Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

3rd Annual Operation Helldorado to Benefit TORN Warriors

December 20th, 2023

Third Annual Operation Helldorado

Monday, January 22, 2024

2:00 PM 10:00 PM

Join us January 22, 2024, for an afternoon of action and adrenaline at Speed Vegas. Then, as the evening rolls in, come celebrate with us at the M Resort for a casual cocktail hour before we sit down to dinner, stories, and a salute to our incredible TORN Warriors and the community that supports them.

Itinerary: 2 PM – 5PM @ Speed Vegas

• Superkart Sprints: Drive your own superkart on an actual speedway — no racing skills required, just a desire for speed

• Pro Pilot Experience: Sit tight as a professional driver whips you around the track for the ultimate high-speed ride-along

• Warriors Meet-Up: Relax with the TORN Warriors, and make memorable connections

• Refresh & Refuel: Keep your energy up with complimentary snacks and drinks provided trackside by TORN Warriors

7 PM – 10 PM @ The M Resort Spa Casino

• Mingle Hour: Dress in cocktail attire and join us for relaxed networking over cocktails to start the evening

• Dinner Time: Sit down to a delicious plated dinner and enjoy the company and stories around you

• Honoring TORN Warriors: A moment in our night dedicated to acknowledging the incredible journeys of our TORN Warriors

• Bid & Support: Finish the evening with our silent auction, where every bid supports the TORN Warriors mission

To sign up, visit www.tornwarriors.org/events/third-annual-helldorado.

TORN Warriors is a 501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION that provides disabled veterans and active duty service members a sense of normalcy and pride participating in and enjoying extreme sports and events previously unavailable to them due to injury.

Posted in Charity, Fundraising, SHOT Show, Veterans | Comments Off on 3rd Annual Operation Helldorado to Benefit TORN Warriors

On This Date In History: Operation Just Cause Begins

December 20th, 2023

On Dec. 20, 1989, the US military executed an attack that overwhelmed the Panamanian Defense Forces of dictator Manuel Noriega. The goal was to restore the democratically elected government of Guillermo Endara and arrest Noriega on drug trafficking charges.

Continuing over the next five weeks, the joint operation was a success and included multiple airborne, air assault, and maritime operations.

Posted in History | 2 Comments »

WEKNIFE x Kyle Lamb RekkeR Flipper Knife

December 20th, 2023

The VTAC RekkeR Flipper was designed by SGM Kyle Lamb (USA, Ret) and is manufactured by WEKNIFE. The name was chosen by Lamb and is Old Norse for “Warrior.” Speaking of warriors, SOF Veteran and Viking Tactics founder Lamb should be no stranger to SSD readers. He spent 21 years in the Army with the last 15 at the tip of the spear before retiring from the Varsity league.

Offered in several finishes, I’ll concentrate today on the WE22010G-1 which features a Black Stonewashed 3.61″ CPM 20CV Reverse Tanto Blade and Black finish Titanium handle. It is a frame lock design with a flipper featuring jimping. Additionally, it has a lanyard hole and an additional pocket clip in case you want to switch sides.

Posted in Knives | 1 Comment »

Aku Flyrock Mid GTX

December 20th, 2023

During last month’s Milipol in Paris I got a sneak peek at some of next year’s new footwear from Aku.

New to the commercial outdoor side is the Mid variant of the Flyrock, which is AKU’s lightweight, fast hiker. Coming Spring/Summer, the Mid GTX features a GORE-TEX lining and offers more ankle support.

The color that caught my eye is the Black and Silver combo which will blend in to many environments. This color scheme even extends to the outsole which is a Vibram Traction Lug sole with Megagrip paired with a High Cushion and High Rebound EVA midsole.

www.aku.it

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Air Force Global Strike Command Establishes Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Modernization Directorate

December 20th, 2023

MBARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) —

Air Force Global Strike Command recently stood up a new directorate, AFGSC/A10, the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Modernization Directorate, at Barksdale Air Force Base.

This directorate is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the activities of the Air Force in support of the deployment of the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM weapon system and the retirement of the LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBM weapon system.

“Section 1638 of the [Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act] directed the establishment of the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Site Activation Task Force within Air Force Global Strike Command,” said Gen. Thomas Bussiere, AFGSC commander. “Brig. Gen. Colin Connor will lead the ICBM Modernization Directorate [AFGSC/A10], which organizationally consists of a Sentinel Operating Location team, a Sentinel Requirements Division, and a Sentinel Operations Division. I have absolute confidence that he and the entire A10 team will prepare the command for one of the most critical upgrades to our nation’s deterrence capabilities in history.”

