Special operations international April

The most widely distributed special operations magazine in the world

Brigadier General Erik C. Peterson

Commander, U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command

Q&A With

Optics on the BattlefieldPAGE 17

437th Airlift Wing SOLL IIPAGE 19

Sniper CompetitionPAGE 20

Sling Load SkillsPAGE 22

Non Standard VehiclesPAGE 23

SOF Tactical MedicinePAGE 26

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...

International Vector Brigadier General

Adnan Ahmad Al-Abbadi Commander, Jordan Joint

Special Operations

April 2016 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

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THE BETTER TO SEE YOU WITHVarious commands and agencies are working on solutions to keep the enemy at much more than arm’s length before they can be detected. There is a premium placed on spotting adversaries first, as well as on techniques to stay hidden while doing so.By Hank Hogan

SPECIAL OPERATIONS LOW LEVEL IIThe 437th Airlift Wing maintains special operations skills sets with the C-17A Globemaster—Special Operations Low Level II (SOLL II). Special Operations International recently talked with the 437th’s commander and what the unit does that other don’t.By Jeff McKaughan

SNIPER COMPETITIONTwenty-five two-man teams from SOF, government agencies and military forces from Germany, Singapore, Ireland, Australia, Kyrgyzstan and the United States recently competed against each other for top honors.By U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School public affairs

SLING LOAD SKILLSU.S. Army SOF keep their aerial skills sharp with focused sling load operations training.By Richard L Rzepka

VIRTUALLY UNNOTICEDThe reasoning behind non standard commercial vehicles is to tactically move around but in a vehicle that blends in with other traffic. Diplomats, dignitaries and corporate officials travelling in danger zones have long been transported in up-armored civilian vehicles—operators are now seeing the benefits as well.By Peter Buxbaum

TRAINING THE SOF MEDICNATO Special Operations Headquarters is driving NATO special operations force medical training. They are incorporating the most current and realistic simulators into their training scenarios and courses and are seeing significant benefits for SOF operators.By Staff Sergeant Ryan Melville

Special Operations International

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Table of ContentsDEPARTMENTS

Cover/Q&A withBrigadier General

Erik C. PetersonCommander, U.S. Army

Special Operations Aviation Command

APRIL 2016 • VOLUME 14 ISSUE 3

BLACKWATCH

PEOPLE

RESOURCE CENTER

13INTERNATIONAL VECTORExclusive interview with:Brigadier General Adnan Ahmad Al-AbbadiCommander, Jordan Joint Special Operations

Ron Mayne • [email protected] • 240-813-5654

EUROSATORY ISSUEDon’t miss the

Exclusive Interviews withU.S. Special Operations Command-EuropeFrench Special Operations Command

Plus features on ground mobility vehicles, navigation in denied space, breaching, operator protection systems, and more.

BLACKWATCH Department

Tactical Radio Application eXtension

USSOCOM is seeking to increase the current ceiling of a contract that provides Tactical Radio Application eXtension (TRAX) software to bridge capability gaps in the special operations air to ground communication architecture. The United States Air Force Air Force Materiel Command has procured the enterprise licensing from Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) for USSOCOM that has allowed the proliferation of the capa-bility throughout the special operations commu-nity. USSOCOM’s current contract supports maintenance, advances the capability of the software, and supports installation, training and upgrades the TRAX software as necessary. As the sole developer of TRAX software, only SNC can provide the appropriate software and level of support. However, USSOCOM is solic-iting information to understand current market conditions and to ascertain whether there are any other viable alternatives to TRAX patching, upgrade, integration, training, and exercise support. The necessary objectives include the standard support tasks including both soft-ware assurance and incidental service support.

Updated RFI for U-28 Commercial Flight Simulator

U.S. Air Force Special Operation Command (AFSOC) has issued a request for information to industry to assist in assessing the viability of obtaining contractor-owned, contractor-oper-ated flight simulator training for U-28A pilots and combat systems officers (CSO). This simu-lator training will support aircraft qualification (basic and mission), refresher, continuation and advanced level training tasks using Distributed Mission Operations (DMO). This training will be conducted in the Hurlburt Field, Fla., and Cannon AFB, N.M.

The simulator(s) will provide training for pilots and CSOs independently (simultaneously) as well as integrated depending on the training profile scheduled. All simulator systems must be able to use and process existing AFSOC

databases (GFE) which are optimized for the VITAL (currently VITAL 1100) and/or VRSG image generator(s).

UK Special Forces and Police to Handle Up to 10 Incidents in London

According to recent London newspaper reports, London police and military special forces have been preparing to battle up to 10 simultaneous terror attacks on London.

Joseph Curtis for the Daily Mail said that to prevent a Paris-style attack in the capital, it is understood the National Crime Agency has been ordered to crackdown on firearms.

“Agency bosses fear terrorists returning from Syria could carry out multiple attacks in London, spreading resources across the city,” wrote Curtis.

But a minister told the Sunday Telegraph that UK special forces were well prepared for such an eventuality.

He told the paper, ‘We used to plan for three simultaneous attacks but Paris has shown that you need to be ready for more than that. We are ready if someone tries with seven, eight, nine, ten.’

The Army is also on standby outside London to aid the SAS and Metropolitan Police should there be multiple attacks.

According to the Telegraph, the Army’s counter terrorism bomb disposal unit is also putting together a team to combat chemical and biological weapons at a base in Didcot, Oxford.

The SAS is also conducting training exer-cises focused around dealing with improvised explosive devices that have been turned into weapons of mass destruction.

