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Archive for the ‘Guest Post’ Category

Air Force Aims to Instill Warrior Ethos, Increase Lethality

Saturday, March 15th, 2025

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —

The Air Force is making progress toward Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s priorities, which will ultimately result in giving the president more options, said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, who provided a keynote address, March 3, at the 2025 Air and Space Forces Association’s Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado.

Allvin mentioned those priorities — restoring the warrior ethos, reestablishing deterrence, meritocracy, reforming acquisition, passing an audit, matching threats to capabilities and defending the homeland — and how the Air Force is executing them.

Reviving the warrior ethos means letting every Airman know what it means to fight as a unit, what’s going to be expected of them, and focusing on the threat, he said.

“Your Air Force continues to kick butt. Our Airmen are doing amazing things every day. They make it look just normal,” he said, noting how Airmen, along with allies and partners, controlled the skies over the Middle East and are increasing interoperability with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

Also, every day, Airmen protect the skies over the homeland through exercises and nuclear deterrence, he said.

“We’re a well-used Air Force, and we’ve been used well and used often. Every time we ask them to do more, they continue to do more,” Allvin said.

Ensuring all of the service’s investments increase combat readiness and effectiveness is now the focus, he said.

For example, the Air Force maintains excess infrastructure, approximately 20-30% too much, he said.

“All of that is not adding to combat capability. All of that is infrastructure that needs to be maintained, sustained and doesn’t necessarily provide more combat lethality,” he said.

Greater lethality, he said, has been degraded by a drop in aircraft availability as the fleet ages and needs more maintenance. Also, weapon sustainment costs are growing, and the nuclear triad needs to finish its modernization efforts.

As threats continue to evolve, the Air Force is racing toward adding unmanned fighters to the fleet, training for human-machine integration and using autonomy more effectively, he said. 

When the new Air Force secretary and undersecretary get confirmed, they will examine how effectively the force is executing the defense secretary’s priorities, Allvin said.

“I have a hunch that when they see some of these things we’re doing, we’re going to be told to go faster,” he added.

Lastly, he pointed out that “Americans keep signing up, saying they want to join the team. And the team that is the United States Air Force continues to be the best in the world. They show up every day. They do what they’re asked. They do it with excellence. They do it in a way that makes us all proud.”

The Air Force is ahead of its annual recruiting goal, with more recruits currently in the delayed entry program than at any point in nearly 10 years.

By David Vergun, DoD News

Photos by Master Sgt John Hillier, Airman 1st Class Koby Mitchell, and Airman Elijah Van Zandt

Army Introduces Industry to Squad as a System Concept

Friday, March 14th, 2025

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA – During the Industry Stakeholder Engagement Forum here last week, the U.S. Army Chief of Infantry encouraged more than 400 representatives from across the military industrial enterprise to reconsider how they conceptualize the end user as they develop capabilities for front-line Soldiers.

Brig. Gen. Phil Kiniery, Chief of Infantry, Commandant of the U.S. Army Infantry School and the director of the Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team at Fort Benning, Georgia, introduced the concept of Squad as a System, the Army’s new systematic and holistic approach to enabling and enhancing close combat squads.

“My goal this morning is to convey to you just how much we need you, what we need from you, and that the need is urgent,” said Kiniery, who spoke March 4 to an audience of representatives from traditional and non-traditional industries.

Decades of “kitting and equipping” Soldiers piecemeal and through various traditional “stovepipes” has resulted in redundancies, excessive weight, and cognitive overload, Kiniery said.

“Squad as a System is the way forward, a new approach,” he said. “It is a formation-based approach, because we fight formations.”

His message to those interested in partnering with the Army to facilitate Squad as a System: We need to rapidly deliver reliable technology and reduce redundancies.

“Going forward, we must focus on a common architecture to optimize the performance of the squad, not just the individual,” he said. “How can we effectively maximize combat power with packaged capabilities that are better designed, developed, and integrated to provide stable and predictable modernization?”

How do we reduce redundancy and increase combat power?

How do we reduce weight and increase combat power?

