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Sneak Peek – Road Tripper from Mystery Ranch

November 9th, 2020

The Road Tripper is a new product, developed specifically for Law Enforcement use by Mystery Ranch.

It’s meant to transport the various equipment an LEO uses during shift, yet keep it readily available, by placing it in the passenger seat. It can be kept zipped closed or open.

During a recent visit to MR, I mocked up some bag contents to give you an idea of how it works.

It attaches to the passenger seat via two points. First, there are two pass through webbing loops located at the rear for the seat belt. Second is the internal top handle which is routed around the head rest. Use this feature when you want to keep the Road Tripper open for access to the contents.

It is lined with loop Velcro and includes three removable/adjustable dividers for organizing your gear, allowing you to set it up how you need it.

The lid is also lined with loop Velcro in a PALS compatible grid and there is an additional full-length zippered internal pocket for documents or to store the dividers when not in use.

At the front there are two, full-length external zippered accessory pockets with flaps that fold down allowing complete access to internal, mesh divider pockets.

Additionally, there are two external stretch-woven water bottle pockets. On the opposite side is a zippered pocket with four mesh dividers (donuts not included).

Offered in Shadow, it is made from 500D Cordura with internal foam to protect the contents and give it some body so it won’t flop over.

Coming 2021. Interested parties should contact Marisa Williams at marisa@mysteryranch.com

Posted in Advertiser, LE, Load Carrying | 7 Comments »

Which Retro Blues Would You Want The Air Force To Adopt?

November 9th, 2020

The Air Force has toyed a couple of times in the recent past with going back to the future with its service dress. But now that the Army has settled on a modernized version of the World War Two-era optional “Pinks and Greens” Officer’s uniform, perhaps it’s time for the Air Force to take another look.

Interestingly, the Army has adopted two distinctly Air Force affectations with this latest uniform reset.

First, is the service cap complete with crush, an unintentional feature created when Air Corps rated officers wore headphones over their caps while in flight.

Second, is a proposed optional wear leather flight jacket that is laughable referred to by the Army as a “bomber jacket.”

The Air Force has come up with a few throwback ideas of their own which borrow from its Army origins. Anyone remember the Billy Mitchell Heritage Coat trotted out awhile back? It harkens back to the early days of the Army Air Corps, and by early, I mean World War One and the inter-war years.

You may recognize a similar uniform being worn by the Air Force Band.

Another variant on this theme lives on as a rarely seen special ceremonial uniform reserved solely for the Air Force Chief of Staff and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.

Then, came the Hap Arnold, with its more World War Two feel, but still quite Army in style.

Here’s a montage of the USAF dress uniform going back to its first days as a stand alone service. Initially, the Air Force wore the same green Army Air Forces uniform it shared with its ground counterparts. Actual Air Force Blues weren’t a thing until 1949 and even then, weren’t initially seen in great numbers.

The current Service Dress has long been the target of ire amongst Airmen with it initially being referred to as an airline uniform, complete with sleeve braid for the Officer ranks. Former CSAF Gen Merrill “Tony” McPeak designed it himself.

Eventually, the service dropped the sleeve rank, reinstated name tags as well as US insignia, and started wearing ribbons again, but the stigma lives on, almost 30 years later.

This is Gen Charles Q Brown Jr, the current CSAF wearing the latest version of Blues.

So, if you could adopt a “new,” retro-style service dress for the United States Air Force, which one would you pick?

Posted in Air Force, Clothing | 22 Comments »

Air Force’s Spectrum Management Office Officially Transfers to ISR and Cyber Effects Operations Staff to Continue to Integrate ‘Information Warfare’

November 9th, 2020

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) — The Air Force’s Spectrum Management Office, or AFSMO, officially transferred Oct. 23 from a function under Air Combat Command to full integration under the Headquarters Air Force Staff.

AFMSO joins the Cyberspace Operations and Warfighter Communications Directorate assigned to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Cyber Effects Operations. This is a vital move in a larger plan to support, from a Headquarters Air Force perspective, the synchronization of Information Warfare functions; a move which is happening at the right time for on-going developmental work to enable all-domain operations.

Air and Space Force weapon systems depend on the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) to connect warfighters around the world and across all domains. The Air Force’s growing need for spectrum requires AFSMO to maintain continuous engagement across the federal government, commercial industry and the international community.

Coming just 18 months after the HAF Staff merger of ISR and Cyber Effects Operations, this move is another step in the shift toward great power competition under the 2018 National Defense Strategy.

