During the recent launch of Dior’s summer 2023 men’s collection, photos of a collaboration with Mystery Ranch, something that MR co-founder Dana Gleason refers to as “Special Projects.” In fact, when I spoke with Dana during last month’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market he told me he was heading to Paris for a product launch.
ALGER COUNTY, Mich. (AFNS) —
Air National Guard A-10 Thunderbolt II, Air Force Special Operations Command MC-12W Liberty, C-145A Combat Coyote and U-28A Draco, and a C-146A Wolfhound from the Air Force Reserves landed, took off and performed integrated combat turns on a closed 9,000-foot section of Michigan highway M-28.
It was the first time integrated combat turns, which enable the quick rearming and refueling of a running jet, have been conducted on a public highway in the United States. The temporary landing zone is one of several progressive training scenarios held this week during the Michigan Air National Guard’s exercise Northern Agility 22-1 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Northern Agility 22-1 demonstrates the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment doctrine — ready to execute missions quickly in unpredictable ways. The landing zone was named “Hawk LZ” in honor of F-16 pilot Maj. Durwood “Hawk” Jones from the Wisconsin ANG’s 115th Fighter Wing, who lost his life in a training accident in Michigan in 2020.
“Northern Agility 22-1 is an historic exercise that supports the Air Force’s directive to ‘accelerate change or lose,’ as well as the ability of our Airmen to generate combat power anytime, anywhere,” said Brig. Gen. Bryan Teff, assistant adjutant general and commander of the Michigan ANG. “Michigan is a champion for Agile Combat Employment, so when it comes to leveraging our state’s unique partnerships, training environment and resources to ensure the Joint Force stays one step ahead of our adversaries, today was a huge success.”
Staging and additional training activities for contested logistics, sustainment and multi-capable Airmen concepts were being held this week at other locations in Alger County, including Sawyer International Airport and Hanley Field.
Participating units include AFSOC’s 1st Special Operations Group, Hurlburt Field, Florida, and 6th Special Operations Squadron, Duke Field, Florida; Air Force Reserve’s 119th Special Operations Wing, Duke Field; Michigan ANG’s 127th Wing, Selfridge ANG Base; Oklahoma ANG’s 137th Special Operations Wing, Will Rogers ANG Base; and Maryland ANG’s 175th Fighter Wing, Warfield ANG Base. Additionally, an MQ-9 Reaper from the North Dakota ANG’s 119th Wing, Fargo ANG Base, crewed by Airmen from the Michigan ANG’s 110th Wing, Battle Creek ANG Base, were involved.
“Northern Agility 22-1 would not be possible without the long-term partnerships that exist between the Michigan National Guard and the Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Transportation, Alger County Sheriff’s Office, and of course, support from our neighbors in the Upper Peninsula,” said Lt. Col. Brian Wyrzykowski, Northern Agility 22-1 lead operations planner.
The Kelly Johnson Joint All-Domain Innovation Center also teamed with industry partners during Northern Agility 22-1 to demonstrate technologies for augmented reality to enhance the multi-capable Airman concept, rapid integration of the command and control ecosystem, synthetic aperture radar and advanced threat detection and visualization.
“Michigan is home to an incredible manufacturing spirit, business culture, and immense pride and patriotism that makes it a great place for the Department of Defense to continue to train for the future war fight,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, Michigan National Guard adjutant general and Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs director.”
Story by Capt Andrew Layton, Michigan National Guard
U.S. Air National Guard photo by MSgt David Kujawa
A joint effort by the German aid organization ADRA Deutschland e.V., the German NGO Aktionskreis Wirtschaft-Politik-Wissenschaft e.V., and Rheinmetall subsidiary Zeppelin Mobile Systeme GmbH (ZMS) shows what can be achieved when capable people team up in pursuit of a good cause. Working together, they were able to supply urgently needed medical technology to Ukraine in very short order.
In June 2022, representatives of ZMS handed over two computer tomography shelters to Mr Christian Molke, Chairman of the Board of ADRA Deutschland e.V. and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Aktion Deutschland Hilft e.V. at its Meckenbeuren location, with Mr Tobias Kurzmaier, Aktionskreis Wirtschaft-Politik-Wissenschaft e.V., in attendance. These shelters are designed for high-mobility operations under extreme conditions. On behalf of the Mayor of Kyiv, Dr Vitali Klitschko, retired state secretary Dr Bogdan Balasynovych took delivery of the shelters as well as peripheral equipment, including two trucks and a mobile generator for the city of Kyiv. The aid organization ADRA Deutschland e.V. is thus providing direct support to the people of the Ukrainian capital. Intended for civilian use in and around Kyiv, the two mobile units will make a vital contribution to the provision of local medical care.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone involved in this effort for their terrific commitment. Everybody knew that time was of the essence when people’s lives were at stake, especially given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Cooperation was invariably fast, flexible and solution oriented”, reports Christian Molke, summing up the delivery of state-of-the-art medical technology to Ukraine.
