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Horses and Swords of Lightning: the Book of ODA 595

Friday, October 7th, 2022

September 11th is a date widely – and rightly – recognized in the US. It is also observed (sometimes celebrated) by other nations and n0n-state actors.

Less well known are the late October dates when the men of ODA 595 put boots on Afghanistan ground to begin working with the Northern Alliance. Happily, a new book provides a first person account of that operation.

Swords of Lighting

David Reeder, reporting for SolSys LLC.

That anniversary is coming up fast. If you’re interested in knowing more about the mission, check out Swords of Lightning, the (tacitly) official account of the Horse Soldiers. This is not the story made famous by Hollywood.

[12 Strong is]..gripping, symbolic, and, according to the advertising and hoopla, based on a true story.

Except, no.

Then-Captain Mark Nutsch, the commander of ODA 595 on that mission), contributed to that book in partnership with then-CWO2 Bob Pennington (Assistant Detachment Commander), and author Jim DeFelice. It is a first person account rendered by and about some of the first SOF and OGA units deployed to Afghanistan after the attacks of 9/11.

GW Ayers, COO of Rainier Arms Firearms Academy with Mark Nutsch, one of the authors of Swords of Lightning. Nutsch was a guest speaker at Triggrcon 2022.

Nutsch spoke to a packed audience last night at Triggrcon 2022, discussing a wide range of topics from the mission, the book, and some of the Horse Soldiers’ more recent missions, including the recently launched charity Badger Six (named in memory Johnny “Mike” Spann) and his involvement in The Pineapple Express (q.v.).

Triggrcon’s Jim Lambert with Mark Nutsch, Swords of Lightning, and a bottle of Horse Soldiers bourbon.

Here’s an excerpt from…

Swords of Lighting

A rocket-launching truck appears amid a pack of Soviet-era tanks and armored personnel carriers in the Afghan mountains…Just when all seems lost, American Green Berets on horseback brave a hail of bullets and ride into the enemy position, firing shots at breakneck speed with an accuracy that would make John Wayne weep. Dodging bullets to the left and RPGs to the right, the SF soldiers overwhelm the armored column…clearing the way for an unparalleled victory of man and horse over machinery and evil. Martial music swells..

It’s a great scene, roughly the climax of the movie 12 Strong, ending the Taliban’s reign as protectors of Islamic terrorism. It’s gripping, symbolic, and, according to the advertising and hoopla, based on a true story.

Except, no.

There was a massive battle, and the good guys did win, but it didn’t happen that way.

Swords of Lightning (swordsoflightning.com), was written by Mark Nutsch, Bob Pennington, and Jim DeFelice. It is available in a variety of formats (including the old-fashioned paper ones).

Triggrcon staffer Shawn Johnston with Nutsch – and a bottle of Horse Soldiers Bourbon .

DRW

Tags: DR Sends
Posted in History, Industry, SOF | 1 Comment »

Blackhawk’s Rodman, Halbert Take Second at Tactical Games Panthera

Friday, October 7th, 2022

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – October 5, 2022 – Blackhawk®, a leader in law enforcement and military equipment for over 20 years, congratulates Blackhawk tactical athlete Zach Rodman and teammate Jared Halbert on their second-place finish in the Men’s Elite division at the Tactical Games Panthera in Old Fields, West Virginia.

Eighty-five total teams plus 25 individuals competed at the Tactical Games Panthera, with 48 teams competing in the Men’s Intermediate, Tactical, Master’s and Elite divisions. The team format gives competitors a unique opportunity to leverage their teammates’ strengths as well as a unique challenge to overcome weaknesses as they carry weights, shoot through courses of fire and navigate obstacles.

“It was a great event and the pieces really fell into place for me and Jared,” Rodman said. “Having gear you can always rely on is critical in the Tactical Games, and I think the T-Series and Foundation Tac Nylon gear do a great job of keeping my sidearm secure and accessible in addition to keeping me mobile.”

Rodman, a 15-year veteran of the Kokomo, Indiana, police force and SWAT team, equipped himself throughout the competition with Blackhawk’s T-Series® L3D holster as well as best-in-class Foundation Series Tac Nylon gear, including lightweight plate carrier, belt and pouches. Halbert, owner of The Tactical Games and seven-time Tactical Games Men’s Elite winner, ran the T-Series L2C holster.

Rodman’s next competition will be the Tactical Games National Championship taking place November 4-6 at the Texas Shooting Academy in Florence, Texas.

Watch this video to learn more about how Rodman utilizes Blackhawk’s Foundation Series plate carrier throughout the Tactical Games.

Posted in Industry, Press Release, Shooting Sports | Comments Off on Blackhawk’s Rodman, Halbert Take Second at Tactical Games Panthera

UVision Announces the Opening of Its New Production and Training center in Virginia, USA

Friday, October 7th, 2022

The opening of the facility signifies the company’s increased commitment to the US market

Virginia, US, October 6, 2022 – UVision Air Ltd. – a global leader in aerial loitering munition systems of all sizes, for a variety of missions – has announced that the opening of its new facility in Virginia for the production of HERO systems has been brought forward, due to the high volume of orders already received. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on October 6, at the new facility located at 600 Corporate Drive, Stafford VA, in the presence of Stafford County leadership, Industrial Partners, and various customers.

