Bold words indeed, but Patrick Henry’s 1775 speech to the Virginia General Assembly summed up the pre-declaration fervor sweeping the colonies.
Our forbears did their patriotic duty and today we celebrate their sacrifice and accomplishment.
Enjoy your Independence Day America!
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina — Forty miles southwest of Sarajevo, enemies are holed up in an underground government facility built inside a mountain during the Cold War to protect a former Yugoslav president against nuclear attack.
From a Sarajevo compound, U.S. Army Green Berets assigned to the Critical Threats Advisory Company, or CTAC, take off to raid the 70,000-square-foot protective bunker alongside Bosnia-Herzegovina State Investigation and Protection Agency, known as SIPA, officials May 8, 2023.
Three nondescript houses disguise each entrance to the facility. Through the houses and inside the labyrinthine structure, intermittent volleys of gunfire with the enemy reverberate through tunnel corridors. Room by room, the combined force of assaulters systematically clear the protective bunker.
This raid was the culmination exercise of a six-week-long joint combined exchange training focused on close-quarters battle and small unit tactics.
“It was a time-sensitive target, so the planning cycle was condensed,” said the troop leader assigned to CTAC, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) — a highly lethal force capable of collaborating with elite special operations forces elements worldwide. “The bunker has small hallways and small rooms … I wanted to raid the bunker to see how the team would react; to see how I would command and control.”
The 100-room structure was selected as a target to test the force’s methods due to its complexity and extensive size.
Providing solutions for the most sensitive problems and succeeding is paramount, said the special support unit executive officer, a SIPA official with over thirty years of police experience. The mission’s challenging location, time constraints and finite resources presented a nightmare scenario that compelled partners to combine efforts, overcome adversity and get results.
The mission succeeded, shortfalls and gaps were identified, and both sides provided recommendations for future reference, said the special support unit executive officer. Experience and lessons learned from the CTAC are valuable resources that will align the special support unit in solving complex problems.
“I do truly believe that the systems were tested that day,” said the CTAC troop leader. “We definitely learned lessons working with a new partner force which is key in refining troop standards. It’s the Green Beret way.”
By SSG Anthony Bryant
DroneShield is pleased to announce it has commenced the release of a major firmware update applied to its global fleet of counterdrone (C-UAS) devices.
The introduction of Remote ID legislation globally has seen drone manufacturers develop proprietary remote identification approaches. Remote ID is designed to broadcast critical information about the aircraft, location data, flight information and pilot details. This technology is becoming increasingly important in the management of the low altitude airspace.
DroneShield devices are now capable of detecting a variety of Remote ID signals via the Company’s proprietary DroneLocator technology. These enhancements apply to its man-portable, vehicle/ship and fixed-site products. Most notably DroneLocator can display DJI Remote ID signals previously only available via the DJI AeroScope product.
DroneLocator can display critical information such as:
• Drone location (latitude, longitude & altitude)
• Pilot location (latitude & longitude)
• Drone home location (latitude & longitude)
• Drone serial number (unique identifier)
• Drone speed
In addition to DroneLocator, enrolled devices receive a quarterly update to the proprietary DroneShield RFAI Artificial Intelligence engine. While DroneLocator provides a solution for detecting and tracking compliant and legal aircraft, DroneShield RFAI technology continues to provide a solution for unlawful, unregistered, and hostile drones.
DroneShield RFAI and DroneLocator can be run simultaneously on a single DroneShield device, with DroneShield products running AI processing on edge. RFAI and DroneLocator can operate in a completely air-gapped (no internet connection) configuration.
DroneLocator technology greatly expands the use cases from DroneShield products including an expansion of C-UAS, Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM), Low Altitude Airspace Monitoring, Drone Security and Drone Fleet Management.
In addition, this major update includes:
• Greater Performance in High Noise Environments: Major improvements to the detection algorithms including an advanced convolutional neural network, enhances detection performance in complex, cluttered, high noise environments.
• Maps Available on Embedded Devices: DroneSentry-X devices can now load and display a map for added situational awareness.
• Improved Graphic User Interface: Device detection and logging information can now be expanded to provide end users with additional content.
Angus Bean, DroneShield Chief Technology Officer, commented, “The addition of DroneLocator to our detection technology suite is the continuation of our long-term strategy to offer major enhancements to the existing product range via our software subscription model. We are pleased the technology is available immediately for all our existing end user community. This technology has been heavily requested by the C-UAS and adjacent industries.”
Job Location W Hartford – West Hartford, CT
Position Type Full Time
Education Level Not Specified
Salary Range $90,000.00 – $115,000.00 Salary
Job Shift Day
Job Category Marketing
Description
-Manage the product lifecycle for specified product lines across all phases.
-Work with Product Management group and Engineering to implement new products that support company-wide initiatives.
-Work cross-functionally with sales department to support sales strategy.
-Act as liaison between engineering, project management, and sales department to communicate product specifications, timelines, and technical expert.
-Work with marketing and sales to collect feedback for end users and channel partners to improve service and product.
-Serve as product expert for sales, trainings, and required demonstrations.
Develop new product business cases with sales and marketing to deliver to engineering.
-Track new products from ideation to delivery with engineering, sales, marketing, production, and finance.
Qualifications
-B.S. or B.A. in Marketing, Communications or equivalent experience.
