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Victory First Assumes Daily Operations of Ares Gear, Expanding Capabilities in Premium Tactical Equipment

May 5th, 2025

Fredericksburg, Virginia – May 5, 2025 – Victory First, a leader in firearms training, consulting, and product development, is proud to announce that it has officially agreed to assume all day-to-day operations of Ares Gear, the Ohio-based soft goods manufacturer renowned for its flagship product, the Aegis belt. The transfer of operations is set to begin June 1, 2025.

Ares Gear has long been a respected name in the tactical gear industry, known for producing rugged, high-quality belts and accessories tailored for military, law enforcement, and civilian use. The Aegis belt, in particular, has become a trusted staple in the everyday carry and tactical communities for its innovative design, durability, and functionality.

With this transition, Victory First will oversee all aspects of Ares Gear’s operations, including production, logistics, customer service, and product development. The partnership will allow

Ares Gear to maintain its commitment to craftsmanship and reliability, while leveraging Victory First’s industry expertise, expanded infrastructure, and proven leadership in product innovation.

“We’re excited to bring the Ares Gear brand under the Victory First umbrella,” said Matt Jacques, founder of Victory First. “I have known Jake and used Ares Gear products for years.

Our goal is to not only maintain the legacy and quality Ares Gear customers expect, but to enhance operations and product offerings as we move forward.”

“After nearly twenty years in this field, I can count on one hand the number of people I know who I would trust to carry Ares Gear forward with the same emphasis on quality products and the same level of service that we’ve been able to provide our customers,” said Jake Sebens, owner of Ares Gear. “I’m glad to be working even more closely with Victory First and Matt Jacques; there’s not a doubt in my mind that it’s the best choice for our customers and for our future.”

Current and future customers can expect uninterrupted service, with the same high standards of quality and customer support that Ares Gear is known for. Victory First plans to expand on Ares Gear’s product lines and explore new design innovations while continuing to support and grow the existing catalog.

For more information, visit www.victory-first.com and www.aresgear.com

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Valid Eval Powers xTech Competition at Special Operations Forces Week

May 5th, 2025

Valid Eval is powering the evaluation process for the U.S. Army xTechLive: a live pitch competition at Special Operations Forces (SOF) Week designed to bring non-traditional innovators into the defense ecosystem powered by Valid Eval’s evaluation and feedback technology. Eligible small and mid-sized businesses will pitch sensing-focused technologies on-site at SOF Week, where the Army will make on-the-spot decisions and award up to $100,000 in cash prizes over two days.

Registration begins at 10:30 am ET on May 6, 2025. The competition is May 6-7, 2025, and winners will be announced on May 7, 2025.

Registration will take place onsite at the U.S. Army xTech Program booth, number 5024, in the JW Marriott H.B Plant Foyer.

xtech.army.mil/competition/xtechlive-at-sof-week

Posted in Guest Post, SOF Week | Comments Off on Valid Eval Powers xTech Competition at Special Operations Forces Week

GA-ASI Statement on USAF CCA Program Updates

May 5th, 2025

SAN DIEGO – 01 May 2025 – The CCA program represents a groundbreaking new era in combat aviation, and we remain on schedule to test and fly YFQ-42 in the coming months. Over the past three decades, GA-ASI has pioneered more than two dozen different unmanned aircraft types for the U.S. and its allies, including multiple unmanned combat jets flying today, and logged nearly 9 million total flight hours. Our work on YFQ-42 will further expand the field of unmanned aviation, and we remain excited for the future.

We congratulate the Beale AFB community on its selection to support this new era of air dominance, and we look forward to partnering with you as the program progresses. To that end, I’m pleased to announce that GA-ASI will give the Beale community a sneak peek later this summer, with an exhibition of our full-scale YFQ-42 model on display at the Beale Air and Space Expo beginning June 7.

David R. Alexander

President

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

Posted in Aviation, Industry, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on GA-ASI Statement on USAF CCA Program Updates

EOTECH Partners with ForumPay to offer Cryptocurrency Payments on Website

May 4th, 2025

Plymouth, MI (May 2025) – In an effort to enhance the shopping experience with its customers, EOTECH has partnered with ForumPay, a leader in cryptocurrency payment solutions for both online and PoS systems, to seamlessly accept crypto payments on its ecommerce site.