USSOCOM Announces SITEC Specialty Services Intent

USSOCOM’s Special Operation Research and Development Acquisition Center (SORDAC), Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (PEO-C4) recently announced its intention to extend the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Information Technology Enterprise Contracts (SITEC) Specialty Services Tower ordering period by 24 months (one 12-month base period and two 6-month option periods). There will not be an increase in the overall contract ceiling.

The seven indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts were awarded with a one-year base ordering period and four 1-year

option ordering periods (five years total). The contractors are: L-3 National Security Solutions Inc., Leidos, Inc., Arma Global Corporation, Booze Allen Hamilton, Inc., Dell Services Federal Government, Inc., DRS Technical Services Inc., and General Dynamics Information Technology.

The extension will provide time for PEO-C4 to plan the realignment of all the SITEC Towers to more efficiently provide information tech-nology services across the expanding global SOF enterprise.

New UGV

Roboteam, a designer, developer and manu-facturer of ruggedized unmanned systems for defense, homeland security, and public safety forces has introduced its new generation of PROBOT tactical multipurpose UGV. The new generation includes upgraded communications and navigation capabilities, higher carrying capacity, enhanced maneuverability and a safety mechanism.

According to the company, the PROBOT (Professional Robot) is the only tactical multi-purpose platform designed for urban terrain and outdoor operations. Its unique abilities include carrying heavy payloads and a variety of add-ons while maintaining high speeds, outstanding maneuverability over various obstacles, low thermal signature and perfor-mance of semi-autonomous missions. It is extremely versatile and can carry up to 750kg., climb stairs and maneuver directly to a point of interest, even in confined areas, enhancing the capabilities and effectiveness of small ground forces. The PROBOT can work for 8 to 10 hours at a maximum distance of 38 Km under normal conditions.

Carrying capacity has expanded to handle up to 10 rucks, enabled by a ruggedized rack. A new control unit allows short-distance navigation, and five day-and-night cameras provide 360 degree coverage for non-line-of-sight piloting. A new antenna upgrades communications with a control range of up to 1.5 kilometers. The antenna features a peer-to-peer mobile ad hoc network, low latency command and control, secure high bandwidth data (up to 40 Mbps), data and video transfer, multiple video streams, a 2.3-2.5 GHz frequency range, and FIPS 140-2 security. In the area of maneuverability, upgrades include front and rear bumpers in case of collisions, front and rear tails for preventing overturning, and new wheels that enable movement on any type of terrain.

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7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) NCO

First Sergeant Felicia Rodriguez knew she wanted to be a soldier since she was 12 years old and fulfilled that dream when she enlisted five years later in the Idaho National Guard in 1998.

Rodriguez’ 18 years of distinguished service, coupled with her experience in logistics, led to her selection in 2015 as the senior enlisted leader of the Group Support Battalion’s Headquarters Company in the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

The very first woman Rodriguez remembers serving as a senior enlisted soldier is then-Sergeant First Class Baker. Baker was a para-chute rigger, responsible for packing parachutes that carry troops and equipment to the ground after exiting from aircraft said Rodriguez. A stern and unyielding leader, Baker did not allow anyone to question the competency of those under her leadership or the integrity of those she led, Rodriguez said. Staff Sergeant Larynilsa Medina was another role model for Rodriguez. Medina, she said, was extremely smart and an expert at her profession, eventually attending officer candi-date school and retiring as a major.

“Both of these women were about their business and on their game,” said Rodriguez about the women who influenced her as a junior enlisted soldier. Their stellar examples of compe-tency combined with their deep dedication to accomplishing the mission, continued Rodriguez, inspired her as a woman to strive for more responsibility in the Army as a leader.

Despite the severe gravity of her current and previous duty positions, she still remembers being a Motor Sergeant in the 9th Psychological Operations Battalion as her most challenging assignment. The duty required Rodriguez to balance the maintenance and repair of a fleet of vehicles while leading soldiers and managing supplies, teaching her hard lessons that serve as the foundation of her leadership style.

When asked for counsel, Rodriguez tells junior soldiers to always volunteer and give everything they have to complete the mission. She is an advocate for education and often

encourages soldiers to complete their correspon-dence courses and continue efforts to improve their personal and professional skill-sets.

“Take the hard right over the easy wrong and become the master of your trade,” Rodriguez said is the most common advice she gives. “The Army is working to select and promote the best person for any job.”

As reported by Major Thomas Cieslak.

USSOCOM Seeks Lightweight Plank System

SOCOM is seeking a line repairable, line replaceable, zero time lightweight plank systems in both an attack and assault version.

The attack system shall be configurable for combinations of M134D miniguns, M260 and M261 rocket pods, Hellfire launchers, and GAU-19 machine guns. A single attack shipset of hard-ware should weigh no more than 150 pounds total without weapons installed and is defined by the items and quantities requested.

A single assault plank shipset of hardware should weight no more than 90 pounds and is defined by the items and quantities requested. The assault plank system shall be safely rated for simultaneous 750 pound operations on each side and provide provisions to safely support installa-tion of various mission equipment packages to include caving ladders, crew served gun mount provisions, and auxiliary fuel tank systems.

Argentine School of Airborne Troops and Special Operations

The Argentine School of Airborne Troops and Special Operations has completed its first cycle of operational cadre education.

From 1 February to mid-March, after an intense physical and technical effort, the school instructed 300 paratroopers, made about 1,200 drops and, concurrently, trained unit leaders, flight directors, trainers and sub-instructors.

The troops who participated in the activities belonged to the IVta Airborne Brigade; the Special Operations Forces Group; Army Aviation; Army divers; mountain troops; and even the Argentine Navy.

