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137th SOW Hosts CANSOFCOM Aircrew for MC-12W Training

Saturday, December 18th, 2021

Members of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) participated in the first-ever Manned Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Fundamentals Course held by the 137th Special Operations Group (SOG), Aug. 2-Oct. 25, 2021, at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City.

The Canadian aircrew and American instructors collaborated to develop tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) for operations with the MC-12W that the CANSOFCOM aircrew could use to further develop a training syllabus for their aircraft.

“The training gained here will be invaluable to developing TTPs and bringing our new aircraft into the service,” said Canadian LCol François Lavertu, Commanding Officer of 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron. “We are grateful for U.S. Special Operations Command, Air Force Special Operations Command and the 137th Special Operations Wing’s support and training provided to our troops.”

The program covered both air and ground training, incorporating tactical air control party experience with the Canadian aircrew’s exposure to ground tactics, bringing squadrons from around the base together, including: the 185th Special Operations Squadron, the 146th Air Support Operations Squadron, the 137th Special Operations Support Squadron, the 285th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron and the 189th Intelligence Squadron.

“One of the unique aspects of the courses offered by the 137th SOG is the focused integration of MISR with close air support (CAS) through our MISR management course,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Karl Hurdle, security cooperation director with the 137th Special Operations Group. “This exposes aircrew to the ground perspective of operating in a two-dimensional battlespace.”

For the aircrew, this perspective helps them understand the platform and how it integrates into a bigger picture.

“This is my first exposure to helping bring a major capability online, and we worked as a team to learn new skillsets and apply them to future roles,” said a CANSOFCOM training participant.

This collaboration is part of the Canadian aircrew’s initial operational training, bringing two years of planning to fruition.

“The 137th Special Operations Wing is uniquely postured to aid in training having stood up our own program under AFSOC less than five years ago,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Korey Larson, operations officer for the 137th SOG, Detachment 1. “With a two-week academic phase and three flying phases, our expert instructors in both the ground and air provided these aviators with perspective on the mission that other wings are not able to do without outsourcing the training. To my knowledge, the 137th Special Operations Wing is one of the only ones that has both a MISR squadron and an air support operations squadron assigned and collocated, making for much more effective operators with this enhanced integration.”

With six NATO partner nations participating in various training programs hosted by 137th Special Operations Wing units this year, the training marked a new addition to the already extensive training catalogue. Squadrons from around Will Rogers ANGB worked in concert to create a multi-functional and international battlespace to develop effective training for these aviators.

“The CANSOFCOM aviators had backgrounds in multiple fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, which allowed for great feedback to our instructor cadre on the course, and we will implement many of the recommendations that they provided for any future training with foreign partners,” said Larson. “Sharing our unique program and honing training with this iteration will allow the wing to have lasting effects on both partner force and United States Combined Operations throughout the world.”

Story by TSgt Brigette Waltermire

137th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, International, SOF, Training | 2 Comments »

Marksmanship Training Center Increases Lethality, One Round at a Time

Friday, December 17th, 2021

FORT CHAFFEE, Ark. — A rifle is fired, the cracking sound of the gunfire splits the quiet, sending a round-down range at more than twice the speed of sound. Smoke from the muzzle hangs in the air for a moment, long after the round has reached its target, 600 yards away.

“Hit,” said Sgt. Tristian Ivkov, an infantryman turned sniper with 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, Colorado Army National Guard, as he stared through his rifle scope. “Right on the X.”

Ivkov was talking to his spotter, Spc. Max Miller, also a Colorado Army Guard member, during one of the many shooting events at the 51st Winston P. Wilson and 31st Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting Sniper Rifle Matches at the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center Dec. 4-9. The pair won the WPW sniper match last year and were invited to compete as part of the All-Guard shooting team this year.

These matches are hosted annually by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center of the Arkansas National Guard. This is the Super Bowl of National Guard shooting events, Ivkov said.

“I am impressed by the professionalism and knowledge that the cadre of instructors has here in Arkansas,” said Ivkov. “They have some of the best instructors this community has to offer. This would be impossible to replicate at the home station.”

The Winston P. Wilson matches include small arms, machine gun and sniper championships. Army and Air National Guard personnel from across the country are eligible to compete. The Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting is open to all U.S. military branches and international shooters. This year’s competition featured shooters from Denmark, the Netherlands, active component Army and Marine Corps and Special Forces teams.

