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Spatial Integrated Systems (SIS) Wins US Coast Guard Maritime Domain Awareness Pilot Study Contract

March 1st, 2020

SIS’s SMART™ Autonomy System is unmatched for cooperative missions

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., February 25, 2020 – Spatial Integrated Systems Inc. (SIS) of Virginia Beach, VA, has been awarded a contract with the US Coast Guard (USCG) to demonstrate an autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) System to examine the feasibility of improving Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in the remote Pacific Ocean. SIS partnered with MetalCraft Marine U.S. of Watertown, NY, and Navatek, based in Honolulu, HI.  The partnership marries two mature, commercially available products, the SIS Multi-Agent Robotic Teams (SMART™) Autonomy System and the MetalCraft 7m Interceptor Boat, for commercial sale as an intelligent, goal-oriented autonomous USV. The integration of SIS’s SMART™ Autonomy to MetalCraft’s 7m Interceptor is seamless, inexpensive and will demonstrate to the USCG the opportunity to optionally unman/man any auxiliary craft in their inventory. SMART™ Autonomy is COLREGS compliant and is the leader in multi-robot control, offering unmatched capability for swarm and cooperative missions with multiple UxVs. The 7m Interceptor, which is currently being employed by the USCG Cutter Boat-Large (CB-L) Program, was specifically chosen because it can operate in extreme conditions, has been proven for launch and recovery from USCG Cutters and has a large space for future payloads. 

SIS will demonstrate a comprehensive ability to detect threats and safeguard our homeland, prevent illegal fishing, and stop intrusion into protected marine sanctuaries. “We are excited to demonstrate the maturity of our technology and the flexibility to employ multiple optionally manned platforms affording a Coast Guard Commander tremendous opportunities,” said Sam Lewis, SIS’s President & Chief Operating Officer. The open ocean demonstration will be conducted this summer approximately 30 miles south of Oahu, HI, in a 20 square mile area. Spatial Integrated Systems is proud to have been chosen by the USCG to conduct this demonstration and to play a leading role in the sustainment of America’s edge in autonomy and unmanned systems. 

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Iran – Iraq War USSOCOM History

March 1st, 2020

Iraq attacked Iran in September 1980, launching a war that would last eight years. By 1982, more than 100,000 people had died. The war was costing each side about $1 billion a month and devastated both countries’ oil industries. In the so-called “tanker war,” both countries launched attacks on neutral merchant vessels transiting the Gulf (mostly Kuwaiti flagged ships). In December of 1986, the Kuwaiti government asked then-President Reagan to help protect their oil tankers from mine placed by the Iranian. Reagan sent the U.S. Navy, and the newly formed USSOCOM sent the SEALs, Special Boat Units (now Special Boat Teams), and the 160th Special Operation Aviation Regiment (SOAR). This was the first time in SOCOM history (its short history at the time) that these three groups would be deployed together. 

The Task Unit was deployed on two barges, Hercules and Wimbrown, that the Pentagon promptly converted into Mobile Sea Bases (MSBs)complete with their own extensive self-defense weapons. Naval Special Warfare Task Units (NSWTU) was run by a SEAL commander and answered to the regional Naval Special Warfare Task Group. Their mission was to stop Iranian forces from mining the Persian Gulf or otherwise attacking shipping. Each MSB had two detachments of Mark III patrol boats, a SEAL platoon, an EOD detachment, Marines to provide security, army MH-6, and AH-6 Little Bird helicopter gunships and Black Hawk rescue birds, and an air force combat controllers. MSB Hercules was manned by East Coast NSW, SEAL Team Two, and SBU 20 and 24. MSB Wimbrown 7 was manned by West Coast SEAL Team One and SBU 12 and 13. They also had other boats and helos available to them, like the SeaFox.

On September 21, a trio of Little Bird choppers flying off the frigate Jarrett was assigned to shadow the Iranian tank landing ship Iran Ajr,s suspected to have been converted for minelaying. An MH-6 helicopter equipped with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor and night-vision goggles led the way, escorted by two AH-6 gunships loaded with 7.62-millimeter miniguns and 2.75” rocket pods. The helicopter crews recorded the Iran Ajr’s crew deploying mines next to the Middle Shoals navigational buoy used by tankers. The Little Birds were ordered to open fire, and they opened up on the Iranians with their miniguns, the crew to take cover and did not return fire. The Iranian sailors resumed deploying the mines a half-hour later. This time the 160th pilots unleashed a sustained barrage, including rockets, killing three crew—and causing the remaining twenty-six to abandon ship. The following morning, SEALs on Mark III Patrol Boats rescued all but two of the Iranian sailors and boarded Iran Ajr. They found nine mines onboard and seized a logbook recording past minelaying activity, including maps showing the locations of those mines. Then the Navy towed Iran Ajr’s too deep water and blew her up.