New Carbine for UK 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group

Royal Marines pulling security duty for the UK’s nuclear bases and weapons have had their SA-80 rifles replaced with the new Colt Canada C8 carbine. The carbine reportedly has reduced ricochet meaning limited collateral damage.

Colonel Graeme Fraser, commander, 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, explained that the weapon exchange out had been completed near the end of 2015.

The Royal Marines were quick to point out that this is not a signal that the entire Royal Marine brigade would be switching weapons.

New South Korean Commando Unit

Spartan 3000 is a recently unveiled South Korea commando force reportedly tasked with missions like taking out key military facilities in North Korea, however, also having the skills necessary to assist during natural disasters.According to news reports, the unit, perhaps at regimental level, will be able to mobilize and operationally deploy within 24 hours.

IR Suppression System for AC-130W

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is requesting information from companies currently developing infra-red (IR) suppression systems for the AC-130W or modified to fit. The solution must significantly reduce the hot metal Band 4 signature and have minimal to


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no degradation to the aircraft engine’s power and performance. The solution must also be remov-able and interchangeable between AC-130W aircraft. The solution must be able to be main-tained in austere conditions by military/govern-ment maintainers.

Broad industry participation is desired but USSOCOM is keenly interested in designs that are currently in production or capable of rapidly entering into production. Delivery of a capability within nine months would be required and within less than six months is highly desirable. Further, companies must have access, and the ability to perform work in a facility and with personnel cleared at the Secret level, at minimum.

SOCOM Seeks Lightweight South African Special Forces Train with Indian and Brazilian Counterparts

During a recent port-of-call in India, the South African Navy’s SAS Spioenkop took part in a number of at-sea training and ashore exercises including its recce special forces with Brazilian Special Forces (Gurmec) and Indian Special Forces (Marcos).

The special forces element of all participating vessels assembled at the Goa Air Force Base for training and central basing during the three days.

Day 1: Presentations from each special forces team, included history, background, vari-ous flow of training and the capabilities of their own equipment was given.

The group was divided into two smaller groups. The one group proceeded with rope work incorporating a Sea King helicopter from the host country. The rope work consisted of fast-roping, repelling, and laddering while the second group conducted urban training, consisting of entry drills into a building and clearing of buildings.

The day concluded with a safety brief and freefall ground training procedures.

Day 2: A Sea King helicopter took off taking jumpers to about 10,000 for a freefall jump back to the Goa base. Each operator then packed their

own parachute for the next jump. This was the hardest part due to the humidity and extreme heat that India is known for. Teams next headed to the shooting range outside of Goa for live shooting.

Day 3: Urban and ship boarding technique training consisted of members coming alongside a moving vessel with a special forces rigid-hulled inflatable boat using various techniques to get on board.

Day 4: The special forces teams gathered early in the morning to receive a briefing based on a scenario where a non-compliant vessel (op-posed boarding) had to be executed.

Team members continued with preparations for the opposed boarding, while team leaders planned the opposed boarding. Team leaders briefed the rest of the team members on how the opposed boarding was to unfold and the position and role of each member in the team during the final execution.

The final execution of the special forces component of Exercise IBSAMAR V – Opposed Boarding. The opposed boarding was executed during daylight. Special forces operations would normally be undertaken in the cover of darkness to maintain an element of surprise.

Keeping the AFSOC Fleet Airborne

Returning air power as quickly as possible to the warfighter—that’s the goal of the C-130 Air Force Special Operations Command Acceleration Team at Robins Air Force Base.

Following the successful delivery of an AC-130U gunship in February, a dedicated team of 50 maintenance professionals in the C-130 AFSOC Acceleration Flight forged ahead with two additional aircraft currently on station.

A total of six AFSOC planes are scheduled for accelerated programmed depot maintenance (PDM) at Robins in fiscal 2016. One has been deliv-ered. The first of three MC-130H Combat Talons and a second gunship are currently here.

These high-demand aircraft are a direct result of a team effort that once again show-cases that Success Here = Success There!

Since the first aircraft left Robins, it’s being further prepared prior to its departure for opera-tional use at Hurlburt Field, Fla., home to AFSOC and the 1st Special Operations Wing.

Having the aircraft at home station earlier than the original scheduled PDM release date increases availability in its flight schedule.

“Because PDM is still performing all of the work that they normally would be on a non-accelerated aircraft, we’re still getting the same caliber product,” said Captain Jessica Watts, 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron maintenance operations officer.

“Aircraft availability (AA) is the cornerstone maintenance metric,” she added. “An increase in our AA means we have more aircraft available to execute the flying program. It gives us increased flexibility for how we schedule our aircraft, and therefore allows us to better support our operators—both for home station training and downrange.”

Notably, this special acceleration line has evolved into a five-phase PDM monitoring system, as opposed to the seven-gate system in use throughout the 560th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

“We’ve taken a lot of things that were incor-porated from the first aircraft and improving the process even more,” said Kevin Johnson, AFSOC Acceleration Flight PDM dock supervisor.

Tasks that were previously included in later stages of PDM, such as disassembly, inspection and repair, were combined earlier in what is now Phase 3 Conversion.

Aircraft are now being brought from depaint operations straight into a production dock.

“As we’re disassembling an aircraft now, we’re inspecting it as we’re taking it apart,” he said.

In this flight, there are five phases: induction, preparation, conversion, build-up and functional test.

“Instead of spreading it throughout a three-gate process, we pulled it all together and did everything in conjunction with other processes while we had the manpower already there,” added Johnson.

With stands made readily available, along with tooling and workers in place, this resulted in flow days continuing to decrease.

