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US Marines and Sailors Train and Experiment with Emerging Drone Technology in Okinawa

Monday, October 13th, 2025

CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, Japan —

From Aug. 11 to 22, 2025, U.S. Marines and Sailors with 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, trained with, integrated, and expanded their use of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). For the first time, Marines flew untethered sUAS over an Okinawa-based, Marine Corps installation.

This aligns directly with the Secretary of Defense’s drone modernization guidance, released July 10, 2025, which prioritizes training with autonomous capabilities, leaning into adaptability, and pursuing joint-force integration with these emerging technologies.

“The Marines and Sailors with 4th Marine Regiment are getting use to utilizing and innovating with technology that we haven’t used in the past,” said Capt. Wesley Pond, Regimental Assistant Air Officer, 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division and lead planner of the sUAS and autonomous, unmanned ground vehicle (A-UGV) training on Camp Schwab. “We are helping them to see new things, new ways to find an adversary and new ways of moving about the battlespace.”

The Marines and Sailors attended a course with the Skydio X2D sUAS to sustain their proficiency with the system. This in-depth training allowed some servicemembers to receive an additional Military Occupational Specialty as sUAS operators after they completed all the required training objectives. The Marines in the course were able to take their increased proficiency in sUAS employment back to their unit to better integrate the systems in future training evolutions.

“Marines of any rank are encouraged to participate in the courses in order to receive the qualifications to operate group one UAS,” said Pond. “This in total increases the Marine Corps’ combat effectiveness by having capable Marines, of any MOS, at the ready to operate drones in any situation.”

“We will continue to push the metaphorical football down the field and keep getting better. We are going to field the Marines with the weapons and the systems they need to enhance their lethality, to go confidently into the next battlespace and know they are walking into a fight that they are well prepared for.”

– said Capt. Wesley Pond, Regimental Assistant Air Officer, 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division and lead planner of the sUAS and autonomous, unmanned ground vehicle (A-UGV) training on Camp Schwab.

The Marines and Sailors with 4th Marine Regiment refined shared procedures for experimental methods of extracting an emergency casualty via the Mission Master. This A-UGV platform can assist with tactical transport, resupply, and casualty evacuation, reducing danger to dismounted troops across a wide range of missions, including high-risk situations.

“This is the first time our corpsmen in the 4th Marines Regimental Aid Station have had the opportunity to train with and use an autonomous system as a CASEVAC platform,” said U.S. Navy Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman David Long, senior enlisted leader, 4th Marines Regimental Aid Station.

In this training scenario, the Mission Master was used to carry wounded servicemembers out of harm’s way on the battlefield, enabling the Corpsmen to quickly and tactically bring the casualty behind friendly lines.

“This takes a huge load off the humans that would previously have to physically carry that casualty on a litter a long distance or we would have to use a large, loud tactical vehicle,” said Long. “It also allows us to provide treatment enroute to the casualty collection point for follow-on care. This capability has the potential to help us save lives and quickly return more Marines back to the fight.”

As the future of warfighting continues to evolve, 4th Marine Regiment continues to modernize as well.

“This training demonstrates the 4th Marine Regiment’s commitment to train as we fight and to compete with adversary capabilities now,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Barclay, commanding officer, 4th Marine Regiment. “Training isn’t just about preparing for a future fight but maintaining a decisive edge in the current operating environment. What Capt. Pond, the 3d Marine Division, and Marine Corps Installations Pacific team have achieved is just the start of much more work to be done within the realms of sUAS and UGV training.”

Cpl Joaquin Carlos Dela Torre

3rd Marine Division

Posted in Drone, Guest Post, USMC | No Comments »

Air Force Experiments with AI, Boosts Battle Management Speed, Accuracy

Saturday, October 11th, 2025

LAS VEGAS (AFNS) —

The Air Force wrapped up the second Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-Machine Teaming, known as DASH 2, a fast-paced experiment exploring how artificial intelligence can help operators make faster, smarter decisions in complex battlespaces.

DASH 2 took place at the Shadow Operations Center-Nellis’ unclassified location in downtown Las Vegas and was led by the Advanced Battle Management System Cross-Functional Team.The effort was conducted in partnership with the Air Force Research Lab’s 711th Human Performance Wing, the Integrated Capabilities Command and the 805th Combat Training Squadron, also known as the ShOC-N.