How do we reduce cognitive load and increase combat power?

How do we improve efficiency and increase combat power?

Currently, Kiniery said, the individual Soldier carries or wears more than 80 items with redundant power sources and cables. The goal is to reduce the fighting load to no more than 30 percent of the Soldier’s body weight, or about 55 pounds.

“Excessive load will degrade the Soldier’s cognitive and physical performance if we don’t do something about it,” he said.

Presently, as each capability is developed individually, the process lacks an integration architecture, and there’s no synchronizing function for information flow in and out of the squad.

“I believe the application of Squad as a System is going to change all that,” said Kiniery, who invited his audience to “join us as we seek solutions to redundancies, weight, tactical power burden, cognitive overload, and lifecycle costs.”

To do that, he said, industry leaders will make sure individual items – wearable, non-wearable and weapons – are compatible and synergistic.

“Through Squad as a System, we will establish a sustainable, adaptable architecture with validated metrics and structural standards. This will facilitate an expectation, a standard, of what the future force will look like.”

By Bridgett Siter

36th AS Flexes Agility, Conducts Airdrop Operations Under Limited Visibility

Thursday, March 13th, 2025

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) —

As the sun set over the Yokota Air Base flightline, four C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron revved engines in preparation for a routine, yet convincing, demonstration of world-class agility, Feb. 6.

This night time sortie – also known as a night tac – would take aircrews over the Mount Fuji drop zone for the swift and synchronized delivery of container delivery system bundles and heavy equipment.

“This particular one was a multi-element formation lead flight,” said Capt. Zachary Norton, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130J pilot. “We also trained on airdrops, so we did visual low-levels over the Mount Fuji drop zone with heavy equipment and CDS bundles.”

Night tacs present unique challenges and provide pilots and loadmasters an opportunity to implement tactics and techniques under limited visibility. These missions rely on critical tools such as aircraft station-keeping equipment, avionics systems used to maintain formation flight in low-visibility or night operations. Aircrew also utilized night vision goggles during the flight.

“NVGs bring a whole different challenge because you lose depth perception when using them.” said Senior Airman Blake Janssen, 36th AS loadmaster. “We do this because in the event we have to conduct night operations, we’re just as proficient as we are at day operations.”

Such exercises are part of the squadron’s unwavering commitment to meet the demands of region-wide airlift support. Their rigorous training schedule includes drumbeat, scenario-based events, and exercise injections to ensure that pilots and loadmasters meet their training objectives and maintain peak proficiency.

“We aim for at least one student on all of our training flights so they can meet all of their requirements,” Janssen said.

The 36th Airlift Squadron champions synchronized logistics by continuously refining their capabilities, ensuring they remain capable of delivering rapid and precise airlift support across the Indo-Pacific.

By SSgt Spencer Tobler, 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The Army at 250: Did you Know the Army Invented This?

Wednesday, March 12th, 2025

You might be surprised by the number of things you use or rely on in work and play can be traced back to Army ingenuity or investment.

Check out this list to discover some of the many things created for or by the Army.

Food preservation – The Army is renowned for food preparation research. The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center in Massachusetts specializes in, among other things, sustaining the military’s food.

Anastacia Marx de Salcedo, author of “Combat-Ready Kitchen: How the U.S. Military Shapes the Way We Eat,” says much of the processed food we eat today originated through experiments in an Army laboratory.

The Army’s Quartermaster Corps funded research at the USDA early in World War II to resolve a problem that had stymied Army food scientists – they couldn’t dehydrate cheese to feed soldiers.

USDA scientist George Sanders came up with the solution, and after the war his method of powdered cheese was used to flavor Cheetos.

The Army also expanded research into high-pressure processing, which de Salcedo says is the application of high pressure to eliminate bacteria in food. Once the food industry adopted the Army’s techniques, it began using them on foods that are produced for public consumption.

One popular product that relies on the pressure process is ready-to-eat guacamole.

