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Marines Participate in Advanced Radio Frequency Intelligence Operators Course

Friday, April 17th, 2026

U.S. Marines participated in the Advanced Radio Frequency Intelligence Operators Course (ARFIOC) 26-1 at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, Feb. 26, 2026, led by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command (MARCENT) and sponsored by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). A program focused on advancing signals intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities in support of operational forces.

ARFIOC builds on foundational Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) training by providing intermediate to advanced instruction in electromagnetic spectrum awareness, radio frequency theory, signal identification, signal characterization, and advanced geolocation techniques. The course is designed to refine technical proficiency and prepare Marines to operate in complex and contested electromagnetic environments.

Originally developed during the 2015 Marine Corps SIGINT Strategy Working Group, ARFIOC addresses training gaps identified during pre-deployment cycles and has been hosted by MARCENT since Fiscal Year 2017. In Fiscal Year 2026, CENTCOM adopted ARFIOC as a training platform to support deploying SIGINT units.

The course progresses through foundational instruction, individual skills development, advanced operator training, and culminates in a complex, live radio frequency scenario known as the Culminating Exercise (CULEX). Throughout the evolution, Marines operate in a layered electromagnetic environment replicating pacing threat conditions and are challenged with tactical and operational problem sets.

Training events include multi-domain reconnaissance and surveillance, signal reconnaissance target development, static and mobile SIGINT operations, and contingency response scenarios such as Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) missions in contested environments. These exercises require distributed teams to detect, analyze, and geolocate signals while maneuvering and adapting to changing conditions.

“ARFIOC is about sharpening the skills that directly impact operational readiness,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Rafael Alcala, ARFIOC course director. “Our Marines are learning to operate confidently in contested electromagnetic environments and provide commanders with timely, relevant intelligence. That level of technical competence and adaptability is critical to success in today’s operational landscape.”

ARFIOC incorporates both digital and analog signal sets, frequency-agile communications, high-frequency targeting, and advanced direction-finding techniques to mirror modern operational challenges. Written and practical evaluations measure student progression and provide feedback to continuously refine the program of instruction. In addition to strengthening tactical proficiency, ARFIOC serves as a venue to test emerging technologies and inform future SIGINT training requirements. By advancing individual expertise and reinforcing unit readiness, the course prepares Marines to support commanders in competition and conflict across the electromagnetic spectrum.

“This course has honestly been one of the best training opportunities I’ve had,” said Cpl. Coby Prociw, a student in ARFIOC 26-1. “It forces you to think and adapt in real time instead of just going through the motions. The scenarios feel real, and it’s definitely making me more confident and better prepared for when we have to do this outside of training.”

With ARFIOC 26-1 complete, course leadership continues refining the program of instruction based on student performance and operational feedback to ensure the curriculum remains aligned with evolving mission requirements. The next iteration of ARFIOC is tentatively planned for fall 2026, continuing the effort to advance Marine Corps signals intelligence readiness and prepare the joint force for future operational demands.

Story by Ruben Cordero

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

Photos by Sgt. Angela Wilcox

U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command

Posted in CEMA, Guest Post, Training, USMC | Comments Off on Marines Participate in Advanced Radio Frequency Intelligence Operators Course

Varjo and VRAI Announce Strategic Partnership to Bring Data-Driven Insights to Military Training

Tuesday, April 14th, 2026

ITEC, London, United Kingdom – April 14, 2026 –Varjo, the industry leader in mission-ready virtual and mixed reality (XR) technology, and VRAI, the Irish headquartered simulation data company leading in human performance analytics, today announced a strategic partnership to transform how militaries train their personnel.

Modern defense forces face a compounding challenge: the demand to train more personnel, faster, is growing, but traditional live training is expensive and constrained by instructor and equipment availability. The collaboration between Varjo and VRAI directly addresses this gap by bringing together Varjo’s secure virtual and mixed reality technology and VRAI’s biometric data and performance analytics. The result is a complete training intelligence platform combining immersive simulation with real-time human performance data, purpose-built for modern defense training needs.

