Archive for the ‘SOF’ Category
This Is Why Little Birds Rock
Sunday, November 29th, 2015USSOCOM Evaulates Replacement For EOTech Sights
Monday, November 9th, 2015According 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.
Today Marks The Anniversry of the Battle of Mogadishu
Saturday, October 3rd, 2015Today 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.
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.
Technical Experimentation SOF Combat Swimmer/Diver
Tuesday, April 28th, 2015The 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.
The Man in the Arena
Sunday, April 19th, 2015President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous quote, “The Man in the Arena” from his speech, “Citizenship In The Republic” has long been associated with Special Operations Forces. Special Forces recently created a video depicting their unique capabilties as a narrator recites the quote.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
