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Defender Pacific 21: Special Forces Soldiers, JGSDF Conduct Bilateral Operations in Guam

Sunday, August 15th, 2021

GUAM — Two C-130s launch from Yokota Air Base, Tokyo, into midnight darkness on course to deliver airborne personnel with U.S. Army Special Forces and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members to Guam.

History is being made as Green Berets with 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), and members of JGSDF, execute their first bilateral airborne operation outside of Japanese territory. On board, both units know well the commands and procedures that lead up to exiting a high-performance aircraft.

The operation begins with a call from the drop zone control party. The pilots check in and wind calls are made. The JGSDF exits on first pass with the Type 13 parachute. On second pass, special operations forces exit with the steerable MC-6 parachute. Directly below is a flight line—which guarantees a hard landing—and grass off to the sides.

On July 30, 2021, a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha (ODA) assigned to 1st SFG (A) and approximately 80 members with JGSDF conducted bilateral operations in Guam as part of Defender Pacific 21.

DP21 is a U.S. Army Pacific exercise designed to operationalize the national Defense Strategy through realistic, iterative training across all domains—land, sea, air, cyber and space.

Following the airborne infiltration, U.S. Special Forces and the JGSDF conducted an air assault in vicinity of their first objective near Naval Base Guam, said the Special Forces ODA team leader assigned to 1st Bn., 1st SFG (A). After destroying the first objective, which were anti-air weapon systems, the bilateral force reconsolidated and moved toward their follow-on mission.

Thirty-six hours elapsed from when mission planning started to when the second objective — an enemy command and control node — was destroyed.

Despite tropical heat, humidity and lack of sleep, the bilateral force conducted a high-performance mass-tactical airborne operation and executed two targets with zero major injuries, said the team leader. The airborne operation sends a clear message that the United States and Japan share a commitment to freedom and security and can employ a combined force in support of these principles.

“This experience provided valuable insight into JGSDF capabilities and maneuver techniques; giving insight into how we can better support their operations in the future,” he continued. “Furthermore, this operation allowed the team to create valuable relationships with JGSDF [members] and leadership that will serve as the foundation for future bilateral operations.”

Throughout the operation, the ODA team leader made sure bilingual Green Berets and JGSDF members were placed strategically in the formation to ensure communication and commands were understood.

“Joint operational capability is important for us to defend [Japanese] territory,” said Capt. Ryosuke Taki, lead U.S.-Japan bilateral operations planner for JGSDF.

For six months, Taki coordinated with the JGSDF and 1st SFG (A) on making this training opportunity a reality.

“I had to overcome many obstacles to accomplish this mission,” he said. “As far as airborne operations go, [U.S. Army] uses many words we don’t know. Language sometimes [created] misunderstandings making coordination difficult…[however,] our members wanted to coordinate with 1st Special Forces Group.”

“Special Forces are experts in military freefall and close-quarters combat, as well as static-line jumps,” Taki said. “We have more lessons to learn from their rich experiences.”

The Indo-Pacific region is the most consequential theater on the planet and DP21 provides opportunities necessary to create, refine, and deploy new options and solutions for the challenges our nation, allies and partners face. This exercise anticipates requirements to support regional alliances and the existing security architecture to exploit opportunities.

By Anthony Bryant

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Parachuting, SOF, Training | Comments Off on Defender Pacific 21: Special Forces Soldiers, JGSDF Conduct Bilateral Operations in Guam

USMC PFT Update for Calendar Year 2022

Friday, August 6th, 2021

In 2020, the Marine Corps adopted the plank as an alternative to crunches for the annual Physical Fitness Test (PFT) as a means to measure core stability, strength, and endurance while reducing risk of injury. For PFTs conducted in 2022, Marines will still have the option to conduct the plank or the crunch just as in 2021, with slight scoring adjustments. The plank will be mandatory in 2023, replacing the crunches as an authorized PFT exercise.