Realizing the importance of returning these aircraft back into the field, aircraft mechanics like Casey Battle understand that every day at Robins is a critical one.

“These are special aircraft, and getting them back to the warfighter faster is our priority,” he said. “We have very few of them and we can’t



hold onto them for very long before they need them back.”

As reported by Jenny Gordon

Special Forces Get Ready

For the soldiers of 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, readiness means staying as sharp as the Yarborough knives the Green Berets earn after graduating the Special Forces Qualification Course—a tradition since August 2002. The knife isn’t just any knife, but a combat field knife that serves as a link to the brotherhood of unconven-tional warriors.

The “First in Asia” soldiers recently conducted a full mission profile spanning from receipt of mission and mission planning, to infiltration and actions on the objective.

“Periodic FMPs ensure mission readiness as the military’s alert force in Asia,” said team leader Captain John. “The hope is that the soldiers come away with a better understanding of the planning process and integration of enablers while main-taining individual and collective skills,” he said.

In his initial message to the Army, the 39th Chief of Staff of the Army General Mark A. Milley placed readiness at the top of his list of priorities.

“Our fundamental task is like no other—it is to win in the unforgiving crucible of ground combat,” said Milley in his first message to the force. We must ensure the Army remains ready as the world’s premier combat force. Readiness for ground combat is—and will remain—the U.S. Army’s No. 1 priority. We will always be ready to fight today, and we will always prepare to fight tomorrow,” he said.

The Green Berets on Okinawa hone their edge with exercises and training events like the FMP in an exceptional setting, which often forces them to adapt and integrate with sister service components.

As reported by Richard Rzepka

All Source Information Fusion Contract

USSOCOM has a requirement for All Source Information Fusion (ASIF) with advanced analytics capabilities in support of intelligence analysis

and production. The command recently awarded competitive contracts to integrate new commer-cial off-the-shelf software ASIF solutions with the existing Distributed Common Ground/Surface System - Special Operations Forces (DCGS-SOF) system architecture to meet the requirement. Until full operating capacity of the new solution is achieved in FY2020, the government has a need to bridge ASIF requirements with a sole source contract for the legacy software solution, Palantir.

Palantir software has been utilized by USSOCOM and its components since 2009. The software meets legacy requirements for ASIF and supports operations and analysis for deployed units in the current areas of operation. It has been tested and certified for use on the SOF information technology enterprise. Use of any other product would require substantial integration and testing in addition to training and fielding to operational units.

Award of a bridge contract to any other vendor would result in substantial duplication of cost and long delay to the government that is not expected to be recovered through additional competition. Palantir is the only known source for mainte-nance of Palantir software. Therefore, USSOCOM intended to issue a sole source award to Palantir Technologies, Inc. with a base year and four 1-year option periods.

The estimated value of the bridge contract is $300 million.

Rugged Vital Signs Monitor

Due to the uniqueness of the military field envi-ronment, vital sign monitors need to be extremely rugged. Monitors that are deployed by the military are utilized by the full range of clinicians from the lesser trained medic to the most highly skilled physicians and nurses. Therefore the monitor must be intuitive and easy to use. Data collec-tion is critical in the military environment in order to save lives on the battlefield. Monitors in the military space should collect and store all patient data including drugs and interventions in a format that can easily be shared between devices, easily transmitted to a computer, and ultimately entered into the patient long term record.

The RDL Tempus Pro monitor is a unique platform that can evolve as the military’s needs and budgets change over time. It is a fully capable vital signs monitor in a 6 pound ruggedized package with a long battery life of 11+ hours and a powerful processor that enables it to integrate with whole new capabilities and algorithms over its life. Tempus Pro is the lightest and most robust pre-hospital monitor available and has the highest Ingress Protection rating of IP66. Its touch driven color display and intuitive interface makes the monitor easy to use. An electronic TCCC card is built into the monitor and is automatically popu-lated with patient vital signs. Drugs, interventions, and extraneous notes can be easily entered into the patient record and shared wired or wirelessly into any computer without special software and ultimately into the permanent record.

USSOCOM Change of Command

On March 30, Army General Joseph L. Votel turned the helm of U.S. Special Operations Command over to Army General Raymond “Tony” Thomas, during a change of command ceremony at USSOCOM headquarters.

Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, presided over the time-honored change-of-command cere-mony, attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps General Joseph F. Dunford Jr.

“While we are saying goodbye to a great commander, the special operations bench is deep and we’ve got the good fortune to have another exceptional leader taking command,” said Dunford. “Tony Thomas is a proven combat leader with a wealth of experience and tactical expertise. He’s also a strategic leader who has the intellect and vision to take the command to the next level. I think the men and women of the special operations command couldn’t be in better hands.”

Joint Geospatial Analytic Support Services

On March 28, CACI International Inc., announced it has been awarded a $180 million contract to provide Joint Geospatial Analytic Support Services

BLACKWATCHDepartment

www.SPECOPS-dhp.com SPECOPS 14.3 | 7

(JGASS) to U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). This five-year (one base plus four option years) contract represents new work for CACI and expands its presence in its intelligence services market area.

The mission of USSOCOM is to provide fully capable special operations forces to defend the United States and its interests as well as plan and synchronize operations against terrorist networks. On the JGASS contract, CACI will provide geospa-tial imagery intelligence, collection, analysis, and exploitation services to yield real-time actionable intelligence in support of mission planning and execution for geographic combatant commands worldwide.