The Winston P. Wilson and Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting sniper competition consisted of 33 two-person teams comprising of a shooter and spotter. The shooter’s primary focus is hitting the target, while the spotter relays data such as wind speed and direction, humidity and bullet trajectory, to the shooter.

The teams participated in 20 events that tested their ability to precisely engage long-range targets, as well as closer targets with different weapons systems. Snipers are also tested on their ability to conceal while stalking a target. This competition is the ultimate validation test of a sniper’s ability to shoot, move and communicate in a stressful environment, said Ivkov.

This year, the winners of the Winston P. Wilson match were Staff Sgt. Caleb Ash and Sgt. Ryan Marsh, with 1st Battalion, 635th Armored Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard. Staff Sgts. Demetrios Iannios and Eric Vargas, 223rd Regiment (Regional Training Institute), California Army National Guard, claimed the top spot in the Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting.

The NGMTC hosts the sniper competition at Fort Chaffee due to the range capacity, said Army Maj. Megan Thomas, the Marksmanship Training Center’s chief of operations., She added that this is the National Guard’s premier sniper range because of the capacity ability for long-range rifle fire.

“Increasing lethality is our main goal here,” said she said. “You want to be able to trust the person to your left and right that they can pull the trigger and render a target incapacitated if needed.”

Headquartered at Camp Joseph T. Robinson Maneuver Training Center, Arkansas, the 233rd Regional Training Institute and NGMTC administers National Guard Bureau training and competitive event initiatives.

In addition to shooting competitions, the NGMTC is also an official Army schoolhouse for squad-designated marksman, small arms and sniper courses. The school is facilitated by the Arkansas National Guard but is open to Soldiers in any Army component. This is the graduate school for many Soldiers to learn and expand on their tactical shooting skills. Soldiers leave certified with additional skill identifiers that designate them as marksmanship experts.

It’s all part of the NGMTC’s mission to provide marksmanship and sustainment training to Soldiers from across the country, said Thomas said.

“We’re spreading a wealth of knowledge,” said Thomas. “And [competitions] are a force multiplier. You bring one soldier here, and they can go back to their unit and assist with ranges, qualifications and [preliminary marksmanship instruction] to lead training on a range.”

Guard Soldiers typically must compete in their states’ Adjutant General Marksmanship Match to validate qualify certify their readiness to compete in the Winston P. Wilson and Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting competitions.

However, it’s not only about winning but learning from counterparts, said Sgt. Howard Hall, an infantryman with 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment (Stryker), California Army National Guard.

“Competitions like these really hone people’s skills to a higher level,” said Hall. “They continue to push us to strive to not just be complacent with the title of sniper but to really get out there and continue to earn it every day.

“This is where all the information exchange and networking happens. For that alone, it’s fantastic.”

By SFC Zach Sheely, National Guard Bureau

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Training | 1 Comment »

Bundeswehr Orders New AGDUS Passive Systems from Rheinmetall for Combat Training Centre

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021

Rheinmetall is supplying new simulation technology for the German Army’s Combat Training Centre. Earlier this year, the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) awarded Rheinmetall a procurement contract for 440 state-of the-art “Training Device, Duel Simulator (AGDUS), Passive Vehicle” systems. The contract is worth a figure in the upper single-digit million-euro range. Delivery begins in 2021 and is scheduled to be complete by December 2023. The order underscores once again the great expertise of Rheinmetall in the field of training, simulation and especially live simulation.

By simulating the effects of weapons fire, the laser-supported Training Device, Duel Simulator (AGDUS) enables highly realistic combat training. It consists of sensors on the vehicle that receive laser signals; the central electronics; and a display and control unit. The systems enable highly realistic combat training through precise determination of the simulated hit location and a detailed damage simulation based on vehicle-specific damage models. All data and facts concerning the laser-based engagement are relayed in near-real time to the exercise control cell, where the results of hits are depicted optically.

The AGDUS passiv version used up till now is a cable-based system. In the new version, the “AGDUS passiv” vehicle target system features a wireless connection to the central electronics. The connection to the sensor modules necessary for detection relies on radio transmission. Furthermore, the equipment now includes a roof sensor that enables detection of hits from shots fired from above, e.g. from rooftops.