For decades, the Marine Corps has used sit-ups and crunches to both improve and assess abdominal endurance. However, research has shown that sit-ups and crunches with the feet restrained require significant hip flexor activation. This has been linked to an increased risk of injury, including lower back pain due to increased lumbar lordosis.

The plank presents numerous advantages as an abdominal exercise. The plank’s isometric hold requires constant muscle activation, activates almost twice as many muscles as the crunch, and has been proven to be most reliable in measuring the true endurance required for daily activity function. With increased core strength, Marines are less likely to experience injury or fatigue during functional tasks like hiking, lifting and low crawling.

The new time for the maximum score will 3:45, reduced from 4:20. The time for the minimum score has also been adjusted, increasing from 1:03 to 1:10.

For more information and resources, including a four-week core strength training plan, visit www.fitness.marines.mil and reference MARADMIN 404/21 at www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/2719680/forthcoming-changes-to-the-physical-fitness-test.

Direct link to the Plank Progression Program: www.fitness.marines.mil/Portals/211/Cache/Plank%20Progression_Wk1-Wk4

Posted in Guest Post, Profession of Arms, Training, USMC, Warrior Athlete | 4 Comments »

USAF Cyber Careerfield Discusses New Training Baseline

Wednesday, August 4th, 2021

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFNS) —

The 81st Training Support Squadron hosted the Cyber Operations Specialty Training and Requirements Team conference at Keesler Air Force Base, July 19-23.

“The conference was held to ensure the upcoming evolution from cyberspace support to cyberspace operations is a smooth transition, eliminate training deficiencies and maintain the health and welfare of the entire career field at the highest standard,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew Storer, 81st TRSS cyberspace support force development noncommissioned officer in charge. “It impacts the entirety of the cyberspace support career field by creating baseline requirements for training.”

The conference included cyberspace support career field managers, functional managers from each of the 10 major commands, including Guard and Reserve, representation from Space Force Cyber, technical training school houses and qualifications flight to determine the training requirements for the most elite cyber operations troops going forward.

“The STRT and Training Planning Team meetings are an essential part of the Air Force, and encompasses each career field, major command and learning program’s representatives,” said Chief Master Sgt. Victor Cordero Jr., Air Force cyberspace support career field manager. “This is a historic conference, advancing the Career Field Education and Training Plan, future training requirements and establishing formal training requirements for Air Education and Training Command aligned to the new transition.”

As a result of the conference, a partnership was formed between Air Combat Command and AETC to reimagine training that works the way Airmen work in order to develop the 30,000 total force cyber Airman capable of conducting the build, secure, protect and defend mission on the Air Force network enterprise.

“Future conflicts will be fought and won in cyber, and we need to develop and deliver a mission-ready cyber force armed for tomorrow’s fight,” said Chief Master Sgt. Patricia Ford, ACC support functional manager. “The capability of our cyber Airmen will be the deciding factor between mission success and mission failure.”

By SrA Kimberly L. Mueller, 81st Training Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, CEMA, Guest Post, Training | Comments Off on USAF Cyber Careerfield Discusses New Training Baseline

Warrior East 21 – Infinadeck

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021

Infinadeck is a omnidirectional treadmill for use with Virtual Reality training systems.

Units and agencies can procure Infinadeck by contacting Atlantic Diving Supply.

Posted in ADS, Training, Warrior Expo | Comments Off on Warrior East 21 – Infinadeck

Warrior East 21 – Trango Systems

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021

Trango Systems offers a wide variety of modular range infrastructure including the barricade seen above which has a swappable top. The barricade’s lightweight construction allows it to be moved easily between training areas or to adjust for different training scenarios.

The barricade supports different rifle placement, directional fire, and target acquiring patterns applications.

Panels are manufactured from Panelo-O-foam, a ricochet free and highly durable material.

Units and agencies can procure Trango Systems products by contacting Atlantic Diving Supply.

Posted in ADS, Training, Warrior Expo | Comments Off on Warrior East 21 – Trango Systems

Fire Facilities Inc Now Offers Forcible Door Accessories to Enhance Training Experiences

Monday, August 2nd, 2021

SUN PRAIRIE, WI – Fire Facilities Inc. (FFI), has introduced new forcible door accessories for fire training towers. The dependable entry doors are offered to enhance training experiences for fire departments, public safety training facilities and military use.