“DASH 2 proved human-machine teaming is no longer theoretical,” said Col. Jonathan Zall, ABMS Capability Integration chief. “By fusing operator judgment with AI speed, the Air Force is shaping the future of decision advantage in joint and coalition operations.”

AI Speeds Decision Advantage

Initial results showed that machines produced recommendations in less than ten seconds and generated 30 times more options than human-only teams. Two vendors each produced more than 6,000 solutions for roughly 20 problems in just one hour. The software’s accuracy was on par with human performance, despite only two weeks of development. In one case, a single algorithm adjustment would have raised recommendation validity from 70 percent to more than 90 percent.

“This level of output gives commanders options to execute multiple kill chains simultaneously and we’re excited about our next experiment to generate the courses of action with the machines to help illuminate risk, opportunity gain/loss, material gain/loss, among others,” said Col. John Ohlund, ABMS CFT director.

Inside DASH 2

The DASH series is part of the Air Force’s campaign to modernize command and control and gain decision advantage through human-machine teaming. Each sprint refines a specific decision function and informs future Department of the Air Force C2 development. The series also supports the Pentagon’s Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control initiative.

“Human-machine teaming is critical to accelerating the speed and quality of decisions across the joint force, and DASH 2 provides the insights we need to make that a reality,” Zall said.

Human-Machine Teaming in Action

Seven teams participated in DASH 2, including six industry teams and one ShOC-N innovation team. Their challenge was to design AI-enabled microservices capable of assisting operators with the “match effectors” function, which determines the best available weapon system to destroy an identified target.

Developers observed battle management crews operating without machine assistance, then iteratively designed and tested tools to augment human decision-making. Final demonstrations compared human-only performance against human-machine performance, measuring speed, quantity and quality.

“Being part of DASH 2 showed us how human-machine teaming can enhance performance without losing operator judgment,” said Capt. Steven Mohan III, 726th Air Control Squadron chief of standards and evaluations.

Industry and Air Force Collaboration

Evaluation focused on whether these tools helped operators make more effective decisions, not just process more data.

DASH 2 also reaffirmed the value of co-development with both industry and Air Force developers. Companies retained intellectual property rights while the Air Force gained insight into integration and functional requirements for future C2 software.

“At the ShOC-N, our mission is to put new capabilities into operators’ hands and test them under conditions that resemble real-world battle management,” said Lt. Col. Shawn Finney, 805th CTS/ShOC-N commander. “DASH 2 demonstrated how the battle lab enables rigorous testing while maintaining operational fidelity, bridging the gap between concept and capability.”

Early Results and Lessons Learned

The 711th HPW collected data on operator performance, workload and teaming dynamics. Findings confirmed that AI can accelerate decision-making while keeping humans at the center of the process.

“Collaboration with AFRL, the ABMS program office and industry allowed us to rapidly experiment, refine requirements and accelerate the path from concept to capability delivery,” Ohlund said.

Shaping the Future of C2

The DASH series is a key step in modernizing Air Force command and control. By combining human judgment with AI, the service is preparing operators to make faster, more informed decisions in future contested environments.

“DASH 2 proved human-machine teaming is no longer theoretical,” Zall said. “By fusing operator judgment with AI speed, the Air Force is shaping the future of decision advantage in joint and coalition operations.”

By Deb Henley, 505th Command and Control Wing Public Affairs

805th Combat Training Squadron, also known as the Shadow Operations Center-Nellis

Posted in AI / ML, Air Force, C5ISR, Guest Post | No Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Rash Guard

Friday, October 10th, 2025

FirstSpear’s RASH GUARDS are engineered for high-performance use in maritime, watersport, or tactical environments. Constructed from a proprietary USA-made blend of 83 % polyester and 17 % spandex, it offers an ultralight compression fit that clings close to the body without excess bulk.

The fabric is quick-drying, allowing moisture to dissipate rapidly and preventing the garment from remaining saturated during activity. Smooth flat seams minimize rubbing or abrasion, even when the Rash Guard is worn under gear, harnesses, or in high-friction settings.

In addition to mechanical protection, the material provides natural UV defense, helping shield skin from sun exposure during extended operations or sessions on the water. Low-profile integrated thumbholes help anchor the sleeves in place, especially when donning additional equipment or layering over gear. FirstSpear advises ordering your normal t-shirt size for a snug, compression-style fit, while stepping up one or two sizes yields a slightly more relaxed feel without sacrificing performance.

