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A New Force in Army Acquisition: PEOs Soldier and Ground Combat Systems Merge to Form CPE Ground

April 11th, 2026

Fort Belvoir, Va –

The United States Army is currently executing the most significant overhaul of its acquisition enterprise in decades, designed specifically to increase modernization, reduce bureaucracy, and get critical warfighting capabilities into the hands of America’s Soldiers as fast as possible. This new powerhouse organization marks a fundamental shift in how the Army develops and delivers technology, unifying the teams behind the Soldier and ground combat systems into a single, integrated enterprise – Capability Program Executive (CPE) Ground. This change occurs as the Army is undergoing a deliberate transformation – altering our acquisition enterprise to match the speed, complexity, and scale of today’s security environment.

As part of this major reorganization, Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO Soldier) and Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS) are combining to form CPE Ground, bringing together Soldier systems and ground combat platforms under a single, unified organization focused on delivering integrated combat power to formations. The result is a unified force laser-focused on a single mission: delivering fully integrated combat power to our formations at the speed of relevance. The switch to a portfolio-based model ensures responsibility, authority, and accountability remain in the same hands and allows for the greatest operational impact.

This strategic move is the centerpiece of a sweeping Army-wide acquisition reform aimed at accelerating modernization. As Army Undersecretary Michal Obadal best put it, “A modernized acquisition system will position us ahead of our adversaries, strengthen our readiness, and maintain a technological edge in all domains.”

This transformation, which has been in the works for over a year, is much more than just a name change. It is a complete structural and operational realignment designed to increase unity of effort, reduce seams between platforms and Soldier systems, and accelerate capability delivery across the force.

Our North Star is efficiently delivering formation-based capabilities while driving Soldier adoption. By aligning platforms, weapons, protection, power, and mission command systems within one enterprise, CPE Ground will ensure integrated solutions are not only delivered rapidly but are intuitive, sustainable, and embraced by the Soldiers who depend on them.

CPE Ground’s portfolio includes some of the Army’s most critical modernization programs, including the M1E3 Abrams, XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, M7 Rifle and M250 Automatic Rifle, Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC), Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), and the Army’s family of mortars capabilities that together strengthen combat formations from the individual Soldier to armored brigades.

And with this new realignment comes new leadership.

Leading CPE Ground will be Brig. Gen. Troy M. Denomy, who will serve as the Capability Program Executive for CPE Ground. Denomy brings two decades of experience working with and supporting Soldiers in high-profile and combat environments.

Denomy currently serves as the Program Executive Officer for PEO Soldier and is therefore deeply familiar with the breadth of systems transitioning into CPE Ground, as well as the teams that build and sustain them.

“This transformation is about delivering integrated combat power at the speed of relevance,” said Denomy. “By unifying the strengths of [PEO] Soldier and [PEO GCS] into CPE Ground, we are breaking down barriers between platforms and the Soldiers who operate them. Our focus is clear to deliver integrated, affordable, interoperable ground formation-based capabilities that provide decisive overmatch across the full spectrum of operations. The success of our work will strengthen formations from the individual rifleman to armored brigades, ensuring our Army remains lethal, agile, and ready to dominate in any fight.”

This new leadership and organizational structure streamlines the acquisition process by centralizing authority with leaders directly responsible for delivering and sustaining capabilities every day. By combining the strengths of the former PEO Soldier and PEO GCS, CPE Ground reduces bureaucratic barriers and accelerates decision-making across portfolios.

While the Army is evolving, the mission remains unchanged: to deliver integrated, interoperable ground capabilities that enable Soldiers to fight, survive, and win on the modern battlefield.

CPE Ground’s vision remains clear: to be an agile Army acquisition enterprise that rapidly delivers decisive, sustainable, and adaptable capabilities for the future fight.

Consistent with Department of War guidance, CPE Ground will field integrated capability sets more quickly, improve interoperability across weapons, sensors, protection, power, and mission command systems, and remain responsive to modernization priorities aligned with operational needs.

The stand-up of CPE Ground builds on the proven legacy of PEO Soldier and PEO GCS, positioning it to operate more effectively and respond more rapidly to emerging threats and technological change. It ensures that platforms, weapons, protective gear, and mission command systems are developed and fielded as a cohesive fighting system.

This integrated approach allows the Army to respond more rapidly to emerging threats. It ensures that America’s Soldiers will always be the most lethal and effective fighting force in the world.

