The Helinox Elevated Dog Cot is a great way to get your K9 companion up off the ground.
It’s pretty straight forward, with a folding aluminum frame and monofilament mesh bed.
The Medium version is 35.5″ x 23.5″ while the Large model is 39.5″ x 29.5″ with both 8.5″ high.
helinox.com/products/elevated-dog-cot
Happy Independent Day. This is indeed one of my favorite holidays. For all my British brothers out there, I have attached a video for you. There is also a bonus one at the end.
For his actions and the way he led his man during the Revolutionary War, John Paul Jones is considered the father of the U.S. Navy.
John Paul was born in Kirkcudbright, Scotland on July 6, 1747. He joined the British merchant marine at the age of 12 and went to sea for the first time as a cabin boy.
In 1766, he was appointed the first mate on a slaver brigantine, but he quickly abandoned the trade due to dissatisfaction. In 1769, he was appointed master. In Tobago, West Indies, he killed the leader of his mutinous crew in self-defense in 1773. He then went to Virginia to avoid justice and was labeled a fugitive by the British. By adding the surname Jones, he was able to hide his true identity.
Now going by John Paul Jones, he moved to Philadelphia and joined the Continental Navy when the American Revolution broke out in 1775. On the first American flagship, the Alfred, he was commissioned a lieutenant. In 1776, Jones was promoted to captain and assigned command of the sloop Providence. On his first time at sea as a captain, he went north to Nova Scotia, wrecked British fisheries, and seized sixteen British prize ships.
In 1777 and 1778, he commanded the Ranger, and he had two definite objectives in mind for this deployment. He wanted to carry out hit-and-run operations against opposing coastal fleets first. Aside from the apparent harm to local shipping, it would cause civilian terror along the English, Scottish, and Irish coastlines, forcing British war planners to redirect some of their marine resources from protecting American ports to defending their own. Second, he sought to kidnap a high-ranking British official and keep him for ransom until imprisoned Americans were released from British prisons or were released from impressment. For his actions, he was given command of five French and American ships. Jones led his squadron off the Scottish coast to capture seven merchantmen. His most famous battle was on September 23, 1779 against the 44-gun Royal Navy ship, Serapis, and one of the bloodiest naval battles in history. That day, even though his ship was burning and sinking, Jones refused to surrender to the British, saying “I have not yet begun to battle”. Serapis surrendered after more than three hours, and Jones assumed charge.
Even being a sailor, he was very well-dressed, wielded a sword, and behaved in a manner of studied decorum, unlike most merchant seafarers. He spoke with a faint Celtic dialect and had a Scottish brogue. He was a severe military master who was obsessive about his honor and obligations, yet surprisingly pleasant. He was a prolific poet and letter writer, knew some French, and was involved in numerous romances while never marrying. No one, above all, questioned his audacity. His maritime operations against the mother country earned him a reputation as a pirate in Britain.
Jones was named rear admiral in the Russian Navy by Russian Empress Catherine the Great in 1788. He participated in the Liman campaign in the Black Sea. Then, in 1789, he quit the Russian service and relocated to Paris. He was then appointed as the United States Consul in Algiers, but he died before his commission arrived. His body was buried in Paris, but after a long search, his perfectly preserved body was recovered and sent to the United States in 1905. Jones’ remains were reinterred in an elegant mausoleum at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1913, thanks to President Theodore Roosevelt’s intervention.
Nothing memorializes American independence in the national zeitgeist better than this painting by artist John Trumbull.
Although the war for independence from Great Britain had begun in April of 1775, it took over a year for the politicians to catch up and ratify a unified statement all of the colonies could get behind.
On this Independence Day think about those Americans who fought the good fight, in spite of a lack of conviction by many. Their actions honor us as a nation.
Sterling, VA: In celebration of Independence Day, thermoregulation and performance specialists Qore Performance, Inc., released an all-new, short documentary-style video tribute titled “Why We Fly The Betsy Ross Flag.”
“Independence Day is more than fireworks to all of us here at Qore Performance. It represents a turning point in human history where, for the first time, the freedom of the individual became more important than the power of the state,” said Justin Li, Qore Performance Co-Founder and CEO, “we hope that our deeply personal story behind why we love the Betsy Ross Flag serves as a reminder and inspiration for all Americans about the importance of the foundational principles eternally enshrined in the Constitution and that we are stronger united than divided.”
For inquiries, contact:
Qore Performance, Inc.
22311 Shaw Rd, STE A2
Sterling, VA 20166
P 703.755.0724
WASHINGTON (AFNS) —
The Air Force will provide Airmen five physical fitness assessment alternatives—three for the cardio portion and sit-up components and two for the push-up component of the physical fitness assessment beginning in early 2022.
