Silva. “I couldn’t possibly be prouder. Liberty, We Defend!”

By Walter T. Ham IV

Posted in Army, EOD, Guest Post | Comments Off on Alaska-Based Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team Earns All-Army EOD Team of the Year