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Mountain Peak Prepares 10th Mountain Soldiers for JRTC Rotation

Saturday, June 7th, 2025

FORT DRUM, N.Y. — In May, Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), participated in Mountain Peak 25-01, a brigade-level, large-scale combat operation training exercise designed to prepare the unit for an upcoming rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Johnson, Louisiana, later this summer.

The exercise began with a joint forcible entry operation, in which units from the 2nd BCT and 10th Combat Aviation Brigade inserted forces into contested terrain. After the initial objective was secured, brigade elements shifted into a force-on-force scenario, in which supporting units took on critical roles throughout the operation.

Throughout the training, units maneuvered across rugged terrain and executed coordinated assaults to secure key objectives.

“It’s pretty impressive, just the level of planning that has to go into making sure logistics, tactics, maneuvering — all of it — comes together,” said 1st Lt. Rex Jones, a platoon leader with 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment. “And making sure every section gets something out of this, not just one or two.”

The Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company operated forward of friendly lines, providing commanders with battlefield intelligence throughout the operation. Teams conducted close reconnaissance while avoiding detection to collect information and report on enemy positions.

“We bring a lot of diverse experience to the table,” said Staff Sgt. Austin Tyson, senior team chief with MFRC. “That gives us the operational freedom to make autonomous decisions and exploit weaknesses in the enemy wherever we find them.”

The 10th Mountain Division’s G3 team managed exercise planning and control.

“Mountain Peak is the only force-on-force event of this scale that we do here on Fort Drum,” said senior G3 exercise coordinator Will McNutt. “It’s a heavy lift to support from an exercise control perspective. Nothing else approaches the size and scale of Mountain Peak — many posts don’t even run an event like this for their brigades.”

Units conducted air assaults, coordinated movements across complex terrain, and integrated with aviation, reconnaissance, and multinational support assets.

Drone operators from the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre supported the opposing force with unmanned aerial systems. Their integration added complexity to the training and increased the realism of simulated threats.

“The scope and scale of this exercise have been instrumental in enabling our drone teams to build skills, push system limits, and foster seamless integration between units,” said Capt. Wesley Morfoot, staff officer, Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre.

“Through trust, commanders and their teams have truly empowered them with the freedom to innovate in the field.”

Training emphasized mission command, unit-level coordination, and adaptation against a live opposing force.

The exercise allowed Soldiers to rehearse key tasks under realistic conditions while gaining experience across the brigade.

Mountain Peak allows Soldiers to put their skills to the test and hone in on their proficiency. This ensures every 10th Mountain Soldier maintains readiness and lethality, ultimately preparing these Soldiers for real-world operations.

By SGT Samuel Bonney

Posted in Army, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Short & Long Sleeve Field Shirts (ACM 150)

Friday, June 6th, 2025

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Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

NSA Naples Sailors Make History, Excel at European Shooting Competition

Friday, June 6th, 2025

NAPLES, Italy – Sailors from the U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples’ Security Department made history Apr. 16, 2025 by participating in the annual European Paratroopers 8th Small Arms Marksmanship Challenge in Naples.

250416-N-TY639-2311 NAPLES, Italy (April 16, 2025) Sailors attached to U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples’ Security Department compete at the European Paratroopers Small Arms Marksmanship Competition in Naples, Italy, April 16, 2025. NSA Naples is an operational base, home to over 50 commands and 8,500 personnel, providing crucial support for U.S. and allied forces across Europe, Africa, and the Central Command’s areas of responsibility. From air and port operations to force protection and logistics, the base ensures combat readiness while prioritizing the well-being of service memebrs and their families. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Nass)

The four Sailors were the first-ever U.S. Navy participants in the competition’s eight-year history.

The multinational event brought together more than 30 military members from across NATO, including the United States, Italy, Greece, Sweden, Germany, Spain and Norway. The annual competition tests combat marksmanship and builds camaraderie and trust among allied forces.

“The event is about training but also building a brotherhood amongst these different nations,” said Col. Giuilio Festa, president of the European Paratroopers Association. “We usually only have members from the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force; this is the first time we have members from the U.S. Navy. I want to thank them for helping set up and run this event.”