“This is a critical step to information warfare integration and synchronization because command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) is inextricably linked to EMS management,” said Lt. Gen. Mary O’Brien, deputy chief of staff for ISR and Cyber Effects Operations. “To compete and win in competition as well as a high-end fight, our Air and Space Force activities and capabilities like EMS must not only be de-conflicted, but integrated with our service counterparts. The heart of JADC2 (Joint All Domain Command and Control) is that military activities in one domain must enhance the effectiveness of those in other domains and compensate for vulnerabilities, and I believe this move will help us in this area.”

AFSMO, continuing to work out of Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, remains integral to helping the Air Force integrate new technologies and adopt new approaches to spectrum management. As the Air Force increases focus on JADC2, effective and efficient management of EMS is exceedingly important because it is a finite and essential resource.

“Given the Air Force-wide scope of AFSMO’s roles and responsibilities, bringing it back to the Air Staff is a natural fit,” said Brig. Gen. Eric DeLange, director of Cyber Operations and Warfighter Communications. DeLange will oversee the AFSMO efforts as part of the HAF Staff. “As we look to advance our efforts in Information Warfare, and with our focus squarely on cyberspace and warfighter communications that so heavily depend on the electromagnetic spectrum, I have no doubt that bringing AFSMO into the Directorate fold will create new and important synergies. I’m definitely excited to have them join the team!”

The current commander, Col. Kenneth Miller best describes their work as “…ensuring Airmen have access to the spectrum they need, when and where they need it.”

The electromagnetic spectrum transcends all physical domains and the information environment and extends beyond defined borders and boundaries. “The Air Force’s insatiable appetite for spectrum requires AFSMO to maintain continuous engagement across the federal government, commercial industry and the international community to ensure our Air Force spectrum equities are protected,” Miller said.

The EMS is a finite resource, and the Air Force must integrate new technologies and adopt new approaches to spectrum management to increase sharing between federal and nonfederal users. An example of this was AFSMO’s efforts to support the federal government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As much of the American workforce transitioned to telework, the demand for commercial broadband reached new heights. In response, the Federal Communications Commission granted commercial broadband carriers special authorizations to increase bandwidth capacity across several basic economic areas throughout the U.S.

Another top Secretary of the Air Force’s priority is modernizing the Air Force with new technologies and innovating with urgency. In support of this priority, AFSMO has been working closely with the MAJCOMs responsible for hosting ongoing Advanced Battle Management System, or ABMS, onramps to ensure all spectrum requirements are properly identified and documented. In early September, the second ABMS onramp concluded at Andrews Air Force Base. During this event, live fire demonstrations utilized both 4G- and 5G-networks for access to over 60 data sources. In preparation for the next ABMS onramp, the AFSMO team is gearing up to ensure warfighters will have the spectrum they need to accelerate change.

By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, CEMA, Comms, Guest Post | Comments Off on Air Force’s Spectrum Management Office Officially Transfers to ISR and Cyber Effects Operations Staff to Continue to Integrate ‘Information Warfare’

Arktis – M81 Woodland

November 8th, 2020

Arktis has introduced M81 Woodland as a color option for several styles including the B211 Mountain Smock seen here.

Posted in Camo, Clothing, International | Comments Off on Arktis – M81 Woodland

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Veterans Suicide / Remembrance Day

November 8th, 2020

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”
— President George Washington

So, I had a post all set and ready to go. I was about to share it with Eric so he could post. I wrote about Remembrance Day; (I have it at the end of this). I like to write about history as it pertains to the military, mainly the Navy. But something is going on that should not be ignored. It is only really talked about but when it happens to someone you know. But I think because of the stigma attached to it, no one will continue to talk about it. Many veterans out there are suffering from a lot of different things, physical and mental. Depending on what report you read, up to 22 veterans commit suicide every day. Some reports say higher and some lower, but they are not that far apart. Regardless of the daily number, Veterans have the highest suicide rate among any other group. It is not just the vets from the War on Terror, either. This number represents all the wars and conflicts from which we still have survivors. And it’s not only a U.S. problem, as many of our allies are dealing with the same issues. If you know someone or you might be having problems, PLEASE talk to someone, anyone. The Veterans Crisis Line is 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.

I have lost some very close friends to suicide, and I never want it to happen to anyone ever again. Please look out for the signs and symptoms; sometimes they are easy to see, while other times you have no clue and it will happen to someone close to you. But if you are thinking of hurting yourself, please talk to someone. If you believe the world is better with you not in it, it is not. The people you leave behind will always have to deal with what happened and still have to think they could have done more. I know I do, but I also know I did all I could have done to help. But there will always be that .01% that thinks I could have done more to help my brother. People, especially military people, are good at hiding things and it’s not always easy to see. Please keep an eye on your brother and sister. I look at the military as a family.

