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ACC to Align Fighter Squadron Operations, Maintenance

Tuesday, April 6th, 2021

Editor’s Comment: One day, the Air Force will acknowledge that it’s actually just a big logistics organization and put logisticians in charge. Like it or not, the aircrew are the service’s “delivery drivers” ensuring that the right thing gets to the right place at the right time. That’s just part of the equation. Making sure the means of delivery and the “thing” to be delivered are ready for that in time delivery takes a lot of work and aircrew aren’t involved at all.

Sorties are generated by maintenance. This realignment and renaming of MX happens every few years based in the whims of ever-changing Ops leadership. It’s all been tried before, over and over. It never really changes anything except causing turmoil for MX leaders. Wrenches still get turned and sorties generated.

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (AFNS) —

Air Combat Command is changing the aircraft maintenance organizational structure to improve synchronization between maintenance and fighter squadrons.

This new structure, called Combat Oriented Maintenance Organization, or COMO, flattens the maintenance organizational structure and transitions aircraft maintenance units into fighter generation squadrons.

The fighter generation squadron is a new squadron comprised of maintainers responsible for airpower health and generation. The fighter generation squadron will be paired with a complementary fighter squadron and the two units will work collaboratively both in garrison and during deployments.

“We’ve already seen success with this new organizational model at Shaw Air Force Base (South Carolina),” said Maj. Gen. Mark Slocum, ACC director of air and space operations. “The benefit of this new organizational construct is it enhances the fighter force’s agility and better prepares them for a future dynamic force employment in a high-end fight.”

Pairing fighter squadrons with a dedicated fighter generation squadron will foster unity of effort between maintenance and operations as well as provide a better view of readiness.

For the last few years, ACC has been on a wing reorganization experimentation journey and allowed commanders to experiment with various types of wing organizational constructs in order to build more agile and cohesive units.

“After gathering what we’ve learned from this season of experimentation, we are now moving forward into a season of standardization,” said Maj. Gen. Tom Miller, ACC director of logistics, engineering and force protection. “The COMO structure allows fighter wings to prepare for rapid deployments and to disaggregate and reaggregate as needed by the CFACC.”

This pairing of the fighter and a fighter generation squadron is just the first phase of a broader force presentation model ACC is building to better organize, train and equip combat air forces. Phase two will focus on evaluation of air base squadrons that can rapidly deploy and provide base operating support. Phase three examines wing command and control capabilities.

The 20 FW at Shaw AFB and 388 FW at Hill AFB, Utah are the first wings to transition to the COMO model, with the remaining ACC fighter wings transitioning by the summer of 2022.

By Headquarters Air Combat Command

Photos by SSgt Destinee Sweeney

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, MRO | 9 Comments »

Virtual Warfighter Expo – Otis Suppressor Cleaner and Reclaimer

Tuesday, October 6th, 2020

During both SHOT Show and ADS Federal Range Day we’ve shown you the Otis Suppressor Cleaner and Reclaimer. However, we’ve received questions about how it works. Otis Technology demonstrated the device during the Virtual Warfighter Expo.

Offered in two sizes, theOSCR-1 has a basket for individual components which the larger OSCR-6 model does not. However, the OSCR-6 incorporates wheels and handles for movement, which makes sense as it is quote a bit larger. Regardless of size, the OSCR removed more than 90% of carbon, copper, and lead fouling from the suppressor’s baffles in as little as two hours.

Download the OTIS OSCR pdf here.

Units and agencies can procure all products shown during Virtual Warfighter by contacting ADS Inc.

www.otistec.com

Posted in ADS, Advertiser, MRO, Suppressors, Weapon Accessories | Comments Off on Virtual Warfighter Expo – Otis Suppressor Cleaner and Reclaimer

ADS Federal Range Day 20 – Otis Suppressor Cleaner and Reclaimer

Wednesday, August 26th, 2020

We gave you a sneak peek of the Otis Suppressor Cleaner and Reclaimer during SHOT Show. Since then, it’s gotten a new name and they’ve finalized the design as well as introduced a Six Unit System to complement the original, Single Unit System. As you can see, the Six Unit System is much larger, and is best floor mounted.

The OSCR-1 has a basket for individual components which the larger model does not. However, the OSCR-6 incorporates wheels and handles for movement.

Regardless of size, the OSCR removed more than 90% of carbon, copper, and lead fouling from the suppressor’s baffles in as little as two hours.

www.otistec.com

Units and agencies can procure all products shown during ADS Federal Range Day by contacting ADS Inc.

Posted in ADS, MRO, Suppressors, Weapon Accessories | 1 Comment »

SOFWERX & USSOCOM To Conduct Combat Evaluation for Challenge for Portable Welder

Saturday, August 8th, 2020

A Portable Welder? Absolutely. Special Operations Forces operate in austere environments and often have to construct facilities and conduct repairs of their own, as well as allies’, equipment. This is generally done by specialized enablers, assigned or attached to SOF. To do this, they need specialized equipment which is compact, robust and often able to accept different power sources.