NSA Naples Security personnel served as the primary instructors and line coaches for all rifle courses of fire throughout the competition.

Chief Gunner’s Mate Richard Ashworth, NSA Naples Security Department Armory Supervisor, said the experience was rewarding.

“Interacting with the other NATO countries was a valuable opportunity. They were highly motivated to participate and also to learn,” Ashworth said. “The event was great. Everyone was receptive to the training that was given, and everything was very professional and well-coordinated.”

While all participants had prior firearms experience, the instructors from NSA Naples had to adapt their coaching to account for language barriers and differing national protocols.

In addition to instructing, the Sailors achieved impressive results. The team earned the European Paratroopers Association’s Gold Marksmanship Lanyard for each member, a prestigious recognition of shooting excellence. Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Christopher Marthini secured third place individually, and all four U.S. sailors finished in the top eight. They also earned marksmanship badges from Swedish and Norwegian forces, taking home two bronze and two silver.

By participating and refining their marksmanship skills, these Sailors boosted their readiness to respond swiftly and efficiently, providing vital support when the NSA Naples community needs it most.

“This year’s Navy participation exceeded expectation,” Festa said. “They played an important role, and I hope we continue to see more involvement from the Navy in the future.”

NSA Naples is an operational ashore base host to more than 50 separate commands and approximately 8,500 personnel. The base provides a forward-deployed operational platform to the Fleet, enables the warfighter, and supports the family. It supports U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, U.S. SIXTH Fleet, NATO, and Combatant Commander’s strategic priorities by providing air and port operations, force protection, emergency services, logistical and administrative capabilities, and essential quality of life products and services to the Fleet, joint and allied forces to ensure stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Nass

Posted in Guest Post, Navy, Shooting Sports | 2 Comments »

Senior Special Ops Leader Highlights AI’s Usefulness Beyond Battlefield

Thursday, June 5th, 2025

Although the U.S. Special Operations Command has embraced incorporating artificial intelligence into the 21st-century battlespace, one senior special operations forces leader noted that AI has non-tactical uses, which are proving very advantageous for the SOF community.

While speaking at the AI+ Expo in Washington today, Socom’s vice commander, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Frank L. Donovan, said AI tools are helping the command build its budget and run more efficiently at the administrative level.

He admitted that talking about budgets “doesn’t sound exciting,” but it’s important to Donovan to “show that we have a good return on the investment” that American taxpayers make in Socom.

“We use this tool, integrating data from across multiple databases into a single pool, and [then] use generative AI to deliver insights and provide true courses of action to make sure that our baseline budget and our top line remains about constant,” he explained.

He added that such a process helps ensure the command is executing operations globally while cutting away excess and modernizing at the same time.

In terms of how human capital relates to budgeting, Donovan said the people who contribute to the process are still necessary for their valuable insights.

“We can have a large number of staff officers doing that type of work, and we want them still in the loop to provide their expertise,” he said. “But [with AI], we can move quicker — with more volume and data — to make a better decision.”

Socom has made significant AI-related inroads over the past year, particularly when it comes to software.

Last month, one industry expert said he would rate Socom’s overall progress on AI development as a “six or seven” on a scale of one to 10, noting that he sees areas where the command can continue to grow, including further integration of AI into legacy hardware systems.

Currently in its second year, the AI+ Expo is a forum for industry, government and academic research entities to exhibit some of the latest technological breakthroughs in AI, biotech, energy, networks, microelectronics, manufacturing and augmented reality, as well as discuss their implications for U.S. and allied competitiveness.

By Matthew Olay, DOD News

Posted in AI / ML, Guest Post, SOF | 1 Comment »

Army Scientists Train Soldiers on How to Leverage AI Technologies

Thursday, June 5th, 2025

ADELPHI, Md. — A cohort of 25 Soldiers and three civilians mastered the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning as part of a special course taught by experts at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, also known as DEVCOM ARL.

Mid-career Army officers, warrant officers and non-commissioned officers traveled from across the nation to attend the course. The goal was for participants to finish the course with an in-depth understanding of how they might leverage AI for their particular role in the Army.