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/suicide/symptoms-causes

Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day or Poppy Day, was started by the U.S. and the U.K. to remember the fallen and honor the end of World War One, which occurred at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Traditions used to observe Remembrance Day include wearing poppies, and a two-minute silence at 11 am on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. It wasn’t long after WWI ended that the day the armistice was signed was adopted as a suitable time and date for countries involved in the war to mark their soldiers’ sacrifice, with official remembrance services taking place in the U.K. and USA in 1919. After World War II, both countries started to use that day to pay respect to the fallen from all wars. Despite the shared history, Remembrance Day has evolved in different ways. Depending on where you are in the world, it can be known as Armistice Day, Veterans’ Day, Remembrance Day, Poppy Day and may not even be celebrated on November 11th. In 1938 it was made a legal holiday in the U.S., and, in 1945, it was changed to honor all military veterans. Please take a moment on November 11th to remember those who serve and have served in the name of our country and who continue to bravely give their time for the freedoms we hold so dear.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, History, Veterans | Comments Off on SCUBAPRO Sunday – Veterans Suicide / Remembrance Day

Patagonia Wood Burning Stove & QuantuMiiR Pot

November 8th, 2020

The Patagonia Wood Burning Stove we previewed early this year is now available.

Like the name says, it burns wood, like the stuff you find out on the trail, or wood pellets if there’s nothing available.

It breaks down into three pieces and boils 1 liter of water in an average of 16 minutes.

The QuantuMiiR Pot is made from corrosion-resistant stainless steel and has a heat-distributing copper bottom with built-in QuantuMiiR heat exchanger.

Posted in Sustainment | 10 Comments »

III MEF Explores Innovative Concepts Through Big Ideas Challenges

November 8th, 2020

CAMP BUTLER, Japan —

Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, launched the first Big Ideas Challenge last August to unleash the creativity and ingenuity of III MEF Marines and sailors against the most pressing challenges facing the Marine Corps.

Over 70 submissions were received from Marines and sailors of all ranks and military occupational specialties. Included in those submissions were inputs from Army and Air Force personnel, spouses and even non-SOFA status personnel.

“The submissions surpassed my expectations both in quantity received and in the quality of ideas that were submitted, especially due to the short time window for the challenge,” said Maj. Stephen Kent, action officer for the Big Ideas Challenge.

Proposals touched on a wide variety of topics, including administration, equipment, logistics, tactics, and quality of life.

“We received ideas for equipment modification, data tools, commercial off-the-shelf applications, education-based solutions and ideas to facilitate the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ vision, to name a few,” said Kent.

“We are looking forward to seeing some of these ideas get incorporated and are excited to see what kind of solutions our community comes up with…”
Maj Stephen Kent, action officer for the Big Ideas Challenge

The Marine Corps is constantly striving to enhance its force as a whole by implementing innovation challenges throughout the Corps. The 2nd Marine Logistics Group and 3rd MLG recently hosted events with notable results.

In those challenges, Marines of all ranks and backgrounds were encouraged to submit. One lance corporal received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for using 3-D printing equipment at the unit to manufacture a $0.50 part to salvage damaged radio equipment.

Good ideas could come from any member of the command, so Lt. Gen. Clardy opened up the challenge to people throughout U.S. Forces Japan. In order to review and study the many submissions, the commanding general assigned an action officer to collect, review, sort, and present all submissions through a review board of Marines.

“My job is to ensure these ideas get routed to the staff and then ultimately the commanding general for final decision,” Kent explained. “We will strive to incorporate all of the good ideas within our means, regardless if they were selected as the top five.”

III MEF plans to announce the results of the challenge at the end of the month via social media. Marines are optimistic about the results.

“Because of the success of this event, we plan to hold it again this time next year,” Kent said. “We are looking forward to seeing some of these ideas get incorporated and are excited to see what kind of solutions our community comes up with in the future.”

Posted in Guest Post, USMC | Comments Off on III MEF Explores Innovative Concepts Through Big Ideas Challenges

Woofers and Whiskers

November 7th, 2020

Woof and Whiskers’ Small Travel Food Bag is now offered in 3 different sizes. They are made from 1000D Cordura with a pack cloth interior. The tops are closed with a YKK zipper and they incorporate a 2″ clear window.

Available in Coyote, Black and Grey.

These Made in the USA bags feature a 60-day trial and a lifetime guarantee.

Buy online at www.wwpetproducts.com

Posted in K9, Sustainment | 3 Comments »