UVision USA Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UVision Air Ltd., is playing an integral role in UVision’s ongoing global expansion of operations. Signifying the company’s increased commitment to the US market, this initiative will create jobs in Virginia, making an important contribution to the American labor market. The opening of the 25,000 square-foot facility located at the Quantico Corporate Center will enable UVision to increase its local production capability, further improve its high-level, rapid response to US customers, and increase supply to international customers – either directly or through government-to-government initiatives.

Tinesha Allen, Stafford County Griffis-Widewater District Supervisor said, “Welcome UVision USA to Stafford County. We congratulate UVision Air Ltd on the expansion and opening of their US Headquarters, and new product and training facility located in Stafford County. We are proud to have this small, specialized business serving our US military combat operations. UVision is an asset to our growing, diverse technical economy. Thank you for your investment in Stafford.”

“Following the signing of our latest contract with a Latin American country and the growing demand for roving armament systems around the world, we decided to bring forward the opening of our new production plant in Virginia, USA,” says Major General (Ret.) Avi Mizrachi, CEO of UVision. “The opening of the factory will enable local production of the company’s systems, strengthening UVision’s overall commitment to the US Armed Services and the US economy, and creating new jobs for local residents. In addition, UVision USA will increase and strengthen our collaborations with academic institutions and local businesses, further supporting the plant’s activities.”

Posted in Industry, Press Release, weapons | Comments Off on UVision Announces the Opening of Its New Production and Training center in Virginia, USA

North Idaho Law Enforcement Industry Day This Sunday

Thursday, October 6th, 2022

Vertac Training / G9 Defense North Idaho Law Enforcement Industry Day 10/09/2022

Restricted to Law Enforcement and Military Personnel only

• Barrier Blind G9 Defense Pistol and Rifle ammunition testing on Windshields, Drywall & Vehicles

• Terminal Ballistic Gel testing in conjunction with the various barriers

• Body Armor Demos, Precision Rifle & Surveillance Tripod Kits

• Genesis Arms GEN-12 Live Fire Demo

• FREE FOOD!

For location and time please contact U.S. Tactical Supply @ 208-457-7320 or email sales@ustacticalsupply.com

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Industry, LE | Comments Off on North Idaho Law Enforcement Industry Day This Sunday

Spearpoint Confirms Strategic Partnership with Gentex Corporation for Land 125 Phase 4

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

Brisbane, Australia. 4th October 2022.

Spearpoint Solutions & Technology Pty Ltd (Spearpoint) has announced confirmation of their ongoing strategic partnership with Gentex Corporation, for the supply of the world’s leading ground combatant headborne systems. The collaboration is a continued effort by both companies to offer the Australian Defence Force the most advanced systems, with a particular emphasis on the requirements for Project Land 125 Phase 4, Integrated Soldier Systems.

-Gentex Corporation, and its subsidiary Ops-Core, design and manufacture the most innovative and comprehensive range of headborne systems for ground combatants.

-Spearpoint provides leading-edge, innovative, high-quality, operationally-proven solutions to Defence, Law Enforcement and National Security clients. Spearpoint previously led a group of nine leading international Defence companies to integrate multiple soldier systems into a Digital Combat Helmet System under a Defence Innovation Hub contract.

-This partnership confirms the decade-long relationship between the companies, offering a design, development, manufacturing and integration capability second to none.

In recognition of our long-standing and successful partnership, Gentex confirmed the appointment of Spearpoint as its sole representative for Project Land 125 Phase 4, Integrated Soldier Systems. This will revolve around the current range of modular headborne systems including ballistic and bump helmets, helmet mandibles, situational awareness/communication headsets, eyewear, respirators, and headborne power/data systems and other ancillaries.

Gentex Family of Tactical Headborne Systems (Source: Spearpoint)

Andrew Jiear, Spearpoint CEO, said Spearpoint is proud to continue our strategic relationship with Gentex. Gentex are the global leaders in headborne personal protection and situational awareness solutions. This reinforces our opportunity to build on the developments achieved with our other partners for the Digital Combat Helmet System, which we believe is a critical element of any future Integrated Digital Soldier System.

Spearpoint is a sovereign, wholly-Australian, Veteran-owned company, based in Queanbeyan NSW. Spearpoint has previously supplied ballistic helmets and ancillaries to the ADF, NZDF and most Australian Law Enforcement Agencies.

Gentex Corporation is the world’s leading designer, developer and manufacturer of military headborne systems, based in Carbondale PA USA. Gentex is the designer of the F-35 JSF and F/A-18 fixed wing, HGU-56P rotary wing, DH-132 combat vehicle crewman, and FAST SF helmet systems (in service with USSOCOM and other Tier 1 units worldwide).