By Zach Montanaro Army

Posted in Acquisition, Army, CPE Ground, Guest Post, PEO-Soldier | Comments Off on A New Force in Army Acquisition: PEOs Soldier and Ground Combat Systems Merge to Form CPE Ground

First Contact: Meet the Dive Medical Recovery Team of Artemis II

April 10th, 2026

SAN DIEGO — The first face the Artemis II crew will see upon their return to Earth will be the face of a U.S. Navy Sailor.

Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Wang, Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Laddy Aldridge, Chief Hospital Corpsman Vlad Link, and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Steve Kapala make up the dive medical team who will be the first to open the Orion capsule upon its return to Earth, make initial medical assessments of the Artemis II crew, and assist them out of the capsule safely and efficiently.

They will provide initial one-on-one assistance to Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman, and Victor Glover respectively. Training for this mission has been a years-long process between the four team members as the first-contact medical providers inside the capsule.

Often working in expeditionary warfare communities, Navy dive medical personnel are certified divers and undergo specialized training, making them experts in decompression illnesses and other undersea medical considerations. Their mission is to care for and ensure dive-qualified service members are safe to conduct diving operations.

Following Orion’s reentry into Earth’s atmosphere and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, the medical team will enter the capsule to conduct initial exams for the crew, provide triage care as necessary, and assist the astronauts in egress onto the inflatable raft set up outside by Navy divers. The first-contact medical providers will then prepare the crew to be airlifted by Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 back to amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) for follow on evaluations.

Wang, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1, serves as the lead for the four-man team. From Laguna Beach, Calif., he is a board-certified emergency medicine doctor by trade, having completed residency training at Lincoln Hospital in Bronx, New York. He joined the Navy in 2021 and was designated as an undersea medical officer in 2024.

“As a proud member of the undersea medical community, I am particularly humbled to play a part in this mission,” Wang said. “It is the honor of a lifetime to stand here today, ready to provide the absolute best care to the Artemis II crew.”

Aldridge, from Cushing, Okla., will be the first member to make contact with the crew upon their return to Earth. Assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit 1, he will open the capsule, enter the space, and begin medical assessments.

“Coming from three generations of military service in my family, I’m honored to serve as the senior dive independent duty corpsman for this mission,” Aldridge said. “This effort is the culmination of both our training to bring world class care to the Artemis II crew and countless dedicated years of Navy Diving and Navy medicine.”

Dive independent duty corpsmen like Aldridge, Link, and Kapala are specifically trained in dive medicine.

Link, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 1, is the third member of the team and hails from Chelsea, Mass. He has 18 years of experience in dive medicine, but he shares that this mission is already a highlight of his career.

“I have been exposed to the Navy since I was a young teenager, and I’m proud to represent both my family and hometown,” Link said. “Contributing our efforts to NASA and the Artemis II mission is something we take great pride in as part of that legacy.”

The fourth member, Kapala, assigned to EODMU-11, hails from Alpena, Mich., and has been practicing dive medicine since 2018. He notes the significance of the historical mission as a unified effort, both for himself and everyone involved.

“I grew up reading sci-fi novels and watching space movies, never thinking that I would play a part in a recovery mission like this,” Kapala said. “It is surreal to play a part in safely recovering the astronauts from the capsule to get them home safe to their families, an effort that really makes you realize this team is bigger than just the four of us.”

With immense levels of experience and specialized training under their belts, this team of expeditionary medical providers is prepared to give the Artemis II crew a warm welcome back to Earth following their 10-day lunar mission.

“Our fellow divers, the Sailors on the ship, the helicopter squadron, our partners at NASA, and everyone supporting this mission are ready to bring the Artemis II crew home,” Wang said. “This team is undoubtedly making history.”

U.S. Navy Divers assigned to EODGRU-1 are underway on USS John P. Murtha in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations supporting NASA’s Artemis II mission, retrieving the crew and spacecraft following their return to Earth and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. NASA’s Artemis II mission sent four astronauts on a flight around the moon in the Orion space capsule, marking the first time humans journeyed to deep space in over 50 years.

Story by Lt Erin Wiley

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group One

Posted in Guest Post, Medical, Navy, Space | 1 Comment »

Luminae Shooters Belt

April 10th, 2026

Designed with a rigid Carbon insert, the Shooters Belt offers 2″ of height which accommodates two rows of MOLLE compatible slots. It includes a rigid Velcro inner trouser belt and Austrialpin Cobra Buckle.

