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Archive for the ‘SOF’ Category

USSOCOM Offering Prize For Algorithm for Real-Time Parallax Correction Challenge

Friday, February 12th, 2016

If you’ve got a system that will correct parallax in worn (powered) sensors, you could win a prize of up to $50,000. US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is sponsoring a public prize challenge for a wearable system to correct optical parallax resulting from offset sensors.

Background.
USSOCOM is developing a multi-spectral visual system; however, fusing the inputs of offset optical sources results in parallax – a perceived change in the position of an object due to the offset positions of the optical sensors. To address this issue, USSOCOM is sponsoring the Algorithm for Real-Time Parallax Correction prize challenge. For additional details and to register to solve the challenge, visit www.innocentive.com/ar/challenge/9933759..

Challenge Structure.
Begin Date: 27 Jan 16
Submission Close Date: 29 Feb 16
Phase I winners will be announced approximately 2 weeks later, and invited to participate in Phase II
Phase II will be a live demonstration of the solvers solutions.

Prize Structure.
$50,000 in total prize awards is available.
Phase I winners are eligible for up to $15,000
Phase II winners are eligible for up to an additional $35,000

Get the rest of the details on how to participate at www.fbo.gov..

Posted in Contracts, Optics, SOF | 13 Comments »

5th Group Is Bringing Back The Viet Nam-Era Flash

Monday, December 14th, 2015

In March, 2016 the US Army’s 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) will hold a ceremony at their home on Fort Campbell, Kentucky to formally transition their beret flash from the current Black version to a type initially adopted during the Viet Nam war. The flash they will begin using again features a Yellow Band with three Scarlet Bands. The 5th Group Flash has always featured a Black background, going back to 1961 when the unit was stood up. In 1962 a White border was added and remains today. In 1964 the flash was redesigned, adding the bands. In December 1984, 5th Group commander COL Jim Guest, requested the Group revert to the older variant in order to disassociate the unit with Viet Nam. Specifically, Guest wrote, “The colors of a foreign flag should not be incorporated into a US Army beret flash.” In his request he went on, “The Republic of Viet Nam and the original purpose for having the Vietnamese colors in the flash no longer exist.” That request was approved on 16 January, 1985 by the Director, Institute of Heradlry although I recall still seeing 5th Group members wearing the “Viet Nam” flash into 1987 while TDY away from Fort Bragg.

While the official story is that these Yellow and Red affectations represent the 1st and 7th Groups which provided augmentation to 5th Group in Viet Nam, it’s impossible to deny that these colors are also from the flag of the Republic of Viet Nam. Isn’t it odd that the color bands perfectly replicate the RVN flag? If they were simply meant to honor the other groups, as in the case of the 3rd Group flash, wouldn’t there just be two stripes?

Naturally, like the decision that switched the flash during the mid-1980s, the move back is not popular with everyone. Reportedly, some Veterans of the “Legion” as it is known, don’t feel a connection to the Group’s Viet Nam roots and have questioned the change. The same thing probably came up in 1964 when they added the bands to the Black flash. No doubt, we’ll see 5th Group members continuing to wear the “war on terror” flash for many years to come.

Tags: 5th SFG(A)
Posted in SOF | 27 Comments »

A Tip Of The Hat To Two Dogs

Friday, December 11th, 2015

Today, one of my mentors retires after 51 years of Federal Service (USAF Officer and Civil Service). Joseph “Two Dogs” E Murphy, Jr, Lt Col, USAF (Ret) was my first boss after commissioning in the Air Force. Joe goes way back in AFSOC Intel to the 23rd Air Force days. After retiring, they brought him back as a civilian and Joe created the Special Tactics Intelligence community. I was lucky enough to be selected as one of the first officers to work for him in that capacity at the 720th STG. Not only that, he’s been a great friend and mentor to me these past 18 years.

I want to wish Joe, his wife Sally, children and grandchildren well on this occasion. Two Dogs, I hope you enjoy that retirement. You’ve more than earned it.

