We recently showed you Atlas 46’s new Carpenter Pencil Holder and now they’ve added a Square & Pencil Holder Combo.
It is made from durable carbon fiber infused nylon and can be mounted to their AIMS attachment systems for quick and easy latching to your belt, vest, chest rig or apron. It also fits belts up to 2” wide. Available for Empire & Swanson 7” Squares.
Made in USA!
Learn more at www.atlas46.com.
HOT OFF THE PRESS. The Army’s ‘staff smart book’. Introducing ATP 5-0.2, Staff Reference Guide, Volumes I and II. These manuals provide Soldiers with a reference guide and consolidated location for key planning tools and example techniques to help staff members perform their duties. Volume I is open distro and Volume II is CUI.
Check it out at armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN31193-ATP_5-0.2-1-000-WEB-1
NFM is pleased to announce that an agreement has been signed with the Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania to supply the Armed Forces with armored vests.
“We are delighted that, once again, the Lithuanian government has chosen to partner with NFM to supply their army. We are committed to provide the highest quality in products and services, and are honored by their continued faith in us” said NFM’s CEO, Walter Overland.
Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston and other senior enlisted leaders run through a synthetic training environment at PEO Soldier’s Soldier Integration Facility (SIF) at Fort Belvoir.
The world is a much more complicated space than it was even just a few years ago. Multiple parties vie for influence. “Competing” was written to help Marines (and you, if you read it) understand how our military plays into this situation.
From the forward:
Western conceptions of the international struggle among nations (and other political actors) often use binary war or peace labels to describe it. The actual truth is more complicated. Actors on the world stage are always trying to create a relative advantage for themselves and for their group. Sometimes this maneuvering leads to violence, but the use of violence to achieve goals is more often the exception than the rule. Instead, most actors use other means in their competitive interactions to achieve their goals. The competition continuum encompasses all of these efforts, includ- ing the use of violence.
Get your copy here.
With Christmas right around the corner, don’t wait to order these stocking stuffers. This is not your average winter glove. The Cold Climate glove from FS is built with a keratin leather palm patch, Primaloft Gold insulation, and a waterproof breathable insert.
Incredibly warm with excellent dexterity allowing basic trigger control. Additionally, we removed the insulation from the upper half of the trigger finger to increase basic trigger manipulation and make it easier when using a touchscreen. In fact, touchscreen sensitive index fingers and adjustable wrist cuffs come standard on this premium cold climate glove from FirstSpear.
Overall the glove is incredibly light weight compared to how warm it will keep your hands. Impressive dexterity including reduced insulation in the trigger finger to increase basic fire control manipulation. Touch screen capable index fingers and adjustable cuff with a perfect amount of stretch. Available and shipping now in fatigue green and black.
Additionally, if you need another cold-weather item that’s more mission-specific, look no further than the FS Tactical Hand-Warmer. The Tactical Hand-Warmer is a perfect way to keep your fingers warm on a cold day. The fleece-lined interior is soft and retains heat exceedingly well.
The Tactical Hand-Warmer can be attached directly to your platform or worn on its own. When not needed, the included attachment strap stows inside. An attached storage bag allows the system to be packed up small and tight. The Tactical Hand-Warmer has additional pockets to hold “air activated hand warmers” or other essential items. Cuffs allow for changes in length.
To check out more gear from FirstSpear, check out episode four of FirstSpear TV’s X-RAY Team.
For more information about cold weather gear, check out:
www.first-spear.com/technical-apparel/handwear/cold-climate-glove
www.first-spear.com/tactical-hand-warmer
FORT WORTH, TEXAS DEC. 17, 2020 – Elbit Systems of America’s Autonomous Truck Mounted Ordnance System (ATMOS) Iron Sabre is a mobile howitzer selected to participate in the United States Army’s 155mm Mobile Howitzer Shoot-Off Evaluation. The event, which will occur during the first quarter of 2021, provides the Army an opportunity to review various solutions from industry and then select a production-ready system that demonstrates increases in range, rate of fire, and mobility over current artillery systems available to Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs).
Elbit Systems of America is a market leader in providing artillery solutions and is confident its system will perform well at the shoot-off, being evaluated as “ready now.” ATMOS Iron Sabre is a proven, fielded system from a family of howitzers that have supported international customers for more than 30 years. Compatible with all existing US projectiles and propellant charges, it fulfils the Army’s mobile howitzer needs immediately, delivering on the modernization and capability improvements defined by Army Futures Command Long Range Precision Fires objective.
