Greetings from Kabul!
You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up
September 16th, 2019Handheld Tablet Improves Situational Awareness for Marines
September 15th, 2019
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —
During Island Marauder 2019, Marines will demonstrate the effectiveness of several Marine Corps Systems Command technologies—including a handheld system that helps the warfighter navigate on the battlefield.
The Marine Air-Ground Task Force Common Handheld is a tablet-based communication system that enhances situational awareness on the battlefield. The device enables dismounted Marines to leverage commercial smart devices to plot and share locations.
The device includes pre-installed tactical applications to eliminate the need to juggle multiple technologies for various capabilities, lightening the load for the warfighter.
“MCH is essentially an interactive tactical mapping program with a GPS navigation software and a chat functionality,” said Maj. Richard Beeson, MCH project officer at MCSC. “The technology feeds the battalion’s current operational picture with real-time friendly force positions and allows this battlespace awareness to be shared down to the squad-leader level.”
The tablet feeds the information into Networking On-the-Move, while simultaneously transmitting it to the Combat Operations Center, where command leaders can use the information to make critical battlefield decisions.
Through MCH, commanders can disseminate orders, graphics and digital data, providing Marines the ability to visualize the commander’s intent and scheme of maneuver.
“It helps Marines to share enemy locations in real-time in an easily understood digital, moving map format,” added Beeson.
MCH enables warfighters to pass messages to one another in real-time—similar to text messaging—allowing the commander to make faster, more effective, decisions. It also assists the warfighter in deciphering whether an explosion was caused by enemy or friendly fire.
“MCH is a Command and Control situational awareness system that gives the squad leader and platoon commander a better understanding of the battlefield to make tactical decisions,” said Justin Meidinger, an engineer for MCH. “This system helps them have a better idea of what is going on around them.”
Earlier this year, the Corps fielded an early release version of the system to Marines. In fiscal year 2020, the warfighter will receive an updated version of the MCH that allows Marines to communicate with one another through several additional joint communication systems.
Later this month at Island Marauder, Marines will demonstrate the effectiveness and interoperability of MCH by linking it with other satellite technologies. The risk-assessment evaluation is intended to reduce miscommunication among Marines who use communication technologies. Beeson raved about the benefits of MCH and how the system supports the warfighter.
“MCH allows for communication, collaboration and coordinating among units,” said Beeson. “It helps everyone to be on same page. MCH increases the digital lethality of Marine infantry squads while reducing the risk of friendly fire.”
By Matt Gonzales, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication | Marine Corps Systems Command
C2R-FAST – Low Profile Discrete Carrier
September 15th, 2019
C2R-FAST showed their new Low Profile Discrete Carrier at DSEI. The They tell us they have had Prototypes our for awhile now, but this is the final production ready system. They plan to also offer accessories such as the drop pouch seen on the Grey version at the bottom of the photo. Available in a range of colors.
This is a photo they shared to Instagram which shows better shoulder strap detail.
SCUBAPRO Sunday – The SeaBees
September 15th, 2019On September 1, 1942, the first Seabee unit to serve in a combat area, the Sixth Naval Construction Battalion (SeaBees), arrives on Guadalcanal.
I am not going to tell the story as there is a movie (with John Wayne one of the seven he dies in) and I posting a link at the bottom of an excellent article about them. What I am going to say is SeaBees are some of the hardest working people you will ever find. I would rather have 1 SeaBee that 5 other people. They have made almost all the camps I have been in since the first gulf war in 91 thru Iraq in the 2000s and they never stop working on them to making them better. They build they fight; (they can’t read or write) (that was a joke) you tell them you need something, and they will find it or make it. Indeed some of the unsung heroes of the military.
www.seabeesmuseum.com/seabee-history
archive.org/details/FightingSeabees44
SERE: Learning to Survive at Sea
September 15th, 2019MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (AFNS) —
From initial training to undergoing missions, aircrew have a dangerous and rigorous job. They must know what to do while flying and how to respond in some of the scenarios they might encounter.
One of these scenarios is the risk of having to bail out over the ocean.
“From the moment they eject up until they’ve been hoisted into a recovery vehicle, their lives are at risk in the ocean,” said Staff Sgt. David Chorpenning, 366th Fighter Wing survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist.
To develop these skills necessary to stay alive, aircrew from the 389th and 391st Fighter Squadrons attended water survival training taught by SERE specialists Chorpenning and Tech. Sgt. Timothy Emkey.
During this course, aircrew attend an hour-long classroom session where they are instructed on what to do, what gear to use and how to survive in case they may have to eject over the ocean. The course covers what to do from the initial landing in the water until they’re extracted by either another ship or an aircraft.
