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DAF Streamlines Awards Process

January 21st, 2024

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

The Department of the Air Force will launch new software and policies to improve the decorations approval process today.

myDecs Reimagined, a new application on the myFSS platform, will be a single-page experience and allows ad-hoc routing to any myFSS user. The new application also eliminates the need for multiple screens found in the previous version.

“This new software coincides with a policy change to move the DAF away from reliance on the centralized Military Personnel Flights to file approved and signed decorations. Trust and responsibility is placed back with the approval authority and the record now updates automatically upon signature,” said Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller. “Our goal is to make the system more intuitive and create a smoother process for users.”

Airmen and Guardians in operational units met with DAF decorations experts to shape the new system and were the catalyst for the policy changes. Quality review checks previously performed by MPF members are now automated, freeing personnel to focus on strengthening their recognition programs.

Users and approval authorities will see the following changes:

• Like myEval, users choose who they route to and have a dashboard to track decorations
• Nominators name the approval authority when drafting the nomination
• Decorations are fully editable until signed
• Users may add comments and routing notes
• Upon approval, the decoration goes directly into the record
• MPFs no longer review each transaction and strengthen their advisory and audit role
• Like myEval, only HR Technician roles for the CSS and MPF are now needed

The following decorations will be processed in myDecs Reimagined. Others may be added in the future:

Air and Space Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

Airmen and Guardians should visit myDecs Reimagined by going to myFSS and selecting “myDecs” for more information.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | 2 Comments »

Kitbadger – Cold Weather Gun Testing : Cleanliness & Lubrication

January 20th, 2024

My friend Ivan has produced a video on cold weather shooting, including lubrication considerations, with various firearms.

Learn more at kitbadger.com/cold-weather-gun-testing-cleanliness-lubrication.

Posted in Guest Post | 5 Comments »

Washington Guard Soldiers, Thai Airmen Share Air Search and Rescue Tips

January 20th, 2024

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. — Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation and a Tactical Air Control Party Airman from the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron shared knowledge with the Royal Thai Air Force during two aviation subject matter expert exchanges.

“One point that I think is interesting about this is that we sent an Army Aviation team supported with an Air JTAC to engage with the Royal Thai Air Force on search and rescue and then they pivoted to an aviation engagement with the Royal Thai Army,” said Lt. Col. Keith Kosik, director of the Washington National Guard’s State Partnership Program. “This reflects the future of our program. Increasingly joint in the teams we send, which brings a myriad of capabilities and perspectives, and able to engage across services with our partners. Not just Army to Army or Air to Air, but a blend of people and capabilities.”

The Washington National Guard and Thailand have been partners under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program since 2002.

From Nov. 27 to Dec. 1 in Lopburi, Kingdom of Thailand, the Washington National Guard Soldiers and Airman shared best practices for search and rescue operations.

“Washington Army National Guard aviation personnel exchanged information and practices with the Royal Thai Air Force by providing aviation medical evacuation, crash site and personnel recovery and distributed adaptive real-time teams for cross-level training,” said Capt. Taylor Payne, 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation, and officer in charge of the exchanges.

In the past few years, the 1-168th GSAB has supported search and rescue efforts for missing or injured climbers and hikers in the state. Discussing these experiences was helpful during the exchanges.

“They were overtly happy with our integration of knowledge and tactics, techniques and procedures for search and rescue and humanitarian assistance,” said Payne. “The exchange helped build a foundation for future engagements and points of interest for defense support to civil authorities’ operations.”

During the week-long exchange, the team focused on search and rescue procedures with an emphasis on personnel recovery. The training also integrated Thai combat controllers for on-site airspace deconfliction. A U.S. team provided a search and rescue scenario and evaluation for both teams to work through during the final staff exercise.

“The exchange was successful in that we shared general knowledge on search and rescue with humanitarian assistance for civilian response and worked through constraints,” said Payne.