Connor stepped into his role in August of this year and says he is excited about his new position, leading the new organization and the Sentinel project.

“The Sentinel project is a monumental one for the United States,” Connor said. “It aims to field 400 missiles, modernize 450 silos and more than 600 facilities across almost 40,000 square miles of U.S. territory over six states, three operational wings and a test location, to replace the Minuteman III ICBM weapon system. I am honored to be part of the team that shapes the ICBM enterprise for the future nuclear community.”

The weapon system overhaul will take place in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, California, Colorado and Nebraska over the next 20 years. All components of the previous weapon system will be replaced, including the motors, interstages, propulsion system rocket engine, and missile guidance set. The number, size, configuration and design of the nuclear warheads provided by the Department of Energy will remain unchanged.

With nuclear deterrence as the Department of Defense’s top priority mission, the standup of the A10 directorate represents one of the first steps in ensuring the United States’ nuclear capability is strong enough to withstand any threat to the United States and its allies. The work the directorate accomplishes over the coming years will ensure the Sentinel weapon system is the most cost-effective option for maintaining a safe, secure, and effective land-based leg of the nuclear triad and would extend its capabilities through 2075.

For more information regarding the Sentinel Program, click here.

By Lt. Col. Alysia Harvey, Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

Photo of BG Connor by Senior Airman Breanna Christopher Volkmar

Posted in Air Force, Forces Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on Air Force Global Strike Command Establishes Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Modernization Directorate

U.S. Air Force Selects Somewear Labs to Maximize Interoperability and Ensure Critical Situational Awareness

December 19th, 2023

Somewear Labs provides a secure, agile network that can be used for communication, location tracking, and other tactical applications across multi-domain operations

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Today, Somewear Labs, the technology company enabling critical communications for defense, public safety, and commercial frontline teams, announced it has received a $1.8 million contract from the U.S. Air Force. This award builds on the company’s AFWERX SBIR Phase II contract through the Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) program. This initiative integrates Somewear’s existing commercial capabilities across USAF mounted and dismounted communications and networking systems, enhancing the full spectrum of Special Tactics (ST), Personnel Recovery (PR), and Terminal Attack Control (TAC) operations. The award comes in collaboration with the Special Warfare community across the National Guard and active duty units.

New missions and threats will require units to deploy faster, identify threats quicker, and survey areas further. Incorporating Somewear’s advanced technologies into the Department of Defense (DOD) will improve required operational capabilities and enhance integration with coalition forces and foreign partners.

Supporting customers across every branch of the DOD, Somewear Labs is accelerating military modernization through unified, secure communication solutions, guaranteeing resilient and reliable communications when traditional networks are lost. Through this contract with the U.S. Air Force, Somewear Labs will deliver enhanced capabilities to further integrate into the TAK ecosystem and other government systems providing critical interoperability between dismounted personnel and Air Support Operations Centers.

Somewear’s critical communication platform, Somewear Grid, and accompanying network enabling hardware, enhance operators’ capabilities by increasing network resiliency and situational awareness across multiple domains, even in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited-bandwidth (DDIL) environments:

• The company’s existing commercial technology enables beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) satellite communication through the Somewear Global Hotspot and Somewear suite of apps across Android, iOS, Web, and ATAK, ensuring strategic interoperability.

• Earlier this year, Somewear introduced Node, a pocket-sized multi-network device that features novel automation to route data via the efficiency of mesh radio technology or the resilience of satellite connectivity, empowering teams to maintain agile, resilient communication regardless of mission needs or operating environment.

• Additionally, the Somewear Grid platform integrates with tactical systems like ATAK and provides a low SWaP (size, weight, and power) solution for the last tactical mile of Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2).

“Partnering with companies like Somewear Labs enables new innovative solutions to solve some of the hardest problems faced by the 147th ASOS, the U.S. Air Force, and beyond,” said Major Kris Bartels, 147th ASOS, Director of Operations. “Ensuring communications are survivable in bandwidth constrained environments is critical for the safety of our operators and the effectiveness of our operations. The interoperability of the Somewear platform, across civilian and military responders, and its ability to integrate into existing systems extends communication capabilities, providing a reliable, resilient network for teams on the move.”

During military operations, real-time communication and situational awareness is paramount to ensuring the warfighter can make strategic, informed decisions at the right time — in any environment. Mission advantage will go to military forces who can coordinate and act together across all domains, rapidly. This is especially important for missions that are conducted in cell-denied terrain and in contested environments. When traditional networks are lost, communication barriers and unreliable systems put the mission and operators at risk.

