The US Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment fields a complement of MQ-1 Unmanned Aerial Systems. This video talks about service in the Night Stalkers in MOS 15C.
Assignments are available right out of AIT as well as for Soldier serving in other in units in a variety of MOSs.
goarmysof.com/160th/SOARrecruiting
Soldiers from 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) participated in night operations training with Green Berets from 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) on March 15, 2021 at Muscatatuk Urban Training Center, Indiana. U.S. Special Operations Forces conduct training focused on increasing readiness for overseas operations that safeguard national security from worldwide threats.
U.S. Army video by SGT Brandon White
The new website SOGSITE tells the history of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Studies and Observation Group which conducted special operations is the SouthEast Asia theater, including “over the fence” cross-border reconnaissance missions into Cambodia and Laos.
This Saturday, Long Tab Brewing Company in San Antonio is hosting the 3rd Annual Crawfish Boil to benefit the Green Beret Project.
UF PRO Video Series Shows How to Prepare for Grueling Military Special-Forces Selection Process; Available 30 March
TRZIN, SLOVENIA (28 March 2021)—How to prepare for and successfully complete the process by which members of elite military special-forces units are selected is the subject of a four-part video series slated to debut this month, tactical gear-maker UF PRO today announced.
The series—”UF PRO Pro’s Guide to SF Selection & Assessment”—will be available at UF PRO’s website beginning Tuesday, 30 March.
The vetting process is extreme, routinely pushing candidates to the brink of mental and physical exhaustion. Statistically, nearly half of all applicants fail, the company noted.
Featured in the video series is advice for preparing to successfully complete the SF selection process. Shown are realistic, science-based steps designed to foster the drive and determination necessary to keep pushing on when the body and brain want to quit.
The series is hosted by Michael (Mike) Strauch, an army reserve officer from Germany who holds a university degree in psychology. Mike has served as a security contractor in various Middle Eastern and African hot spots. Additionally, he has lent his clinical expertise to medical teams from the U.S. and Europe.
Part One of “Pro’s Guide to SF Selection & Assessment” is titled “Gather Intel & Mental Preparation”. The episode serves as an overview of the special-forces selection process. Questions asked and answered include: what is the goal of the selection process; what will be evaluated; what kind of information does a candidate need in order best prepare; where does one obtain such information; and how does one mentally prepare for selection?
Part Two is “Physical Preparation: Principles and Overall Concept”. In this installment, viewers will be walked through several possible options for developing physical readiness to undergo the SF selection process.
“Physical Preparation: Techniques” is the title of Part Three, which supplies detailed explanations and demonstrations of the correct techniques for performing the most important exercises. The episode emphasizes that the exercises must be properly executed in order to derive maximum benefit in relation to the SF selection process.
The fourth and final episode—”Physical Preparation: Training Plan”—lays out a detailed roadmap to take viewers from fit to hyper-fit ahead of the formal start of the SF selection process.
UF PRO manufactures advanced-technology jackets, shirts, pants, hats, caps, and accessories for military and law-enforcement units in Europe and beyond.
For more information about this video series or about other titles available in the UF PRO video library, please go to www.ufpro.com/pros-guide-to-sf-selection
• Competitive task order awarded for USSOCOM’s Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (MEUAS) program
• Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) JUMP 20 unmanned aircraft system delivers true versatility and multi-mission capabilities without launchers or runways to USSOCOM and other customers
With a best-in-class operational range of 185 km (115 mi) and 14+ hours of endurance, AeroVironment’s JUMP 20 is the ideal solution for multi-mission operations. (Photo: AeroVironment, Inc.)
SIMI VALLEY, Calif., March 9, 2021 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Arcturus UAV, now operating under the AeroVironment brand, was awarded a competitive task order valued at approximately $7 million from the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The competitive task order is for a one-year period of performance, which started February 3, 2021.
USSOCOM selected Arcturus UAV as one of six companies qualified for the potential $975 million Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) MEUAS contract in June 2020. The contract enables awardees to compete for site-specific task orders and provide USSOCOM with unmanned aircraft systems services and support for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.