In a 2015 interview with National Public Radio, de Salcedo said she realized “that everything in my kids’ lunchboxes had military origins or influence – the bread, the sandwich meat, juice pouches, cheesy crackers, Goldfish Crackers and energy bars,” she said. “In a large sense, l estimate that 50 percent of items in today’s markets were influenced by the military.”

Pringles – The USDA and the Army Quartermaster Corps worked to develop dehydrated potato flakes, which led directly to the production of Pringles potato crisps.

Super Glue – Cyanoacrylate adhesives were initially discovered during World War Il by a scientist at Eastman Kodak Company when the Army was urging American industry to make things to help win the war.

Dr. Harry Coover initially created the new compound in 1942, while striving to create a clear plastic gun sight for Soldiers.

Believing the substance was too sticky, Coover shelved the idea for a decade, but later revisited it while researching material to make jet canopies. This time he realized he had created a super glue, and he filed for a patent.

During the Vietnam War, medical teams caring for severely injured Soldiers realized the material, marketed as Super Glue, was helpful for sealing bloody wounds and to stop bleeding until the patient could be transported to a medical unit for more advanced treatment. Cooper said he took great pride in the fact that his glue saved the lives of many Soldiers injured in combat.

The computer – The Army funded research by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert at the University of Pennsylvania into the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. This was the first electronic computer used for general purposes. The Army wanted to calculate artillery firing tables for its Ballistic Research Laboratory. Construction began in 1943. Six women, recruited in 1942 for their math skills, programmed ENIAC.

Electric Razors – A retired Army colonel invented the first electric razor that could be easily manufactured. Jacob Schick patented his invention in 1928.

Duct Tape – In 1943, an Illinois woman with two sons in the military during World War II first visualized how to make a waterproof cloth tape to seal boxes of ammunition.

Vesta Stoudt worked at the Green River Ordinance Plant near Amboy, Illinois. According to Margaret Gurowitz, the chief historian with Johnson & Johnson, workers at the plant saw that the paper tape used to seal boxes of rifle ammo was inferior and hampered how Soldiers in combat opened the boxes, often while under fire.

Stoudt told others how the tape could be improved but didn’t get help from her supervisors. So, she wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, explaining the problem and detailing her idea to solve it with a better tape. According to Johnson & Johnson company history, the president passed her letter on to the War Production Board.

The board approved of the change and asked a Johnson & Johnson operating company to make the product based on its experience in making tape.

The Jeep – The brainstorm for a quarter-ton, four-wheel drive truck designed as a cross-country tactical vehicle originated just before World War II for the infantry. The military considered numerous prototypes from America’s automakers, and during the war, Willys-Overland and Ford Motor Company produced 643,000 Jeeps for Allied forces.

Two-way portable radio – The Army asked Galvin Manufacturing Corporation, (now Motorola) to make a radio that would allow World War II Soldiers on the move to communicate with each other.

The EpiPen – The roots of a self-directed auto injector go back to 1973, when the Army asked a researcher to create an easy-to-use device to treat chemical warfare exposure for troops in the field. Soon after, experts in the medical industry realized that the auto injector device filled with epinephrine could be carried by civilians who suffer severe allergic reactions.

By Jonathan Austin , Army News Service

Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center’s 3D Printing Revolutionizes Military Readiness, Uniting the Best and Brightest in the Industry

Tuesday, March 11th, 2025

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill.—The U.S. Army’s Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center is embracing additive manufacturing to revolutionize machine repair, lower costs and enhance military readiness, showcasing the ingenuity and dedication found within the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army and its organic industrial base.

“The process of creating these temporary parts first requires reverse engineering the original part,” Edward Flinn, the director of the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence at RIA-JMTC said. “We then printed the part, and fortunately minimal machining was required, so we were able to get the equipment operational soon after the prints were complete.”

The AM CoE, staffed by some of the brightest minds in the field, is creating temporary replacement parts for critical manufacturing equipment, significantly reducing downtime and extending the lifespan of aging machinery.

“In this factory, we have machines from the early 1950s that performed tasks that some newer technology just can’t do in the specifications and the tolerances that we require,” RIA-JMTC Logistics Director John Shappell explained. “The machines today are not as simple to adjust electronically, and the older machines are manually adjusted by a tradesman.”