“F-15E Strike Eagle crew members don’t have much equipment once they eject,” Chorpenning said. “They have no food and very little water. The ability to utilize the gear they do have to get rescued quickly is a crucial skill.”
After the classroom session, the aircrew are then taken out to C.J. Strike Reservoir where they disconnect their safety harness from the parachute while being dragged by a boat. This simulates the wind drag they might experience when bailing out over water.
During the last part of the course, aircrew must inflate their life raft correctly and demonstrate how to prepare for extraction.
“The worst dangers they face are the lack of resources, both from the environment and in their kit. The only thing the ocean provides is the potential to catch food,” Chorpenning said. “There’s no shelter, water or the ability to build a fire. Without the proper equipment, a human will quickly die on the open seas.”
From classroom sessions to field training, this course ensures aircrew have the ability and skills to survive life at sea.
“Knowledge of their equipment and water survival training significantly increases a crew member’s chance of survival,” Chorpenning said. “By familiarizing them with their gear and how to make the most of their environment, SERE improves their survivability and empowers them to return with honor.”
By Airman Antwain Hanks, 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Terrain 365 Invictus-AT
September 15th, 2019Technical, Rustproof, Non-Magnetic, Edge Holding Folder for All Terrains
Tuesday September 17, 2019 Terrain 365™ officially launches online their first folding knife the Invictus-AT, featuring their super alloy Terravantium™ blade. This technical framelock folder is engineered for use in any environment on land, in and even under water, without ever rusting, pitting or staining. The Invictus-AT is made with advanced and state of the art materials which are all 100% non-ferrous, non-magnetic, and rustproof. Terrain 365’s “AT” (A.ll T.errain) designated folders are required meet the trifecta of apex folding knife performance criteria; rustproof, non-magnetic and edge holding. The dendritic cobalt composition and our annealing process of Terravantium™ achieves all three.
The Invictus-AT is a collaboration between Terrain 365 and Prometheus Design Werx.
Creative Director and Co-Founder Patrick Ma of Terrain 365 states,
“The most significant factor behind all of the knives by Terrain 365 featuring our Terravantium is what goes into the super alloy and how we process it. The 2 primary material components are cobalt and carbide. It is their combined properties and how we process the precision bar stock castings that yields the superior performance characteristics. These types of cobalt alloys have actually been around for many years. Industrial applications are their use as engine valve seats, medical implants to lining the barrels of MK46 machine guns. Cobalt alloys are tough and long wearing. Unique to our Terravantium variety is that we do not roll our precision cast bar stock. This retains the original, dendritic crystalline structure of the carbide particles, best described as the microscopic saw teeth, which give our blades their cutting power and edge holding properties. Dendritic cobalt alloys are expensive and were not readily available to the consumer knife industry, but my partner and Co-Founder at Terrain 365, Michael Vagnino worked closely over years to develop and integrate a direct relationship with a foundry specializing in cobalt alloy so we are able to have a regular supply made to our specs and use in our edged tools. ”
The Invictus-AT will be available for $395.00 on their website at 12:00pm PDT, Sept 17, 2019.
Sneak Peek – Kryptek Obskura
September 14th, 2019
Coming Spring 2020 – Obskura – a new family of Camouflage patterns from Kryptek.
Training the Trainers: Preparing to Launch the New Army Combat Fitness Test
September 14th, 2019
WASHINGTON — The Army is built upon the individual Soldier, and the battlefield of the future demands Soldiers who can excel under intense physical and cognitive demands. The new Army Combat Fitness Test breaks with over three decades of the Army Physical Fitness Test. The Army plans to roll out the test by October 2019 and replace the APFT as the Army’s fitness test of record by October 2020.
To succeed, the Army must address new training, evaluation, and equipment requirements. The Army is taking an innovative approach to implementing the ACFT by utilizing field tests, practice ACFTs, and qualifying all noncommissioned officers and officers as graders.
WHAT’S NEW?
As stated by Maj. Gen. Malcom Frost in 2018, the new test yields three key advantages:
– It measures strength and conditioning that accurately mimics the movements necessary on the battlefield.
– It is gender and age neutral with standards corresponding to the demands of the Soldier’s duty.
– The test itself promotes an Army-wide culture of physical fitness.
Instead of training to pass an arbitrary strength standard of push-ups and sit-ups, Soldiers must maintain a healthy lifestyle and train for overall strength and conditioning. Research shows this will decrease injuries, which will increase the number of deployable Soldiers. The Australian army instituted similar training in 2016 and decreased their trainee injury rate by 40 percent. The money saved in decreased injury rates and the increase in deployable Soldiers is worth the cost of purchasing the required equipment.