The following week, the Soldiers from the 1-168th GSAB traveled to the Royal Thai Army’s Aviation Headquarters in Lopburi to take part in an aviation subject matter expert exchange with air crews from the Royal Thai Army’s 9th Aviation Battalion. The exchange continues a long-term relationship between the two nations’ rotary wing communities.

“The team identified aviation operations, training, maintenance, supply, and standards needs,” said Payne. “We also identified challenges and opportunities in order to build a foundation for future engagements.

“It was important to share these stories with them,” Payne said. “It shows that the safety training we do can save lives.”

By Joseph Siemandel, Joint Force Headquarters – Washington National Guard

Posted in Army, Forces Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on Washington Guard Soldiers, Thai Airmen Share Air Search and Rescue Tips

SIG SAUER Expands Operations in United Kingdom

January 20th, 2024

NEWINGTON, N.H., (January 19, 2024) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce an alliance with Accuracy International Limited (AI) to expand the business operations of SIG SAUER in support of the British Armed Forces and law enforcement customers within the United Kingdom.

“As part of our global strategic growth plan, SIG SAUER is solidifying several key partnerships to meet the increased demand for our products in Europe and other NATO countries,” began Ron Cohen, President, SIG SAUER, Inc. “The alliance with Accuracy International affords SIG an expanded presence, greater customer engagement, and new collaboration in the UK to meet the diverse, immediate and future needs of the British military, law enforcement, and other security and defense organizations.”

Accuracy International is a British firearms manufacturer based in Portsmouth, England with products fielded with military units and law enforcement globally.

“The benefits of the partnership with SIG SAUER are clear; our brand reputations are strong, the product lines and customer bases are complementary, and our company cultures are closely aligned,” stated Tom Irwin, AI Director; “SIG will benefit from AI’s extensive UK market expertise and manufacturing and logistical infrastructure to assist in the transition toward a fully independent SIG SAUER UK entity.”

“This strategic partnership signifies our commitment and laser focus on the US-UK defence security relationship and our investment brings new opportunity to the British economy,” Cohen concluded.

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on SIG SAUER Expands Operations in United Kingdom

Bundeswehr Procuring Medium-Calibre Ammunition for Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle; Order Worth a Triple-Digit Million-Euro Figure

January 20th, 2024

The German Bundeswehr has contracted with Rheinmetall to produce and supply medium-calibre ammunition for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. A call-off from an existing framework agreement, the order encompasses several hundred thousand rounds of 30mm x 173 DM21 service ammunition. The order is worth over €350 million, including value added tax. Once perfect functionality has been demonstrated, delivery will begin this year and continue through to 2027.

On 30 November 2022 the budget committee of the German Parliament approved a bill for the large-scale procurement of 30mm medium-calibre ammunition. Awarded back in December 2022, the framework contract for the supply of medium-calibre ammunition for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle worth up to €576 million. Follow-up call-offs are therefore expected. A first call-off of DM21 automatic cannon ammunition under the existing framework contract was already issued in late 2022. Furthermore, a call-off for 2023 followed in mid-2023.

The Puma infantry fighting vehicle is armed with a Rheinmetall MK30-2/ABM, specifically designed to fire airburst ammunition. Combining a high rate of fire with cutting-edge ammunition technology, the MK30-2/ABM is an uncompromisingly excellent, extremely reliable weapon system, perfect for engaging ground, air and maritime targets.

Rheinmetall is a vital supplier of ammunition for the Bundeswehr’s Puma infantry fighting vehicles. The Group produces and supplies two main types of 30mm x 173 service ammunition: the KETF DM21 (airburst) and the KE DM33 (armour-piercing) as well as the DM58 practice round. Developed and qualified in line with the latest standards, they are unrivalled worldwide in terms of reliability, lethality, penetrating power and precision.

