TYR Tactical

AF Supports Historic Army Warfighter Exercise, V Corps Becomes America’s Forward-Deployed Corps in Europe

November 2nd, 2021

The 505th Command and Control Wing supported the U.S. Army’s Mission Command Training Program resulting in the validation of Victory Corps as a European Command allocated corps headquarters during the execution of Warfighter exercise 22-1 at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Sept. 27-Oct. 5.

The multi-component exercise, which had the main command post at Grafenwoehr, Germany, a rear command post at Fort Riley, Kansas, and a U.S. Air Force Air Component and Air Operations Center replication cell at Hurlburt Field, Florida, tested the V Corps’ ability to mission command large-scale combat operations, or LSCO, in a multi-national environment.

The mission command proficiency of 1,402 joint service personnel including Soldiers from U.S. Army Europe and Africa, V Corps, 3rd Infantry Division, 34th Infantry Division, and their respective subordinate units were tested and honed during the execution of WFX 22-1.

Warfighter exercises are distributed, simulation supported, multi-echelon, tactical command post exercises fought competitively against a live-thinking regional adversary in a complex environment to prepare units for future LSCO. 

“The warfighter [exercise] is rigorous, complex, and very time-intensive. It is a nine-day sprint in large-scale ground combat operations. It’s the only time our corps and divisions are collaboratively immersed against a near-peer competitor, where they’re forced to really understand and improve their wartime mission,” said U.S. Army COL. Robert Molinari, chief of operations Group A, Mission Command Training Program, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center.

A substantial part of any Warfighter exercise is replicating the air component; this mission is the responsibility of the U.S. Air Force’s 505th CCW, Detachment 1, based at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. This total force integrated unit’s mission is to provide airpower expertise and exercise support to the U.S. Army’s MCTP and act as the U.S. Air Force’s Air Warfare Center liaison to the U.S. Army’s Combined Arms Center.

“This was probably the most significant air component replication for a WFX that we’ve done to date,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Goodman, 505th CCW, Det 1 commander.  “Most WFX events utilize a corps to role-play the Combined Forces Land Component, but GEN. Cavoli, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander, took the opportunity to train V Corps, his assigned subordinate unit, directly as the CFLCC. 

Goodman continued, “The entire USAREUR-AF staff participated and imposed a level of discipline and realism that we’ve never seen during the WFX.  It was impressive and helped ensure that the aligned Airmen got the most realistic we’ve seen to date.” 

For WFX 22-1, 505th CCW, Det 1 members forward-deployed globally to multiple exercise locations integrating into the exercise control group, standing up the exercise’s replicated AOC, and acting as observer, coaches/trainers providing subject matter expertise in areas that include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, airspace management, tactical air control, and joint all-domain operations.

“V Corps did a great job. They gave 110% daily. They were receptive to coaching and observations and every single day, across the board, they got better,” said Molinari. “So, I think it was a fantastic opportunity for V Corps to really see themselves, to improve on, and to prepare for what the Army might ask of them.”

“Our purpose is to ensure we coach our tactical air control party, or TACP, members to improve not just their technical proficiency, but also their overall integration with their supported Army maneuver unit command teams and planners.”  U.S. Air Force Maj. Thomas Hopkins, 505th CCW, Det 1 chief observer and coach, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Hopkins made sure his team of coaches/trainers did not lose sight of their larger purpose during the event. 

Hopkins continued, “The bottom line is that we do everything we can to assist the Army’s MCTP in providing a training environment which enables the TACP units to leave the exercise a more ready and lethal enabler than when they arrived.”

The 505th CCW, Det 1’s main U.S. Air Force training audience were the Airmen assigned to the 4th Air Support Operations Group, Wiesbaden, Germany, and their subordinate units in the exercise.

“The men and women at the 4th ASOG did a phenomenal job under the leadership of Col. Dustin Dupuis, the 4th ASOG commander and also the V Corps air liaison officer,” said Goodman.   “Col. Dupuis and his team made significant gains validating new capabilities and authorities that will enable increased lethality of the joint force in LSCO.  It was huge win for the joint force and they made it happen.”

A team of 47 Airmen from the 505th Combat Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, provided AOC replication during WFX 22-1 in coordination with the forward-deployed exercise control group from the 505th CCW, Det 1, and this team represented a full-spectrum air component replication to the U.S. Army training audience.  

The 505th Communication Squadron configured and maintained command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence, or C4I, and models and simulations, or M&S, systems, in addition to collaborative tools (chat, voice, email, etc.). 

“The support provided by the 505th CS allowed the AOC controllers to push real-time updates for air tasking orders and airspace control orders to theater representatives and ensured a valid common operating picture was in play,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Veronica Williams, 505th CS commander, Hurlburt Field, Florida. 

WFX 22-1 was a crucial exercise for V Corps in that it marked the final event in a yearlong effort to become a fully certified, operational, and combat-capable warfighting headquarters after their reactivation as a corps in October 2020. 

“The success of WFX 22-1 has provided the European region and our NATO allies a forward-deployed Corps ready and equipped to meet the demands of a near-peer conflict,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Darrin Nottingham, 505th CS operations officer, Hurlburt Field, Florida. “The 505th CS performed admirably while upholding their squadron’s three main objectives: train, innovate, and communicate.” 