“Part of AeroVironment’s expanded portfolio of medium UAS, the fixed wing JUMP 20 is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, making it completely runway independent,” said Rick Pedigo, AeroVironment vice president of global sales and business development. “Runway independence maximizes the ability of customers to deploy the JUMP 20 in a broad range of locations and environments, while minimizing the logistical footprint required to operate it. JUMP 20 is also capable of hosting multiple different payload options, delivering true versatility and multi-mission capabilities to support a wide array of customer requirements.”
AeroVironment recently successfully demonstrated the JUMP 20 for the U.S. Army Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) “Rodeo”, which took place from February 22 through March 5 at Fort Benning, Georgia.
AeroVironment previously announced the closing of the Arcturus UAV acquisition in a press release on February 22, 2021. To learn more about AeroVironment’s expanded portfolio of unmanned aircraft solutions, visit www.avinc.com/uas.
Join the Disruptive Speaker Series on 31 March, 2021 as Dr. Lilian Alessa presents, “A Turmoil of Shadows: The Hidden Facets of Arctic Threats and the Role of USSOCOM in Ensuring Stability.”
Presented in collaboration with the USSOCOM J5 Donovan Strategy and Innovation Group, Dr. Alessa will address the roles that the SOF Enterprise, as a force multiplier, could be responsible for in the emerging Arctic operational environment. While SOF maintains a standard of being able to operate in any conditions anywhere in the world, the Arctic is emerging as a more nuanced and complex theater.
RSVP NLT 24 March 11:59 PM ET
Got full details visit events.sofwerx.org/dssarctic.
10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), in cooperation with the Modern War Institute and Project 6633, is pleased to announce an essay contest to generate new ideas and expand the community of interest for special operations in the polar regions.
Defending American strategic interests may require special operations in the polar regions. Whether in competition, crisis, or conflict, the polar regions’ extreme weather, natural resources, and diplomatic divisions present challenges to any operations. If special operations are to succeed in the polar regions, polar state actors must develop the appropriate mixture of force posture, equipping, and readiness. Polar nations will improve their competitiveness in these regions by drawing on history, experimentation, and exercises.
Topic
Essays must answer the following prompt: How can American special operations forces compete with near-peer adversaries in the polar regions?
This topic is broad. We encourage authors to clearly articulate a specific idea or concept in their response.
Eligibility
• Essays will be accepted from any person from any field, and submissions from non-US participants are welcomed.
• Up to two people may co-author an essay entry.
• Participants may submit only one entry to the competition.
• Essays must be original, unpublished, and not subject to publication elsewhere.
Submission Guidelines
• Essays will not exceed 1,000 words.
• Use the standard submission guidelines for the Modern War Institute.
• Email your entry to USASOC.10.SFG.Polarsofcontest.SHDMBX@socom.mil with “Polar SOF Contest” in the subject line. Once submitted, no edits, corrections, or changes are allowed.
• Submission deadline: essays will be accepted until 11:59 PM EDT on May 2, 2021.
Selection Process
Submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by a team from the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), the Modern War Institute, and Project 6633. Submissions will be assessed based on how well and creatively they address the topic of the contest and provoke further thought and conversation, as well as their suitability for publication by the Modern War Institute (e.g., style, sources, accessibility, etc.). See evaluation questions below:
• Does the essay clearly define a problem and present a solution?
• Does the essay show thoughtful analysis?
• Does the essay inject new provocative thinking or address areas where there needs to be more discussion?
• Does the essay demonstrate a unique approach or improve current initiatives?
• Does the essay take lessons from history and apply them to today’s challenges?
• Does the essay propose a project or concept that could realistically be applied by the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) or Army Special Operations?
• Does the essay demonstrate knowledge of relevant existing writing on polar operations and challenges?
• Is the essay logically organized, well written, and persuasive?
The commander of 10th Special Forces Group and Project 6633 co-directors will make the final judgement for the contest.
Winning Submissions
The top three essays will be announced publicly, and will be published by the Modern War Institute.
Depending on the evaluation of the Modern War Institute editorial team, revisions may be required before publication.
By MWI Staff
Image credit: US SOCEUR