Airmen will select from the traditional 1.5-mile run, 1-mile walk or the High Aerobic Multi-shuttle Run (20M HAMR) to meet the cardio requirement. Then select from traditional push-ups or hand release push-ups for one strength component; and from sit-ups, the cross-leg reverse crunch or plank for the other strength component to complete the comprehensive fitness assessment.
Finalized fitness assessment scoring charts, with alternative components broken out by gender and age, will be provided at a later date.
“We are moving away from a one-size-fits-all model,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. in the initial change announced May 2021. “More testing options will put flexibility in the hands of our Airmen – where it belongs. We know not all Airmen maintain their fitness the same way and may excel in different areas. Alternate components provide choices while still providing a mechanism to determine overall fitness.”
This initiative is the result of Airmen providing feedback to Air Force leaders through the physical fitness working group in conjunction with looking at the way other services complete their physical fitness programs. From the data collected, the Air Force fitness working group conducted research and testing on the health benefits of the current fitness components and various other components to come up with the alternative options.
Each new component has been developed to be an equivalent measure of fitness regardless of methodology. For example, the 1-mile walk alternative is a scientifically-valid estimation of the member’s aerobic capacity (also referred to as VO2 max), which measures fitness and aerobic power. Test scores incorporate time to complete the 1-mile test along with the member’s age, weight, and heart rate at the time of walk completion. Based on the rigorous scoring to pass this test based on age, weight, speed, and heart rate, there is no significant difference of scores between the walk and run tests.
“What we care about is measuring and testing aerobic fitness. The ‘walk’ is not a stroll in the park and both the pace required and method for computing aerobic fitness make it 100% equivalent to the run,” said Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, deputy chief of staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services. “In fact, I think we’ll find fewer people will prefer that option over the more traditional mile-and-half run.”
Air Force members and fitness monitors will have approximately six months for a break-in period to familiarize themselves with the use and execution of the alternative testing options prior to having them officially available in early 2022. The six-month timeline will help ensure fitness assessment cells are prepared to train physical training leaders to administer tests using the new options. During the six-month break-in period, units and Airmen will also be able to provide feedback on the new components that will allow any adjustments as necessary prior to live use.
Other exercise options such as swim, row, and bike tests were reviewed but are not being implemented at this time. “It’s important for our testing options to be available and executable for all Airmen at all locations,” Kelly said. “If you are at a remote location or a location that does not have a pool or other needed equipment, those options become less equitable. We want our Airmen to have the same options no matter where they are testing.”
These changes align under the Air Force’s Action Order Airmen, people-first approach.
“If we are truly going to get after building a culture that embraces fitness as a lifestyle, then we have to grow beyond the mentality of a one-size-fits-all PT test,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass. “Providing our Airmen with these options is a step in the right direction toward developing an Air Force that is fit to fight, anytime, anywhere.”
The waist measurement is no longer a scored part of the physical fitness test. A separate assessment of body composition, as required by DoD Instruction 1308.3, will continue starting in October 2021. Further details on the body composition program will be released at a later date.
In addition to the fitness component changes, the Department of the Air Force also released the myFitness capability on July 1. The new feature will replace the Air Force Fitness Management Site II and serve as a single location for all total force Airmen and Guardians’ fitness needs.
The capabilities that exist today allow Unit Fitness Program Managers and Fitness Assessment Cells to manage fitness assessments, documentation and scheduling, to include walk-in, same-day fitness testing in myFitness. Additionally, users are able to view past scores, individual fitness reports, dashboards showing completed or updated fitness assessments scores and allow for the download of Fitness Screening Questionnaire as well as medical forms. Users can also access a calculator for estimating fitness results and composite scores.
myFitness will eventually allow users to schedule fitness assessments, receive automated notifications for scheduled testing or cancelations, access and submit fitness assessments, upload medical documents for review.
myFitness is hosted on the myFSS platform and a part of the department’s initiative to improve Airmen and Guardian’s experience with technology by making applications user-friendly and more easily accessible. Active duty, Guard and Reserve personnel will be able to access and use myFitness worldwide.
To access myFitness, go to myfss.us.af.mil.
For additional information on Physical Fitness, Airmen can visit myPers or the Air Force’s Personnel Center’s fitness program page. Draft fitness score charts are available on MyPers to use until final score charts are provided.
The Space Force will follow these fitness standards until service-specific guidance is developed and published.
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
The 2nd BN, 7th SFG(A) Level 1 Dive Team completed its Foreign Internal Defense Mounted Maneuver Live Fire Exercise (LFX) at Ft. Benning, GA with SOT-A enablers, attachments, and SFAB support. This LFX was designed to increase interoperability and expand partnerships in preparation for armed conflict in an increasingly complex environment that is contested in all domains.
For Immediate Release – Modi’in, Israel. – F.A.B. Defense® is pleased to announce the release of GL-Core M stock as a replacement for the GL-Mag stock. The GL-Core M is the latest addition to the F.A.B. Defense® newly developed CORE line of premium carbine stocks.