Providing air component replication to the joint force is one of the primary mission capabilities of the 505th Combat Training Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida. 

“As our strategic competitors present increasingly complex problem-sets, it is more vital than ever that our joint partners have a full understanding of the capabilities of airpower and the role of the air component in tackling emerging challenges,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Power, 505th CTS director of operations.

Power continued, “The professionals at the 505th Combat Training Squadron are uniquely positioned to combine a deep experience in Air Force command and control procedures with a keen understanding of developing concepts to replicate the air component and provide an exceptionally realistic operational-level training environment.”

During the 8-day exercise, the 505th CTS’s team facilitated 232 sorties to present full-spectrum airpower, produced over 19 thousand airspace control measures, and published 43 air component planning documents to inform U.S. Army planners.

WFX 22-1 exercised the people, processes, and procedures to ready the joint force for LSCO against near-peer adversaries. 

V Corps will assume enduring mission requirements in support of U.S. Army Europe and Africa as a split-based headquarters with locations at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Poznan, Poland. The return of the Victory Corps to Europe enhances security in the region and reassures our NATO and partner nations of the United States’ commitment to our European allies. WFX 22-1 was V Corps’ final certifying exercise in becoming the U.S. Army’s fourth corps headquarters and America’s forward-deployed corps in Europe.

The 505th CTS and 505th CS, Hurlburt Field, Florida, report to the 505th Combat Training Group, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and the 505th CCW, Det 1, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, report to the 505th CCW which is headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Story by Deb Henley, 505th Command and Control Wing

Photos by PFC Devin Klecan

CMC Triggers Announce it is Enhancing its Business Model to Better Serve Distribution and Customers

November 1st, 2021

CMC Triggers made significant changes to staffing and sales to serve customers faster, smarter, and better.


CMC Triggers headquarters, Fort Worth, Texas.

Fort Worth, Texas (October 2021) – CMC Triggers Corp., a Texas-based, family-owned and operated company designing and producing quality aftermarket gun parts and accessories, is revamping areas of the business to become a more agile and proficient supplier of their products to retailers, distributors, and end-users.

During the pandemic, shoppers across the board relied more on the online shopping experience for everything from food products to firearms accessories. CMC Triggers President, Jack Biegel, quickly identified his customers’ changing purchasing habits, and responded with meaningful changes within the corporate structure.

CMC Triggers reduced its internal sales staff and is in the process of streamlining online ordering for retailers. As part of their new corporate strategy, CMC Triggers ensures all customers, including retailers and distributors, that the same high-quality aftermarket gun parts will continue to be available through a faster, better, and smarter system. CMC Triggers’ outstanding customer service will also continue to surpass customer expectations.

“In our highly competitive market, it is important for a company to respond aggressively, without sacrificing the quality of product and customer service,” Biegel stated. “We want to eliminate layers within our business to become nimbler and give our customers the best American-made products and service in a streamlined approach. There is one thing, though, that CMC Triggers will not sacrifice, and that is the amount of research and development, testing, and quality control that goes into each product designed at our facility. When we announce a new model or product, our customers can rest assured it meets our rigorous standard and can stand up in any environment from the range to the battlefield.”

cmctriggers.com

Snake Plissken Battle Briefs

November 1st, 2021

If you follow @solsys on Instagram, you know how much I love Escape From New York.

Tactical Distributors just unveiled their latest Battle Brief offerings which include an hookahs to the ultimate anti-hero Snake Plissken and his iconic urban camouflage pants.

Made from the same 4 way stretch breathable moisture wicking material, they are very comfortable. Offered in sizes Small – XXLarge, they can be had in a wide variety of other prints as well.

www.tacticaldistributors.com/products/battle-brief-plisskin

Sawyer Tap Water Filtration System

November 1st, 2021

Just because water is coming out of a tap doesn’t mean it is potable. Sawyer makes it easier to ensure you’ve got access to clean water with their Tap Water Filtration System which connects directly to the threads on spigots and faucets*.

It allows you to filter up to 500 gallons per day, with pores no larger than 0.1 Microns, removing 99.99999% of all bacteria (salmonella, cholera, and E. coli); 99.9999% of all protozoa (such as giardia and cryptosporidium); and 100% of microplastics.

www.sawyer.com/products/tap-water-filtration-system

*The inline filter fits tap size 17mm to 20mm (11/16″ to 3/4″); hose bibs (garden hose spigot); and some (not all) faucet aerators. Included with the Sawyer TAP filter is a backwash adapter, threaded spigot adapter, dual threaded adapter, tap gauge, and a 2-foot-long extension hose for use in a shallow sink.

Keen Men’s Howser III Slide

November 1st, 2021

The Men’s Howser III Slide from Keen is a nice option for a closed toe shoe for running back and forth to the showers.

It features a quick-cinch bungee closure, fleece lining, and high traction runner sole.

As Seen On Instagram

November 1st, 2021

We’re always on the lookout for new products and makers and one of the best places is Instagram. Recently, we ran across this striking image from @grands_ducs_illustrations with this inscription:

“Tout comme il faut du feu pour forger une lame, il faut une flamme pour faire subsister l’âme.”