The sensor modules can by arrayed and expanded in accordance with specific training requirements. Encompassing the so called casualty model which calculates the consequences of a hit for crew and vehicle, the connection between the sensors and the central electronics features a short-range radio transmission system. This is based on a proprietary solution from Rheinmetall involving a multi-frequency process to assure stability of training. The signals are bundled and transmitted simultaneously via two or more radio links (frequency diversity). To assure the required stability, the transmitter and receiver operate in parallel, thus avoiding breaks in transmission.

The updated AGDUS passiv features state-of-the-art sensors and detectors that are among the most sensitive on the market today. Their high sensitivity guarantees reliable detection under adverse weather conditions like fog, even at extended ranges of engagement – a major plus in all types of training operations.

Posted in Advertiser, International, Training | Comments Off on Bundeswehr Orders New AGDUS Passive Systems from Rheinmetall for Combat Training Centre

Elite You Launches Virtual Training Site

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021

The Elite You is an online/virtual training platform for those who understand the need for self-reliance and the potentially life-saving value of being formidable.

“The sum of virtue is to be sociable with them that will be sociable and formidable to them that will not.” ~ Thomas Hobbes

Initially, Elite You was designed as a virtual platform for leading experts, trainers, and mentors to have the ability to record their knowledge, lessons learned, and expertise gained throughout their lifetime. A place for experts to create a database of knowledge for longevity of training, to be used for generations to come, long after they are gone. That idea has evolved to become much, much more.

Elite You is now a virtual platform for anyone and everyone to access the information from these experts, from the comfort of home, for less than it costs to buy a tank of gas. It has gathered multiple experts in very specialized disciplines, all in one place, creating an opportunity to access the skill, knowledge, and experience that would otherwise be unobtainable. These SMEs will help others reach their own true potential within those areas of study.

It’s the place for anyone and everyone to become the very best version of themselves – to work at becoming formidable.

Come join us.

ELITE YOU: Excellence starts here.

“I have a high art, I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me.” – Archilocus, 650 B.C.

Online at TheEliteYou.com; on Facebook at The Elite You.

Posted in Guest Post, Training | 3 Comments »

Northern Warfare Training Center Preparing Soldiers to Become Arctic Experts

Tuesday, December 7th, 2021

BLACK RAPIDS TRAINING AREA, Alaska — This past March the Army released its Arctic Strategy which plans to regain Arctic dominance by implementing improvements to increase readiness in the Arctic. One of the keys to that readiness is the Northern Warfare Training Center.

NWTC is where Soldiers go to learn what it takes to not only survive in up to 40 degrees below zero temperatures, operate in four to five feet of snow and endure winds up to 50 to 60 mph, but also how to succeed and thrive to become experts in the Arctic environment.

“An Arctic Expert would be someone, whoever that might be, infantry, armor or artillery in extreme cold weather and make their equipment function as expected and not letting the environment stopping them from finishing the mission,” said Steven Decker, longtime civilian instructor for the Northern Warfare Training Center, also known as “Father Winter” to others at NWTC.

Those trained at the school go back to their units and pass along the lessons learned to enable their Soldiers to survive in the cold environments of Alaska.

“We want noncommissioned officers that have just been stationed up here, we have them go through our train-the-trainer course. We also want squad lead leaders and fire team leaders because they’re the ones who actually train Soldiers,” one instructor said.

The Cold Weather Leaders Course is an 11-day course, with a field exercise that spans six days out in the cold, which pushes Soldiers to extremes they may have never gone through.

“Sometimes they think they’ll do better in the cold than they do. A lot of them learn hard lessons about themselves. Other people learn positive things, like they’re more resilient and tougher than they believed,” said Decker.

The school also makes it possible for Soldiers to become more resilient to the winter months and can improve the quality of life for them.

“Sometimes new people come here, and they’re intimidated or have preconceived notions about the cold, that Alaska doesn’t have the amenities that they are used to in the Lower 48, so this training can open their eyes to something that they may not have experienced before. To where they can take these skills and hike trails, go snow machining, skiing or ice fishing and be less intimidated, more inclined to get out and enjoy Alaska,” Decker said.

The Training Center also assist Army Futures Command in testing and equipping new Arctic Equipment for Soldiers to improve their ability to operate in the Arctic.