For the first time, instructors can see not just what happened in a scenario, but what is driving the performance of the individual or crews going through the training. VRAI’s technology can capture indicators such as cognitive load, physiological stress, and shifts in attention. An instructor with this data can intervene earlier, give more precise feedback, and make readiness decisions that were previously out of reach.

As part of the partnership, VRAI will become an authorized reseller of Varjo technology, and Varjo will offer VRAI’s HEAT software to its customer base. All Varjo customers will have the opportunity to leverage a starter version of HEAT’s data capture and visualization capabilities directly within their existing simulation environments from May 2026 onwards, which will be previewed at this year’s ITEC.

“The world has changed, and how we train our personnel has to change with it,” said Pat O’Connor,CEO and co-founder of VRAI. “We have seen how our customers in Ireland have combined Varjo and HEAT solutions to transform how they deliver armor crew training, and this partnership is how we bring this solution to defense customers at scale. We are empowering instructors with actionable insights into what is driving performance, and Varjo’s technology is a big part of why we can do that.”

“We built immersive simulation technology to put people inside scenarios that matter, and VRAI tells you exactly what happened to them when they got there. Together, we can deliver training that gets smarter with every session, because each one generates data that makes the next one better,”said Valentin Storz, Chief Revenue Officer at Varjo.

VRAI’s HEAT platform treats human performance data as an untapped instructional resource. Powered by Varjo’s eye tracking and integrated biometric monitors, the software can capture what happens during a simulation — heart rate, eye movement, control inputs, communications — and displays it in a near real-time dashboard. Varjo’s high-precision eye tracking enables HEAT to calculate cognitive load, giving instructors a physiological read on how a trainee experienced a scenario, what is actually driving performance, and not just what they did.

The partnership builds on existing first joint deployments with customers such as Rheinmetall and the Irish Defence Forces, where armor crews train weekly using Varjo XR headsets, HEAT software, and integrated heart rate monitors. Training has been scaled without increasing instructor workload, with the instructor-to-trainee ratio improving from approximately 1:3 to 1:12. The data generated is informing training outcomes in Ireland and building a body of knowledge applicable to crew training programs worldwide.

Varjo x VRAI: Data-driven insights for military training

The two companies are demonstrating joint solutions at ITEC in London, UK, on April 14–16 at Varjo booth M40. Varjo and VRAI will also establish flagship demo showcases in Munich, Helsinki, Dublin, Arlington (DC), and Orlando. Bookings are available at www.varjo.com/demo.

Posted in International, Press Release, Training | No Comments »

AI Bootcamp Readies Air Commandos for Next-Gen Advantage

Sunday, April 12th, 2026

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

Air Force Special Operations Command has begun hosting AI Bootcamps, a pioneering training course designed to arm servicemembers with the skills to ethically and effectively integrate artificial intelligence into their daily duties.

The course stems from the command’s commitment to leveraging emerging technologies to maintain a competitive advantage in an increasingly complex operating environment. The goal of the initiative is to empower Air Commandos to utilize AI tools, streamlining procedural processes and tasks to reclaim valuable time for mission-critical responsibilities.

“The AFSOC AI Bootcamp was created out of a forward-thinking effort to prepare our servicemembers for an AI-integrated environment,” said Dr. Christina Parker, AFSOC chief learning officer. “We accomplish this by identifying and addressing concerns of using AI; identifying AI appropriate tasks; highlighting “Human in the Loop” strategies and techniques; and providing highly practical, hands-on application training.”

As part of practical application practice, students are taught how to assign the AI system a role to play for accomplishing an identified task.

“AI can serve as a ‘brainstormer’ to move past the ‘blank page’ problem, a ‘translator’ to reformat data and adjust the tone of materials, a ‘red teamer’ to identify weaknesses in a plan, and even a ‘tutor’ to break down complex topics for upskilling,” said Parker.

The course was designed to create a bridge the knowledge gap on generative AI systems, creating a baseline understanding for users no matter their experience level.