The Rash Guard is available in both short- and long-sleeve versions, offering versatility for different climates or mission profiles. It is entirely manufactured in the USA, aligning with FirstSpear’s commitment to domestic production and quality control. Its blend of stretch, durability, and rapid drying behavior makes it well-suited for repeated use in harsh environments. Whether worn as a standalone base layer, under armor, or for training, it balances protection, comfort, and function. With mission-oriented design and materials, it stands as a dependable piece for those operating in aquatic, coastal, or gear-intensive settings.

To request an estimate click image above or visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting edge-tactical gear for military, law enforcement and those who train. For more information visit First-Spear.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Maritime | No Comments »

Colonel Mark Hamilton Assumes Command of 1st Special Operations Wing

Friday, October 10th, 2025

U.S. Air Force Col. Mark L. Hamilton assumed command of the 1st Special Operations Wing from Col. Patrick T. Dierig during a change of command ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Oct. 6, 2025.

Presiding officer, Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, praised Col. Dierig’s leadership of the 1 SOW and cast a vision for continued mission readiness and innovation under Col. Hamilton.

“Col. Hamilton’s proven leadership is just what the 1 SOW needs to ensure our Air Commandos remain ready to answer the Nation’s call,” said Lt. Gen. Conley. “I can think of no better leader to take the reins of this remarkable wing and continue its long legacy of excellence. We have a lot of work ahead and must continue to maximize Air Commando attributes of boldness, valor, and ingenuity to ensure that when called…we win.”

As commander of the 1 SOW with 20 years of Air Force service, Col. Hamilton will be responsible for preparing special operations forces for worldwide missions in support of joint and coalition objectives. The 1 SOW at Hurlburt Field is one of six Air Force active duty special operations wings which fall under AFSOC. Hurlburt Field employs more than 7,600 military and approximately 1,700 civilian personnel.

“To the Air Commandos of the 1st Special Operations Wing—I am proud of your accomplishments…but even more impressed by your professionalism, grit and selfless service,” said Col. Hamilton. “I am deeply humbled to assume command of this extraordinary organization, and I am eager to get after our mission together.”

Previously, Col. Hamilton served as the 1 SOW’s Deputy Commander of Operations, where he was responsible for employing manned and remotely piloted fixed-wing aircraft, including the AC-130J Ghostrider, MC-130J Commando II and MQ-9 Reaper. He also served as the primary operations advisor to Col. Dierig.

As the outgoing 1 SOW commander with over 24 years of service, Col Dierig leaves behind oversight of Hurlburt Field’s base support for the wing’s 24 squadrons, as well as more than 40 tenant units, including Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command.

“I’ve always said that to be a good Airman, be a good person,” said Col. Dierig. “Looking around this room, I see a room full of good people and good Air Commandos. I’m proud to have played a small role in this wing’s excellence and proud of the unwavering professionalism you’ve all demonstrated during my command. I have full confidence that Col. Hamilton is the exact right leader to guide this high-performing wing forward.”

Story by 2nd Lt Daniel White, 1st Special Operations Wing

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | No Comments »

Army Expands Program Allowing Soldiers with Civilian Skills to Bypass Initial Training

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army is adding 17 new military occupational specialties (MOSs) to its Civilian Acquired Skills Program (ACASP) effective October 1, 2025. The ACASP allows Soldiers with relevant civilian skills to bypass some initial training and start their military careers at an advanced level. This expansion brings the total number of eligible occupations to 60.

“ACASP offers a two-pronged benefit,” said Brig. Gen. Gregory Johnson, Director of Military Personnel Management. “The Army gets skilled specialists into the force faster and at a lower cost, while the Soldier receives a significant head start in their military career.”

Through ACASP, qualified applicants with verified civilian training, certifications, or experience can receive advanced rank, accelerated promotion, or modified training requirements upon enlistment. The latest update authorizes the following 17 new MOSs under ACASP:

While specific requirements vary by career field, all ACASP applicants must meet several general criteria. Candidates need verifiable work experience, training, or certification in a qualifying job and must satisfy all standard Army enlistment requirements, such as age, physical fitness, and background checks. To verify eligibility, applicants must also provide official documentation of their skills, which can include licenses, transcripts, or letters from an employer.