To this end, SOFWERX, in concert with USSOCOM PM-ES, will conduct a Combat Evaluation (CV) Challenge for the USSOCOM Mobile Technology & Repair Complex (MTRC) to address known operational deficiencies with current welding technologies employed in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.

The command currently employs the following commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) welding equipment: Miller 212, Miller 252, Miller 255, Millermatic 200, Millermatic 220, CST 280, and various ‘stand-alone’ TIG welders. They all have limitations.

USSOCOM is looking for relatively mature welding systems and capabilities to reduce the overall number and types of welding systems from over 5 systems to less than 3 systems per each MTRC Team location, while concurrently reducing the logistics footprint and supporting the existing operational requirements.

This $200,000 Challenge will be conducted 20-22 October 2020 and interested companies must throw their hat in the ring by 03 September 11:59 PM EDT.

For full details, visit events.sofwerx.org/welder.

Posted in MRO, SOF | 3 Comments »

Rheinmetall Modernizing a Further 21 Bergepanzer 3 Armoured Recovery Vehicles for the Dutch Army, Bringing Them Up to the Latest Standard

Wednesday, January 8th, 2020

The Royal Netherlands Armed Forces have awarded Rheinmetall an order for the second phase of the modernization of their fleet of Bergepanzer 3-Büffel/Buffalo armoured recovery vehicles. The operational effectiveness of twenty-one vehicles will be upgraded. The order is worth a mid-double-digit euro million figure. Now launched, Phase 2 follows a first order awarded in April 2019, when the Royal Netherlands Army contracted with Rheinmetall for the modernization of four Bergepanzer 3 Büffel/Buffalo ARVs.

Starting immediately, Rheinmetall will completely overhaul another 21 Bergepanzer 3 Büffel ARVs of the Royal Netherlands Army, bringing them up to the latest technological and tactical standard. This will extend the service life of these tried-and-tested combat support vehicles – developed by Rheinmetall on the basis of the Leopard 2 chassis – through to the year 2040. The Dutch armed forces will take delivery of the first vehicles at the beginning of 2021.

Modernization work will take place at Rheinmetall locations in Kassel, Germany as well as in Ede in the Netherlands. It will include a complete overhaul of the individual armoured recovery vehicles and a new digital operating concept; the installation of advanced visualization technology; mission packages featuring ballistic and mine protection; and new battlefield recovery equipment together as well as a universal transport platform. Also included in the contract are technical documentation, training and other services.

This service life extension will give the Dutch armed forces a reconfigured state-of-the-art ARV with significant growth potential. New force protection features both on and in the vehicle will keep the crew extremely safe from modern battlefield threats. Cutting-edge visualization systems, digital operating elements and command systems will support the crew while carrying out their tasks. Furthermore, new battlefield recovery equipment will boost the vehicle’s tactical effectiveness. It will be transferred to the rear section of the vehicle. This will let the crew hook up to a damaged Royal Dutch Army vehicle such as the Bushmaster, Boxer, CV 90 infantry fighting vehicle, PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer, Leguan bridge-laying tank, Kodiak combat engineering vehicle or the Leopard 2 main battle tank without having to leave the safety of the fighting compartment, before towing it from the battlefield at high speed in forward gear. In addition, the modified version of the Bergepanzer 3 Büffel ARV will feature a flexible-use universal transport platform mounted on the rear section of the vehicle. To cite just one example, this can be used for carrying equipment for recovering other vehicles. The new equipment has already demonstrated its effectiveness during deployed operations.

This contract confirms the emergence of a new standard for modern armoured recovery vehicles. As recently as December 2018, the Bundeswehr contracted with Rheinmetall to modernize its fleet of Bergepanzer 3 vehicles, ensuring they remain a match for current and future operational scenarios. Similar mission configurations are in service with the armed forces of NATO member Canada as well as Sweden.

Already underway, the service life extension of the Royal Netherlands Army’s armoured recovery vehicles underscores once again Rheinmetall’s comprehensive expertise when it comes to the globe-spanning Leopard 2 family. This expertise extends from maintenance and modernization programmes to advanced armament concepts, and from the production and technical knowledge of the system’s original equipment manufacturer right through to comprehensive technical and logistic support for entire vehicle fleets – including service support during deployed operations. The portfolio of the Düsseldorf-based high-tech group for mobility and security also includes training and simulation solutions for Leopard 2 crews.

www.rheinmetall.com

Posted in International, Mobility, MRO, Press Release | Comments Off on Rheinmetall Modernizing a Further 21 Bergepanzer 3 Armoured Recovery Vehicles for the Dutch Army, Bringing Them Up to the Latest Standard

US Army’s PS Magazine Shifts To Fully Online Information Portal

Thursday, October 10th, 2019

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — Effective Nov. 1, PS Magazine will undergo its most significant transformation ever. Its 64-page, cartoon-illustrated magazine will cease production, replaced with a fully online, mobile-friendly information portal. The URL for this resource is www.psmagazine.army.mil .