“The instructors did a phenomenal job breaking down complex concepts like convolutional layers, generative adversarial networks and transformer models into digestible lessons, even for non-technical folks,” said Capt. Nathan Jackson, an active-duty air defense artillery officer stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. “I now see clear opportunities for AI to support everything from predictive modeling of officer career paths to optimizing air defense planning.”

This course, led by DEVCOM ARL researchers Dr. Mark Tschopp and Dr. Reginald Hobbs and Maj. Matt Work from the U.S. Army Futures and Concepts Center, represents one way that DEVCOM ARL prepares Soldiers for a future operating environment dominated by artificial intelligence.

“AI holds the extraordinary potential to swiftly analyze the deluge of data present within the future battlefield and to deliver actionable insight to Soldiers at the speed of relevance,” Tschopp said. “We want this course to equip Soldiers with the knowledge and decision-making capabilities to harness AI as a tool to gain a competitive edge over our adversaries.”

ARL launched the Artificial Intelligence for Soldiers course as part of the Army G-3/5/7’s Strategic Broadening Seminar program in 2024 to provide Soldiers with a unique learning opportunity in a critical technology domain.

The course features classroom seminars, guest lectures by Army leaders, tours of ARL research facilities and close-up demonstrations of the laboratory’s latest AI and robotics technology.

During the span of one week, course participants were provided a wealth of information that not only illuminated how AI systems work but also highlighted AI’s nature as a tool with real limitations and specialized applications. Once the course established a solid foundational understanding of AI and ML for the participants, the program coordinators demonstrated to the Soldiers the various ways that Army researchers have implemented AI in Army technology so far.

“It was fascinating to learn where AI opportunities are being explored and what AI limitations that scientists are trying to overcome,” said Maj. Mathew Miller, Army acquisition officer. “I was most impressed with where ARL scientists are applying AI now. I feel much more empowered to approach industry on the topic of AI, and I hope to reach out to ARL scientists in the future as a resource for attacking acquisition challenges.”

The course concluded on Friday with capstone presentations by the participants to Army senior leaders. Each team showcased what they had learned and proposed a new AI-driven capability that would address a future Army need.

U.S. Army’s Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy Maj. Gen. Stephanie Ahern congratulated the course participants for their growth and stressed the importance of continued education and engagement in this technology space.

“This course was about developing you all—as some of the Army’s rising leaders—to meet the challenges ahead,” Ahern said. “Your ability to work with experts who are working with AI every day and your ability to apply AI in the field are extremely essential to the Army mission. Please continue to be an agent of change; you are a part of the solution, and you are not in it alone.”

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

Posted in AI / ML, Army, Guest Post | Comments Off on Army Scientists Train Soldiers on How to Leverage AI Technologies

New CMSgts Complete Chief Initial Mission Command Training

Wednesday, June 4th, 2025

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) —
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi hosted more than 500 newly-selected chief master sergeants for the inaugural Chief Initial Mission Command Training May 19–23 at Fort Walton Beach and Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.

CIMCT is not a traditional orientation, it’s a warfighting development experience built to prepare senior enlisted leaders to lead in today’s contested environment. The five-day training replaced the former Chief Orientation Course, prioritizing field immersion, mission command, and warrior ethos.

“Our Air Force exists to kill people and blow shit up — it’s always been our purpose,” said Flosi. “We exist to defend the nation and provide the president with credible options across the scale of conflict. CIMCT brings us to our first principle.”

The training began with mission briefs, leadership panels, and classified threat updates, immediately followed by a no-notice deployment exercise. Participants processed through a personnel deployment function line before moving to the Silver Flag compound at Tyndall AFB, simulating the speed and unpredictability of real-world taskings.

At Tyndall, the new chiefs established a bare base, built tents, lived in field conditions, and executed mission orders under a simulated Air Tasking Order. Chiefs worked across functional lines in mixed teams to complete combat tasks.

Participants also took part in the Mission Ready Airman Course, where they repaired spalls, covered craters with matting, loaded weapons onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon, and conducted a dignified transfer and internment. Each task reinforced core warfighting skills and emphasized the demands of operating in contested environments.