“With the number of crypto consumers expected to reach one billion by the end of 2025, crypto payment acceptance is fast becoming an essential requirement for ecommerce retailers across the globe,” said ForumPay CEO, Josh Tate. “We are excited to be working with EOTECH to provide our next generation payment solution to its customers and further enhance their buying experience.”

Advantages EOTECH customers will recognize are reduced transactional costs compared to typical credit cards, as well as secure, private, and transparent transactions. EOTECH benefits by tapping into a new demographic of consumers who prefer using cryptocurrencies for their purchases, as well as improving the overall purchasing experience of its customers.

“Our goal here is to remove any barriers that customers may have in purchasing our products,” said Jacob Wolfrum, Digital & E-Commerce Manager for EOTECH. “ForumPay offers simple APIs and plugins that easily integrated into our platform providing a simple process, useful dashboard and great customer service. This was a simple decision that mutually benefits our customers and business.”

The crypto purchasing option is live on the EOTECH website now and can be selected at checkout.

For more information, please visit www.eotechinc.com

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New from SPARTANAT Books: New Book Reveals the Incredible World of Service Dogs on the Front Lines

May 4th, 2025

From Tracking Criminals to Rescuing Disaster Victims – Meet the Heroes on Four Legs

Service dogs are more than companions — they are lifesaving heroes on the front lines of the world’s most dangerous and demanding missions. From locating missing persons, to apprehending criminals, detecting narcotics, uncovering contraband at airports, and even supporting soldiers in combat zones, these extraordinary canines work side by side with their human partners under the most challenging conditions imaginable.

In K9 – Dogs for Service, author Karl-Heinz Klöppner pulls back the curtain on the elite world of service dogs in military, police, customs, and rescue operations. Drawing on over 40 years of hands-on experience, the book offers a rare, in-depth look at how K9s are selected, trained, and cared for, and how they are mentally and physically prepared to face intense, high-stakes environments.

Packed with real-world insights, expert training techniques, and behind-the-scenes knowledge, K9 – Dogs for Service is a must-read for dog lovers, professionals in the field, and anyone fascinated by the incredible bond between humans and their canine counterparts.

Discover what it takes to turn an ordinary dog into an extraordinary hero.

“K9 – Dogs for Service” is available now on Amazon.com for $19.99, plus taxes and shipping.

Meet the Expert Behind the Training: Karl-Heinz Klöppner

With a career spanning several decades, Karl-Heinz Klöppner is one of the most respected figures in the world of service dog training. He has collaborated with dozens of government agencies and trained hundreds of dogs for high-stakes operations — from tracking fugitives to saving lives in disaster zones. A best-selling author of professional K9 training manuals, Klöppner now distills his lifetime of knowledge into this accessible, action-packed edition.

His latest book, K9 – Dogs for Service, goes far beyond the mechanics of training. In this book, Klöppner shines a light on the powerful, often unspoken bond between handler and K9 — a relationship built on trust, instinct, and mutual respect. It’s not just about building elite service dogs — it’s about forging unbreakable partnerships between extraordinary animals and the humans who rely on them.

Other books from SPARTANAT:

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USMC Scout Sniper Association Rifle Raffle

May 4th, 2025

Mission Statement

The USMC Scout Sniper Association (SSA) is the only non-profit membership organization for Marine Scout Snipers in the world.
We exist to support the Scout Sniper community through programs that inspire brotherhood, encourage professionalism, and foster resiliency. Our community is comprised of those who have carried the long gun, those who have enabled our successes on the battlefield, and our families.
The USMC SSA also works and partners with other nonprofit Veterans Organizations to build and support the larger sniper community.

The Prize

The intrinsic value of this rifle can not be estimated. This was hand built, in same shop, every USMC Sniper rifle was built; by the same gunsmiths who built every sniper rifle. There are many rifles that look like this, but this is an actual brand new USMC sniper rifle.

USMC M40A5 Sniper Rifle

The M40A5 is a bolt-action sniper rifle utilized by the United States Marine Corps, building upon the legacy of the M40 series with enhancements tailored for modern combat requirements. Below is an overview of its primary components, parts, accessories, and the Standard Logistics (SL-3) kit.