“It is a privilege to grow our partnership with the U.S. Air Force and adapt our platform to the evolving needs of the DOD as we look to the future,” said James Kubik, Co-Founder and CEO at Somewear Labs. “With this contract, we are able to build on our interoperable solutions to break down communication barriers, redefine interagency collaboration, and ensure operators always maintain situational awareness, communications, and operational effectiveness.”

The TACFI effort is the epitome of strong collaboration from small businesses and government in order to advance cutting-edge technology at the intersection of commercial and national security interests.

For more information, please visit somewearlabs.com.

Posted in Air Force, Comms, Contracts, Press Release | Comments Off on U.S. Air Force Selects Somewear Labs to Maximize Interoperability and Ensure Critical Situational Awareness

Further Call-off from Rheinmetall Framework Agreement: Ukraine Receives Artillery Ammunition – Order Value in the Triple-Digit Million Euro Range

December 19th, 2023

The German Bundeswehr has again called off 155 mm artillery ammunition from Rheinmetall under the framework agreement. Rheinmetall has been commissioned to supply a total of several tens of thousands shells of various types for the Ukrainian armed forces. The order is worth a three-digit million euro amount. Delivery is scheduled for the course of 2025.

The new call-off continues the series of artillery ammunition orders previously placed by the Bundeswehr for the Ukrainian and German armed forces. In July 2023, Rheinmetall concluded a new framework agreement with the Bundeswehr in the artillery sector. It covers the delivery of several hundred thousand shells, fuses and propelling charges. The new framework agreement runs until 2029 and has a potential gross order volume of around €1.2 billion (including VAT).

The need to replenish stores of ammunition caused by the war in Ukraine is resulting in major artillery ammunition contracts for Rheinmetall.

Rheinmetall’s family of artillery ammunition includes, among other ordnance, the high explosive DM121, the DM125 smoke/obscurant shell, the DM121 SMArt search-fused round (jointly developed with Diehl Defence), as well as the RH68 practice version and the range-optimized RH1901 and RH1902 smoke/obscurant shells. The Group’s product portfolio also encompasses the versatile Assegai family of 155mm artillery ammunition made by Rheinmetall Denel of South Africa. It includes insensitive munitions (IM), conventional high explosive (HE) rounds, as well as smoke/obscurant, illumination, infrared illumination, and other shells. With its boat tail (BT) and base bleed (BB) configurations, the Assegai family displays a ballistic equilibrium, ensuring that the entire ammunition spectrum can be used at its maximum effective range of approximately 40 kilometres. Under the framework contract, the Bundeswehr will be introducing the tried-and-tested Assegai ammunition family. Rheinmetall also offers the artillery family from Rheinmetall Expal Munitions, including the 155mm M107 and 155mm Extended Range.

Posted in Ammo, Contracts, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Further Call-off from Rheinmetall Framework Agreement: Ukraine Receives Artillery Ammunition – Order Value in the Triple-Digit Million Euro Range

Gun Tote’n Mamas Proudly Supports Military and First Responders

December 19th, 2023

NORTHBROOK, Illinois – December 18, 2023 – Gun Tote’n Mamas is proud to announce its year-round discount of 20% off all regularly priced bags for Military and First Responders. This exclusive offer represents commitment, respect, and privilege to assist the men and women who serve our country and communities.

Gun Tote’n Mamas honors the sacrifices made by those in the armed forces, first responders and other public service professionals. That’s why the company extends this discount to active-duty personnel, veterans and dependents, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs/EMS, nurses, doctors, public service/government employees and retired individuals from these professions.

“We are humbled to support those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving others and our Nation,” said Claudia Chisholm, President of Gun Tote’n Mamas. “By offering this discount, we hope to make our high-quality concealed carry bags more accessible to those who daily put their lives on the line.”

In addition to the year-round discount, Gun Tote’n Mamas is proud to support organizations such as the Military Women’s Memorial. This organization honors the service and sacrifice of women in the military and provides a place for their stories to be shared and celebrated.

Gun Tote’n Mamas offers a wide range of concealed carry bags that combine style, functionality and safety. Each bag is meticulously designed to provide easy access to firearms while ensuring secure and discreet carry. With a variety of sizes, styles and colors available, there is a broad choice for every individual’s needs, preferences and profession.

Gun Tote’n Mamas is committed to providing exceptional products and outstanding customer service. When you need us, we will be there to guide you through options from leather qualities to bag form and function. We drill it down to you, personally!

To take advantage of the year-round discount and explore Gun Tote’n Mamas’ collection of concealed carry bags, visit gtmoriginal/military-discount.com.

For more information about GTM Original and its services, visit gtmoriginal.com or call 847-446-0700 Ext. 105.

Posted in For the Ladies, Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on Gun Tote’n Mamas Proudly Supports Military and First Responders