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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

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

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 | Comments Off on GameStrat Exhibiting at ILEETA conference in St Louis, March 16-18

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

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Cubic Selected to Upgrade Romania’s Live Training System with Next-Generation Capabilities

Friday, February 20th, 2026

SAN DIEGO – February 19, 2026 – Cubic Defense, a recognized leader in live, virtual and constructive (LVC) ground training, has received an award from the United States Army, Capability Program Executive Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (CPE STRI) to support the Romanian Armed Forces’ existing live training system (LTS). This effort will modernize Romania’s existing live training capabilities while strengthening NATO readiness on Europe’s eastern flank.

“Our team is proud of the trust this frontline NATO ally continues to place in Cubic,” said Alicia Combs, Vice President and General Manager of LVC Ground at Cubic Defense. “The upgrade will transform Romania’s existing live training system into a modern, world-leading capability that will enhance rigorous, data-driven training for years to come. Romania is investing in readiness, and we are honored to stand alongside them.”

For more than 20 years, Cubic has supported the Romanian Armed Forces, delivering training systems capable of adapting to emerging threats, new operational concepts and alliance requirements. The current effort reinforces Romania’s long-term training readiness while contributing to broader NATO interoperability.

At the core of the upgrade is Cubic’s CATS Metrix™ system, an advanced analytics and instrumentation suite that provides precise tracking, high-fidelity weapon effects simulation and data-rich after-action review. The enhanced system will give commanders greater insight into soldier and unit performance through real-time data capture and analysis.

The upgraded live training system will deliver:

Enhanced accuracy and reliability across force-on-force training
Integrated CATS Metrix analytics for measurable performance insights
Expanded interoperability with NATO partners
Scalable architecture designed to grow with Romania’s future training needs

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, Training | Comments Off on Cubic Selected to Upgrade Romania’s Live Training System with Next-Generation Capabilities

Fort Benning Integrates Virtual Drone Training into OSUT Program of Instruction

Thursday, February 19th, 2026

FORT BENNING, Ga. — As small unmanned aircraft systems, sUAS, become a defining feature of the modern battlefield, the Maneuver Center of Excellence is ensuring every new Soldier has a high-tech edge.

One-Station Unit Training trainees are now undergoing a 10-hour sUAS familiarization course integrated into their formal program of instruction. Using Virtual Battle Space 4 software and the Virtual Drone Collective Trainer plug-in, Infantry and Armor trainees master flight mechanics before stepping onto a live flight line.

The 12-lane curriculum, modeled after the 75th Ranger Regiment’s Ranger Robotics Lethality Course, is designed to take a Soldier from basic “buttonology” — learning the controller interface — to advanced tactical reconnaissance and lethal kinetic strikes.

“The Army has always used simulation-based training to reduce noise, training costs, and wear and tear on equipment and resources,” said Jayson D. Karch, a training specialist with the Maneuver Center of Excellence Directorate of Training and Doctrine. “This enables Soldiers from across the Army to receive immersive, life-like, low-cost training on equipment they have minimal experience operating, without risk of damage to equipment, personnel, or resources.”

The move toward simulation-based training addresses the logistical challenge of training thousands of Soldiers annually. By using the Virtual Drone Collective Trainer software plug-in, developed by the Combined Arms Center-Training Innovation Facility at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, the Army can provide immersive training at scale.

“While live flight is an important and vital portion of certifying an sUAS operator, new operators use simulations to build basic skills without all the resources required for live flight,” said Rory O’Brien, an MCoE simulation specialist. “Given the number of Soldiers trained in Infantry and Armor OSUT, there aren’t enough resources to allow every Soldier to fly a live sUAS, so virtual simulations allow us to train the skills at scale using less resources.”

The training is divided into three distinct phases: flight training, basic tactical training and a culminating assessment. During the tactical phase, trainees use night vision, thermal, and infrared cameras to identify enemy personnel and vehicles before conducting simulated drone strikes.

The Army’s goal is not to turn every Soldier into a certified pilot, but to ensure every Soldier is familiar with a combat enabler they will encounter in future formations. The simulation also serves as a talent-scouting tool; trainees who demonstrate above-average proficiency are considered for the formal sUAS Operators Course following graduation.

The MCoE plans to publish these training lanes on the milGaming website, allowing units across the force to download and utilize the same scenarios for home-station training.

The integration of sUAS training into OSUT represents a fundamental shift in how the Army prepares for the modern, transparent battlefield. By prioritizing digital literacy and technological proficiency from day one, the MCoE is ensuring that the next generation of Infantry and Armor Soldiers is not just keeping pace with change but driving it. As these Soldiers transition to the operational force, they provide a ready, lethal, and tech-capable backbone for the multidomain formations of tomorrow.

View more photos of the virtual sUAS training.

By CPT Stephanie Snyder

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US and Panamanian Forces Kick Off Jungle Operations Training Course

Sunday, February 15th, 2026

CRISTÓBAL COLÓN, Panama — U.S. service members and Panamanian security forces are set to hold the Jungle Operations Training Course-Panama, JOTC-P, Feb. 3–20 at Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón. The 18-day program will be conducted in a combined U.S.-Panamanian setting and focused on honing jungle warfare skills to enhance multinational interoperability.

Coordinated by the Joint Security Cooperation Group–Panama, the course brings together U.S. Army Soldiers from the Army Security Cooperation Group – South and the 82nd Airborne Division — with support from Joint Task Force-Bravo — as well as U.S. Marines, training side-by-side with partners from Panama’s Servicio Nacional de Frontera, Servicio Nacional Aeronaval and Policía Nacional de Panamá.

This iteration marks significant growth, with increased student numbers and balanced teams featuring the continued representation from U.S. and Panamanian participants. The course will also feature the largest participation of U.S. Army personnel since the revitalized training began in August 2025. The blended teams foster collaboration, build interoperability and encourage joint problem-solving in challenging conditions.

JOTC-P integrates assets across services and nations, including dismounted tactics and aviation support, to prepare forces for operations in dense, triple-canopy jungle terrain. The training progresses through three phases.

In phase one, participants master jungle survival fundamentals, such as machete use, fire craft, water purification and building primitive shelters. Largely led by Panamanian instructors, this phase emphasizes adaptability, endurance and resourcefulness in austere environments.

Phase two covers small-unit tactics, including movement techniques, ambushes, casualty evacuation and waterborne operations, largely led by U.S. instructors. These scenarios challenge decision-making under stress and strengthen communication in multinational teams.

Phase three features five combined missions — encompassing attacking a mortar firing point and conducting ambushes and reconnaissance missions — culminating in the grueling “Green Mile” endurance event and graduation. Instructors assess teamwork, leadership, and sustained performance in demanding jungle conditions.

By SPC Richard Morgan

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Training | Comments Off on US and Panamanian Forces Kick Off Jungle Operations Training Course