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AFSOC Reveals Name for OA-1K: Skyraider II

Monday, March 3rd, 2025

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. —

AFSOCs newest airframe, the OA-1K, will officially be the Skyraider II. AFSOC leaders made the announcement today at the Special Air Warfare Symposium. The moniker renews the rugged and versatile nature of the A-1 Skyraider, which was in service from 1946 to the early 1980s.

“I am excited about the Skyraider II, I think we have a capability that’s only ours, and we are going to have the ability to shape that into something that the rest of the nation might not even know they need right now,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, Air Force Special Operations commander.

The Skyraider II is a cost-effective crewed aircraft that is adaptable across the spectrum of conflict. It will have the ability to support special operations forces as well as the Joint Force through close air support, precision strike, and armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

“AFSOC has enduring global missions,” said Brig. Gen. Craig Prather, AFSOC’s Director of Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements. “While we don’t expect the Skyraider II to go mix it up with 5th and 6th generation fighters, it will provide value to our supported forces globally.”

The Skyraider II is a lean, agile, modular, and hardened aircraft but one of the most distinguishing feature, like its namesake, is its tailwheel. This prominent feature gives the Skyraider II the capability for short takeoffs and landings as well as the ability to operate from unimproved or austere airfields.

“Providing scalable and precision effects is where the Skyraider II will come in. The Skyraider II could take on missions from the southwest border to Africa and create dilemmas to those we are in competition with,” said Prather.

While in use during the Korean War and Vietnam War, the Skyraider provided extra muscle and firepower for Air Commando combat operations. Its sturdy and persistent nature was showcased when Maj. Bernard Fisher was awarded the first Medal of Honor for an Airman in the Southeast Asia War in an A-1E Skyraider. Later in 1968, Lt. Col. William A. Jones III also received the United States military’s highest decoration – the Medal of Honor – for his actions in an A-1H Skyraider.

The first Skyraider II is expected to arrive at Hurlburt Field in Spring 2025.

Air Force Special Operations Command

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Guest Post, SOF | 1 Comment »

Rheinmetall Gladius Light – Special Networking for Special Operations Forces

Sunday, March 2nd, 2025

Soldier systems connect individual warriors on the battlefield with other actors, sensors, effectors and platforms, bringing them into the network-enabled operational loop. Rheinmetall has extensive experience in this area. Just in February 2025 the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In Service Support of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) has signed a framework contract with Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH for the follow-on procurement of soldiersystems ‘Infantry Soldier of the Future – Enhanced System’ (IdZES). The framework contract, with a maximum gross volume of €3.1bn, will run until the end of 2030. Overall, the German Armed Forces can thus initiate the proportional regeneration as well as the manufacturing and delivery of up to 368 IdZ-ES platoon systems and various options for the procurement of additional components and services. A platoon is a military sub-unit.

IdZ-ES is based on the soldier system Gladius 2.0. At Enforce Tac 2025, the Group will be presenting another version of its Gladius 2.0 soldier system, specifically designed to meet the needs of special operations forces. During development, the system’s designers kept a sharp focus on the need for lightweight, flexible systems that enable maximum mobility. The Gladius Light configuration has therefore been stripped down to its essentials. At the same time, however, care was taken to maximize flexibility, making it possible to include accessories needed for special operations. Moreover, the new configuration is specially designed to enable subsequent upgrades and extensions. The Gladius Light configuration is based on a lightweight tactical harness with scalable ballistic protection.

It includes:
-a radio for voice and data communication as well as GPS tracking for ‘blue force’ information;
-an advanced headset with various push-to-talk buttons (connected by cable or Bluetooth) for voice communication;
-an end user device (e.g. a tablet) for depicting tactical maps, assuring an uninterrupted exchange of information and improved situational awareness.

Posted in Armor, Comms, Digitization, International, Press Release, SOF | No Comments »

352nd SOW, Finnish Utti Jaeger Regiment strengthen NATO’s interoperability in austere weather environments

Friday, February 28th, 2025

KOUVOLA, Finland (AFNS) —

Finnish Special Operations forces from the Utti Jaeger Regiment and U.S. Air Force 352nd Special Operations Wing participated in a bilateral training, Jan. 28-31, 2025, at Utti Jaeger Regiment base, Finland.

The training included airdrop operations in cold weather conditions utilizing the 352nd SOW’s MC-130J Commando II.

“The desired learning objective is familiarization with an allied force,” said the 352nd SOW exercise mission commander. “With Finland joining NATO, we want them to gain familiarization of aircraft and procedures involving both cargo and personnel airdrops using proper safety procedures.”

This training qualifies forces from the Utti Jaeger Regiment on static line jumps, military free-fall – both high-altitude high-opening and high-altitude low-opening – jumps, allowing Finnish jumpmasters to perform required maneuvers with U.S. personnel and aircraft.

“We’ve worked with the Finnish military before, but this will be the first time with the Utti Jaegers since Finland joined NATO,” said the mission commander. “The 352nd, and U.S. forces are proficient and well-versed in airdrop and Utti Jaegers are experts in extreme cold weather environments. We can take our combined experience and put them together to get a better product.”

A U.S. Space Force Guardian assigned to the 352nd SOW used the exercise as an opportunity to integrate with SOF operations by providing digital force protection capabilities, allowing U.S. forces to characterize malicious electromagnetic activities through signature matching and anomaly detection.