Through its acquisition of TechniGraphics, Inc. in 2010, CACI has more than 20 years of experi-ence providing geospatial services to the federal government and has become an industry leader in the production, analysis, and dissemination of geospatial data. The company’s highly trained and cleared professional staff possesses a deep under-standing of geospatial analysis and geospatial imagery intelligence. Additionally, CACI’s partners on this contract bring highly specialized and unique intelligence capabilities.

John Mengucci, CACI’s chief operating officer and president of U.S. operations, said, “CACI has a long history of providing intelligence analysis to support government customers’ missions. Our

multi-discipline approach and in-depth knowledge of geospatial intelligence will help ensure the readiness and safety of special operations forces as they engage in our nation’s most complex and high-risk challenges.”

According to CACI president and chief execu-tive officer Ken Asbury, “Through our acquisitions in recent years, CACI has made a significant commit-ment to expand our business in the geospatial market, and this contract with USSOCOM is a direct result of that strategic effort. It is a great privilege to serve our nation’s special operations forces on this contract as they carry out their critically important mission of defending our nation and its citizens.”


PEOPLE

General Joseph Votel, commander USSOCOM, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 17 to become the commander of CENTCOM, replacing General Lloyd Austin.

Also on March 17, the Senate confirmed that Lieutenant General Raymond “Tony” Thomas III would be promoted to the rank of general and would become the new USSOCOM

commander replacing General Joseph Votel.

Air Force Lieutenant General Marshall B. Webb for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and for assign-ment as commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. Webb is currently serving as commander, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Special Operations Headquarters, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Mons, Belgium.

It has been announced that Rear Admiral (lower half) Timothy G. Szymanski will be assigned as, Naval

Special Warfare Command, San Diego, Calif. Szymanski is currently serving as assistant commander, Joint Special Operations Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Rear Admiral (lower half) Gordon D. Peters will be assigned as program executive officer, Air Anti-Submarine Warfare,

Assault and Special Mission Programs, Patuxent River, Md. Peters is currently serving as commander, Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division; and assistant commander for research and engi-neering, Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River.

Cubic Corporation has announced the appoint-ment of Frank Wiercinski as senior vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific region of Cubic Global Defense (CGD). Prior to joining Cubic, Wiercinski was the vice president of Army and special opera-tions forces programs at Lockheed Martin Government Affairs.

Dynamic Aviation has promoted Shannon Wagner to chief operating officer. In this role Wagner will provide oversight and lead-ership to the daily opera-tion of Dynamic Aviation.

IWI US, Inc., a subsidiary of Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Ltd., has announced the promotion of national law enforcement sales manager, Casey Flack, to the position of CEO for IWI US..


Brigadier General Erik C. Peterson assumed command of the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command on June 10, 2014. Prior to this command, he served as the 2nd Infantry Division deputy com-manding general for Support in Camp Humphreys, Korea.

Peterson received his Army commission in 1986 as a Distinguished Military Graduate of the University of Idaho Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He was assigned to the Aviation Branch and completed flight school in 1987.

His first assignment was with the 271st Combat Aviation Company, Camp Humphreys, Korea, as section leader and platoon leader. He then served his first of four tours with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne); Bravo Company platoon leader, Bravo Company Commander, and Headquarters Company commander, 3rd Battalion, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.; adjutant and battalion S-3, 2nd Battalion, Fort Campbell, Ky.; battalion executive officer and Bravo Company com-mander, 3rd Battalion; and battalion commander, 2nd Battalion.

Other assignments include senior special operations aviation observer controller, Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La.; bri-gade commander, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade and chief of staff, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; and deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Cadet Command, Fort Knox, Ky.

Peterson holds Bachelor of Science degrees in geography and car-tography and Master’s Degrees in business administration and national security strategy. Other professional military education includes the Aviation Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.

Q: When you assumed command, you said that, “The challenges we’ll face together are many, but equal are the opportunities.” What were the challenges and opportunities and how are they be-ing addressed?

A: Challenges include the growing capabilities of foes and potential foes, proliferation of threat weapons and associated systems, and the poten-tial reduction in our decisive comparative advantage. The challenges also include changing global demographics and competition of ideas, and the competition for resources and power that drive instability, fuel conflict and underpin extremism. Domestically, we also face resource constraints and force structure reductions commensurate with the rest of our joint force. The future, both near and long term is dynamic, unstable, and relatively unknown—and within that future operating environment, we still have to achieve and maintain a comparative advantage and provide the best rotary-wing support possible to our joint special operations forces teammates.

Opportunities also arise from this environment—it is forcing us to care-fully reevaluate our priorities, challenge assumptions, and in concert with our higher headquarters and supported SOF ground forces conduct some pretty detailed strategic planning. Our nested strategic planning efforts through U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)—feeding both the Army and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)—are becoming better synchronized and more precise. Priorities established by our higher headquarters are nested, clear and inclusive of our voice. We’re protecting and investing in key capabilities needing to be sustained and adapting and shifting focus to identified gaps and valid emerging requirements.

We’ve seized the opportunity by conducting deliberate strategic planning across our portfolio, collaboratively with all of our stakehold-ers and subordinate units, driving some necessary change across the Special Operations Aviation (SOA) enterprise, and more precisely feeding the higher Army and USSOCOM resourcing efforts. We’ve captured our long-range strategic planning effort—In narrative format in a document titled ARSOA 2035, currently in final draft.

Q: With the level of flight hours you are being asked to maintain, how is that impacting your readiness from a maintenance per-spective and how are you managing the life cycle aspects result-ing from the intensity of operations?