A trio of minigun-armed MH-6 helicopters tangled again with four Iranian ships approaching MSB Hercules on October 8, including a corvette, a Swedish-built Boghammar, and two Boston whaler type boats. The Boghammar’s crew fired Stinger missiles at the scout helicopters before being sunk by return fire. Eight Iranian crew were killed, and six more rescued from the water. One of the Boghammar’s was later brought back and used by SBU-12/13 for the Coronado July 4 demonstrations and as an aggressor boat for exercises in the San Diego area.

When an Iranian missile struck the U.S.-flagged Sea Island City on October 16, injuring eighteen crew, Washington authorized a counterattack three days later called Operation Nimble Archer, resulting in the destruction of two Iranian oil platforms used to host IRGCN boats. 

But Iranian minelaying continued. On April 14, 1988, the crew of the frigate Samuel B. Roberts spotted three Iranian mines and realized she had unwittingly cruised into a minefield. While attempting to back out of danger, Roberts struck a mine that nearly split her in two and injured ten sailors. A heroic damage control effort saved the ship and her crew. Navy divers later identified additional mines in the area—with serial numbers identical to those on the Iran Ajr’s. Four days later, the U.S. launched a second retaliatory strike targeting two more Iranian oil platforms called Operation Praying Mantis. This time frigates and gunboats of the regular Iranian Navy counter attacked, resulting in the U.S. Navy’s largest naval battle since World War II, in which half of Iran’s surface combatants were sunk or crippled.

The Iran-Iraq war ended four months later—but not before one final tragic incident. On July 3, the U.S. Aegis missile cruiser Vincennes was skirmishing with Iranian fast boats, having unknowingly entered Iranian territorial waters, when her radar reported an Iranian F-14 Tomcat fighter was approaching her. The cruiser fired two radar-guided SM-2 missiles at the contact—bringing down Iranian A300 airliner Flight 655, killing all 290 civilians aboard. 

Operation Earnest Will concluded September 26 when the USS Vandergrift escorted a final tanker into the Persian Gulf. The operatives involved in Prime Chance remained active, however, until June 1990.

www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/ussocoms-first-test-of-fire-operations-prime-chance-and-praying-mantis

A Wing and a Prayer

March 1st, 2020

DUKE FIELD, Fla. — The air in the desert is dry, hot, and full of sand. Most Airmen do not speak the language of the locals and are working hard to learn their culture. The work is fast and the days are long the intense Qatar sun. The thirst for relief isn’t just literal, it’s spiritual and the chaplains are on a mission provide deployed Airmen something cold to drink.

 “The role faith played in building resilience in a deployed environment was very important,” said Chap. (Lt. Col.) Barry Dickson, 919th Special Operations Wing. “I would think it’s important everywhere but especially in the Middle East because people are separated from their families. They’re separated from the normal routine of their lives back home. Their living conditions are less than ideal. Their food is less than ideal. They can’t just buy what they want.”

Some Airmen would watch Netflix or go to the gym to recharge in this environment, but many of them wanted a strong spiritual life, said Dickson.

He knows first hand the challenges of being deployed to an austere location. While on  a six month deployment to the Middle East that began in July 2019, he organized chapel operations and provided counsel to dozens of Airmen. People of faith wanted some semblance of home in a place that’s very different from the United States. The ministry overseas is there to provide that resource to them.

“Depending on the deployment site, the ministry can be very similar to what we do here,” said Master Sgt. Mike Adamson, superintendent of chapel operations for the 919th SOW. “It could be a mixture of administrative duties, counseling and crisis intervention, and unit visitation.”

Adamson doesn’t doubt that Dickson did an outstanding job as a chaplain overseas. His gentle and quiet demeanor makes him approachable when it comes to counseling situations, and his strong faith ensured he was fit regardless of the environment.

“I was the admin guy over there,” said Dickson. “My job was to figure out who’s going to provide the support that was needed. I had to develop a schedule often times when we had multiple prayer requests and events that needed a chaplain to be in attendance.”

He gained equivalent experience as an Active Duty chaplain on a larger base, said Dickson.

“There’s lots of people coming in and out, you have all kinds of programs such as children’s services, and you have limited time and resources to spread out,” he said.

He would often have to make sure his own people were okay while dealing with the high demand for chaplain support throughout the deployed location. For example, he occasionally had to have a junior chaplain fill in for a more seasoned one who had responded to an incident late at night or in the early morning hours.  

Chaplains in deployed environments take steps to ensure they’re prepared to help others, said Adamson. Taking time each day for prayer, meditation or reflection, reading religious material, and maintaining relationships with people who will support and challenge their spiritual journey allows them to stay resilient enough to support others.

“Spiritual resilience is defined as the ability to sustain an individual’s sense of self and purpose through a set of beliefs, principles, or values,” said Adamson. “It’s about having faith in the future and believing there is meaning or purpose to your existence.”