Key Features:

Lightweight, extremely rigid construction
2″ width for perfect MOLLE compatibility
No pouch play or unwanted movement
Carbon composite internal insert for zero downward compression
Maintains integrity when wet or submerged
Made with official Crye MultiCam fabrics
IRR compliant
Designed with UK specialist unit input
Tested on multiple operations before release
Made in the UK by skilled staff
1″ Cobra buckle with integrated D-ring

The Shooters Belt is offered in even sizes 30″ – 38″. Sizing is straight forward. For example, if you wear a 34″ trouser, you need a 34″ belt.

Available in MultiCam.

www.luminae.co.uk/Shop/Shooters-Belt

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Ferro Concepts – TRAK Bag

April 10th, 2026

The TRAK (Tactical Rope Access Kit) Bag is a streamlined, purpose-built solution for lightweight rope operations, personal escape, and hasty rescues. Optimized for high mobility where weight and bulk must be minimized, it provides a compact platform for maintaining rope and essential hardware in a readily deployable state. From vertical urban movement to jungle environments and roof-top breaches, the TRAK Bag delivers immediate access when seconds count.

Available in MultiCam and Black.

ferroconcepts.com/products/trak-bag

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H&K Launches VP9CC

April 10th, 2026

New for 2026 is the VP9CC, a no-compromise, fully-featured micro-compact from our factory in Oberndorf, Germany. Every VP9CC comes standard with six interchangeable backstraps for a truly custom fit. Optics equipped models feature a mounted Vortex Defender CCW-Vortex’s newest, top-of-the-line, micro-sized closed-emitter pistol optic.

Optics ready models benefit from a new mounting system that allows all optics to be mounted lower than on standard plate systems. And of course, HK’s legendary reliability and durability come at no extra charge. The VP9CC meets or exceeds all NATO and HK standards for pistols of all sizes. You will find no pistol at any price in the marketplace that offers so much in such a small package.

hk-usa.com/vp9cc

Posted in Firearms, Press Release | 3 Comments »

B.E. Meyers & Co. Announces Retirement of Master Prototype Machinist After 35 Years of Service

April 10th, 2026

10 April, 2026, REDMOND, WA — B.E. Meyers & Co., Inc., a Defense Technology Manufacturer specializing in advanced photonic solutions for military, law enforcement, consumer and aerospace applications worldwide has announced the retirement of Master Prototype Machinist, Paul Phelps, after more than three decades of service.

Phelps, whose craftsmanship has been a cornerstone of the company’s success, joined B.E. Meyers & Co. in 1991, during a critical moment in the company’s history, when it transitioned from its initial focus on night vision devices toward specialized and advanced laser systems.

Over the course of his 35-year career with B.E. Meyers & Co., Phelps has had a personal hand in every product in the company’s catalog, transforming raw materials into the precision technologies trusted by the most specialized operators around the globe.

“None of our success would have been possible without the dedication and skilled craftsmanship of our employees,” Matt Meyers, CEO of B.E. Meyers, & Co., reflects. “Paul’s expertise inprecision movement and time is unparalleled. His involvement in every product has helped shape who B.E. Meyers is today.”

Phelps maintained a singular standard, “Quality work on time, every time.” Known for his ability to execute complex designs with robust precision, ensured that the company’ products maintained their repute for durability in the most demanding environments.

To honor his monumental contribution to the company’s legacy, B.E. Meyers & Co. has commissioned a custom, commemorative timepiece from Ares Watch Co., an American brand known for its mission-ready timepieces. Known for its shared values of American craftsmanship and uncompromising reliability, Ares watches are built by artisans. The collaborative Ares Automatic Field Watchwatch serves as a functional celebration of Phelps’ career with B.E. Meyers, & Co.

SPECS:
FIELD-1 Movement

The FIELD-1 Mission Timer is manufactured with a precision Swiss movement:

• Swiss Automatic: ARES currently uses ETA Swiss movements for our automatic DIVER-1 (ETA 2824)

FIELD-1 Case, Caseback, Crown & Bezel

• Turned from a solid bar of 316L stainless steel in Ogden, UT

• Hand finished in bead blast Urban Stainless

Crystal, Dial & Hands

• Domed sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective AR coating

• Brass dial with Super LumiNova C3 printed hour indicators, painted minute indices and logo

• Brushed hands with C3 in brushed stainless

Performance & Testing

• Individually tested and certified, fully assembled, to 35BAR = 350M.