This initiative builds on the success of the Battle-Damaged Repair and Fabrication program developed with Tank-automotive and Armaments Command. It allows rapid on-demand 3D printing of temporary repair parts for Army units in the field, directly contributing to the readiness and operational capability throughout formations.

“We make a lot of things that are hard to come by,” explains Robert Branch, AM CoE engineer. “By the time a part gets to the AM CoE, everyone has been given an opportunity to provide this part to the government. We’re sort of a last resort because traditional manufacturing methods are more appropriate for large-scale production. When you need a small quantity quickly, that’s when additive manufacturing comes into play.”

The adoption of additive manufacturing offers significant cost savings for the Army by reducing reliance on expensive traditional manufacturing methods, especially for small production runs. RIA-JMTC is at the forefront of this innovation, demonstrating the potential of 3D printing to revolutionize military manufacturing and readiness. While 3D printed parts can sometimes be more expensive, the speed and flexibility they offer prove invaluable.

“Customers understand that readiness solutions might come with a premium, and some are willing to invest in that assurance,” Randl Besse, AM CoE project manager said. “We can provide those parts in days compared to weeks, demonstrating the value of that investment in times of urgent need.”

This commitment to innovation within the defense industrial base ensures that facilities like RIA-JMTC are capable of not only sustaining fielded systems but also maintaining pace with Army modernization efforts. The AM CoE’s work is a testament to the talent present throughout the total workforce, ensuring the RIA-JMTC facility remains postured to surge in support of large-scale combat operations.

“I’m not a real big fan of recreating failure modes just because that’s the way it was,” Branch said. “If someone’s coming to the AM CoE and saying, ‘hey, we need these parts,’ I’m going to ask them why do you need these parts? Is it because they break in a certain area, or they wear out? Do they have one failure mode over another? Because I’m already there adjusting the part. So, let’s see how it interfaces with the other parts around it and if we can make it better.”

One example highlighting the factory replacement part program’s effectiveness is the replacement of a water pump for a critical plating system. With traditional procurement, the lead time for this pump was four to six weeks. The AM CoE was able to print, machine and test a replacement part in less than a week.

“As customers, we’re competing with the rest of the private industry to get this pump that we need to continue producing parts that build on military readiness,” Shappell said. “This replacement part program drastically improves operational availability and readiness.”

Beyond simply replicating existing parts, the AM CoE team actively analyzes and improves designs. For example, a redesigned burner cone, previously a two-piece component prone to failure, was 3D printed as a single, more robust piece, eliminating the previous failure points.

“There are many aspects where we’re getting material performance on printed items that are very close to forged or cast materials,” Branch explains. “When you factor in the safety margins of the original designs, the difference between the materials is often negligible.”

As the technology continues to evolve, additive manufacturing will likely have an even greater impact on Army operations and the wider military manufacturing industry. By embracing this emerging technology, RIA-JMTC is enhancing readiness and operational capabilities, ensuring Army formations are prepared for large-scale combat operations in contested environments.

By Kendall Swank

Platatac Individual Marker Panel

Monday, March 10th, 2025

The Platatac Individual Marker Panel now available in MultiCam Tropic and Ranger Green, alongside MultiCam. With new colours, Pink and Yellow, in addition to Orange.

At 30cm x 30cm, our Individual Marker Panel is a lightweight high visibility item, that is perfect to carry in your kit for individual recognition when marrying up or RV’ing with friendly forces, or signalling vehicles and aircraft.

The shock cord & toggle loops at the corners allow for easy attachment to various items or use ITW Grimlocks to link multiple panels together to create a bigger visual footprint for specific signalling needs.

The marker panel is the perfect accessory to stash in our range of Pouches or even in our notebook covers.

platatac.com/platatac-individual-marker-panel

Additional Details on the Royal Marines MCX Carbines and a Statement from Edgar Brothers

Monday, March 10th, 2025

Over the weekend, the Royal Navy released a statement about the SIG SAUER MCX LT carbines they procured under Project HAY, named after renowned WWII Royal Marine Ace fighter pilot Commander Ronnie Hay, DSO, DSC & Bar.