Extremely reliable programming of the KETF DM21 – the abbreviation stands for Kinetic Energy Time Fuse – enables the Puma to engage larger soft targets and semi-hard area targets. The KE DM33 belongs to the new generation of subcalibre Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot – Tracer (APFSDS-T) ammunition. Its penetrator punches through modern armour even at remarkably small angles of impact and at long engagement ranges. Thanks to these two types of service ammunition, the Puma can successfully take on a wide spectrum of armoured, semi-hard, soft point and area targets.

Posted in Ammo, Contracts, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Bundeswehr Procuring Medium-Calibre Ammunition for Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle; Order Worth a Triple-Digit Million-Euro Figure

ArtArmor: London’s First Public Art Exhibition That Saves Lives in Ukraine

January 19th, 2024

19th to 31st January 2024 (11am to 5:45pm, Monday to Saturday)

*Open Call for U.K. Artists To Turn Armour into Art*

Pictured left to right: Invite to exhibition showing painted armour plate, orthodox style ‘spiritual icon’ painted plate, soldiers wearing NP Aerospace body armour in Ukraine, President Zelenskyy signing one of the plates.

A unique art exhibition showing armour that has saved the lives of Ukrainians is heading to London for the first time to the High Commission of Canada Gallery on Trafalgar Square from 19th to 31st January 2024.

The ArtArmor exhibition in the U.K. is a charity initiative organised in partnership with Ukraine For Heroes, NP Aerospace, the High Commission of Canada and the Embassy of Ukraine in the U.K. to highlight the vital importance of ongoing support to Ukraine from countries around the world1.

ArtArmor is a collection of 50 body armour plates, from manufacturers including NP Aerospace, that have been worn by Ukrainians and saved their lives by stopping bullets. Each plate returned from the frontline has been transformed into iconic pieces of art by talented Ukrainian artists or children to tell their story of war. The exhibition has so far toured Poland, Germany and Sweden and is heading to the U.K. just one month before the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

The exhibition is the brainchild of Ukrainian Member of Parliament Oleksandr Kovalchuk, Founder of ArtArmor and the charity ‘Ukraine for Heroes’2. Kovalchuk noted that “ArtArmor gets to the heart of what is going on in our country and expresses the thoughts of our brave and creative people. The terrifying marks from bullets and shrapnel that these plates stopped in battle tells the story of the ongoing war in Ukraine better than words. Countries like the U.K., Canada and the U.S. have done a huge amount to support the frontline with lifesaving kit and we extend our gratitude.”

Following the exhibition, the ArtArmor team will hold an art auction aimed at raising funds to purchase additional protective equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thereby, their mission of art saving lives will be realised. They are also looking for U.K. artists to get on board with the initiative by turning further armour plates into pieces of art.

His Excellency The Honourable Ralph E. Goodale, PC, High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, said: “The High Commission of Canada in the U.K. is proud to present this unique exhibition in its Canada Gallery, a dedicated gallery space in the heart of London. I can think of no better place to showcase body armour plates turned into iconic pieces of art that saved the lives of Ukrainian soldiers – literally. Canada deeply admires the bravery and courage of Ukrainians who are fighting to defend their independence and freedom, and we will continue to work closely with our Allies and partners to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty and security. I look forward to welcoming many visitors to this exquisite exhibition in support of Ukraine.”

James Kempston, CEO of NP Aerospace, said: “As a key supporter to Ukraine3, collaborating with ArtArmor, the High Commission of Canada and the Ukraine Embassy to the U.K. is an absolute honour. It enables us to highlight the amazing job that companies from around the world are doing to support the frontline but also helps ArtArmor to bring the plates to auction, in order to give them a second chance to save lives.”

1. Since February 2022, Canada has committed over $2.4 billion in military assistance donations to Ukraine. The UK is also a significant donor having committed £4.6bn in military assistance to Ukraine so far, including £2.3bn in 2022 and a commitment to match that funding in 2023

2. Charity Foundation ‘Ukraine for Heroes’ has delivered humanitarian support to de-occupied territories during the conflict equating to approximately 10 million USD

3. NP Aerospace is a key supporter to Ukraine, having supplied 150,000 body armour plates and other lifesaving kit such as ballistic helmets since the war started.