A: Despite the high demand for our units supporting combat com-mitments and contingency operations, and our high training tempo, maintenance readiness remains high. Our readiness doesn’t come easy and we fight through inevitable friction just like any other unit

Brigadier General Erik C. Peterson

Commander U.S. Army Special Operations

Aviation Command

Q&A


employing complex machines to accomplish no fail missions. I at-tribute our strong readiness directly to great leaders and Soldiers in our units, our strong contractor maintenance workforce, and abso-lutely magnificent maintenance and aircraft lifecycle management by our Aviation Maintenance Support Office (AMSO) and our Technology Applications Program Office (TAPO). We also benefit greatly from the dedicated SOF peculiar depot level capability provided by USSOCOM’s Special Operations Forces Support Activity, and robust support from the Army’s entire aviation maintenance, engineering, depot, and life cycle management enterprise.

With respect to the life cycle management of our platforms—again, we benefit from the efforts of a great team. We demand a great deal from our aircraft—operating them at a high tempo in challeng-ing environments and mission profiles—and in the face of evolving threats. In order to maintain our comparative advantage and unique capability—and most importantly, deliver the capability our supported SOF ground forces need—we work closely with USSOCOM’s Program Executive Office for Rotary Wing, our SOA peculiar life-cycle manage-ment team at the TAPO, and the Army’s Program Executive Office for Aviation, the Aviation and Missile Command to develop and imple-ment our modernization roadmap. The roadmap graphically depicts our strategy for aircraft modernization, upgrades and modifications. In the end, our current and future capabilities are a direct result of teamwork, collaboration and trust amongst all of these organizations and the wise oversight of experienced, empowered leaders orches-trating their efforts.

Q: Are there platforms in service now—such as the Lakota or V-22—that interest you and are there aircraft in development—like Sikor-sky’s Raider or the Bell V-280—that draw similar interest? Do you have funding to investigate platform modernization or a future acquisition?

A: In the near term we are focused on optimizing, improving and sustaining our current proven, high-demand fleet. In the long term we are interested in what the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator effort will produce and how it will inform the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) initiative. We’re certainly interested in the potential for a capability leap in range, speed and payload—as long as we don’t sacrifice vertical maneuverability. As a stakeholder in FVL—with the Army and our joint partners—we’ve consistently emphasized the need to retain the ability to maneuver with appropriate power and agility in a target area. Our job is to support a ground SOF commander’s scheme of maneuver, in chal-lenging terrain—high, hot, megacities—in the face of a determined foe, and provide precision infiltration, exfiltration, reconnaissance and fires. In our mind, good vertical maneuverability—the combination of power, agility, and handling qualities—is an essential element of both current and future requirements.

Regarding modernization funding—yes, we have prioritized, resourced plans for targeted modernization efforts across our fleet and enabling systems. Sustained support and prioritization from both the Army and USSOCOM is keeping our essential modernization efforts moving forward and allowing us the opportunity to explore emerging technologies.

Q: Do you have a priority list of technologies you want integrated sooner rather than later—whether they be for mobility, survivabil-ity, lethality or maintainability?

A: Regarding mobility, and maintainability for that matter, our priority efforts are on modernization of the MH-47G fleet as a joint USSOCOM and Army effort nested with the H-47 block II program—providing us with much needed new machined airframes, weight savings, increased performance and increased commonality with the Army’s CH-47F fleet. Our next overall aircraft modernization priority is the AH/MH-6 Mission Enhanced Little Bird (MELB) with targeted performance, cockpit and maintainability improvements, and we are also considering courses of action to extend the life of the MELB airframes.

In the realm of survivability we are looking carefully at specific countermeasures improvements and new acquisition approaches that match or exceed the pace of rapidly evolving threat systems. We also consider performance enhancements a vital component of our surviv-ability equation.

With respect to lethality we are interested in improved precision and more stowed kills in the form of lightweight precision munitions for both our manned and unmanned platforms. We’re also tied in with the Army’s Joint Air to Ground Missile program.

Our maintainability efforts are primarily focusing on better under-standing, documenting and managing total cost of ownership, and improving critical component life and time on wing. We also see the value in collaborating with the joint force, Army, industry and academia to better use and analyze the rich trove of system health and usage data and information collected by onboard systems and sensors to proactively inform maintenance management, optimize component life-cycle and explore the potential of conditions based maintenance where applicable.

Q: Is USASOAC looking at manned-unmanned teaming options much like the big Army is doing with Apaches and unmanned aer-ial system (UAS)?

A: Our units and aircrews have very effectively teamed with a wide vari-ety of manned and unmanned platforms for many years in both combat operations and joint SOF training and continue to do so. That being said, our organic UAS—MQ-1C Gray Eagles—are consistently employed in direct support of ground SOF commanders forward as opposed to being deliberately teamed with our forward deployed rotary-wing units. We’re certainly interested in expanding options for manned-unmanned team-ing, particularly as UAS capabilities improve. As we move forward we’ll stay connected with the Army’s efforts and learn from them.

Modernization of the MH-47G fleet is a top priority and is a joint USSOCOM-Army program nested with the H-47 block II program. (U.S. Army photo)


Q: How much of your maintenance is handled organically? How do you go about maximizing industry partnerships to improve reli-ability and reduce costs?

A: If you are referring to assigned soldiers conducting maintenance as opposed to civilian or contractors, our soldiers conduct roughly two-thirds of our overall maintenance operations and our contract maintainers provide the remaining capacity. For context; you have to consider the fact that the 160th Special Operations Aviation Command (SOAR) doesn’t have an aviation support battalion similar to standard Army combat aviation brigades of similar size. We compensate for this with a carefully managed, very capable contractor maintenance team. Our contract maintenance team conducts a portion of our home based heavy maintenance and provides us with some unique and vital SOF peculiar component repair capability.