I’m going to share a few things I know about the program. The actual decision was made almost two years ago, with delivery well over a year ago. It is my understanding that the MCX carbines were purchased for maritime operations as part of the Royal Marines Future Commando Force operational concept with a renewed emphasis on amphibious raids and a fast-paced modernization of weapons and equipment.

The MCX carbines were procured chambered in 5.56 NATO and 300 BLK (7.62×35 for our European readers). However, it’s important to point out, how modular the system they purchased is. Due to the availability of upper receivers in 7.62×39, the Royal Marines could easily adapt if the need arises to add that caliber such as during operations with allied forces still using that caliber. Likewise, the Reduced Signature Assault Rifle (RSAR) configuration is also available and has been procured by USSOCOM as well as other friendly nations, in all three calibers.

As you can imagine, it can be a challenge operationally when you have one common platform and magazine that accepts two different cartridges. The Royal Marines have overcome this by purchasing 300 BLK carbines in all Black livery and 5.56 NATO chambered carbines featuring FDE accessories.

Every rifle comes fully equipped with suppressor, and optic (including magnifier).

The firm which served as the system integrator for the procurement, Edgar Brothers, has provided us with a statement which provides even more details:

Royal Marines Adopt SIG SAUER MCX Under Project HAY

The Royal Marines Commando Force has taken another significant step forward in its ongoing modernization with the adoption of the SIG SAUER MCX rifle under Project HAY, a program named after Ronald “Ronnie” Cuthbert Hay DSO, DSC and Bar, the only Royal Marines fighter ace. This follows the introduction of the Knights Armament Stoner 1 (KS-1) under Project COMACCHIO, which began replacing the SA80 as the primary weapon for the Royal Marines Littoral Response Groups under Project HUNTER (named in honor of Corporal Thomas Hunter, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery at Lake Comacchio). However, Project HAY focuses on specialized roles, replacing the venerable L119A1/A2 rifles produced by Colt Canada and ensures force-wide transition to AR controls.

The Legacy of Ronnie Hay

Ronnie Hay, a legendary fighter pilot and Royal Marine during World War II, epitomized the adaptability and daring that today’s Commando Force strives to embody. As the only Royal Marines fighter ace, Hay flew numerous combat missions in the Fleet Air Arm, earning multiple decorations for his aerial victories and ground-attack missions. His distinguished service included pivotal roles in the Dunkirk evacuation, the Battle of Britain, the Mediterranean campaign during Operation Torch, and the Far East, where he led one of the Fleet Air Arm’s largest operations and supported the assault on Okinawa. Hay’s remarkable legacy now inspires the cutting-edge capabilities delivered through Project HAY, as the Royal Marines continue to redefine their role as an advanced, multi-domain force.

Project HAY and the SIG SAUER MCX

The SIG SAUER MCX brings a level of versatility well-suited to the unique requirements of the Royal Marines’ maritime special operations-capable unit. This unit specializes in tasks such as ship interdiction, training partner forces overseas, and close-quarters engagements during boarding operations. Unlike Project COMACCHIO’s KS-1, designed for general issue, the MCX is tailored for specialized operations. Its design allows operators to switch between different configurations, making it highly adaptable to varying mission profiles. This capability is particularly valuable for training teams operating overseas, where non-standard ammunition may be the only viable option.

Compact and Mission-Ready

The shorter barrel lengths make the MCX ideal for confined spaces, such as ship interiors and urban environments. Both systems can be configured for suppressed or unsuppressed use, offering flexibility during sensitive operations where noise in confined spaces can produce challenges. It is understood that other variations made possible by the MCX’s flexibility are being considered and trialled. Other natures may be used that are more suitable for close-quarter battle or working with partner forces.