Contact Information: sales@spearpoint.net.au

Posted in Helmets, Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Spearpoint Confirms Strategic Partnership with Gentex Corporation for Land 125 Phase 4

Aquaterro Unveils Land Forces Digital Hub

Wednesday, September 28th, 2022

Aquaterro launches an interactive, virtual tradeshow experience – the Landforces Digital Hub – showcasing SIG SAUER Next Generation Squad Weapons, and featuring Next Generation Systems; supplied, integrated, and sustained by 100% Australian Owned and Operated Aquaterro.

Aquaterro has developed and launched the Landforces Digital Hub, an interactive digital exhibition experience, highlighting the many capabilities that Aquaterro provides the industry. Ballistic protective products, load carriage systems, and small arms systems. Managed across the entire lifecycle: design, engineering, acquisition, sustainment, and disposal.

The Digital Hub features a complete 3D Virtual recreation of Aquaterro’s Exhibition Booth at Land Forces, located at Booth #3G6 in Hall 3. The Virtual Hub has a series of interactive hotspots, allowing users to interact with the hub and discover everything that Aquaterro will be showcasing at Landforces.

The centre of the Digital Hub is the central location for all things SIG SAUER, showcasing the Next Generation Squad Weapons that have been selected by the U.S Army. Fully 3D models of the P320, MCX Spear, LMG and MMG can be interacted with.

The themed corners of the Digital Hub focus on projects and programs that Aquaterro have interest in or are currently engaging in, as well as presenting advanced product supplies such as the Kraka Jet Board, Extrema Ratio knives and Team Wendy Ballistic Helmets.

The Digital Hub additionally presents Product Showcases for a range of advanced product supplies, as well as features on Aquaterro’s Sustainment, and an end-to-end process video on Aquaterro’s Helmet Refurbishment Facility and Operations.

After exploring the variety of content on offer in the Aquaterro Digital Hub, you can check out the new streaming platform Aquaterro.TV, with a content library of product features from world leading brands like Surefire, Safariland, and SIG Sauer.

You can also access Aquaterro’s new Online Store from the Digital Hub.

The digital hub is live now, and can be accessed at landforces.aquaterro.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, International, Tradeshow | Comments Off on Aquaterro Unveils Land Forces Digital Hub

McQ Inc Awarded AFWERX SBIR Phase II Contract

Tuesday, September 27th, 2022

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Sept. 20, 2022 — On August 5, 2022, Fredericksburg, VA based McQ Inc announced that it has been awarded an AFWERX SBIR Phase II contract to develop a Military version of its McQ CONNECT® Iridium Certus® 100 satellite terminal. The new McQ CONNECT®MIL will address problems faced by the Air Force and other military organizations in rapid paced global missions against hostile adversaries. It will provide new mission capabilities that support Multi Domain Operations from any spot on the globe.

A quickly deployed tactical unit, the McQ CONNECT®MIL will be integrated with several advanced warfare technologies that expand the Air Force’s ability to understand adversarial activities and immediately impede hostile threatening activities. This communication innovation is a critical capability to capitalize on current technologies and serve as a force multiplier that will magnify the effects of Defense capabilities essential for battlespace domination.

www.mcqinc.com

Posted in Air Force, Contracts, Industry, Press Release, Sensors | 1 Comment »

AeroVironment’s Unmanned Ground Vehicles to Use Persistent Systems Mobile ad hoc Network as Preferred Network for Platforms

Monday, September 19th, 2022

Persistent Systems, LLC (“Persistent”), a leader in mobile ad hoc networking (MANET), announced today that AeroVironment’s unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) business has joined Persistent’s Wave Relay® Ecosystem.

The Ecosystem is a growing industry alliance of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), UGVs, and sensor companies all utilizing Persistent’s Wave Relay® MANET as their preferred network for command-and-control and communications functions.

“We are very excited to have AeroVironment’s UGVs join the Ecosystem,” said Nick Naioti, Senior VP for Business Development for Persistent Systems. “In building the networked battlefield, we are providing the warfighter with increased situational awareness while also reducing size, weight, and power.”

At the core of the Ecosystem, the Wave Relay® MANET enables tactical teams to receive critical information from unmanned systems and their sensors which facilitates improved decision making, increasing both soldier safety and effectiveness.

According to the agreement between the two companies, the following UGVs will incorporate Persistent’s MANET hardware:

• telemax™ EVO PRO;
• telemax™ EVO HYBRID;
• telemax™ EVO PLUS;
• tEODor™ EVO; and
• EVO Upgrade Kit.

These ruggedized, all-terrain UGVs perform a variety of dangerous missions, including explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), hazardous materials handling (HAZMAT) and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threat assessment.

“Persistent has established itself in the market as a network provider that delivers extended range, high throughput and robustness against radio interference, all of which are critically important to our customers’ life-saving missions,” said Brian Young, AeroVironment vice president and product line general manager for UGVs.

In addition, Wave Relay® MANET gives companies the opportunity to move beyond simple point-to-point solutions and build whole constellations of connected air and ground assets, Naioti said.

Posted in Comms, Industry, Press Release, Robotics | Comments Off on AeroVironment’s Unmanned Ground Vehicles to Use Persistent Systems Mobile ad hoc Network as Preferred Network for Platforms