“It’s rare to leave a one-day course feeling you’ve gained a truly foundational understanding of something so transformative,” said a course participant. This wasn’t just another training day; this felt mission critical.”

AFSOC’s prioritization of AI integration began in September 2025 with the establishment a standalone A9 directorate, with a mission focused on data, AI, analytics, and assessments.

“We were tasked with designing this training in November 2025,” said Parker. “When the Secretary of War’s ‘Harness Artificial Intelligence’ memorandum was released in December, we were already positioned to execute.”

Parker states AFSOC’s proactive stance in designing, developing, and delivering the AI training has led higher headquarters and other commands across the Joint Force to reach out to request her team’s materials for review and use.

Through this forward-leaning approach, AFSOC is not just initiating the charge for mass AI adoption but is actively building the framework to teach servicemembers how to rapidly integrate these capabilities. This initiative positions them at the forefront of shaping how the Joint Force will team up with artificial intelligence.

“The primary goal is for every servicemember to have the mindset that AI is not a replacement, but a powerful teammate,” said Parker.

By Capt Brandon DeBlanc

Air Force Special Operations Command

Posted in AI / ML, Air Force, Guest Post, SOF, Training | No Comments »

Heller Foundation Announces Partnership with Greenline Tactical

Friday, March 27th, 2026

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Partners,

I am thrilled to announce an exciting new strategic partnership between The Heller Foundation and Greenline Tactical, a premier provider of advanced firearms and tactical training. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our shared mission to promote responsible firearms ownership, enhance personal and community safety, and ensure that law-abiding Americans have access to the highest-quality instruction grounded in real-world experience and constitutional principles.

As the lead plaintiff in the landmark District of Columbia v. Heller case—which affirmed the individual right to keep and bear arms for self-defense under the Second Amendment—I have dedicated my work through The Heller Foundation to education, training, and advocacy that empowers citizens nationwide. Partnering with Greenline Tactical allows us to expand our impact by designating them as our preferred training partners for firearms instruction and specialized active shooter response training.

This partnership is particularly meaningful because of the exceptional leadership and expertise of Don Edwards and Sam Houston at Greenline Tactical. Don Edwards, the founder and lead instructor, brings over 20 years of experience as a U.S. Army Special Operations veteran, with extensive service providing tactical advisory support to the Department of Defense in high-threat environments, including Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a FLETC-certified firearms instructor and a respected figure in the industry for his hands-on, no-nonsense approach to training.

Sam Houston, a 10-year U.S. Navy veteran who served as a Flight Tech and Sensor Operator in combat operations, complements Don’s expertise with specialized knowledge in night vision tactics, surveillance, and defensive skills. Together, Don and Sam have built Greenline Tactical into a trusted source for elite training, including their renowned Night Operations Summit and courses tailored for law enforcement, military, and responsible civilians.
I am especially enthusiastic about our joint focus on active shooter training for houses of worship, schools, synagogues, and other soft-target community institutions nationwide. In an era where threats to innocent lives are all too real, equipping faith leaders, educators, administrators, and congregants with practical, life-saving skills is essential to preserving our freedoms and protecting our communities.

As I often say: “I’m incredibly excited about this partnership with Greenline Tactical. Don Edwards and Sam Houston are true professionals with unmatched credentials—decades of elite military service, proven combat experience, and a commitment to excellence in training. By teaming up, we’re not just teaching skills; we’re strengthening the Second Amendment in action, helping everyday Americans defend themselves, their families, and their places of worship with confidence and competence.”

Kristie Tertel, our National Director of Legislative Policy and Senior Advisor to the White House, and Jessica Spindle, Global Director of Community Outreach and Business Development, share this heightened enthusiasm in a joint statement- and has been instrumental in advancing our policy and outreach efforts. They add: “This strategic alliance with Greenline Tactical, led by Don Edwards and Sam Houston, is a game-changer for The Heller Foundation. Their elite backgrounds ensure that our training programs deliver real-world preparedness, particularly for protecting vulnerable spaces like churches, schools, and synagogues. We’re proud to elevate responsible firearms education and active shooter response nationwide, empowering communities to exercise their constitutional rights safely and effectively.”