Improving reliability and reducing cost are key focus areas for our overall sustainment and modernization effort. AMSO is leading our efforts to better document, understand and manage total cost of ownership and improve management of our parts inventory and supply chain. They are working in close concert with our life cycle manage-ment team—TAPO—and our Army Aviation and Missile Command and industry partners. Specifically, we’ve evolved our overarching mainte-nance support contract to improve effectiveness and reduce cost. We also continue to work very closely, through both the Army and SOF channels, with industry and original equipment manufacturer partners to improve reliability, optimize time on wing of key components, for our benefit and that of other like users. We openly share our observations

and challenges directly with industry partners and in broader, collabora-tive forums as appropriate.

Q: Where is the state-of-the-art in degraded visual environment (DVE) systems? How are you approaching the problem from the equipment and training perspective?

A: Our DVE program is moving forward. Over the past few years, our team conducted a competition which resulted in multiple contract awards for the development and demonstration of DVE capabilities. Industry partners demonstrated promising technologies from both ground-based and aircraft-based platforms that resulted in successive awards to the most promising demonstrated capabilities. We’re enthusi-astic about the continued development and integration of this system and look forward to the benefits it will provide in a variety of exception-ally challenging operating environments.

When we ultimately field the capability, we’ll leverage the capacity of our training base and rich experience with fielding other new tech-nologies to develop and execute new equipment training for existing crews, and integrate the new capability into our entry level training programs. As with other unique, complex capabilities we’ve previously adopted, training will likely involve a combination of academics, simula-tion, and hands-on flight training.

Q: Tell me about your routine, recurrent training programs. How do you mix classroom, simulator and live flight? Are you as fully con-nected to take advantage of LVC training as you would like?

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A: Our formal training programs, administered by our Special Opera-tions Aviation Training Battalion (SOATB) are a vital component of our capability and success. They not only provide world class instruc-tion in special operations aviation skills and specific aircraft quali-fications, they are also the first step in introducing aspiring unit members to the Night Stalker culture—“A professional, empowered, winning team—built on trust, dedicated to the mission, relentlessly focused on supporting the customer.” We have 29 Army accredited curricula that range from our combat and basic skills courses—known as Green Platoon—to advanced maintenance and avionics training, and specific special operations aviation aircraft qualifications.

Last year over 2,100 soldiers were trained through those 29 courses. Most of the courses employ a mix of classroom academics, appropriate field or “hands-on” application and, where appropriate, simulation or actual flight. All of our aircraft qualification courses make substantial use of our aircraft specific combat mission simula-tors, making the precious training time in the actual aircraft more effective and efficient. Following initial training and qualification in SOATB, the 160th SOAR has specific battalion level training and pro-gression programs to advance the skills and qualifications of not only aircrew members, but maintenance and support soldiers as well.

Your question regarding being “fully connected” and leveraging live, virtual and constructive training is very timely. The simple an-swer is; no, we are not currently fully connected. The ability to fully network our simulators with outside organization and sites—Army or joint—has atrophied over the years and we’re reengaging to remedy that deficiency.

We know that we have challenges with compatibility and interoperability and well as hurdles with the transport network and backbone to support high-fidelity interaction between systems. We’re working closely with our Army and joint partners to improve interop-erability and connectivity in the short term as well as chart a clear course for future simulation systems and investment.

Q: Annually, how much training and exercise time does the 160th spend with allied special operations forces training for com-bined operations? What are the biggest gains from these en-counters and are there ways to improve the take-aways?

A: Supporting our theater special operations command’s (TSOC) part-ner nation capability building priorities is second only to our deployed combat and contingency operations.

Last year the 160th SOAR participated in formal combined training exercises in 11 countries, not including the training and support our crews conduct with coalition and host nation partners in combat the-aters. We’re continuing to work with TSOCs and USSOCOM to expand our formal training and exercise presence by linking events and keep-ing our teams purposefully engaged in priority areas longer.

Additionally, our Special Operations Aviation Advisory Director-ate (SOAAD), in concert with expertise from the 160th SOAR, is also conducting substantial combined training to help priority partner nations build rotary-wing capability and capacity to support their own SOF forces. Last year we had 12 significant SOAAD efforts in eight countries, and this year we are engaged in focused efforts with seven partner nations.

The biggest gains for the most part are in the realm of air-ground operations. We tend to take for granted our close relationship we have with our supported ground SOF—it’s part of our DNA. That isn’t necessarily the case with many of our partner nations. We’ve made

great headway by teaming with our ground SOF and helping partner nations work more closely—aviation and ground forces—to build a credible air-ground capability. It’s really rewarding to see a relatively capable partner rotary-wing aviation unit planning shoulder to shoul-der with their supported ground forces and figure out how to best support the ground force commander’s objectives and scheme of maneuver. We have some professional, motivated partner forces out there—and many just need a little nudge to get to the next level.

As for improvement, two things come to mind: capacity and coordination. The demand for aviation partner nation capability build-ing is far outstripping our capacity. We’re trying to expand our own SOAAD capacity and are exploring options to nest our efforts with the capability building priorities of advanced partner nations and mature alliances. We’re also seeking opportunities to better coordinate and synchronize with broader theater, joint, and Army engagement, exer-cise, and capability building efforts—to achieve a coherent multi-year development strategy. Finally, we’re also interested in leveraging the ability and capacity of defense industry partners to help us build partner nation rotary-wing capability.

Q: What is the status of the C-27J fleet? Is the platform living up to expectations when it was brought into the fleet? Finally, a gunship version on the C-27J has been developed—is there an interest from USASOAC to have a modular gunship capability?