The F.A.B. Defense® GL-CORE M is purpose built to provide law enforcement officers an extra mag when they are required to utilize an AR-15 in the line of duty. Typically law enforcement officers have easily accessible spare mags for their side arm on their belt. Officers rarely have spare mags for their AR15 / M4 on their person and are left with one mage in the rifle when they pull it from a patrol vehicle. With the F.A.B. Defense® GL-CORE M officers will have the standard 30 round mag in the rifle but will have an additional mag stored in the buttstock for easy access under high stress situations.
The F.A.B. Defense® GL Core M is a tactical buttstock with a multi-textured rubber buttpad and an integrated AR15 style magazine carrier. The GL-CORE M stock has ambidextrous rear QD sling swivel connectors molded and includes an interchangeable buffer tube adapter to provide compatibility with both Mil-Spec and Commercial buffer tubes. The GL-CORE M comes in Black, OD Green, and FDE colors.
F.A.B Defense® GL-CORE M Features
-Tactical buttstock with integrated AR 5.56 magazine carrier
-Optimized for a rapid magazine change
-Multi textured rubber butt-pad for a secure shouldering during rapid fire
-Interchangeable buffer tube adapters for a tight fit on Mil-Spec and Commercial buffer tubes
-Provided with one Ultimag 10 round AR magazine
-Includes ambidextrous quick detach rear sling swivel connectors
MSRP: $122
The GL-CORE M is available immediately through the nationwide dealer network or online at www.fab-defenseus.com.
Wetzlar and Athens, 01 July 2021 – The multinational procurement organisation Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation en matière d’Armement (OCCAR) has contracted a consortium of HENSOLDT and THEON SENSORS for the production and delivery of Binocular Night Vision Goggles (BNVG) under the Night Vision Capability Programme. The first phase alone will amount to a high two-digit million euro value.
The contract includes 4,550 for Belgian Defence and 5,000 for the German Bundeswehr, as well as an option for another 20,000 BNVG for Germany. A full maintenance and repair service for up to 15 years is also included, as well as a series of accessories that will be delivered to the users. Deliveries will start in 2021.
Offering THEON SENSORS’ Mikron 16 mm BNVG, the consortium prevailed in an international open tender process.
Mikron is a spin-off from the well-known NYX family of THEON SENSORS. Using 16 mm tubes, the size and most importantly the weight of this binocular are reduced by up to 20 per cent without any major reduction in performance. Mikron is already in operation with various European end users. This is the first major contract that THEON SENSORS receives, through the consortium with HENSOLDT, for this new state-of-the-art system.
The consortium of HENSOLDT and THEON SENSORS is an ideal solution for the two states currently participating in the Night Vision Capability Programme, as both companies have proven track records in the field of image intensifier technology. With the combined production capacities in Wetzlar, Germany, and Athens, Greece, very large lot sizes can be produced in short time and on short notice. A transfer of technology from Athens to Wetzlar will enable HENSOLDT to not only assemble the BNVG locally but also to fulfil the contractual ILS obligations from a local site to Belgian Defence and the Bundeswehr, ensuring short ways and quick reaction times.
Andreas Hülle, Managing Director HENSOLDT Optronics GmbH, stated “The successful cooperation between HENSOLDT and THEON SENSORS is a win-win situation for Belgium, Germany and our two companies. This is undoubtedly a great success in an extremely important and great competition. This also opens the doors for synergies and co-operation in other areas within Europe. As a proud supplier to the German Bundeswehr with our sights and scopes for the Future Soldier Programme IdZ, we are happy to extend our portfolio with Binocular Night Vision Goggles and to continue to supply the Belgian Defence.”
Christian Hadjminas, CEO of THEON SENSORS and President of EFA GROUP, added: “THEON SENSORS’ consortium with HENSOLDT is in line with the vision of a strong and joint European defence industry and we will continue to work towards its development and implementation. This large contract is the culmination of THEON SENSORS’ hard work and effort in the field of Night Vision. Given that it is the largest contract ever signed for night vision equipment in the European market and, in general, the largest direct order to a Greek defence industry, we believe that this contract is a turning point for the Greek defence industry and its potential, but also for the country itself. At the same time, this contract is not only an important turning point for us in our history, but also a starting point for evolving THEON SENSORS from being a leading company in man portable night vision systems and thermal products, to a company also for integrated systems and platforms that enable interoperability and real-time information exchange with speed and security. Systems that drastically improve flexibility in decision-making in conducting military operations. This will be achieved through THEON SENSORS’ consistent policy of building strategic alliances especially in Europe.”
OCCAR’s Night Vision Capability Programme offers the possibility for other EU and non-EU countries to join via an established process.