“As the founder of Greenline Tactical I’m proud to be partnering with The Heller Foundation to provide quality life saving skills to responsible citizens and I’m looking forward to the future of this relationship.” -Don Edwards , Founder and Lead Instructor, Greenline Tactical.

Sam Houston, Instructor at Greenline Tactical, adds his perspective: “For what it’s worth—my two cents—this partnership with The Heller Foundation is a natural fit. Don and I have spent years honing life-saving tactics in the most demanding environments, and now we get to bring that expertise directly to communities that need it most. Together, we’re building real preparedness for churches, schools, synagogues, and beyond, empowering good people to protect the innocent without apology.”

The Heller Foundation looks forward to rolling out joint training programs, workshops, and resources in the coming months. For more information on upcoming sessions or how your organization can get involved, please visit our website or contact us directly.
Thank you for your continued support of The Heller Foundation’s mission to defend, protect and educate on the Second Amendment. Together, we are building a safer, more prepared America.

Sincerely,

Dick Heller
Founder and Executive Director
The Heller Foundation

Posted in 2A, Guest Post, Training | No Comments »

Steadicopter Launches Dedicated UAS Academy to Train Global Operators and Technicians on Advanced Rotary UAV Missions

Wednesday, March 25th, 2026

March 23, 2026 – Steadicopter, a leading developer and manufacturer of rotary unmanned aerial systems (UAS), has announced the launch of its dedicated Steadicopter UAS Academy, a comprehensive training program designed to equip customers with the operational expertise required to maximize the capabilities of the company’s advanced rotary UAV platforms.

The academy provides structured training programs delivered by Steadicopter’s expert instructors, many of whom bring extensive operational, aviation, and unmanned systems experience. The courses are designed to provide operators, mission commanders, and technical teams with deep knowledge of rotary UAS operations, enabling them to effectively deploy the systems across a wide range of operational environments.

The curriculum places a strong emphasis on fully leveraging the unique advantages of rotary UAS, including persistent hovering, precision deployment, and operational flexibility. Trainees learn how to apply these capabilities across a broad spectrum of mission applications such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), maritime operations, border security, tactical deployment, and special missions.

To ensure highly effective learning outcomes, the Steadicopter UAS Academy integrates state-of-the-art digital training tools and simulation-based learning aids, supported by an advanced LMS (Learning Management System). This digital infrastructure allows operators to develop mission planning, system operation, and decision-making skills within realistic digital environments before transitioning to live operational scenarios—significantly reducing training time while optimizing resource utilization.

A key feature of the academy is its global accessibility, enabled through Steadicopter’s robust LMS. This allows customers to conduct training, qualification, and ongoing personnel currency programs from virtually anywhere in the world, minimizing the need for travel, reducing operational downtime, and delivering a highly cost-effective training solution while accelerating time-to-readiness.

“Modern unmanned operations require more than advanced platforms – they require highly skilled personnel who understand how to fully exploit the capabilities of those systems,” said Noam Lidor, CEO of Steadicopter. “The Steadicopter UAS Flight Academy, supported by our advanced LMS, was established to ensure our customers gain the operational knowledge, mission expertise, and confidence needed to maximize the unique advantages of rotary UAS across a wide spectrum of missions. By combining expert instruction with advanced digital training technologies, we are enabling operators and technicians around the world to achieve operational readiness faster, more efficiently, and with significantly reduced training overhead – regardless of their location.”

The launch of the academy reflects Steadicopter’s ongoing commitment to supporting its customers not only with advanced unmanned systems, but also with the knowledge and operational expertise required to fully realize their potential in the field.

Posted in Press Release, Training, UAS | No Comments »

Soldiers Assist Air Force Squadron With Drone Warfare Training

Wednesday, March 18th, 2026

More than 200 airmen training with the Air Force’s 368th Training Squadron spent Feb. 27 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, learning about unmanned aerial systems during an exercise designed to cultivate Air Force airmindedness and the warrior ethos.