A further feature is the addition of RailScales’ custom Monomount, which raises optic height to improve compatibility with night vision goggles (NVGs). This feature enhances the weapon’s effectiveness in low-light environments while supporting ergonomic aiming. The Monomount also facilitates the top mounting of the LLM Mk3 laser, further enhancing the MCX’s versatility. Additionally, the MCX’s extensive stock options enable seamless integration with protective gear, including helmets with mandible attachments if required.

Training and Simulation

To ensure safe, realistic training, the MCX is equipped with dedicated Simunition kits for force-on-force exercises and blank-firing adapters for practice. These tools allow boarding teams to train under realistic conditions without compromising safety. The design of the MCX also ensures that operators can train extensively on one platform before transitioning to another for specific missions.

Lessons Learned from the HUNTER Programme

The Royal Marines’ evaluation of the MCX benefited greatly from Project HUNTER, which enabled extensive small arms experimentation. This initiative allowed units to field-test systems and provide valuable feedback on their performance. For Project HAY, the results of these trials were instrumental in shaping the final configurations of the fielded MCX.

A Purpose-Built Tool for the Future Force

The adoption of the SIG SAUER MCX marks another milestone in the Royal Marines’ transformation into a special operations-capable maritime task group. The MCX, with its design and adaptability, gives the Commando Force a purpose-built tool for modern operations. Whether conducting training missions in remote regions or executing high-stakes maritime interdictions, the weapon’s compact size, suppressor compatibility, and flexibility make it an invaluable asset for deployed teams.

Mike Newman, Director PMD at Edgar Brothers, commented on the collaboration:It was a great effort between ourselves, UK Commando Force, and SIG SAUER to provide the MCX and associated ancillaries. Edgar Brothers are hugely proud to provide another weapon system into the Royal Marines arsenal.

Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG SAUER, Inc., added: “SIG SAUER is proud that our rifles, suppressors, and optics are entering service with the UK Royal Marines. This system of cutting-edge products is designed for proven performance and reliability to withstand the rigors of the battlefield. We are honored to support the Royal Marines with our products and their commitment to mission readiness.

Under Project HAY, the Royal Marines continue to honor the legacy of Ronnie Hay by equipping specialist units with the tools to thrive in all domains, just like Ronnie Hay.

Air Force Senior Leaders Discuss Intelligence Driving Unified Action

Monday, March 10th, 2025

AURORA, Colo. (AFNS) —

Air Force Lt. Gen. Leah Lauderback, deputy chief of Staff, ISR and Cyber Effects Operations, and Space Force Maj. Gen. Gregory Gagnon, deputy chief of Space Operations for Intelligence, joined a panel discussion with Mr. Greg Ryckman, Defense Intelligence Agency deputy director for Global Integration, during the Air and Space Force Association Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, March 4.

The two senior Department of the Air Force intelligence officers joined the stage alongside Ryckman to discuss the current intelligence environment, monitoring threats and on-going collaboration between combat support agencies.

To begin the panel, Gagnon gave context for why America’s need for intelligence is growing. He stated there has been significant changes throughout the world in the past 10 years, including the drastically decreasing gap between the U.S. and Chinese economies.

“In the past 10 years, the Chinese economy has grown 78%,” Gagnon stated. “Let me tell you why this is important… what makes you rich can make you strong.”

Gagnon explained the efforts China has taken to increase its defense budget and noted they’ve increased on-orbit assets by 650% since the U.S. Space Force’s creation in 2019.

Lauderback spoke about the importance of unifying the Department of Defense’s intel capabilities with combat support agencies such as the DIA. She explained senior intelligence leaders are working to get intel information to as many levels throughout the DoD as possible.

We want to be able to provide the intentions of the adversary,” Lauderback said. “We want to provide their capabilities, and we want to give [commanders and decision-makers] confidence in the intelligence so that [they] can make the best decisions in a high-end conflict.”

With DIA acting as the lead to unify intelligence information, Gagnon said they are putting the “‘common’ back in the common intel picture,” emphasizing its importance for global synchronization.

“Our design in the Department of Defense is to deliver unified action,” Gagnon said. “That requires a unified set of understanding about where the enemy is and what their intent is, so this is a very important initiative.”

-Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs