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Archive for the ‘SOF’ Category

USSOCOM Selects 300 Norma Mag for ASR

Wednesday, June 1st, 2016

United States Special Operations Command not only has its own budget but it is also an acquisition authority with the ability to procure SOF-unique weapons and equipment. Awhile back we told you that the follow on to their Precision Sniper Rifle would be called the Advanced Sniper Rifle.

According to Long Range Shooting Handbook, the ASR will be chambered for the 300 Norma Mag. Norma offers the round with a 230 gr Berger projectile.

So far, Long Range Shooting Handbook is the only source of this info. Regardless, this new round is quite interesting and a departure from other specialist ammunition adopted for precision applications such as .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua. I look forward to seeing the other requirements for the ASR once they are finalized.

Posted in SOF, weapons | 27 Comments »

Ever Considered Joint Communcations Unit?

Sunday, April 24th, 2016

Communicators might want to consider an assignment with JCU on this anniversary of Operation Eagle Claw. It was one of many units that were created based in lessons learned during that mission.

www.jcuonline.org

Tags: Joint Communications Unit
Posted in Comms, Forces Focus, SOF | 5 Comments »

Honoring Those With The Guts To Try

Sunday, April 24th, 2016

Today, We Remember The Men We Lost During Operation Eagle Claw

Today marks the anniversary of Operation Eagle Claw. In the early morning hours of 25 April, 1980 President Carter announced to a stunned world that the United States had undertaken an ambitious raid into Iran to liberate 52 American hostages held illegally by tye Iranian Republican Guard, at our Embassy in Tehran. Unfortunately, Operation Eagle Claw was unsuccessful, and we lost eight American servicemen in a horrible aircraft ground collision.

However, their sacrifice was not in vain. The hostages were eventually returned and the accident was the watershed event that created, over the next several decades, the world’s preeminent Special Operations capability; USSOCOM and its components. Some hard Americans were on that raid; legends to those who would follow. We wouldn’t be where are today with the determination of that fledgling task force. Join me in remembering those that paved the way.

Posted in History, SOF | 8 Comments »

The Follow On To PSR Is ASR

Thursday, April 21st, 2016

As USSOCOM refines the requirement for the follow on to the Precision Sniper Rifle, we have been told this new requirement will be called Advanced Sniper Rifle.

Posted in SOF, weapons | 4 Comments »

OSS Manuals

Tuesday, April 19th, 2016

The United States Army Special Operations Command is a descendent of World War Two’s Office of Strategic Services. This secretive organization of specially selected men and women combined intelligence gathering and unconventional warfare functions across both European and Pacific theaters of war. The OSS was organized functionally, by branch. Like any military organization, manuals were produced.

In addition to the manuals, the OSS also produced briefing materials, used to explain the organization to policy makers. Although it doesn’t resemble any current SOF organizations, the Operational Group was the standard unit of the OSS.

As this was a joint organization long before being joint was a thing, the OSS also had a Maritime Unit with specialized equipment to carry out its unique mission.

A few years ago, their manuals were declassified and released publicly. USASOC has been gracious in sharing some of these manuals for their historical value. Operationally, you may learn a thing or two, as well. They are well worth the read.

www.soc.mil/OSS/manuals

Posted in History, SOF | 5 Comments »

Feel The SURG – USSOCOM Seeks Suppressor Upper Receiver Group for M4A1 Carbines

Wednesday, April 13th, 2016

On 12 April, USSOCOM’s Directorate of Procurement released a solicitation for the long anticipated Suppressor Upper Receiver Group.

According to the government, “The SURG weapon upgrade of the M4A1 Lower Receiver Group will allow the Warfighter’s weapon to be optimized for continuous suppressed use.” Interestingly, there’s no requirement that the upper feature an integral suppressor, just that it is suppressed.

Vendors have been working on this project for quite sometime as SOCOM has collected data in order to dial in the requirement. As you can imagine, most of the major players have all teamed up which explains the relatively short lead time until submissions are due.

Potential offerers have until July 13th to answer. Specific information requires an account with Fed Biz Opps.

Visit www.fbo.gov.

Posted in Black Rifle, Contracts, SOF | 37 Comments »

Daniel Defense Rifle Featured on Cover of ‘Popular Mechanics’ Special Forces Issue

Tuesday, April 12th, 2016

Black Creek, GA – April 12, 2016 – Daniel Defense, engineer and manufacturer of the world’s finest firearms and accessories, is pleased to announce that its MK18 Factory SBR rifle will appear on the cover of the upcoming issue of Popular Mechanics. In the May 2016 “Tough Guys”-themed issue, the magazine highlights “The Future of Special Forces,” and its cover features a model decked out in gear typically used by Special Forces operators, including a conspicuously held DD MK18 rifle.

“This is a major accomplishment for us and our Team,” said Daniel Defense Chief Marketing Officer, Cindy Daniel. “Both in terms of prestige and in exposure of our rifle, and our company, to a whole new audience—one not necessarily part of the tactical or hunting communities.”

Daniel Defense leveraged its extensive media relations to get the MK18 featured on the Popular Mechanics cover in order to reach a “more mainstream” audience. While Daniel Defense rifles and products have been featured in various publications over the years, most of those publications were tactical- and/or hunting/outdoor-themed. Popular Mechanics, part of Hearst Direct Media, promotes itself as “the essential handbook for curious, active people” and operates under the tagline “How Your World Works.” Its circulation is 1.2 million, and the magazine is most popular with men between the ages of 35 and 49.

The DD MK18 rifle features the RIS II Rail System Daniel Defense currently provides to US SOCOM, and a 10.3” Cold Hammer Forged Barrel. It has an MSRP of $1749 and is available directly from Daniel Defense (www.danieldefense.com) or authorized retailers. Along with the DD MK18, several other best-selling tactical products are featured on the PM cover and within the issue, including a SureFire SOCOM Series 5.56mm suppressor, a Tactical Night Vision Company Tactical Application Pressure Switch (TNVC TAPS), and an Insight ATPIAL-C (AN/PEQ-15) Advanced Target Pointer/Illuminator Aiming Laser.

The May 2016 Popular Mechanics issue hits newsstands the week of April 11, 2016. To learn more about the magazine or to read highlighted stories, visit: www.popularmechanics.com.

Tags: Daniel Defense, Popular Mechanics
Posted in Black Rifle, Media, Press Release, SOF | 19 Comments »

Watch the 5th SFG(A) Reflashing Ceremony Live

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016

Last December we told you that the US Army’s 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was going to revert to an older version of the beret flash they abandoned in 1985.

The Army plans to webcast the event so current and former members of the Legion as well as supporters, can watch, no matter where they are. Be sure to visit www.dvidshub.net from Mar 23 2016 10:00 AM EDT to Mar 23 2016 12:00 PM EDT.

Posted in SOF | 9 Comments »