The training squadron, based at Fort Leonard Wood, provides initial skills and advanced level training in the areas of ground transportation, engineering, emergency management and pavements and construction equipment.

According to Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christopher Moss, a specialty code instructor assigned to the training squadron, airmen at various specialty schools on base usually train separately, but this day was unique because it brought them all together.

“It allows them to integrate with our other schoolhouses, bringing them together as one force instead of each person learning just their craft,” Moss said. “Producing more well-rounded airmen for the force.”

Air Force Capt. Nathan Elking, 368th Training Squadron director of operations, said the unique training event is called Bracer Forge and is an operational readiness exercise.

“It is a continuation of the training airmen receive at basic training,” Elking said. “Both exercise initiatives are designed to instill airmindedness and warrior ethos in our airmen.”

The squadron’s exercise topics vary, but the current unmanned aerial system focus was driven by the unit’s specialty codes, which according to Elking play a key role in airfield damage assessment and rapid airfield damage recovery.

“Before each iteration of Bracer Forge, we provide the participating airmen with an operation order for the day and reporting instructions with a training scenario to recover a damaged airfield,” he said.

Squadron instructors prepared four stations for the airmen to rotate through.

At the airfield damage assessment challenge, Elking said teams conducted an assessment on a simulated airfield and relayed the information to their teammates in an emergency operations center.

“The airmen in the EOC were tasked with creating a map of the airfield using the details their counterparts called in over the radio,” he said.

While at the UAS reporting challenge, teams established defensive fighting positions and reported UAS activity to their teammates in the EOC by consolidating the information into a report to send up.

The other two stations were a high intensity physical fitness event and a UAS capabilities overview. Soldiers assigned to the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Combat Training Company gave the UAS portion of the training.

“We are not subject matter experts on counter-UAS and UAS employment. Being able to leverage our Army partners at [center of excellence] played a significant role in the exercise’s success,” Elking said.

According to Army Sgt. 1st Class Austin Priebe, Combat Training Company UAS chief, his mission was to introduce small UAS threats, and teach the basics of identifying, reacting to and reporting small UAS threats.

Priebe said most trainees he instructs have watched or controlled a simulated UAS in video games, but being able to experience a UAS in person, see and hear a drone up close, is “essential to prepare service members for what they will see in current and future conflicts.”

“We conducted practical exercises on scanning for [small] UAS, completing a report and showed the airmen what they look like from an elevated viewpoint,” Priebe said.

This was the training company’s first time facilitating interservice UAS training.

“I’ve largely been focused on enabling training and instruction to the Army units here on Fort Leonard Wood since the inception of our UAS program this past fall,” Priebe said.

As the battlefield changes rapidly, so does our training requirements. If our organization can provide more realistic and in-depth training to our brothers and sisters in other branches, we only stand to benefit as a military.”

Priebe said his team is looking forward to conducting more interservice training events in the future.

At the end of the day, the exercise was a catalyst for innovation, Elking said.

“By exposing airmen to the dual nature of UASs — both as a threat to counter and a tool to master — we challenge them to rethink their mission sets and pioneer new solutions for the modern battlefield,” he said.

By Melissa Buckley, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Army, Drone, Guest Post, Training | 1 Comment »

GameStrat Exhibiting at ILEETA conference in St Louis, March 16-18

Monday, March 16th, 2026

GameStrat is excited to announce that it will be exhibiting at the upcoming ILEETA conference in St Louis, MO March 16-18.