“US Army Fires needs solutions that can keep up with the SBCT, can shoot faster and farther, and most importantly are low risk and ready now. Elbit Systems of America’s ATMOS Iron Sabre addresses all of these needs,” said Ridge Sower, Vice President of Ground Combat & Precision Targeting at the company. “We are pleased to be selected for this evaluation and stand ready for rapid delivery from our hot production line if selected for production and fielding.”
MORE INFO: ElbitAmerica.com
The 505th Command and Control Wing graduated its third class of the United States Air Force’s newest career field, multi-domain warfare officers, also known as “Thirteen Oscars,” on November 20 at Hurlburt Field, Florida.
The multi-domain warfare officer career field was created in line with the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s vision to develop dedicated operational-level command and control experts responsible for integrating joint and coalition capabilities across multiple warfighting domains.
Sixteen officers from across the globe arrived at the 705th Training Squadron to start the 20?week multi-domain warfare officer initial skills course in July 2020. During the course, they honed their operational planning skills.
“Class 20 Bravo, you are the third cadre of Air Force officers to complete the 13 Oscar initial skills training course and become Air Force, multi-domain warfare officers. You are still trailblazers; therefore, all eyes will be on you when you arrive at your new duty station,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Francisco Gallei, 505th Test & Training Group commander. “As 13 Oscars have become better known, the demand is growing for your expertise, this is a result of what previous classes brought to their commands. After today, you join that group, and your actions will set the tone.”
In addition to active-duty officers, class 20B featured multi-domain warfare officers from the Michigan and Missouri Air National Guard. The schoolhouse continues to work with joint, coalition, and total force partners to expand the reach and impact of 13 Oscars out in the field.
Class 20B was the first class of multi-domain warfare officers trained in Agile Combat Employment. The 13 Oscars that plan for ACE operations must understand how to capture the commander’s intent through mission-type orders, multi-day tasking documents, and condition-based authorities. When done correctly, these components enable operational elements to execute in a contested and denied communications environment while maintaining offensive momentum in the conflict.
The 2018 National Defense Strategy directed the development of innovative operational concepts and new technology to be more lethal, adaptive, resilient, and able to fight effectively alongside allies and partners; ACE was one way the Air Force answered the NDS need. Executing ACE will enable the force to transition to a smaller footprint, dispersed personnel, resilient manpower and equipment, and adaptive basing procedures.
During an interview with Airman Magazine in March, CSAF Gen. Charles Q. Brown said, “in order for ACE to work, the service must rethink the way it operates. Most Airmen can no longer focus on a single, narrowly defined Air Force Specialty Code. Instead, they must be ready to do tasks outside that specialty to minimize the number of Airmen needed in any given contingency. The concept will not apply to every Airman, but for those that are affected, the additional skills will be like a secondary specialty.”
“With all of the complexity that ACE brings to the mission, a firm understanding of how it all integrates and changes command relationships is required,” said Lt. Col. John Staudt, III, 505th Command and Control Wing operations officer. “The 13O is ideal for planning and executing the ACE concept due to their training in the joint planning process, domain integration, and operational-level focus.”
The guest speaker for the graduation, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, Sixteenth Air Force commander, addressed the graduates, “as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force recently stated, ‘dominance is not a birthright.’ As we blaze forward to increase our outcomes in the information environment, you will help lead the way in all-domain ensuring dominance across the spectrum. The demand for new outcomes will continue to increase, and we will scale our operations to address additional global problems.”
Haugh continued, “You will foster invaluable partnerships with combatant commands and interagencies, and you will create multi-domain dilemmas for our adversaries that impose cost and preserve our national values and way of life. I know there is no problem an empowered Airman cannot solve.”
The 16 newly-graduated officers will fill critical command and control billets in Air Operations Centers, Air Operations Groups, Air Support Squadrons, and training squadrons across the U.S. Air Force.
In each class, there are students whose performance warrants special recognition. The distinguished graduates for class 20B were Maj. Benjamin “Driver” Elias and Capt. Michael “SPAM” Weaver. Capt. Weaver was also awarded the Academic Ace Award for the highest academic average in the class.
The Odysseus Leadership Award, based not only on academic performance but excellence in leadership, followership, and overall contributions through the entire course, was awarded to Capt. Anthony “Leaker” Carillo.
”Every year, the 705th Training Squadron and the 505th CCW conduct two 13 Oscar initial skills classes, preparing future graduates for operations in a volatile, uncertain, and complex global strategic environment. The instructor cadre and support team has done an amazing job this year to continue these courses safely during the COVID-19 pandemic and 2021 will be no different when class 21A will begins in January,” said Lt. Col. John Christianson, 705th TRS commander.
Story by Debbie Henley, 505th Command and Control Wing (ACC) Public Affairs
Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photographer Keith Keel