The revised ACASP MOS inventory will be available for applicants entering into the Regular Army, U.S. Army Reserve, and Army National Guard. For more information on the ACASP and the complete list of eligible MOSs, access the Smartbook DA PAM 611-21 here.

By LTC Andrew Yang, U.S. Army Directorate of Military Personnel Management

Posted in Army, Guest Post, TacJobs | Comments Off on Army Expands Program Allowing Soldiers with Civilian Skills to Bypass Initial Training

From Care Package to Camouflage

Wednesday, October 8th, 2025

FORT LIBERTY, N.C. – Seven years ago, a civilian sent a care package to an overseas Soldier unaware that the simple act of kindness would turn into a lifelong friendship and a career in the U.S. Army.

Pfc. Dakota Barnes, a behavioral health technician assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 18th Field Artillery Brigade, experienced a tragic loss years before joining the U.S. Army. A friend’s brother – an Army medic affectionately known as “Doc” –took his own life after suffering silently from post-traumatic stress disorder. Spurred to action after attending his funeral, Barnes sought a way to support Soldiers experiencing detrimental behavioral health conditions.

“I knew I had to do something to help the who-knows-how-many Soldiers that were struggling the same way he had been,” Barnes said. “At 21 years old, I didn’t feel I had many opportunities or abilities, but I knew I could send pieces of home to those missing it.”

Barnes started working with an organization called America’s Adopt a U.S. Soldier (AAUSS) and the Cpl. Charles O. Palmer II Memorial Troop Support Program. Both organizations worked to send care packages out to service members. She attended packing events and deployment ceremonies, getting involved as much as possible.

“I sent quite a few boxes and adopted platoons and Soldiers and that’s how I met Andrew,” Barnes said.

Now-Staff Sgt. Andrew Walsh is currently assigned to the 1-174 Air Defense Regiment, Ohio National Guard, as a 94T or a short-range air defense systems repairer. Walsh has been in the Army for almost 10 years. Thinking back to 2017, Walsh recalled how he and Barnes first connected.

“Our unit put out a thing where you sign up for correspondance and civilians reach out,” Walsh recalled. “Dakota was the most consistent and because of that we kept in touch via email at first and then through Facebook messenger.”

Walsh was deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan and spent nine months in country working with Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM). Walsh said having a pen pal helped pass the time during deployment and boosted morale throughout his unit.

“It was nice to talk to someone, who wasn’t family, who cared,” Walsh said. “We were getting ready for Christmas and Dakota sent us shotgun shell ornaments and other decorations. We got a lot of compliments on the mini-Christmas tree, and I’d tell them it was from my pen pal.”

In 2023, inspired by years of friendship and her newfound connection with service, Barnes decided to join the Army in the behavioral health field after much consideration and help from Walsh.

“I know active duty makes more sense for her, but I did try to get her to go National Guard,” Walsh joked. “When she finished basic training and advance individualized training, I was proud of her.”

Now, the tables have turned, and Barnes has built a rapport with Walsh as a mentor, looking to him for help and support. Walsh has stepped up as an example of professionalism and expertise, providing Barnes with essential knowledge for her success in the Army.

“He has been helping me with so many Army things – from the day I started considering joining all the way to settling into my first duty station and attempting to put my gear together,” Barnes said.

Walsh echoed the statement, saying he provides her with Army-related help whenever possible.

“She was getting ready for the field recently and didn’t have her body armor together, so I was helping her via video call to get everything together, being an NCO for her,” Walsh said.

Barnes and Walsh finally connected in person for the first time this year. Walsh is currently on rotation in Virginia and Barnes is stationed at Fort Liberty, N.C., so the pair met over a long weekend. Walsh said when they finally met, it was like seeing an old friend he hadn’t seen in a while.

“I’ve known her for seven years now, so I was just like ‘Sup bro,’ when we finally met,” Walsh said.

Both said relationships like this are important to maintain between civilians and service members. Walsh said that it’s necessary to foster relationships outside of the Army, allowing Soldiers the mental break from their day-to-day operations. Barnes agreed, saying while civilians and service members lead markedly different lives due to the nature of their professions, the mutual support and camaraderie they can lend each other is invaluable.