In order for PS to keep pace with today’s readers, its web portal will provide the same valuable information as the traditional magazine but at a much quicker rate. All articles will continue to be vetted by technical experts for accuracy and still have to be approved for public release prior to them being posted.

But, instead of taking up to five months to get maintenance and supply information published, it will take a matter of days to a few weeks. Also, the portal’s robust search functionality will enable readers to target and access the information they need, right when they need it.

The mobile friendly web portal will take the place of the current smartphone app, which could be cumbersome to navigate and read depending on the device. The app, available in the Apple and Google stores, will be discontinued at the end of 2019.

While the cartoons were fun and helped to make PS Magazine iconic, they took time to create, render, and revise, and they were never as important as the information they helped to convey. While the cartooning will largely disappear, the magazine’s signature characters such as Master Sgt. Half-Mast, Bonnie, Connie, Blade and Cloe will continue their “service” as guides to maintenance and supply information on the new web portal.

Despite this significant change, the core mission of the magazine remains the same: to deliver timely and accurate maintenance and supply information to Soldiers and maintenance personnel (both military and civilian) that enables them to enhance their readiness and the readiness of their units and fleets. Integral to this mission is responding to Soldier and reader inquiries.

The PS Magazine staff will continue to respond to these inquiries, which number over 1,000 annually.

PS Magazine will also keep its designation as a technical bulletin (TB-43-PS-Series). Each quarter, it will compile all articles published online within that quarter and submit the compilation to the Army Publication Directorate for authentication.

During the next six to 12 months, PS Magazine will primarily focus on providing timely and accurate readiness information to its readers. Longer-term, the magazine will explore ways to bring additional relevant content to its audience. This content will include training videos, links to other related websites, and profiles of Soldiers and units exemplifying a culture of readiness.

By Robert Hill & Carol Jones, ASC RSA-Detachment

Posted in Guest Post, MRO | 3 Comments »

MDM 17 – Pro-Shot Products

Wednesday, September 20th, 2017

This year Pro-Shot Products is celebrating their 35th anniversary. They are a family owned business, located in Illinois, who make weapon cleaning products.

Pro-Shot Products has some innovate stuff, like their locking handles for their cleaning rods.

While they are very big in the commercial market, they’ve just recently began to sell in military channels. They are available through ADS Inc for unit and agency orders and have already begun to ship cleaning supplies to a variety of customers.

www.proshotproducts.com

Tags: Pro-Shot Products
Posted in Advertiser, MDM, MRO, Weapon Accessories | 3 Comments »

Federal Resources Reveals Live Operations Platform For HazMat & CBRNE Response

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015

Federal Resources revealed their new Live Operations Platform for Hazardous Material and CBRNE response during the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) – International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference in Baltimore MD on May 28 2015. This highly adaptive data-driven platform is a breakthrough in supporting those who protect us all.

Baltimore MD May 28, 2015 – Exposure to hazardous chemicals is one of the most serious threats facing Americans today. On a daily basis across the United States, we are protected from releases, spills, and reactions by those in our military and emergency services.

Managing large-scale operations and unexpected events using traditional software, spreadsheets, white-boards, and paper can prove to be exceptionally difficult when compiling all information for both situational awareness and post-action documentation. It’s critical to have “The Right Information When Things Go Wrong”.

On May 28th, 2015 in Baltimore, at the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) – International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference, Federal Resources revealed their new Live Operations Platform for Hazardous Material and CBRNE response. Commenting on the announcement, Chris Waier, Director of Training at Federal Resources said, “We’ve achieved this in partnership with D4H Technologies, producers of the #1 information management software for emergencies and incidents worldwide.”

Federal Resources are the industry leader in providing innovative and technologically advanced military and first responder equipment & solutions. Built for HAZMAT and CBRNE scenarios, this breakthrough adds a data-driven information management platform designed to specifically support those who protect us all. “You need to make decisions that will withstand second-guessing, cross-examination, testimonies, hearings, media-spin, and investigations”, explains Robin Blandford, CEO of D4H Technologies.

“If you can demonstrate you had all the information available to your organization at the time, you can defend your decision.” states Blandford. D4H Technologies’ solutions are deployed in more than 16 countries, driving over 15 million hours of efficiencies within public-safety, industrial facilities, and corporate crises.

www.federalresources.com

Tags: Federal Resources
Posted in MRO | Comments Off on Federal Resources Reveals Live Operations Platform For HazMat & CBRNE Response