“We didn’t just talk about warfighting — we demonstrated it,” said Flosi. “Chiefs experienced what it means to operate in a contested environment, including limited communications, contested logistics, and unfamiliar terrain. They’ll take this back and apply it locally so that Airmen train and prepare together before they ever deploy.”

During the training, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin also addressed the cohort, reinforcing the vital role of Airmen in today’s operating environment.

“The Airmen are our secret weapon, chiefs,” said Allvin. “The initial returns we’re seeing from younger Airmen—who are starting to do the stuff you’re experimenting with right now—they’re loving it. They no longer see themselves as just a weatherman or just a PA troop—they’re seeing themselves as, ‘I know what it takes to do this mission. I know what I can contribute.’ They feel like part of the mission.”

Participants operated in teams, structured not by Air Force Specialty Code, but by shared purpose, executing tasks under pressure and adapting to rapidly changing conditions.

One of the most powerful moments, he noted, came at sunset: hundreds of chiefs sitting together, eating MREs, preparing to sleep in the field.

“It was inspiring,” said Flosi. “They were eating together, sleeping in tents, and pushing through shared hardship. That’s where bonds are built and unity of purpose takes root. This group leaned into the mission, into each other, and into the challenge. You can’t script that, but it’s one of the most powerful outcomes of this training.”

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Brian Haney, 732nd Air Mobility Squadron aerial port superintendent, described the experience as a powerful return to warfighting roots.

“The CIMCT course has been phenomenal. The overall hands-on training … getting out in the field, getting the sweat and experience — something we haven’t done in 10, 15 years — has been refreshing,” he said. “It’s one thing to lead and give direction, but to actually get out there with them, experience it, and know what they’re going through, it just gives you a broader perspective.”

CIMCT builds on a 2024 event where Flosi brought senior enlisted leaders to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; and Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands, to experience operations in the Indo-Pacific. This year’s iteration marked a deliberate expansion, targeting the next generation of enlisted leaders.

“When I stepped into this role, we found gaps in how our senior enlisted leaders were being prepared,” said Flosi. “We adjusted how we train new Airmen, but we hadn’t caught up on the leadership side. CIMCT helps close the gap.”

The event delivered more than training: it fostered leadership, trust, and the culture of readiness needed to drive lethality at every echelon.

“It takes all of us to execute the mission and these chiefs are proving they’re ready to lead from the front,” Flosi said.

Via Eglin Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | 3 Comments »

Dragonflies Overhead: sUAS and 3D Printing Empowering the 4th Infantry Division

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025

FORT CARSON, Colo. — A distinct hum and sharp buzz slice through the air inside the Ivy Eagle’s “Monster Garage.” The sounds emanate from a football-sized quadcopter, its rotors a blur as it expertly maneuvers around a complex, custom-built obstacle course.

The modern battlefield demands agility, adaptability, and technological superiority. Small unmanned aerial systems, sUAS, and 3D printing, also called additive manufacturing, technology have emerged as critical assets in achieving these objectives, providing essential reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, electronic warfare and logistical support capabilities.

Pilots from the 4th Infantry Division’s sUAS Innovation Platoon, the “Dragonflies”, practice their maneuvering skills at the “Monster Garage” with the use of laptop-based simulators before progressing on to the obstacle course in the warehouse and completing larger field exercises to demonstrate how sUAS are playing a crucial role in the operational environment.

Brig. Gen. Eugene Ferris, the division’s former deputy commanding general for maneuver, said that the future of modern warfare will depend on the lethal integration and the effective deployment and sustainment of sUAS in dynamic and often contested environments, which are paramount for mission success.

Small Unmanned Aerial Systems

In military operations, sUAS serve many critical roles, providing real-time intelligence, enabling precision strikes, conducting electronic warfare, and even facilitating resupply in challenging environments.

The effectiveness of the sUAS Innovation Platoon, 6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4ID, in these varied and crucial roles is further amplified by the ability to tailor their designs for specific, demanding environments.

“For the 4ID and 4CAB, the ability to rapidly prototype and adapt sUAS designs is critical when operating in diverse and complex environments”, said 1st. Lt. Nicholas McDonald, platoon leader for the Dragonflies. “The performance characteristics of these systems extended flight endurance for persistent surveillance, low observability for stealth and robust construction for survivability.”