Manufactured by Breaching Technologies Inc. (BTI), the field-proven breach products are now available from Fire Facilities to provide more realistic and flexible training options in their training towers for forcible entry exercises. Fire Facilities now offers the Explosive, Pry and Ram-Pry breaching door products.

“Forcible entry doors truly make training experiences more realistic,” says Aaron Adams, president of Fire Facilities Inc. “These doors are engineered and built to withstand the rigors of lifelike, real world training. The good news is the doors can be added to our existing training facilities or requested when placing a new order.”

Lifelike Training

The Explosive Breaching Door is offered to fit especially with tactical towers. The inward swinging door can simulate up to a four-lock set using the locking system built into the door along with the expendable preaching pins. The explosive breaching pins are designed to simulate resistance to a maximum 400-grain breaching charge. The door itself is skinned with high-density polyethylene to reduce the risk of fragmentation and corrosion from explosive exposure.

The Pry Breaching Door is mainly for the use fire training towers. It opens outward and can simulate up to a three-lock set using the built-in locking system and patented BTI breaching pins. The pins are made to simulate breaching wood, metal and reinforced frames. In addition to breaching pins, the pry door uses a low-cost wood insert to accept the use of a Halligan tool or similar type of prying tool.

Finally, the Ram-Pry Breaching Door works well for towers that require both tactical and fire training within the same structure. The versatile inward and outward opening door includes expendable breaching pins along with wood inserts. It offers realistic ram and pry breach training and uses a low-cost wood insert to accept the use of a Halligan tool or other similar prying tools.

This specific Ram-Pry Breaching Door was recently installed on a custom Fire Chief training model from Fire Facilities requested by the Nebraska Army National Guard for their training site in Hastings, Nebraska. It’s expected the Ram-Pry Door will be incorporated into the unit’s live-fire training, search and rescue, rappelling and helicopter rescue scenarios.

Fire Facilities Inc. (FFI) manufactures a full line of steel fire training structures engineered to withstand real-life firefighting conditions. From mobile units to burn rooms to high-rise towers, FFI training models are available in a multitude of configurations. Our parent company, Trachte Building Systems, is one of the largest and oldest manufacturers of steel self-storage systems in the industry. For more information, visit www.firefacilities.com or call 800-929-3726.

Posted in Breaching, Press Release, Training | Comments Off on Fire Facilities Inc Now Offers Forcible Door Accessories to Enhance Training Experiences

SureFire Field Notes Ep. 64: Practical Shooting with Matt Pranka

Wednesday, July 28th, 2021

SureFire Field Notes is an informational video series with tips and techniques from subject matter experts of all backgrounds. In this episode, Matt Pranka discusses the importance of competitive shooting and relevance to tactical shooters.

Matt Pranka is the owner of Xray Alpha, has 26 years of military experience in Special Operations and is a USPSA Grand Master in production Division.

Xray Alpha instructors has spent decades being sent to all of the hot-beds of action, hunting the enemies of the United States. We actively put our training to the test on a regular cycle. We continue to work in this capacity and will consistently be putting ourselves into the fray. Xray Alpha training is driven from the passion of its founder to relay timely and effective training and tactics to the individuals that use them to save others, protect their family, and protect this nation. This isn’t something we want to do for fun or a quick buck, we are driven to give back as something we must do.

Special thanks to Route 66 Shooting Sports Park and the Norco Running Gun IPSC Club.

www.xrayalpha.com
www.surefire.com

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Training | 11 Comments »

5.11 Launches New Products for Summer 2021

Tuesday, July 27th, 2021

Irvine, Calif. (July 27, 2021) – 5.11, Inc., the global innovator of purpose-built apparel, footwear and gear, today announced the release of several exciting new products that expand the brand’s offering for outdoor adventurers, public safety professionals and tactical enthusiasts alike. The newly released items are available online and in-stores now.