“In supplying these expandable 3:1 shelters with their built-in computer tomography systems, ADRA Deutschland has provided the city of Kyiv with highly mobile, state-of-the-art medical technology that our customers need for conducting autarkic operations under the most extreme conditions”, explains Alexander Lutz, head of sales at Zeppelin Mobile Systeme GmbH.
“Just six weeks elapsed between receipt of the order through ADRA Deutschland e.V. and transfer of the shelters to the city of Kyiv at the beginning of June”, notes Hauke H. Bindzus, chairman of the ZMS board of management. “Together with our strategic partners like Siemens as well as ADRA, the initiator and donor, and Aktionskreis Wirtschaft-Politik-Wissenschaft e.V., we demonstrated the pragmatism necessary for getting the job done”, adds Bindzus. “Moreover, we’re especially happy that we could contribute in this way to improving the situation of the people in Ukraine.”
Dr Bogdan Balasynovych, who was instrumental in getting the shelters to Kyiv, has now confirmed that they have arrived safely and have been handed over to their users.
Numerous international volunteer helpers are supporting ADRA-Nothilfe in Ukraine, as are donors from Germany, and resources from the charity Aktion Deutschland Hilft. Furthermore, ADRA Deutschland e.V. is working together with the German Foreign Office to support more than 50,000 refugees in Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldovia with food packages, hygiene articles and cash.
Zeppelin Mobile Systeme GmbH is a leading maker of individualized, customer-specific shelter solutions which, as mobile functional spaces, create environmental conditions that would otherwise only be possible in permanent buildings. With its expertise in setting up mobile medical facilities and ability to integrate state-of-the-art medical technology into existing infrastructure, the ZMS range of products and services is built on cutting-edge innovation.
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According a joint announcement from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority LeadeR Chuck Schumer, World War Two Veteran and retired Marine CW4 Woodrow “Woody” Williams will lie in honor in the United States Capitol Rotunda.
Photo from National WWII Museum.
Woody Williams, the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient, was a hero of World War II, serving in the United States Marine Corps and fighting in the Pacific Theater. Best known for his valiant service at the Battle of Iwo Jima, Woody was awarded the military’s highest decoration for combat service, the Medal of Honor. After the war, he devoted his life to caring for veterans and their families, working to bring Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments to more than a hundred communities across the country.
“Woody Williams embodied the best of America: living a life of duty, honor and courage,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “His fearless valor at Iwo Jima and throughout the Pacific Theater helped power an American victory over fascism in the Second World War and earned him a deeply deserved Medal of Honor. When Woody lies in honor under the Capitol Dome, it will be with immense gratitude for his service that the Congress will pay tribute to this legendary hero — and all of the patriots who fought for our nation in World War II.”
“Woody Williams was an American hero who embodied the best of our country and the greatest generation,” said Majority Leader Schumer. “This is only a small tribute to someone who has made as impactful contributions to America as Woody and all our brave soldiers who fought against tyranny and defended our country in World War II. Whether it was for his acts of bravery in combat or his tireless advocacy for all veterans and their families, Woody made our entire country, especially his fellow West Virginians, proud.”
Currently, the casket of the West Virginia native is in the State Capitol in Charleston. CW4 Williams will take his place of honor in the nation’s Capitol after Congress returns from their summer recess.
H/T to W McN
The Army’s search for a Bradley Fighting Vehicle replacement took another step forward last week when they released a request for proposals to industry for Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) Phase 3 and 4 Detailed Design, Prototype Build and Test Effort.
The last phase saw five companies involved: American Rheinmetall Vehicles, BAE Systems Land and Armaments, General Dynamics Land Systems, Oshkosh Defense, and Point Blank Enterprises. As a full and open competition, this latest round opens the program to additional comers, including foreign companies.
American Rheinmetall Vehicles Lynx
No matter how many end up bidding, only three will be down-selected for phases three and four which will take place this fall. Those companies will build a minimum of seven prototype vehicles with up to four additional prototypes and well as two ballistic hulls, turrets, and armor coupons. A phase 3 and 4 contract is worth up to $903 Million.
Like the Bradley, OMFV must carry six dismounts, with a crew of two. Reportedly, the Army envisions six OMFVs per platoon, to carry a minimum of 30 soldiers total with room for enablers in addition to close combat forces within the Armored Brigade Combat Team.
While the system must be capable of optional manning, via remote control, the Army foresees that eventually, it will be capable of autonomous movement. There are currently plans to hand off autonomous target engagement to machines although ISR and target engagement sensors are already being used to look for situations of interest to alert the human-in-the-loop.
While Infantry and Armor NCOs may currently earn an Additional Skill Identifier for operations of ground robots, the service is considering development of a non-accessions MOS of 19R for CMF 11 and 19 NCOs in grades SGT – SFC to operate the suite of remotely operated capabilities currently under development.
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