For the division, these advantages translate into tangible operational benefits: customizing sUAS to carry specific payloads or intelligence packages for information gathering, quickly prototyping and testing new sUAS configurations and integrations during training exercises to adapt to future threats.

The dynamic nature of military operations often necessitates swift responses to emerging threats or rapidly evolving tactical situations, empowering the 4th Infantry Division and the broader military to quickly translate urgent operational needs into tangible solutions for sUAS.

Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing, or AM, is a transformative technology that revolutionizes how the military develops, deploys and maintains its sUAS fleets, offering unprecedented agility, customization and enhanced operational readiness.

Beyond conventional prototyping, AM enables the production of complex, lightweight components crucial for maximizing the flight performance of sUAS, reducing their signature and increasing their payload capacity. These demanding requirements necessitate the use of advanced materials and highly optimized designs, areas where AM offers significant advantages over traditional manufacturing methods.

Ferris explains that AM technologies offer specific benefits for military applications. The inherent flexibility of AM allows for integrating features that enhance functionality and survivability in contested environments.

Additive manufacturing constructs three-dimensional objects directly from a digital file. The process begins by digitally slicing the 3D model into numerous thin, horizontal cross-sections. Following these sliced instructions, the 3D printer builds the object layer by layer from the bottom up. This involves extruding melted material like plastic filament and selectively curing liquid photopolymer resin with light.

Soldiers can rapidly produce replacement parts for damaged drones, fabricate specialized tools and fixtures for maintenance at the battalion level, and even create custom adapters or mounts for unique mission requirements directly in the field, significantly saving Soldiers’ time and the division’s maintenance costs.

Such advancements in operational readiness and flexibility through AM directly support the framework established by the Ivy Division’s priorities.

Integrating the Ivy Division Priorities

Two of the division’s priorities — lethal teams and peak partners — play a significant role in sUAS and AM.

Ferris said AM empowers the 4ID to translate urgent operational needs into tangible solutions for sUAS quickly. AM enables the rapid design and fabrication of prototype sUAS or specialized components to address specific battlefield challenges.

Ferris said that units such as the 4CAB’s Dragonflies and the 10th Special Forces Group have made significant strides in integrating sUAS into training, ensuring that 4ID remains prepared for the challenges of modern warfare.

These technologies directly enhance the priorities of lethal teams by equipping Soldiers with superior situational awareness with sUAS reconnaissance and surveillance. Additive Manufacturing ensures these critical eyes-in-the-sky and other essential gear can be rapidly repaired and maintained even in austere environments, keeping teams equipped, informed and deadly.

To maintain this technological edge and ensure a future of skilled personnel, the 4th Infantry Division actively engages with the local community, especially in STEM education.

Keri Brandt, 4ID’s Ivy Human Capital Campaign manager, said the division’s collaboration with District 8 highlights its well-established connections within the wider Front Range community. Brandt explained that a significant part of their partnership development strategy includes a mentorship program for students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This program brings students to the military installation for on-site visits, allowing them to see directly how the 4ID applies coding, engineering, and technological principles in the operation of drone and robotics systems. Brandt explains that 4ID and Fort Carson service members participate in district events to help facilitate STEM competitions, fostering student engagement and learning opportunities.

The future holds significant promise for integrating AM and sUAS. Empowering units like the sUAS Innovation Platoon with organic manufacturing capabilities and integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning could lead to automated design optimization for battlefield repairs.

Ultimately, the potential for Soldier-level customization and repair of sUAS using user-friendly AM systems could revolutionize battlefield logistics and operational flexibility.

As AM and sUAS technology continues to mature and integrate with other advancements, its role in empowering the Ivy Division and the broader military with cutting-edge aerial capabilities will continue to grow, ensuring a decisive edge in future conflicts.

By CPL William Rogers

Posted in Additive Manufacturing, Army, Guest Post, UAS | 3 Comments »

Academic Partnership Advances Quality Assurance for the Army Personnel Parachute System

Monday, June 2nd, 2025

NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES

NATICK, Mass. – In a strategic collaboration with the Army’s Personnel Airdrop Systems (PADS) team, a group of Northeastern University industrial engineering students culminated their senior capstone competition, delivering more than first prize.