“[Army Futures Command] does count our opinion heavily because we are out there constantly, like the clothing we’re testing, there are technological and functional improvements to it, we also have influence on other things like the vehicle that will replace the Small Unit Support Vehicle,” according to Decker.

Teaching how to thrive in the Arctic, improving quality of life by exposing people to what they can do and preparing for the future are how the Northern Warfare Training Center is helping the Army increase our “deterrence capabilities” and regain the Army’s Arctic dominance.

By SGT Christopher Dennis, USARAK Public Affairs NCO

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Mountaineering, Training | 3 Comments »

‘Talk to me, Airman’: Minnesota Reservists learn to shoot, move, communicate

Monday, December 6th, 2021

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, Minn. —

Two rounds to the chest and one round to the head.

934th Aeromedical Staging Squadron Airmen engaged their targets using this shooting method while working in two-person teams with M4 carbines at the new Shoot, Move and Communicate course at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, in October.

This close-quarter shooting method is called the Failure Drill. This technique isn’t a critique of a shooter’s performance or a countermeasure to succumb from a weapons malfunction. Instead, it is more of a failure on the engaging target’s ability to return fire after receiving two rounds to the chest and one round to the head. Furthermore, adversaries are now wearing body armor. Therefore, the final round is needed to permanently neutralize the danger.

Tech. Sgt. Charles Foster, 934th ASTS section chief of medical records, was invited to run through the new course with other ASTS Airmen. The lane structure and design were a complete mystery to him. “From word of mouth, what they had set-up here, I knew that it was out in the woods and they had a bunch of different targets with contact areas.” After going through the course five times, Foster said, “I didn’t know they had this amazing of a set-up.”

The 934th Security Forces Squadron spent most of the year building this course and making needed improvements to provide a viable training opportunity for Airmen. Before the SMC course was built, the area was a dense tree wood line with a lot of deadfalls. 934th SFS members used the base overlay to determine where the property started and ended before committing to this project.

Preceding the new course, Defenders used to maneuver between multiple 4 x 8 sheets of plywood to engage one target on a service road. The overall intensity of this course was limited due to its scale, aesthetics and allure. The SFS Defenders worked with what they had to conduct training; however, they wanted an attractive, resilient and motivating course. What they needed was an extreme course makeover, and they needed it right away.

“This whole plan fell on that cliché: design on a dime. Everything here was either from the forest naturally or donated wood from the Marines, Navy or actually from a stockpile here from pallets and things,” said Master Sgt. Kory Soderquist, 934th SFS chief of training.

Soderquist and a group of SFS Airmen and civilians volunteered to be the project managers and architects of the new course. The first thing that had to go was the flat single straight-lined lane. The new course would curve and have an upper and lower path for more Airmen to go through. Instead of engaging one single target, Airmen now have 56. Some targets were placed in plain view and others were camouflaged in a dense thicket. This forced Airmen to quickly scan their lane and rapidly react. To provide a sense of realism in an austere environment, the SMC was placed in a densely forested area. As a result, teams can’t see the course before they begin.

“My Defenders basically took a hopscotch board and added a roller coaster to it,” said Lt. Col. Charles Trovarello, 934th SFS commander. “I was incredibly impressed with how they utilized the space because when you first looked at it, you think you can’t possible do anything more from what we already had set up.”

“It is definitely one of those places we want to showcase because it’s so new,” said Soderquist. “It’s also really functional, easy to go through and easy to clean up. Basically, it’s zero maintenance when you have it up and running. You can run about 170 Airmen through it. It seems flawless and we have all the safety hazards out of the way. We haven’t had a single hang-up. It’s been good.” #ReserveReady

By Chris Farley

(Farley is assigned to the 934th Airlift Wing public affairs office.)

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Training | 4 Comments »

Strikeman Pro Releases Most Advanced Dry-Fire Training In World for Everyday Consumers

Sunday, December 5th, 2021

Strikeman Pro, the most advanced dry-fire target practice on the market for everyday consumers, released its breakthrough gaming software today featuring a rapid-fire, multi-target new training system.

Strikeman Pro introduces the latest innovative firearm technology with the capacity to fire at several targets in real time, instead of the conventional single shot, and to quickly improve reaction time and accuracy – all without the need for expensive, live ammunition.