Everyone in the chapel at [the deployed location] was eager to create new programs and get involved to help others, said Dickson. He was inspired by the group’s motivation throughout the deployment.

“Faith can counterbalance deployed living conditions and separation from family,” said Dickson. “It takes on a heightened importance with people in that environment. We managed a very robust program that required a great deal of oversight for a lot of moving parts and were very successful. Deployments are a marathon and you have to learn to pace yourself. At the end of the day, it’s about helping others and I think we did a really good job of that.”

By Senior Airman Dylan Gentile, 919th Special Operations Wing

This Is The Blackhorse

March 1st, 2020

This 1985 film was produced by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, known as the Blackhorse Regiment, to showcase their work patrolling the Inter-German Border during the height of the Cold War.

Canada’s Eco-Friendly Machine Shreds Worn-Out Uniforms

February 29th, 2020

Down Range Systems E-Dope Card Direct Fire Weapon Systems Targeting Data Display

February 29th, 2020

Bell Buckle, TN – Down Range Systems LLC announces its iOS compatibility with their E-Dope card targeting data display. Down Range Systems LLC is dedicated to provide quick targeting solutions for direct fire weapon systems with a focus on long rage target engagements.

E-DOPE is an electronic display used to clearly display targeting data. Utilizing E-Paper technology the display is sunlight readable at extreme angles. The display is battery-less, utilizing NFC technology from your iOS or Android device to transfer data from your handheld device to the display. The display uses the E-DOPE (iOS & Android), Kestrel Ballistic Link (Android), and BallisticsARC (iOS & Android) applications to handle the transfer of data.

Affix the E-DOPE card to your favorite weapon mounted holder or arm board that has available space for utilizing hook or loop attachment.

Using the E-DOPE card is easy, simply input all your required data into either the compatible application on your smartphone, hold the back or top of your device to the front of the E-DOPE card to transfer your targeting data to the display.

Dimensions : 2.13″ x 3.37″ x 0.145″
Viewable screen size: 2.9″
Operating temp: -10°F to 130°F
Attachment Method: Hook and Loop supplied

downrangesystems.com

SureFire Spotlight: The Stiletto Pro

February 29th, 2020

SureFire Spotlight videos are a high level rundown of specific products. This one focuses on the SureFire Stiletto Pro, a handheld light with anodized aluminum body and reversible pocket clip. Rechargeable via USB, it features a MaxVision Beam reflector, providing 1,000 lumens of LED white light in high-output mode, 300-lumen on medium setting, and a 25-lumen low output.

www.surefire.com

Engineering & Computer Simulations to Provide Training Solutions for the Profession of Arms Center of Excellence in Support of the US Air Force

February 29th, 2020

February 20, 2020 – (Orlando, FL) – Mick Golson, Chief Operations Officer of Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS), announced that the company will be providing training coursework for the Profession of Arms Center of Excellence (PACE). Awarded by the USAF as a one-year contract, this innovative PACE project supports organic learning and innovation within United States Air Force (USAF) squadrons and develops newly appointed command team members for their leadership roles. Joanne Barnieu, ECS Director of Instructional Science, and Joe Neubauer, ECS Project Manager/Subject Matter Expert, will lead the project.

This project supports the training initiatives of the Secretary of the Air Force (AF), Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force by delivering innovative training solutions to develop leaders and to support organic learning within AF squadrons. The course targets newly assigned members of the command team, such as AF Squadron Commanders, Superintendents, and First Sergeants, so that important concepts and principles are taught early and can be applied throughout their assignment.

Golson states: “Strengthening the skills and experience of our U.S. Air Force squadrons is critical and, for over 23 years, ECS has been honored to help train those who serve and protect our country. As an Air Force veteran, I’m very excited; new projects, such as this one for PACE, allow our team to grow as we look forward to the future.”

In the early stages of development, this program will present a high-level overview of Emotional Intelligence, Empathetic Listening, Team Building, and Followership. Hosted on an Air Force learning management system, it will include stand-alone micro learning content, facilitator guides, and lesson plans to support an integrated multi-disciplinary solution for a Squadron Command Team Product Line. The PACE course will include four 50-minute, online lessons and will be reinforced with stand-alone microlearning content that will be used following the initial course. Each of the lessons will teach necessary skills, using a structured framework, to inspire, change mindsets, motivate, and educate squadron leadership. 

Barnieu adds: “It is rewarding for our instructional team to provide organic learning opportunities that will achieve positive outcomes for our military service members. This type of project-based learning allows for the squadrons to train to their highest potential in order to successfully perform their missions throughout the world.  As a “proof of concept” project, we are delving into innovative solutions for leadership skills and look forward to the client’s feedback in order to deliver future solutions for leaders at all levels.”

www.ecsorl.com