-Nicolas Robert

For those of us who don’t speak French, it means “Just as it takes fire to forge a blade, so it takes a flame to sustain the soul.”

Be sure to check out their other work as well.

New From Sitka Arrowhead, The MLX Vest – MDWi

November 1st, 2021

PROTECTING THE CORE

Vests, love them or don’t, let’s agree they take up minimal room when packed and provide optimal performance when worn; making them a must-have cross functional piece.

Continuing to build on a core assortment for the Special Operations end-user, the newly added MLX Vest – MDWi from SITKA Arrowhead provides the optimal balance between warmth, weight and durability, without restricting mobility.

An active insulation mid-layer piece utilizing Polartec® Alpha® Direct insulation, the MLX Vest – MDWi  (Midlayer Vest – Midweight Insulated), weighs in at a mere 8oz and can be compressed down to the size of a 16oz ‘Tall Boy’ beer can.

Taking up minimal room when packed and providing optimal performance when worn, makes it a must have cross functional piece when loading your Recce Ruck or Assault Pack for operations, or even within your EDC Bag when conducting administrative travel.

Utilizing Brookwood AEROLITE H600 30d Nylon ripstop face fabric creates a lightweight, durable façade with a mechanical stretch that allows for movement focused fit. Combined with Polartec® Alpha® Direct Insulation it provides warmth even when wet and dry’s fast.

Features:
• Wet Weather Jacket Compatible – allowing vest to be functionally worn as insulation with a Wet Weather Protective Jacket
• Full Zip Center Front Closure – enhancing ventilation when mobile and the ease of donning and doffing
• Left Chest Zip Pocket – allowing for the secure carriage of mission essential items
• Lower Torso Hand Pockets – allowing for the convenient and secure carriage of mission essential items
• TAA Compliant and available in Black, Lead and Coyote

Find your nearest dealer here.

Project Origin Robotic Vehicles Join JRTC Rotation in Historic First

November 1st, 2021

DETROIT — In an historic first, U.S. Army Soldiers integrated a Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) surrogate into the opposing force during a recent rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, in September. This event enabled the Army to gain valuable insight in how best to utilize robotic vehicles in combat and furthered its ongoing Campaign of Learning around RCV development.

During the exercise, Soldiers from the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry — known as Geronimo — used two Project Origin vehicles (RCV surrogates) in a simulated battle with the 3/101st (Air Assault). The Origin vehicles are an Army Development Command (DEVCOM) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) prototyping effort and provides the Army with the ability to conduct rapid technology and autonomous behavior integration that Soldiers assess during multiple touchpoints each year.

While on-site engineers and technicians collected technical data, the Soldiers in the field further validated the combat benefits of adding robots to a manned-unmanned teamed formation and identified new capabilities desired for the next Project Origin Soldier operational experiment.

“With these units, the human survivability rate increases significantly,” explained Sergeant First Class Eugene Lackey (Pathfinder Company). “This system allowed us to close with and destroy the enemy safely from a distance. It [also enabled] us to the find the enemy before he could find us. It is a great tool and I wish we could have it for little bit longer to really see how we can change the way wars are fought.”

The feedback from Geronimo Soldiers adds to the Army’s growing library of information on the use of robots.

“Project Origin’s key competency is its ability to collect Soldier feedback and technical data, use this information to rapidly iterate both its software and physical payloads, and evaluate the changes in relevant tactical environments,” said Todd Willert, Project Origin project manager at GVSC. “The lessons learned during Project Origin experiments directly support the development of the Robotic Combat Vehicle and the Army’s forthcoming Ground Autonomy Software, user interfaces (Warrior Machine Interface), and modular architectures.”

GVSC and the Army’s Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross Functional team, both based at the Detroit Arsenal in Michigan, and the Army Capability Manager-Infantry Brigade Combat Team (ACM-I), based in Georgia, worked together to integrate the Project Origin platforms into the JRTC rotation.

“JRTC stressed the systems to their breaking points, allowing us to identify problems that would undoubtedly arise in the future,” said MAJ Cory Wallace, RCV lead for NGCV CFT.

During the exercise, the Soldiers and the robots also endured a tropical storm, further adding to its complexity.

Among the highlights of the exercise, the Geronimo force used the Project Origin platform to block a key intersection for 36 hours, an effort that benefitted from Origin’s low heat signature while conducting long hours of battery-powered “silent watch.” In addition, Geronimo used the project Origin vehicles to deny helicopter landing zones and conduct route reconnaissance. Using the robots to conduct these operations – the two platforms were controlled by four operators and an NCO – allowed the Soldiers who would have been assigned those tasks to be assigned different missions.

“This validated the notion that if we assign the dumb, dirty, dangerous missions to the robots, we can re-assign our Soldiers to the high-priority complex missions and tasks,” Wallace said.

The Army has additional Soldier Touchpoints, with Project Origin and other RCV platforms, scheduled throughout 2022 as it prepares to make future decisions on the potential acquisition of RCVs.

By Dan Heaton