“What sets Strikeman Pro apart from the other competitors is our new patented technology that allows the Smartphone app, laser cartridge and customized target panel to feature four gaming modules, with different target challenges emerging one after the other, in quick succession,” said Scott Hutchison, CEO of Strikeman.

“This all-new Strikeman Pro is a first-in-class product that allows you to shoot at several targets in a single training session, while enhancing your aim and training your trigger reflex to react with precision and speed before firing on a field of twelve distinct targets from nine different templates.”

Available on the Apple Store and Google Play store, the Strikeman Pro Smartphone app records laser strikes from the Strikeman laser bullet on the Strikeman target, while competing online with friends, keeping track of training improvement, and setting improvement goals to achieve new personal best performances.

The Metrics section records detailed analysis on skill improvement in different app settings such as holster unload, re-load and fire, turnaround and fire, and call out rapid fire. Strikeman Pro offers a variety of shooting scenarios that challenges critical appraisal skills on a 12-point target sheet.

Law enforcement, the military, wildlife hunters, and recreational sharpshooters, including women, have used dry-fire training systems for years, but the new Strikeman Pro training system takes that training to a whole new standard, and replaces the need to travel to a shooting range, using expensive, live ammunition. Instead, Strikeman Pro offers the convenience of at-home dry-fire training with an endless variety of target challenges and easy-to-use, practical affordability.

“The Strikeman Pro system is safe, soundless, and suitable for people of all ages to use in the comfort of their homes or any setting of their choosing,” added Hutchison. “Our customers are showing steady improvement within days of practice through live feedback from the app, and accuracy metrics that record and graph progress in every session. Beating your personal best is a daily occurrence with Strikeman Pro.”

The Strikeman Pro system is available for sale in American markets in December 2021, and in Canada, Australia, Europe, and the UK in February 2022.

See Strikeman Pro videos here.

www.strikeman.io

Posted in Press Release, Training | 2 Comments »

New Range Simulates Combat Stress, Tests Precision, Speed

Friday, December 3rd, 2021

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — During Operation Lethal Eagle I, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) assessed and validated a new stress shoot range by conducting the first iteration Nov. 18.

“I think this range is going to help dramatically,” said Sgt. David Lee, a team leader from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. “There are strength and cardio elements with the stress of shooting and for me coming from the Army where we do static ranges all day to a move, shoot, move and communicate environment I think will really help the division out.”

There are eight engagements on the range to put 101st Soldiers to the test.

The tower engagement where each Soldier engages targets from three different heights ranging from 175 meters prone, 75 meters kneeling and 75 meters standing. At the base of the tower the Soldier picks up a battering ram and runs to the next station.

The breach engagement is where the Soldier breaches the door with the battering ram and engages three 50-meter targets with two rounds from a window in the building.

Next, the Soldier must drag a litter to a Humvee, taking cover behind the vehicle while engaging three 50-meter targets. After the targets have been engaged, the Soldier must pick up and carry two sandbags to the next location.

At the next location, the Soldier climbs the ladder to the rooftop and uses a barrier as cover to engage three more 50-meter targets. The Soldier then climbs down the ladder and secure two ammo cans to carry to the next position.

The Soldier must then drop the ammo can to maneuver over the top of the climbing wall to secure two water cans the he or she must carry to the bunkers from where he or she will engage the next three 50-meter targets.

For the eighth and final engagement, the Soldier moves to a location where he or she loads a magazine and engages with two rounds while walking toward the target.

“If you’re not in shape for one, get into shape and be the leader Soldiers want to follow,” Lee said. “Based on my interest in shooting I have participated in multiple three-gun competitions, so this is something that is familiar to me, but it helps set the example for the Soldiers as well.”

The stress shoot range is designed to make Soldiers and units in the 101st Abn. Div. more lethal and prepared for future combat.

“This is what we are going to expect our Soldiers to do in combat, varied terrain, heart rate up, stressed out,” said Maj. Gen. JP McGee, commanding general of the 101st Abn. Div. and Fort Campbell. “If you want to talk about increasing lethality and making it super easy for our Soldiers to get out there and work on it, this is it right here.”

This range is open to all units on Fort Campbell and its focus is to prepare the Soldiers in all units to react to enemy contact with precision and speed despite the stresses of combat.

– SFC Jacob Connor

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Training | 3 Comments »