SIG SAUER - Never Settle

3rd MDTF Cyber Defenders Partner with Allies During Keen Sword 25

December 28th, 2024

SAGAMI DEPOT, Japan — A Cyber mission element from the Multi-Domain Effects Battalion (MDEB), 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force’s, partnered with joint and allied forces to conduct defensive cyber operations as part of Keen Sword 25 from Oct. 23 to Nov. 1, 2024.

A MDEB Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) Mission Element partnered with Japanese and Canadian cyber professionals to defend mission critical infrastructure from adversary intrusions on a live cyber range. Using various cyber tools, the teams successfully mapped the network, discovered red team intrusions and then conducted hunt operations to restore full network operability.

“Cyber mission elements are a key component of multi-domain effects battalions that provide allies and the joint force additional cyber capability able to protect key infrastructure, enhance overall mission readiness across the full spectrum of military operations, and counter emerging digital threats in today’s complex operational environment,” said Lt. Col. Pablo Diaz, Commander of the 3rd MDEB.

The mission element executed multiple training iterations against a live adversarial red team alongside their allied partners.

The training objectives for the MDEB cyber mission element were to validate the readiness of the DCO mission element, refine standard operating procedures, and to build relationships with allied partner cyber units.

“My team integrated with our partners, leveraged cyber tools, and defended several critical infrastructure networks against a dynamic red team on a live network. It was a great training event where we were able to apply our skills and collaborate with our allies,” said MDEB Cyber Officer in Charge 2nd Lt. Lucas Bires.

Keen Sword is a biennial, joint, and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance.

Keen Sword 25 is the latest iteration of the exercise which was first conducted in 1986. Keen Sword provides realistic, relevant training that increases the Joint Force’s abilities to plan, communicate, and conduct complex multi-domain operations.

By SGT Perla Alfaro

USAF Selects SEI for AFSPECWAR Airborne Operations Personnel Services Contract

December 27th, 2024

Starting FY25 right

EXCITING news for Green Feet Enterprises dba S.E.I., on the announcement of the PRIME contract award AFSPECWAR Airborne Operations Personnel Services, in support of the 68th RQS, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The 68th is Air Combat Command’s Formal Training Unit charged with upgrading the most elite rescue specialist.

S.E.I., since 1996 has leveraged the most respected special operations warfighters and Subject Matter Experts to help today’s units prepare for future threats in non-permissive environments…helping ensure mission success and the return home of personnel.

S.E.I. Is excited yet again to be given the nod of confidence and the opportunity to provide the commensurate level of professionalism due our military, and to those who make it what it is.

S.E.I. is an SDVOSB 8(a) Small Business specializing in coordinating and managing custom-crafted training for government/civilian agencies…working with today’s warfighter for tomorrow’s battlespace.

sei-nh.com

Griffin Armament Announces Full-Ambi MK2 9mm AR Series

December 27th, 2024

Watertown, WI – December 23rd 2024

The Griffin MK2 9mm PCC series are fully ambidextrous 9mm AR-15s, and are the first full-ambi 9mm AR-15 on the market with a forged 7075-T6 receiver set. They are Colt magazine pattern lowers capable of receiving Colt or Metal Form 10, 20, & 32 round magazines. The lowers are built with a 1/4×28 nylon-tipped tension screw for a tight upper-lower fit that can be adjusted to fit end user preferences. These guns feature the same full-ambi control suite our customers have come to love from our MK2 series of 5.56mm AR-15s.

The feed ramp and magazine interface in this system was improved over Colt. Rather than use a magwell adapter assembled to a 5.56 lower, the magazine well on the MK2 9mm was natively sized to accept Colt SMG magazines. The proprietary feed ramp was tuned to deliver cartridges perfectly to the centerline of the chamber of the barrel, unlike the original Colt design and is affixed via a “whistlenotch” geometry borrowed from CNC drill holders, by three allen screws which pull the 17-4 nitrided feed ramp down into the receiver aggressively for more reliable feeding. The ejector was combined with the bolt catch extension in one component that is intended to work properly as they are put together, needing no “adjustment of the ejector” as with the original Colt system.

The buffer is brass for increased weight and is sized to limit the travel of the BCG so that casings cannot become lodged in the fire control pocket. Coupled with a proprietary action spring, the operation is very smooth and nearly recoil-less.  These 9mm guns come equipped with Griffin’s New Adjustable 2-Stage Triggers, which are configured at the factory for functional use right out of the box, but can be adjusted for overtravel and second stage/disconnector engagement by the end user for a more refined feel if they prefer. This Griffin Armament match trigger is a Milazzo Kreiger style 2-stage trigger, combining a mil-spec 62RC 8620 trigger material and heat treatment regime with a 53RC 440C tool stainless disconnector, and 440C 53RC nickel teflon coated tool steel lightened speed hammer.