“I loved going above and beyond for the Soldiers I adopted,” Barnes said. “[Andrew] did the same for me. At the end of his deployment, he took the U.S. Flag flown at the base with a certificate and everything and sent it to me as a thank you. I still have it to this day.”

Posted in Army, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

IWC Launches Its First Course on Irregular Warfare Approaches for the Homeland

Tuesday, October 7th, 2025

ARLINGTON, VA — The Department of War Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) announced the launch of its newest online course, Irregular Warfare (IW) 110: IW Approaches for Homeland Security and Defense, available now to homeland defense and homeland security professionals as of September 22, 2025.

According to national security experts, the U.S. homeland is under persistent unconventional attack in the ‘gray zone’ short of war from both threat nations like China as well as non-state actors such as transnational criminal organizations (TCO) and foreign terrorist organizations (FTO).

IW110 is a four-hour long self-paced virtual course about how the homeland can be better secured and how to defend the U.S. homeland using approaches such as countering threat networks, counter threat finance, and military counterterrorism techniques. Additionally, IW-110 explains how IW concepts like total /comprehensive defense, and countering hybrid threats can offer effective practices to establish a whole-of-society defense posture to increase resiliency against U.S. adversary activities in this gray zone.

The course is built with interactive courseware that integrates text, graphics, video and other media to enhance learning and encourage participants engagement. The course focuses on three objectives including Describe the current Homeland Security and Homeland Defense environment, identify irregular threats to the U.S. homeland from state and non-state actors, and examine the application of IW approaches/activities domestically to counter diverse threats to the homeland. The course includes five core sections and concludes with a final exam that must be passed to receive a completion certificate.

IW110 capitalizes on the IWC educational successes with the introductory IW101 course and advanced IW201 course, which have gained over 2,600 enrollments. This latest IWC course is specifically designed for Homeland Defense and Homeland Security professionals in the Department of War and interagency partners at the Federal, State and local levels. However, as an unclassified resource, it is also open to anyone interested in understanding how irregular warfare approaches can be employed to better protect our citizens and critical infrastructure.

This course helps realize the intent of the 2020 National Defense Strategy IW Annex to institutionalize and operationalize IW as a core competency for the U.S. military, as well as fulfill the Irregular Warfare Center’s (IWC) Congressionally mandated mission in Title 10 §345 “to serve as a central mechanism for developing the irregular warfare knowledge of the Department of War and advancing the understanding of irregular warfare concepts and doctrine” and “coordinating and aligning Department education curricula, standards, and objectives related to irregular warfare.”

Irregular Warfare 110 is hosted in two virtual offerings including the Center for Homeland Defense and Security self-study courses website. Registration and access information are available on our website irregularwarfarecenter.org/education/irregular-warfare-110

For more news and information about the IWC follow us on social media and subscribe to our DVIDS feed at:

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Irregular Warfare Center

Posted in Guest Post, Irregular Warfare, Training | No Comments »

Primary Arms x Second Amendment Foundation

Sunday, October 5th, 2025

Each month, Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) teams up with an industry partner to host a giveaway that helps raise donations for their mission. This month it is our friends at Primary Arms.

Every donation counts as an entry, and these contributions go directly toward SAF’s work defending and advancing the Second Amendment through education, legal action, and grassroots initiatives. The more people who see these giveaways, the bigger the impact—and the more support SAF receives to continue this important work.

WIN This Rifle and Great Prize Pack from Primary Arms! Prize Package Includes:

Rifle: LaRue Tactical KRG Siete 6.5 Creedmoor Bolt Action Rifle – 23″

Optic: Primary Arms SLx 3-18x50mm FFP Gen II Rifle Scope – Illuminated ACSS Athena BPR MIL Reticle

Mount: LaRue Tactical 20 MOA PSR 30mm Scope Mount with QD Lever Mount

Bipod: Magpul MOE Bipod – Sling Stud – Black

Rifle Case: Magpul DAKA 53″ Soft Rifle Case – Black

Shooting Mat: Primary Arms Gear Compact Shooting Mat – Flat Dark Earth

Magazines: AMEND2 AICS Short Action 12 Round Magazine (x3)

Total MSRP $4,127.51Thank you to Primary Arms for their donations and support to make this sweepstakes possible.

Make your donation and enter to win here.

Posted in 2A, Advertiser, Fundraising, Guest Post | Comments Off on Primary Arms x Second Amendment Foundation