Founded in 2016, GameStrat initially focused on developing video capture and instant replay systems for sports team coaching staffs. Following a successful market launch and adoption by over 1,500 sports teams in US and Canadian football, hockey, and lacrosse leagues, a US SOCOM element approached them in 2020 with a problem statement: Their shoot house facility had a CCTV system configured for video capture, but students and instructors had to leave the training area to go to a control room and manually replay the video feed for review after each training cycle. This significantly delayed the training cycle and instructors frequently expressed frustration with the user interface’s technical aspects. Consequently, the shoot house’s video capture capability was never used during training evolutions because its disadvantages greatly outweighed its benefits. They wanted a tactical training version of the GameStrat system because it offered users an intuitive, user-friendly format which allowed live-streaming and replay of the video feed to a handheld tablet for instant review during after-action review debrief sessions.

Following development for USSOCOM, GameStrat’s AAR video capture and replay system has been adopted by several SOF and law enforcement SWAT teams. GameStrat’s AAR system enhances after-action review debrief processes by allowing instructors and students to quickly review decisions, communication, and movement during training scenarios. It provides benefit for military organizations, tactical teams, and frontline law enforcement training environments where rapid visual feedback can improve learning outcomes.

GameStrat’s AAR system enables instructors to capture multiple video feeds during live training and immediately identify and replay key moments for debriefing and analysis. The system is designed for simple deployment and operation in training facilities, shoot houses, etc. serving as either a permanent or temporary setup. It can also integrate with existing IP camera infrastructure when required. For more information visit: www.gamestrat.com/tactical-instant-replay

Posted in LE, Press Release, Tradeshow, Training | No Comments »

Developing Autonomous Foreign Language Learners

Sunday, March 15th, 2026

Since 2022, an Air Force mentorship initiative has been quietly revolutionizing how Airmen linguists transition from the foreign language classroom to fully operational linguists.

By focusing on autonomous learning, the 517th Training Group at the Presidio of Monterey, California, has implemented a Global Language Mentorship program that has successfully narrowed a long-standing gap in the Air Force’s second-longest training pipeline.

Historically, the transition for graduates from the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center’s academic world to an operational unit was a point of contention. From eight hours of highly intensive instructor-led language learning per day, graduates would find themselves in a self-directed environment at a new duty station.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael Stump talks to students attending the two-week Cryptologic Language Analyst Preparatory Course. During the course, mentors introduce the concept of “learner autonomy,” the ability to take 100% ownership of one’s linguistic proficiency.

“They go from a structured academic environment to suddenly being expected to maintain those high-level scores autonomously as adults,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Stump, noncommissioned officer in charge of the GLM program. Before this program, he explained, they were seeing 18% of graduates fail their first Defense Language Proficiency Test upon arriving at their follow-on duty stations.

In a career field where training can take years and costs millions in taxpayer dollars, an 18% failure rate at the end of the pipeline represented a significant loss of potential.

The GLM program attacks this problem by intervening before the first day of class. While students are in the two-week Cryptologic Language Analyst Preparatory Course, mentors introduce the concept of “learner autonomy,” the ability to take 100% ownership of one’s linguistic proficiency. The course also provides tailored insights into each individual student’s optimal learning styles.

“We reinforce what they learned through the prep course and maintain that motivation throughout the duration of their time at DLI,” Stump said. “We act as an extension of the CPC, meeting with students once a semester.” This mentorship continues on through their follow-on training at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas.

By teaching Airmen how to learn—rather than just what to learn—the program ensures that when the safety net of the classroom is removed, the linguist has the tools to stay sharp.

The results of this shift toward early mentorship are significant. Since the GLM program’s inception, the post-graduate DLPT failure rate has dropped from 18% to just 12%, representing a 33% reduction in graduated linguists regressing back below DLIFLC standards after they leave the school.

For the Air Force, those percentage points translate into dozens of additional mission ready linguists staying combat ready every year without the need for costly remedial training.

“We need a source of motivation to tap into. When our discipline may be wavering, we need that ‘why,’” said Master Sgt. Marlyn Williams, flight chief for the CPC and GLM program. “Programs like these ensure our Airmen aren’t just incredibly proficient at their language but that they’re motivated, mission-focused, and ready to defend with professionalism and integrity.”

by Tamara Cario | Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center

Posted in Guest Post, Training | No Comments »