Tags: Joe Murphy
Posted in Air Force, SOF | Comments Off on A Tip Of The Hat To Two Dogs

This Is Why Little Birds Rock

Sunday, November 29th, 2015

Posted in SOF | 6 Comments »

USSOCOM Evaulates Replacement For EOTech Sights

Monday, November 9th, 2015

According to sources close to the effort, USSOCOM will evaluate five alternative optics as a replacement for the L3 Communications EOTech Enhanced Combat Optical Sights which have been the subject of a series of Safety of Use Messages issued by PM SOF Weapons at Crane NSWC.

The candidate sights include the Aimpoint’s T2, Leupold’s LCO and Delta Point PRO as well as Trijicon’s MRO and SRS. Based on an operational need by a SOF component, one, or possible more sights will be selected for limited fielding after an evaluation by users. The list of candidate optics offers a variety of capabilities rather than a bunch of clones. If anything, the evaluation will give some exposure to different technologies and help refine future requirements and we understand a more extensive, open solicitation, may be issued later to field optics across the entire command.

Posted in Optics, SOF | 52 Comments »

Today Marks The Anniversry of the Battle of Mogadishu

Saturday, October 3rd, 2015

Today actually marks two major anniversaries in the history of US Special Operations. First, is the creation of the 75th Ranger Regiment through the activation of its 3rd Battalion. It’s also the date of 1993’s Battle of Mogadishu during which elements of TF Ranger, deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia conducted an operation on that city’s Olympic Hotel in order to capture key leaders of the Aidid Militia.

Unfortunately, during the exfil portion of the raid a battle ensued that claimed the lives of 18 Americans and wounded another 73. Additionally, CW3 Michael Durant was captured by the militia. Fortunately, Durant was later repatriated and went on to retire from the 160th.

For those of you unfamiliar, one of the best accounts of the battle is contained in the book, “Blackhawk Down” by author Mark Bowden. Much of the information was serialized prior to the book’s publication in the Philadelphia Enquirer. Later this was made into a movie bearing the same name.

If you want to here more from a man that was there in the thick of it, pick up a copy of Panteao Productions‘ “Battle of the Black Sea” featuring MSG Paul Howe (USA, Ret).

Please take a moment to remember these men and their sacrifice.

Posted in SOF | 5 Comments »

MDM – Amazing What Shows Up In The MARSOC Booth

Thursday, September 24th, 2015

I’m not sure which impresses me more; the places I see the SIG MCX show up, or that MARSOC is the Honey Badger of SOF. They definitely have no issue doing it their way. This is by no means an indication of adoption but it’s good to see that are checking things out and have no qualms about acknowledging it.

Noticeably absent from this impressive display of weapons? The M45A1 CQBP.

Tags: MARSOC, Sig Sauer
Posted in MDM, SOF, weapons | 27 Comments »

Technical Experimentation SOF Combat Swimmer/Diver

Tuesday, April 28th, 2015

The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has issued an RFI to solicit technology experimentation candidates from Research and Development (R&D) organizations, private industry, and academia for inclusion in future experimentation events coordinated by USSOCOM. The goal is to accelerate the delivery of innovative capabilities to the Special Operations Forces (SOF) warfighter, while providing participants with the opportunity to gain Special Operations Forces (SOF) insight/perspective on participant technologies.

USSOCOM technology experimentation events provide an opportunity for technology developers to interact with operational personnel to determine how their technology development efforts and ideas may support or enhance SOF capability needs. The environment facilitates a collaborative working relationship between Government, academia, and industry to promote the identification and assessment of these emerging and mature technologies.

This time they are seeking technologies for the SOF Combat Swimmer/Diver. If selected, the technology will participate in a Technical Experimentation event 3-7 August, 2015 at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado near San Diego, CA.

Specifically, they are seeking:

4. Technology areas to explore during the event
4.1 Focus specific technology capabilities on the ability to survive in the water column.
4.1.1 Maneuverability,
4.1.2. Employment of weapons,
4.1.3. Navigational accuracy,
4.1.4. Diver situational awareness both in and out of the water column,
4.1.5. Communications to and from the maritime realm.
This is a multispectral effort for the individual SOF Combat Swimmer/Diver and his equipment.

The deadline for nomination package(s) is 15 May, 2015 at 12:00 Noon EST (sic).

For full details visit www.fbo.gov.

Posted in SOF | 1 Comment »