“To live our mantra of Always Be Ready®, we must continually work to enhance and expand the gear we offer our customers,” said 5.11’s Vice President of Global Product, Matt Page. “The products being introduced this summer were developed with that in mind. Whether its updates to previous lines or the addition of all-new categories, we are excited to bring each one of these items to market.”

5.11’s well-known line of Norris Sneakers is expanding in the summer of 2021 with a Low-Top Norris Sneaker ($100) arriving in August. The same functionality and durability of the original High-Top Norris Sneaker will be available in 2 new colors including black/gum and dark coyote. The High-Top Norris is also getting an update this season with new colorways – coyote, storm, multicam, dark navy, black/woodlands camo, and black/white ($110).

The A/T Series™ Footwear line, an enhanced and expanded offering our A.T.L.A.S™ technology, All Terrain Load Assistance System collection, offers durable and highly technical support for all day performance and comfort.

5.11® A/T™ Footwear Collection

The A/T Arid ($160) offers the full benefits of A.T.L.A.S.™ technology along with a locking ankle eyelet that prevents sand, dirt and other debris from entering the boot. The A/T 6 and 6 side zip ($155) also offer all of the full benefits of the A.T.L.A.S™ technology in a 6-inch height. Additionally, the A/T Trainer line ($130) is now being offered with the signature A.T.L.A.S™ plate for added stability as well as an expanded color offering of Cinder and Turbulence.

A whole new category of innovative training gear was introduced by 5.11® earlier this year with the Physical Training-Ready (PT-R) Line. A key new addition to that line this summer is the TacTec® Trainer Weight Vest ($130.00). Specially designed to intensify workouts, it’s a low profile, lightweight and comfortable vest that features breathable mesh body pads, adjustable stretch cummerbunds, front/rear MOLLE and is compatible with Rogue® weight vest plates. The TacTec® Weight Plate Sandbag ($50.00) offers an alternative to weighted plates as a heavy-duty and adjustable bag that can be filled with sand or other weighted materials and secured in the vest. After many years of request from our end users, 5.11® is delivering its first ever Weight Vest Plate designed specifically for fitness use. The plates are built with a low-profile, ergonomic compound curvature sculptured design in powder coated steel to provide users with ultimate comfort. Available in 2-plate sets at 5.75-pound ($70.00) or 8.75-pound ($75.00) options, the plates also have lashing points and openings that service as easy to grab handles. All 5.11® weight vests and plate carriers are compatible with these products.

A/T Trainer and TacTec® Trainer Weight Vest

To complement its extensive line of load bearing packs and vests, this summer, 5.11® has introduced a wide range of hydrations systems and accessory pouches to allow users to customize gear loads and features to meet specific needs.

The brand partnered with Hydrapak® to produce an ultra-durable, 3-liter hydration system with a fixed center baffle for a slim profile with the new WTS 3L Hydration System ($45.00). The system works in conjunction with 5.11’s packs and the new Convertible Hydration Carrier. The Convertible Hydration Carrier ($50.00) converts from a backpack to a MOLLE pouch via the included uniloops or RUSH® Tier System.

5.11® Hydration System

The new Flex TacMed Pouch ($45.00) allows users to neatly organize and carry medical supplies along with extra magazines by offering both a TacMed supply compartment and a dual AR-Mag compartment. This versatile pouch offers quick access with a pull drop-front opening and clear organization with a bungee compression lashing system, elastic band and slip pockets, compression straps and a front laser-cut platform for adding additional accessories or patches. A Flex Tourniquet Pouch ($30.00) securely fits one tourniquet with elastic compression and internal reinforcement webbing along with durable 500D-nylon construction. The FLEX-HT™ Mounting System and hook/loop straps allow for vertical or horizontal orientation while a pull-out hook/loop flap makes attachment to a plate carrier simple. The Flex Flashlight Pouch ($20.00) offers easy, convenient and durable functionality with a Hypalon pull-tab for quick opening, 500D-nylon construction, internal webbing reinforcement and elastic compression webbing.