-5+ years’ experience working in sales / marketing capacity with technical products for an OEM company.
-The ability to communicate and interact with other company departments such as operations, engineering, finance, and sales to assure customer satisfaction / retention are required. -Excellent telephone, Microsoft Office suite, and writing skills required. -Working knowledge of commercial and military firearms, law enforcement, and wholesale sales concepts.
Other current job postings can be found on www.colt.com. Apply at the link.
With years working and deploying on mobility operations at the highest levels on no fail operations. We’ve been involved with industry for well over a decade to help develop equipment that will survive the rugged use equipment sees in the field.
We currently provide that equipment to our Special operations customers, government and federal agencies.
The equipment we provide is currently in use and fielded to US military units and fielded on USSOCOM vehicle platforms.
We don’t only provide the right equipment but we’ve used in real world environments during the years of the global wars on terrorism.
From Baja Designs IR lighting, Parker Defense tactical water filtration systems to Safe-Xtract recovery kits and MAXTRAX recovery boards.
We can provide your unit with any array of specialized mobility equipment to meet your unique mission requirements.
To request a catalog or discuss your requirements , visit www.BlackSidesolutions.com or contact Thomas@blacksidesolutions.com
We are partnered with Noble to meet your units TLS and SOE contracting requirements.
The Massif Field Testing Program is seeking United States DoD members; Active, Guard, or Reserve; Federal, County, and State Law Enforcement; Federal, State, and County Fire; Search and Rescue members to test and evaluate Massif products.
Learn more here.
POOLER, GA, June 29, 2023—Blue Force Gear, Inc., an industry-leading manufacturer of innovative tactical gear, equipment, and accessories, has asserted its trademark rights and reached a settlement with Green Force Gear out of Finland. BLUE FORCE GEAR is the owner of numerous domestic and international trademarks, including: (1) BLUE FORCE GEAR®; (2) BFG®; (3) “BFG Reticle Design” trademark; and (4) its famous, widely-recognized, distinctive, non-functional and unique cross trademark, which is used in connection with a variety of products, including the TRAUMA KIT NOW!®, MICRO TRAUMA KIT NOW!™, and the HAMMOCK®.
®
Green Force Gear has agreed to permanently discontinue any and all uses of the infringing marks and designs in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and throughout the world (subject to a phase-out period), and has agreed to resolve the matter pursuant to a settlement agreement and for an undisclosed monetary amount. The specific terms of the settlement agreement have not been disclosed.
BLUE FORCE GEAR is committed to protecting its intellectual property, including its trademarks patents and copyrights, and to ensuring that consumers are able to purchase genuine, non-counterfeit BLUE FORCE GEAR products. Blue Force Gear’s General Counsel, Justin Charles Ward, stated: “We take the procurement and enforcement of intellectual property very seriously, both domestically and internationally.”
About Blue Force Gear
Blue Force Gear is a leading provider of high-quality tactical gear, specializing in designing and manufacturing advanced gear systems and accessories. The company’s products are used by the military, law enforcement, and civilians worldwide and are known for their quality, durability, and innovative design. To learn more, visit blueforcegear.com.
FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — First Team Troopers have been preserving the traditions of the U.S. Cavalry, performing drills and ceremonies at events locally near Fort Cavazos, or overseas in partner nations for over 50 years.
In 1972 the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment was activated. Since then, it has demonstrated its proficiency from the local change of commands to being a part of the Army-Airforce Football game. Capt. Michael Gates, an experienced rider who previously commanded the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment “Blackhorse” Horse Detachment, recently assumed command of the 1st Cavalry Division detachment.
“They’re putting me through the same training program that all the new Troopers go through,” Michael said. “I want to see how everything works out here because learning how things are done at the 1st Cavalry Division is very important to me.”
When not performing in parades across the pond in the U.K. or exhibiting at local rodeos, the detachment hosts a weekly demonstration every Thursday. Mounted drills from the U.S. Army’s 1883 Manual of Cavalry Tactics are presented to newly arrived Troopers, their families, and others from the local Texas community.
“We came out to see Fort Cavazos and the 1st Cavalry Divisions demonstration,” said Angel Callan, the site director for the Florence Independent School District’s ACE program. “Many of these students don’t get to experience anything like this; we’re trying to expose them to different colleges and careers.”
Detachment Troopers perform other historical duties besides mounted drills, such as creating riding saddles in their leather shop, building and maintaining their Model 1878 supply wagon, and training and caring for their horses and mules.
“I had no prior knowledge of horsemanship or how to do any leather work,” said Spc. Isaac Hernandez, a detachment Trooper, drives the supply wagon and helps make the unit’s leather items. “As soon as the opportunity to join, I jumped on it. This is a great experience to teach me how to ride horses and get me in tune with a different side of the Army.”
The Horse Cavalry Detachment staff is always ready to give a tour so families can visit and see the animals. Troopers are invited to visit the detachment and try out for a position with the First Team’s Horse Cavalry.
“Come give it a shot; you don’t know you’ll love it until you’re out here,” said Gates. “I had zero experience before I joined the Blackhorse team; I fell in love with it head over heels. I just bought my horse, and I will get involved with the cavalry and horsemanship in my free time.”
By SGT Alex Romey