• Anti-magnetic rating 18.8Oe, shock resistant to NIHS-91-10 standards, and thermo-compensated -0 to 50+ C

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FirstSpear Friday Focus: Shadow Pack

April 10th, 2026

The FirstSpear SHADOW PACK is built to move weapons without advertising it. It discreetly carries short rifles, sub-guns, and shotguns inside a low-profile, non-tactical exterior that blends in where loud gear doesn’t belong.

Designed for plain-clothes, surveillance, and urban work, it keeps capability close without drawing a second look. Adjustable shoulder straps and a quick-release sternum strap keep it secure on the move and gone when it needs to be. Internal and external pockets keep mags, tools, and essentials organized and within reach.

A rear zippered compartment keeps small essentials secure and out of sight, while an integrated muzzle cover and adjustable bungee retention straps keep your weapon stable and controlled. Lightweight and durable, it holds up without weighing you down. It’s not tactical—until it absolutely is.

To request an estimate click image above or visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement and those who train. For more information visit First-Spear.com.

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Green Berets Avoid Drone Detection During New Training Scenario

April 10th, 2026

HOHENFELS, Germany – Green Berets with 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, put their skills to the test with a new and innovative training scenario, Exercise Deep Strike, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center here, February 15-23, 2026.

This exercise simulated a complex real-world mission that challenged small special forces teams to infiltrate enemy territory, avoid drone detection, use drones to strike targets or resupply units, execute advanced tactics and complete stressful operations under winter conditions.

It served as a crucial testing ground for modernizing the force, validating the effectiveness of cutting-edge technologies like advanced unmanned systems to ensure our forces maintain an operational advantage in complex, multi-domain environments. This feedback loop ensures that emerging technologies are rapidly refined and fielded, directly translating innovation into combat capabilities.

“This exercise is designed to prepare our forces for the realities of modern warfare,” a planner with the 10th SFG (A) said. “It closely replicates real-world battlefield conditions, including the complex electronic warfare environment. It’s about pushing our teams to the limit and testing their ability to adapt to changing circumstances.”

In October 2025, SOCEUR tasked the Hohenfels Wolverine training battalion, a group of former Green Berets, with planning Deep Strike. The scenario involved a team of eight or more Green Berets infiltrating a 150-kilometer stretch of flat terrain in winter weather. It tested their physical and mental endurance, and their ability to remain focused on the mission. Their objective was to move undetected through the terrain, navigate past conventional forces and launch a strike drone to neutralize a simulated high-value target.

The operation required the team to rely only on mission-specific gear, excluding weapons. Their movement was restricted to nighttime hours to maximize stealth. They had to navigate through harsh winter conditions while avoiding detection, not just from enemy forces but also from civilian farmers, hikers, hunters and local law enforcement.

“This is no simple walk in the woods,” the team sergeant said. “In addition to avoiding conventional forces, our operators must stay off the radar of drones and keep a low profile around civilians who could unknowingly jeopardize the mission.”

The climax of the exercise occurred when a Special Forces team reached their destination after the grueling 150-kilometer movement. They then launched an unmanned aerial system, which carried live munitions to strike and destroy a designated enemy target. Once the team completed the mission, they were extracted by helicopters.

A team from SOCEUR’s Theater Edge Innovation Lab,alongside drone designers,were involved in the exercise as well, preparing drones for flights and assisting Green Berets with their operation. Aside from strike missions and avoiding their detection, they used drones to deliver supplies to Green Berets in the field.

Looking ahead, Deep Strike is expected to expand in scope with future iterations incorporating NATO Special Operations Forces. This will enhance coordination and interoperability among NATO forces, ensuring that they remain prepared to respond to dynamic security challenges across Europe and beyond.

“Deep Strike is not just about training our own forces,” the planner said. “It’s also about creating opportunities for greater collaboration with our allies, ensuring that we’re all ready to tackle whatever challenges may lie ahead.”

This exercise is a critical step in building a permanent training lane for U.S. and NATO forces to practice deep strike missions together, enhancing the alliance’s collective combat power and unified response to threats. This joint training will sharpen the alliance’s ability to seamlessly integrate multi-national assets, from intelligence to strike, ensuring that the right weapon is delivered to the right target at a decisive moment.

Story by SGT Glenn Brennan

U.S. Special Operations Command Europe

Posted in Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on Green Berets Avoid Drone Detection During New Training Scenario