The Parachute Quality Assurance Modernization Team, mentored by U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) aerospace engineer Tashfiq “Tash,” Salam, stood out among 40 engineering teams, each challenged to develop real-world solutions for government and industry use.

Guided by a shared mission, the team of four delivered an award-winning design: a suite of integrated digital tools, modernizing quality assurance for one of Airborne’s most critical and lifesaving capabilities – the personnel parachute systems.

Under the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology ASA(ALT) acquisition standards, every newly manufactured parachute must undergo a thorough inspection before being fielding to units. For the PADS team, this typically requires inspecting 8 to 13 parachutes at a time. According to the students’ research, that process can involve manually reviewing more than 5,000 data points, inspecting and measuring every stitch of fabric, harness and compartment encompassing a parachute system.

“It’s physically demanding,” Tash said. “You’re handling this large parachute; you have to inspect every inch of it. There’s a lot of surface area and a lot of steps.”

Over the course of the capstone project, the team studied those protocols applying direct feedback from quality assurance specialists, engineers and industry professionals. Their final prototype introduced an integrated software system complete with a set of digital measuring tools, capable of logging exact measurements up to 1/16th of an inch with a single click.

Tash shared how the students’ concept significantly improved the QA process, demonstrating the ability to reduce manual inspection time by nearly two hours without compromising quality.
“This is a zero-tolerance environment,” Salam said. “And the operating environment continues to get more complex every day. We needed to ensure the parachute capability we deliver is 100 percent what Soldiers need and in the way they want it. Because at the end of the day, once they land, they still have a follow-on mission. The parachute is just a ride to the mission.”

To support their research, students conducted site visits at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center in Massachusetts, where Tash serves as a government civilian with Product Manager – Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM SCIE), under the Program Executive Office – Soldier. They also met with DEVCOM engineers and Rhode Island National Guard members to gather feedback from quality assurance specialists and Soldiers who regularly perform parachute inspections
With more than 200,000 military free-fall and static line jumps conducted annually, ensuring consistent quality in each parachute is critical to Soldier safety.

“They understood the weight of that responsibility,” said Tash. This wasn’t about checking a box on an academic checklist; they were creating a real capability.”

The centralized system also enhances traceability, allowing inspectors to better assess the acquired measurements and key data points through the digital took it. The data is reported with real time feedback giving the PADS QA team the ability to run analytics on past inspections, identify error trends and performance metrics. As described by Tash, the system supports the PADS team mission of continuously delivering world class products to the airborne warfighter.

Ensuring students were immersed in PADS and SCIE operations was faculty advisor and key partner Dr. B. Kris’ Jaeger-Helton, Director of Capstone Design for Industrial Engineering at Northeastern. Jaeger-Helton celebrated the project as an important model for real-world learning.

“The experience was both challenging and open-ended, with clearly defined security constraints that had to be followed as well, making it the ideal Capstone project,” she said.

This year’s team built upon the foundation of the 2023–2024 capstone, which transitioned the Army’s inspection records from paper-based logs to an Excel-based digital tool. With Tash’s mentorship, this year’s Capstone expanded that concept collecting data from the T-11, MC-6, and RA-1 parachute systems.

Jaeger-Helton, who supported both capstone efforts, emphasized the value of the Army–academic collaboration.
“The capstone students genuinely benefitted from the support of Tash’s dedicated and highly knowledgeable team,” she said. “As clients, the Army PADS team communicated the importance, seriousness, and value of this initiative, while also expressing their trust and confidence in the Northeastern team. I’m looking forward to continuing our partnership for more great initiatives.”

Now in his second year mentoring a NU engineering capstone, Tash highlighted the importance of engaging with emerging talent in support of innovation and advancing Army capabilities.

“That kind of ingenuity and creativity has to come from somewhere, and it often comes from a sense of purpose in what you’re working on,” Salam said. “There was a lot of pride in the student team because they knew they were doing something that matters.”

Story by Khylee Woodford
PEO Soldier

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Parachuting | 1 Comment »