Griffin MK2 9mm PCC’s come in three barrel lengths at this time; 4.5” with 7.5” SR handguard, 9.5” with 13.5” SR handguard, and 16” with 13.5” SR handguard. 4.5” and 9.5” models are fitted with a Griffin 3-Lug barrel adapter, and are best paired with the Griffin Sportsman Ultra Light HD™ .36or Bushwhacker® .36 suppressor fitted with a 3-Lug booster interface. The 16” model comes fitted with a Griffin Taper Mount Flash Hider Muzzle Device, and can accept Griffin Taper Mount suppressors, or any HUB-mount suppressor equipped with a Griffin Taper Mount (Plan-A™) HUB interface.

“Making the Griffin 9mm guns was a fun project for us. We were aware of the multiple issues that 9mm PCCs typically struggled with, such as feeding reliability issues, and we wanted to solve some of these issues in a MK2 series full ambidextrous platform. The proprietary feed ramp and ejector design is the most notable of these improvements over the original Colt SMGs, and allows for much more reliable feeding of 9mm cartridges including hollowpoint ammunition. We chose Colt magazines for aesthetic reasons and for reasons of better suitability to the AR-15 platform, to keep the classic SMG look, and to maintain the AR-15 manual of arms. Combining these factors with our buffer system produced a really soft-shooting PCC that we think our users will enjoy.”

– Austin, Head of Product Development-, Griffin Armament

Key Points:

– Colt Magazine Pattern Fully Ambidextrous 7075-T6 forged Lower Receiver
– Proprietary feed ramps, ejector, 9mm direct blowback BCG, and buffer system
– Type III Harcoat Anodized High-Durability Finish
– Griffin 3-Lug or Taper Mount Silencer Mount Muzzle Device Included
– 416R SS HEDP™ 9mm Barrel
– Griffin SN-ACH™ 9 Gen 2 Ambi Charging Handle
– Full-Ambi Control Suite (Right/Left Side Mag Release, Right/Left Side Bolt Catch & Release, Charging Handle, & Safety Selector Switch)
Perpetual Lifetime Warranty

Griffin Full-Ambi MK2 9mm PCC Specs:

– 4.5” Weight: 5 lbs. 2.4 oz.
– 4.5” OAL (Collapsed): 26 in. (With Sportsman HD .36)
– 9.5” Weight: 6 lbs. 1.7 oz.
– 9.5” OAL (Collapsed): 30 in. (With Sportsman HD .36)
– 16” Weight: 6 lbs. 14.1 oz.
– 16” OAL (Collapsed): 31 in.
– MSRP: $1499.95 (All Models)

To find out more on Griffin Armament’s entire product line, please visit our website at www.GriffinArmament.com.

For attendees of the 2025 SHOT Show, Griffin Armament will be exhibiting the MK2 9mm PCC Series along with the rest of their product line at Booth # 20455.

Ranger Green ICEFLASK Now Available for Pre-Order

December 27th, 2024

We recently introduced you to the Qore Performance ICEFLASK which was developed in cooperation with Redbeard Tactical.

ICEFLASK is a 500ml water bottle in the exact shape of a PRC-152 MBITR radio for conductive cooling, heating, and hydration anywhere you can put a radio pouch.

Initially available only in Frost White, Ranger Green ICEFLASK pre-orders are now open. Available as single, seven, or 18 ICEFLASKs with optional Wing Holster in MultiCam, Ranger Green, Coyote, and Black.

All orders will ship in 3-6 weeks on a first in, first out basis.

The ICEFLASK Wing Holster is 100% Made in USA from US and/or USMCA materials by US Citizens at their Knoxville, TN HQ2. ICEPLATE Curve and ICEFLASK are 100% Made in USA from 100% FDA Certified BPA-free, HDPE. Patents issued and pending.

www.qoreperformance.com/collections/iceplate-featured/products/iceflask

Friday Focus: Happy New Year & Happy Holidays!

December 27th, 2024

Happy New Year and we hope you had a Merry Christmas from the FirstSpear team. We’re proud to bring you 100% American made products and to continue to support those at the tip of the spear.

A special happy holidays to all of you who put your lives on the line to secure the freedoms we have today. To those deployed around the world right now — wherever you are, we’re grateful for your service. Stay safe.

Special Operations Chief Details Irregular Warfare Place in Defense Strategy

December 27th, 2024

Special operations forces have been crucial in U.S. counterterrorism efforts, but they also have a place in what is also known as a great power competition, said Chris Maier, the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict.

Maier spoke at the Center for a New American Security, yesterday and highlighted the various roles special operations forces play in competitions with China and Russia.

He said special operations forces work in the context of a whole-of-government approach, but they can play a major part in those efforts. “We are, particularly as we look at some of our special operations enterprise, in a lot of different places,” he said. This gives special operators a chance to reassure allies and partners and also a chance to give a heads-up when they see things going amiss.  

Special operations forces are nimble, they have a culture of innovation, and that fits in with great power competition.

It wasn’t always that way.

Maier said that irregular warfare was covered in an annex to the 2018 National Defense Strategy. “For those of you who have been in the federal government, you know what annex means — it was an afterthought. It didn’t make the main show,” he said.