In April 2019, the ACFT Mobile Training Team held an ACFT demonstration for more than 100 Army inspectors general at the World Wide Inspector General Conference. During this demonstration, Col. Ray Herrerra, command inspector for U.S. Army South said, “After taking the test, I believe the ACFT is a substantial improvement toward determining readiness, and it better prepares Soldiers than our current annual test.”
ACFT MILITARY TRAINING TEAMS
In order to implement the ACFT properly, the Army is training a core group of trainers to prepare their own units and administer the test. The MTTs prepare and certify new Army Master Fitness instructors and mid-level supervisors to train Soldiers to administer the ACFT. This approach trains the trainers without negatively impacting active duty readiness, and integrates the new test regime at maximum efficiency before it is officially implemented across the force.
In July 2018, the Army published Executive Order 219-18: The Implementation of the Army Combat Fitness Test, which officially established 30 Active Duty, 10 USAR (Reserve), and 10 ARNG (National Guard) NCOs/officers to serve on the ACFT MTTs across the force.
In May 2019, as part of the Association of the U.S. Army National Security Studies team, Maj. Joseph Flores and Master Sgt. Shelly Horner (ACFT MTT team leads) were interviewed about the Army’s effort to train the trainers and the requirements involved in the certification process. According to Flores and Horner, the MTTs are responsible for training three levels of graders, Levels I-III, each with its own distinct knowledge, skills, and abilities.
LEVEL I — ACFT GRADER
The ACFT Grader will complete a one-day validation training offered by a locally-sourced ACFT Level II or Level III Grader-Instructor.
ACFT Level I Grader has the knowledge, skills, and ability to:
• Validate a testing location
• Validate the testing equipment to standard
• Grade the 6 ACFT test events to standard
• ACFT Level I Grader may be used to familiarize their unit with the ACFT and prepare Soldiers to take the test and/or receive training from Level II Graders.
LEVEL II — ACFT GRADER
The ACFT Level II Grader will complete the two-day validation training offered by the U.S. Army Physical Fitness School or U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training. Or by a locally-sourced ACFT Level III Grader-Instructor. The ACFT Level II Grader may not train/validate other Level II Graders.
ACFT Level II Grader has the KSA to:
• Serve as a testing officer in charge/ noncomissioned officer in charge to administer a unit ACFT
• Validate a testing location
• Validate the testing equipment to standard
• Grade the six ACFT test events to standard
• Administer a 90-day record ACFT
• Train ACFT Level I Grader by providing the three-hour validation
LEVEL III — ACFT (MASTER FITNESS TRAINER PERSONNEL)
The ACFT Level III Grader-Instructor must hold the Master Fitness Trainer certification and will complete the three-day validation training offered by the MTT or U.S. Army CIMT.
ACFT Level III Grader-Instructor has the KSA to:
• Serve as a testing OIC/NCOIC to administer a unit ACFT
• Validate a testing location
• Validate the testing equipment to standard
• Grade the six ACFT test events to standard
• Administer a 90-day record ACFT
• Train ACFT Grader (Level I) by providing the three-hour certification course.
• Train ACFT Master Grader (Level II) by providing the two-day certification training.
Currently, more than 6,000 Soldiers have received formal ACFT Level II-III Grader Validation training from one of the ACFT teams. Since Level II and III graders are allowed to train others at a lower level, it’s hard to document how many other graders have been trained to the Level I standard. The Army’s plan is that all NCOs and officers receive an ACFT Grader Level Validation before implementation of the ACFT.
PREPARATION
The Army Combat Fitness Test Training Guide has multiple examples of the movements and exercises involved in the ACFT and has equipment substitutions (like an ammo can, water can, or sandbag in place of kettlebells or medicine balls) for those deployed or without access to the ACFT lane equipment. For additional information on exercises and movements, consult the Army doctrine on exercise: FM 7-22: Army Physical Readiness Training.
For injured Soldiers, and those on permanent profile, the U.S. Army CIMT is developing alternate events, to be officially approved on Oct. 1, 2019. These events may include the stationary bike, swimming events, or rowing.
For more information on the ACFT, go to the official Army website: www.army.mil/acft. It includes instructions, photos, and videos for each of the events. It also contains instructions, photos, and videos for three different preparatory exercises per event to help Soldiers train for the October 2020 implementation date.
*If NCOs and officers are interested in obtaining their ACFT certification from one of the MTTs, they can contact their unit’s first sergeant.
By Maj. Bradley Cooper & Jeremiah Rozman