“Testing these sensors allows for higher fidelity in characterizing interference used by adversaries,” the Guardian said. “With this exercise we seek to build our knowledge base and better understand processes and procedures to set up a baseline of operations for future deployments of these sensors or others like it.”

By SSgt Caroline Parks, 352nd Special Operations Wing

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

TacJobs – Army MOS 35P at 20th Group

Wednesday, February 26th, 2025

20th SFG(A) in Alabama is is looking to fill 35P slots.

You must already be MOS qualified and be E5-E6.

If you qualify, go to guardsf.com and use the registration link under “Special Forces Support”.

joinalguard.formstack.com/forms/35p_ala

Being on a SOT-A is one of the best jobs in the Army.

Have a question on how to earn the Green Beret? Or interested in becoming support?

Click “Contact a Green Beret” at guardsf.com.

Posted in Army, CEMA, Guest Post, SOF, TacJobs | No Comments »

Cubic DTECH, Instant Connect, and Rally Tactical Systems Provide Real-time Language Translation to Special Operation Forces

Thursday, February 20th, 2025

Delivering next-gen interoperable tactical communications for a new era in mission success

SAN DIEGO – February 19, 2025 – Cubic DTECH Vocality, Instant Connect Software, and Rally Tactical Systems (RTS) are breaking new ground with the integration of Instant Connect EnterpriseTM (ICE) as the encrypted end-to-end and transport layer security wrapper for tactical push-to-talk traffic. The Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC)-certified software platform is included on the DoD Information Network (DoDIN)-approved product list.

The ICE platform is a proven, military-grade tactical communications solution that integrates with RTS’ Engage Engine and Cubic’s Radio Over IP (RoIP) gateways, including the DTECH Vocality RoIP, M3X and M3-SE, enabling special operations teams worldwide to leverage the blended solution capability for multilingual missions.

“The ICE platform eliminates language barriers, providing real-time communication across 70+ languages to accelerate and clarify crucial communications,” said Anthony Verna, Senior Vice President and General Manager of DTECH Mission Solutions. “The combined solutions remove delays and other drawbacks associated with human translators in the field, thus creating a new standard in coalition interoperable tactical communications.”

“Our platform is secure and accurate, giving warfighters a decisive advantage in coalition peacekeeping, enforcement, and other missions,” said Forrest Claypool, Instant Connect CEO. “Special operations teams know that ICE allows them to extend the language translation capability to remote environments at the tactical edge. It’s about providing teams with the communications flexibility they need when seconds matter.”

For more information, visit: Cubic DTECH.

Posted in Comms, Industry, Press Release, SOF | No Comments »

SOFWERX – Gliding Offensive Lightweight Unmanned Munition (GOLUM)

Thursday, February 20th, 2025

The Gliding Offensive Lightweight Unmanned Munition (GOLUM) assessment event is now open for submissions.

Purpose

SOFWERX, in collaboration with US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC), will host an assessment event to advance efforts in developing and producing an advanced light-weight precision glide munition.

Background/Synopsis

USSOCOM is seeking industry submissions for a precision glide munition that is smaller than the GBU-69 and that can be delivered by light-weight uncrewed aircraft.

Objective

The government is interested in the development and eventual fielding of a low-cost, light-weight, precision, unpowered, air-launched glide munition to fill the gap for glide munitions smaller than the GBU-69 for use by U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF).

Submit NLT 10 March 2025 11:59 PM ET.

For more information, visit events.sofwerx.org/gliding-offensive-lightweight-unmanned-munition-golum

Posted in Munitions, SOF | 7 Comments »

The Next Ridgeline by the Green Beret Foundation

Thursday, February 13th, 2025

Are you recently retired, separated, or preparing to transition out of service? The Next Ridgeline 2.0, a Green Beret Foundation program, empowers Green Berets and their families to navigate a purposeful transition. This program provides comprehensive support and resources, creating a seamless pathway to meaningful post-service opportunities.

Join us in finding your next Ridgeline in 2025. Submit your request for Next Ridgeline support:

greenberetfoundation.org/request-support

Posted in Guest Post, SOF, Veterans | No Comments »

SOFWERX – SBIR 25.4 Pre-release: Aviation Goggle Mount & Operator Portable Oxygen Generation Device

Friday, February 7th, 2025

The USSOCOM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program will soon be accepting submissions for the technology area of interest:

Special Areas of Interest
Phase I:
SOCOM254-003: Aviation Goggle Mount

The objective of this topic is to research and develop an innovative Aviation Goggle Mount capability that will be employed on various aviator helmets with various night vision goggle systems (i.e. AN/AVS-6 and Wide Field of View Aviation Goggles (WFOVAG) and shall interface with an Aviation Night Vision Imaging System (ANVIS) mount that is used by Special Operations Forces.

Direct to Phase II:
SOCOM254-D002: Operator Portable Oxygen Generation Device

The objective of this topic is to develop applied research toward an innovative capability to improve oxygen therapy at point-of-need in an austere pre-hospital environment. The goal is to develop a field instrument that is rugged, compact, and able to provide oxygen to patients and oxygen generation capabilities as far-forward as possible to reduce the need for oxygen cylinders.

SOFWERX will host a virtual Q&A session for the areas of interest on 18 February at 2:00 PM ET.

Click Here to RSVP (RSVP NLT 17 February 2025 11:59 PM ET)
Submit your proposal: (Submissions open 26 February 2025 12:00PM ET (Noon))

Posted in Aviation, Medical, Optics, Research, SOF | No Comments »