Retail Value of Prize

This M40A5 Sniper Rifle prize package has an estimated value at auction of over $20,000.00.

To Enter, visit: rafflecreator.com/pages/90636/2025-m40a5-rifle-raffle

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Retired Combat Controller Gifted His ‘Forever Home’

May 4th, 2025

CRESTVIEW, Fla. —

“Everybody in a beret back there… that is the only reason these entire experiences from seven years ago to now has been tolerable.”

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Day reflected on his healing journey during a home-gifting ceremony on April 16 in Crestview, Florida where he and his family received a forever mortgage free home.

Day, a medically retired 6-year Air Force Special Tactics veteran and Purple Heart recipient, was deployed to Afghanistan in July 2018 when he stepped on a pressure plate initiated IED while conducting compound clearances. He was launched into the air and landed on his back. He lost his right foot, sustained severe hand injuries, and the lower half of his leg was stripped of all soft tissue.

As Day recovered from his injuries, he decided he wanted to call Crestview home with his two sons and Wednesday marked fruition of that decision.

A crowd of Airmen assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing and cheering supporters, community members, and volunteers waved American flags to greet Day and his family when they arrived at their new home. The patriotic procession escorting them included the Crestview Police Department, North Okaloosa Fire and Sheriff’s Departments, and Patriot Guard Riders.

“Nobody here had to do any of this, but you did,” said Day. “That’s why any of this life experience is palatable and worth it. Thank you specifically to the guys back there in berets, this community is amazing.”

The four-bedroom 1,800 square-foot home sits on land donated by retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Charles Hughes and his wife, Ellen.

“This is a gift to my family and their future, more than it is for me,” said Day. “My two [sons] don’t know it yet, but this is a pivotal moment in their lives.”

The home was built by Building Homes for Heroes, a non-profit organization committed to rebuilding lives and supporting injured Veterans.

By Capt Savannah Stephens, 24th Special Operations Wing

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, Guest Post, Veterans | Comments Off on Retired Combat Controller Gifted His ‘Forever Home’

Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation’s The SOF Online Auction & Raffle

May 3rd, 2025

Task Force Dagger Special Operation Foundation (TFDSOF)’s SOF Online Auction & Raffle is open now and closes during the SOF Social held at Cubic’s Embassy Suites Ballroom on May 6th at 8PM EDT.

There are more than 150 items on the Auction & Raffle, the list includes a Montana Fly Fishing & Backcountry Adventure guided by Green Berets with a ride to camp on a helicopter, Guided & Filmed Turkey Hunt in TN w. Spook Spahn, Clandestine Media Corporate Marketing Package, Omega watches for men and women w. custom TFD boxes, Richard Childress Racing VIP NASCAR Experience, Mar-a-lago Dinner for 4 and Foursome at Trump International,Signed Horse Soldier Bourbon Commanders Select Box, , Custom Golf Fitting of full set of TaylorMade Clubs by Dustin Johnson’s Golf Coach a PGA Top 100 Teacher, Chairman Home Plate & Dugout Tickets for Yankees @ Braves, OpsCore FAST Helmet signed by Medal of Honor recipients, trips, firearms, ammunition, tactical items, clothing, outdoor products, golf products, sports memorabilia and many more

To bid on an item, sponsor a program recipient, or to learn more about this fundraising event, please visit: sofauction.cbo.io

Our goal is to raise $250,000, and all funds raised though the SOF Auction & Raffle will directly impact families of the Special Operations Community and 100% of the proceeds will be applied to TFDSOF’s three core programs: Immediate Needs, Rehabilitative Events, and the SOF Health Initiatives Program.

About TFDSOF:

Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation provides assistance to wounded, ill, or injured United States Special Operations Command members and their families. We respond to immediate needs, conduct Rehabilitative Therapy Events, and provide next-generation health solutions for issues facing our service members. Our cohesive programs improve the quality of life for Special Operations Families. To learn more about Task Force Dagger Special Operation Foundation, visit our website at www.taskforcedagger.org.

Posted in Contest, Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation’s The SOF Online Auction & Raffle