Designed as an inner/outer belt system, the Maverick Battle Belt ($140.00) belt features an ergonomic curve and Austri Alpin COBRA® buckle. A loop faced inner belt connects quickly to the laser-cut MOLLE outer belt featuring 5.11’s proprietary TAC-LAM™ high-strength laminate on top of a dual nylon webbing.

Customers looking for everyday carry tools will be happy to see many new items that are keychain or micro hardpoint carabiner compatible. The EDT Hex comes with four tip fastening options including Phillips and slotted screwdriver tips along with T6 and T8 Torx heads ($15.00). The EDT Pry features a pry tip that doubles as a flat-head screwdriver, a ¼-inch driver that works with standard hex bits, as well as a bottle opener ($13.00). The EDT Rescue includes a carbide tip that can shatter tempered automotive glass, a web cutter that makes quick work of a stuck seat belt, and an oxygen key ($13.00).

5.11® EDC K-USB Flashlight and EDT Pry

When it comes to EDC, knives embody “everyday” more than any other tool. The minimalist Base 1SF knife is a quick-access keychain edged tool. It features a 1.5-inch sheepsfoot blade constructed from 8CR13MOV stainless steel. With a one-handed thumb stud opening and frame lock, it can handle everyday tasks directly from your pocket. Measuring less than 4 inches when opened, it folds down to an easily carried 2.365 inches and includes a split ring and micro Hardpoint carabiner for multiple connection options ($15.00). The Icarus DP Mini ($30.00) is a manual folder knife featuring an 8CR13MOV blade and FRN scales. The perfect everyday knife designed with a 2.8” drop point blade, liner lock, and deep carry 2-point clip attachment.

The EDC K-USB Flashlight keeps 150 lumens at the ready with its dual Hi-Lo settings and keychain-carry design. With a body constructed from aerospace-grade aluminum and IP54 dust and water-resistant rating, it will withstand the daily beating of keychain carry. A battery status LED in the switch reminds users when actively recharging and fully charged using the USB-C charge port ($30.00).

5.11® GTI Capsule

5.11® is also thrilled to announce new products in collaboration with special forces veteran and leader in the tactical cutlery industry, Justin Gingrich, who pioneered the modern tactical tomahawk and has developed some of the most sought-after tactical knife and tomahawk designs on the market.

Gingrich teamed with 5.11® to design the CFA Peacemaker with a heat-treated 4” steel blade and pick head with full-tang steel construction that’s perfect for heavy field use. Best of all, the CFA swings with the accuracy and feel of a hammer. Its skeletonized frame reduces the weight (1 lb. 12.2 oz), which helps make short work of large tasks. A textured handle with removable scales, finished with a tactical pummel tip, provides a sure grip in wet and freezing conditions and it includes a protective sheath with four position belt/MOLLE clip ($140.00).

Gingrich also led the design of the CFK 7 Peacemaker ($120.00). Thanks to the heat-treated steel blade and full-tang steel construction, the CFK 7 Peacemaker can handle tough jobs that lesser knives can’t touch. Blade perforations reduce weight to help make short work of cutting, batoning, and carving. The textured handle with removable scales, finished with a tactical pummel tip, provides a sure grip in wet and freezing conditions and it includes a protective sheath with updated two position 3-inch belt/MOLLE clips.

“The new products in 5.11’s collection this summer offer our end-users with an ultimate sense of preparedness,” said 5.11’s Chief Marketing Officer, Debra Radcliff. “Summer is about being outdoors and active – from 5.11’s loadbearing items to our footwear and EDC gear, each of these categories offer our customers the purpose-built gear they need to feel ready for the summer months ahead.”

Learn more about 5.11’s new and best-selling tactical gear and accessories at www.511tactical.com. Connect with 5.11® on Facebook, Twitter @511Tactical and on Instagram @511Tactical and #511tactical.

Posted in Boots, Clothing, Knives, Load Carrying, Packs, Press Release, Training | Comments Off on 5.11 Launches New Products for Summer 2021