IR.Tools showed us their Thermal Targets. This is the NRA Approved B29 Upright Powered Thermal Target. It relies on rubberized heat technology which provides thermal contrast. It runs for 13 hours on a BA5590 at 10 deg C temperature differential or for 2.5 hours on a BA5590 at 25 deg C temperature differential.
Units and agencies can procure products seen at Warrior East by contacting ADS, Inc.
Coming soon from Rocky Boots is the Mountain Combat Boot. Built on the same last as the popular S2V, they feature Super fabric and suede uppers. There is also a rubberized toe cap and heal counter.
The Mountain Combat Boot is trade compliant. To be offered in Oxford, 6” and 8” models in Black and Coyote.
Units and agencies can procure products seen at Warrior East by contacting ADS, Inc.
One of the hazards of jumping out of perfectly good airplanes is that every once in awhile a paratrooper gets stuck, being dragged along with the aircraft by his static line or other piece of equipment. This is referred to as a “towed jumper”. Generally, they attempt to reel the jumper back inside the aircraft with a hydraulic system which I can only imagine feels like being beaten by a pillow case full of doorknobs as you’re smacked against the side of the aircraft and back in through the troop door. An alternative is the cut the jumper away if he is conscious and allow him to manually his reserve parachute.
Now, there’s a twist on that latter course of action which inserts a backup parachute between the aircraft and jumper before cutting his primary static line. The Towed Jumper Release System from Airborne Systems, is a modification of a British system known as the Hung Up Parachutist Release Assembly, or HUPRA.
The system uses a static line to deploy a T11 main canopy over the jumper and he retains access to his chest mounted reserve chute and his main doesn’t deploy but rather remains within its deployment bag on the packtray.
Units and agencies can procure products seen at Warrior East by contacting ADS, Inc.
The Special Projects Operations AirJam is a vehicle or trailer mounted air refill system for sustained breathing apparatus.
It combines a dive rated compressor, air storage cylinders, and refill controls and can also be used to run pneumatic tools, lift bags, and other air related systems as well as refill cylinders.
Units and agencies can procure products seen at Warrior East by contacting ADS, Inc.
I was surprised to learn about Zenith AeroTech which shared a booth with Zenith Firearms. They manufacture tethered aerial systems.
There are two models of tethered drones, the Quad-L can carry up to 8 lbs of payload while the Quad-L will carry a 20 lbs payload aloft. Flight duration is based upon power provided by the ground power unit which also serves as a conduit for the data being collected by the drone. Below you can see the controller.
Units and agencies can procure products seen at Warrior East by contacting ADS, Inc.
I learned about the CACI Remote Support Kit while visiting the Mastodon Design booth during Warrior East. Based on the capability it presents, this is far and away the most significant capability I saw at the show.
The kit consists of a Microsoft HoloLens and reachback software which allows the maintainer, or even user to contact tech support and troubleshoot and repair malfunctioning equipment even while in the field. All they need is a data comms pipe.
Due to the HoloLens, the tech support rep sees what the deployed user is looking at and can highlight areas to investigate using Augmented Reality. In one incident I was told about, the user was shown which screws to open to access inside a panel to investigate the problem. In this fashion, the tech rep not only indicates the correct action but ensures they are being followed. Additionally, tech support can remoteky take control of the desktop and push software and firmware to any broken systems.
This system saves not only money by avoiding the evacuation of gear with simple maintenance issues, but also keeps the unit on mission by minimizing downtime.
Units and agencies can procure products seen at Warrior East by contacting ADS, Inc.
You heard the call for something that’s light and low-profile while still offering full protection. We answered with the AAC v2. Whether your mission is land or sea, let the Assaulter Armor Carrier v2 keep you geared up and ready.
Don’t forget the upgraded Instant Adjust Back Panel – it ensures your carrier is always sized right for the mission. Its minimal padding and water-resistant nylon mesh material make it one tough cookie – lightweight and streamlining you while keeping you safe. You can configure it with BC inserts, soft armor inserts, and hard armor inserts to give you full protection.
If you’re ready to leave the boys in the dust, check out the 6/12 Padded Wings that offer you added comfort while giving you extra pockets for all your gear. So if you need protection for your mission, the AAC v2 is the one for the job. Light and low-profile – mean and strong.
Visit FirstSpear to find American Made kit and accessories, Built For The X.
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —
Col. Daniel Magruder assumed command of the 24th Special Operations Wing during a ceremony at the Special Tactics Training Squadron on Hurlburt Field Jun. 29.
Air Force Special Operations Command commander Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind presided over the ceremony where Magruder took the guidon from Col. Jason Daniels, who is moving on to serve as the Deputy Director of Operations at headquarters AFSOC.
During his command, Daniels led Special Tactics through multiple crises including executing a challenging non-combatant evacuation in Kabul, humanitarian assistance in Haiti, a variety of missions in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, South America, and Asia, and expanded the wing’s focus from countering insurgencies and terrorists to include strategic competition.
Bauernfeind shared words of praise for Daniels.
“Under his leadership, the Air Commandos of the 24 SOW were innovative across the spectrum of conflict, resolute under pressure, and made the impossible look simple,” said Bauernfeind. “The 24 SOW provided back-to-back historic extraction support in August of 2021 and those outstanding achievements would not have been impossible without Jason’s leadership.”
As Daniels prepared to relinquish command, he reflected on his time in the 24 SOW.
“I stand here overwhelmingly with a feeling of thanksgiving for the chance to serve with, lead, and command with the Special Tactics community for more than two decades, particularly the last couple of years,” said Daniels. “The opportunity to command this wing and serve its Airmen has been the greatest honor of my career.”
Daniels was awarded the Legion of Merit Second Oak Leaf Cluster for exceptionally meritorious conduct during his tenure as wing commander from Jun. 4, 2021, to Jun. 29, 2023.
Following the change of command, Magruder spoke to the wing for the first time as commander.
“To the men and women of the 24th Special Operations Wing, Jen and I look forward to working for you. Every day we must earn the distinction as our Air Force’s premier ground special operations force,” said Magruder. “I am optimistic about our future because of you… the incredible people that fill our ranks, I aim to earn your trust as we work together to solve our nation’s toughest problems.”
Magruder earned his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 2003. He has not only commanded at the flight, squadron, and group levels, but has served in a variety of high-level positions, including being the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s speech writer.
Magruder closed out the ceremony with a challenge to the men and women of Special Tactics.
“To every member of the AFSOC team and the 24 SOW, I encourage you to think about your place in history. It will call on each of you in some way. When history calls on you, when you are tapped on the shoulder, will you be willing to deliver the roar our nation needs?”
By Capt Savannah Stephens, 24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