Posted in Armor, International, Press Release | 13 Comments »

KGM Technologies Welcomes Firearms Industry Veterans Bill Bracken and Sean Murphy

January 19th, 2024

Peachtree Corners, GA — January 18, 2024 — KGM Technologies is excited to announce the addition of two accomplished sales and marketing professionals to the team. Bill Bracken joins as the Director of Government Business Development, while Sean Murphy takes on the role of Director of Sales & Marketing. Both hires bring extensive expertise in the firearms industry, further reinforcing KGM Technologies’ commitment to innovation, excellence, and growth.

Bill Bracken is a seasoned business development professional with a deep understanding of government business and international nuances and opportunities. His fifteen years of experience in sales and business development, combined with his passion for products, make him a valuable addition to KGM Technologies. As Director of Government Business Development, Bill will play a pivotal role in identifying and cultivating new business opportunities and partnerships as well as developing government business.

Sean Murphy brings over twelve years of experience in sales, marketing, and training within the firearms and outdoor industry. He has a proven track record of building brand awareness, fostering strong customer relationships, and successful product development and marketing. As Director of Sales & Marketing at KGM Technologies, Sean will lead the company’s initiatives to expand its presence and reach within the marketplace.

Both Bill Bracken and Sean Murphy will work closely with KGM Technologies’ Founder, Kyle Grob, to drive the company’s vision forward. Kyle Grob stated, “We are thrilled to have Sean and Bill join our team. Their wealth of experience and deep industry knowledge will be instrumental in achieving our growth objectives and delivering exceptional products to our customers.”

For more information about KGM Technologies, please visit www.kgm-tech.com.

Visit the KGM Technologies booth at SHOT Show, Booth 74320.

Posted in Industry, Press Release, Suppressors | Comments Off on KGM Technologies Welcomes Firearms Industry Veterans Bill Bracken and Sean Murphy

Bolger & O’Hearn to Sponsor ATA Military Division Booth at Shot Show, Jan. 22 & 23, in Las Vegas

January 19th, 2024

(Fall River, Mass., USA, Jan. 18, 2024) The team from Bolger & O’Hearn will be onsite January 22 & 23, 2024, at the annual Shot Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, Booth 52133 in the show’s Supplier Showcase.

B&O is a co-sponsor of the Advanced Textiles Association’s Military Division booth at Shot, which is located on Level 5 in the Palazzo Ballroom at the Venetian Hotel/Sands Convention Center.

The Supplier Showcase offers manufacturers a two-day sneak peak of products and technologies that add valuable performance and functional characteristics to apparel and gear developed for the military, hunting, and law enforcement industries.

Kelly Murphy, Co-President of Bolger & O’Hearn and Mohan Rao, B&O’s Technical Director for Textile Innovations, will be on hand to discuss new chemistries B&O has developed that enhance the lifespan and functional performance for hard working gear and apparel. This includes Shell-Tech Free M325 SC1 & F3 — High Performance, PFAS-free Water-Repellents, and Shell-Tech Dual Action, a Repel & Release technology that adds oil repellency, water repellency and soil release to textiles in a single application.

B&O is a member of the ATA’s Military Division and the Association’s Emerging Technologies Council.

“Our high-performance products are manufactured in the USA and have been developed to meet the technical textile industry’s growing demand for fabric finishes that offer new levels of protection and durability,” said Murphy. “Our customers are asking for both and we are committed to meeting that demand.”

You can learn more here about the Shot Show Supplier Showcase!

Posted in Materials, Press Release, SHOT Show | Comments Off on Bolger & O’Hearn to Sponsor ATA Military Division Booth at Shot Show, Jan. 22 & 23, in Las Vegas