In the 2022 iteration of the strategy, irregular warfare was integrated into the main strategy. “It’s really a key part of integrated deterrence,” he said. Asymmetric and nonconventional operations are side by side with the conventional aspects of the strategy, he said.

“I think an indication of the road we still have to travel is the number of synonyms we use to describe this space,” he said. “It may be irregular, it may be unconventional, it may be hybrid, it may be gray zone, it may be asymmetric. These are all sort of variations on a theme.”

The myriad of names shows that there is some confusion about the dividing line between conventional and unconventional warfare and forces. Whatever it is called, it has a place at the table, Maier said.

“As a department, we think about fighting large scale combat operations,” he said. “And much of the early years of the 2022 [National Defense Strategy] were focused on that. The progress I think we’ve made in recent years is in expanding that aperture to really look at the aspects of competition and crisis as part of warfighting challenges.” 

Maier said the reason the strategy defines China as the pacing challenge “is because they have such a range of tools and considerable leverage that they can draw on. So, it is rare [the Chinese] operate … exclusively in kind of the gray zone or the regular space.” 

There are conventional aspects to their operations. They engage in hybrid operations. The Chinese use the diplomatic Belt and Road Initiative as a part of their security strategy.

The U.S. strategy is evolving to ensure deterrence across all domains and in all theaters.

“At the end of the day, this is about deterrence,” he said. Taiwan is a flashpoint, and the United States stands by all the understandings with China and the Taiwan Defense Act. Essentially, this boils down to no country changes the status quo by force. “I think we’re carefully calibrating what we’re doing at any given time to as much as possible, establish that deterrence, dissuade from a military operation into Taiwan.”

The other flashpoint with China is their excessive claims in the South and West China Seas. China has their own irregular warfare arm of maritime militias challenging other countries in the region — most notably the Philippines. The Chinese maritime militias are not a conventional military force, but they have “a lot of ability to compel and coerce,” Maier said.

The partnerships with the Philippines and others in the region are important to the United States in putting Chinese actions on the record. “At the end of the day, a lot of this type of activity is dissuaded with the ability to put it in the open,” he said. “If it’s allowed to exist in the shadows, it’s going to continue and the coercive effects will be felt.”

By Jim Garamone, DOD News

PocketUp Transitions Sales to Social Media Platforms

December 26th, 2024

I’ve known Mel Terkla for over 25 years, since before his days with Kifaru. He and his wife Rena own a great small, home run business called PocketUp. Like many other small businesses, things are tight and they’ve chosen to transition how they interact with clients. He shared the following statement regarding PocketUp which does a great job of explaining why they’ve made the choices they have:

As most of you know, we were having major website issues! Our friend set up our website 6 1/2 years ago and the software had become completely outdated as we knew nothing about software updates and such. This past week has been a headache and I won’t even get into all the details, but there is no longer a PocketUp website! We’re just a small mom and pop shop and decided not to spend the money building a new website, as we plan on retiring PocketUp in a couple years anyway! The good news is that PocketUp is still in business as usual, with new products on the way!

We’ve decided to go with the old school business plan on how it used to be before the internet, but with the advantage of now having the internet and social media! In the old days companies advertised in magazines and had catalogs, and you ordered over the phone or by mail! We will be using social media and the internet as our “magazines and catalogs”, and I will be posting about our products on our PocketUp FB page and my group page Field Packs and PocketUp! After the holidays, I will start posting more pics and details of our PocketUp gear! Actually, it will become more personal as our customers will be dealing with me for one on one service! I will be available to answer all questions in detail and supply all the photos and/or videos you need to make your decision on what PocketUp products you want! You will be able to do this on our PocketUp FB page, on Field Packs, on Messenger, by email, texting, or the old fashioned way by phone! When you have decided what you want to order, I will send you a PocketUp PayPal invoice that you can pay with a credit card or PayPal.

Here are my contacts:

PocketUp FB page

Field Packs and PocketUp FB page

-PM on Messenger

-Email at mel@pocketup.net or superterk@sbcglobal.net

-Text or phone at 831-566-2337

Stay tuned for some new PocketUp products for the coming new year, and of course, all Made in the USA by Rena.

Impact Weapons Components Announces New Ownership and Exciting Future Developments

December 26th, 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Impact Weapons Components (IWC) is now operating under new ownership. As a cherished provider of high-quality, American-made tactical weapon components and mounts, IWC remains dedicated to delivering the same outstanding products and exceptional service that our customers have come to expect.

Under the stewardship of our new owners, who are committed to upholding the integrity and quality of the IWC brand, we are excited to embark on the next chapter of our journey. Our team will continue to craft our products with the same meticulous attention to detail and robust manufacturing processes that have defined our brand.

Looking ahead, we are excited to share that IWC will be launching the e-commerce website in early January.

We appreciate the loyalty and support of our customers and partners during this transition. We are confident that this new phase will not only enhance our ability to meet your needs but also strengthen our commitment to innovation and quality.

Stay tuned for more updates, and we look forward to continuing to serve you with the same great American-made products. Thank you for being a part of our community.

Impact Weapons Components