A: Our C-27J fleet is fully employed in support of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School’s special operations training pipe-line and other Army SOF training. Our crews appreciate the aircraft’s performance and it is working well as a platform for military freefall training. We’re routinely supporting training at Yuma Proving Ground, Fort Bragg and occasionally other locations.

We struggled a bit with maintenance at the beginning—which shouldn’t have been a surprise since we pulled those aircraft out of mothballs and no sustainment system or infrastructure remained after the termination of the USAF’s C-27J program. We’re in a much better readiness position now and our team continues to improve our maintenance and sustainment systems.

As for the C-27J gunship—we acquired the C-27J to fill a gap in Army SOF training support and we’re fully engaged in fulfilling that mission. Any substantial changes in that focus would have to be driven by a compelling capability gap and validated requirement.

The AH/MH-6 MELB is due for targeted performance, cockpit and maintainability improvements, and the Army is considering courses of action to extend the life of the airframes. (U.S. Army photo)


Q: Defense budgets in most of the world’s countries are facing pressures because of the economic crisis. Does Jordanian Joint Special Operations (JSO) manage its own budget? Do you predict the upcoming budget will increase or decrease or will stay in the same status?

Al-Abbadi: Jordanian Special Operations have no independent budget. We are, JSO, part of Armed Forces’ main budget and JSO has been man-aged by Mishael al-Zain, his Excellency, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who sets JSO priorities and we’re part of the other branches of the Armed Forces and we work with them as a one team.

However, his Majesty, the King, is a JSO major supporter and some-times we receive direct support from his office regarding our purchase of weapons and vehicles and so forth.

Thank God, everything we ask for, we have a positive reply but as you know the Jordanian Kingdom has different economic settings with notable economic pressures on the infrastructures and refugees issue in particular. There are 4-5 million refugees in Jordan and this will effect, for sure, on the state general budget but the Armed Forces have the respect of the Jordanian people, Representative Council, government, and His Majesty the King. I don’t expect in the near future any rise in JSO budget because of the economic challenges that the region is going through, so, I think the military budget will stay in the same status. We wish there will be support from friendly states like the United States because JSO is an essential partner with American special operations and we work side-by-side in various locations in the world—like Afghanistan, for example.

In addition, the Armed Forces under many pressures. For instance, the Border Guards, are not only performing military duties as they are performing many other duties, like managing refugees camps, which are consuming a major part of the Armed Forces and the state budget in general.

Q: In early 2016, His Majesty King Abdullah visited JSO Command. Would you please tell us about this vital visit and what is the sig-nificance for the JSO Command that his Majesty the King is a JSO former commander?

Al-Abbadi: We are very fortunate that His Majesty the King is a military man and he knows the challenges that face the Armed Forces and its

importance as well. Furthermore, we are honored that His Majesty the King was a past JSO commander and he knows its importance and he remains personally engaged for JSO.

I was honored with four visits by His Majesty since I became JSO commander in July of 2015.

His Majesty’s visits tighten our determination and uplifts our moral because we discuss with him the general state of affairs and the security threats in the region and review with him plans that we are working on. We also brief His Majesty on the latest military equipment that we have received.

We are not working only on the military aspect, however, we are also working on social media, C4I, the future solider and counter-ter-rorism through the national document. Additionally, we are working on the warfighter’s ideological immunization regarding our military doctrine and we link that with our technical development.

We constantly monitor the latest military techniques and technolo-gies and we have security information exchanges with our brothers in the Jordanian security institutions as well as with the security institu-tions and special operations elements in friendly states.

However, most of the talks during his Majesty visits are about training, preparations and our projects that we are implementing.

Q: You’ve mentioned social media, is it possible to talk about this subject?

Al-Abbadi: Modern wars are not only fought with traditional weapons but many wars today are related to ideologies and there is a race be-tween the good guys and the bad guys to win people’s hearts. One way we are working to defeat the radical ideologies is through social media. We examine the social media that produced by ISIL or Khawarij [Transla-tor’s note: a radical sect that existed during the early stage of Islamic history and is well-known for its radical interpretation of Islam and its disagreement with all Islamic moderate sects.]

Meanwhile, being a moderate Islamic state, we have to articulate the real Islamic ideology in order to prevent people from drifting to ISIL’s radical notions. We are utilizing the intelligence aspect and social media to counter the rumors that are broadcast by terrorists in the region.

It’s an Islamic responsibility and every Islamic country should imple-ment a program that will counter this radical ideology.

International VectorBrigadier General Adnan Ahmad Al-AbbadiCommander, Jordanian Joint Special Operations

An Exclusive Special Operations International Q&A with


First, we have an intelligence center where I have multiple specialized teams working to counter ISIL propaganda. We are also working on analyzing such rumors and the objectives behind them.

Second, we are starting to mitigate the rumors and articulate the realities for the people in social media in Jordan or elsewhere by disproving ISIL rumors by using the truthful word from our end against ISIL false word and thus we articulate the terrorists’ true colors. While we have specialized teams in this field we are also working with the cooperation of friendly states in this area.

Q: What are the challenges that face Jordan and what’s the role of JSO in facing such challenges?

Al-Abbadi: There are many challenges that face the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the economic challenge is the most important one where Jordan is a limited sources state.

However, even though it’s a small state, Jordan is open for visitors and refugees. The population in Jordan is 3.5 million but because we consider Jordan belonging to all Arabs, we have never hesitated to take in anyone who’s seeking to live in safe status with dignity.

Having said that, such elements are generat-ing pressure on the state’s economy and effect negatively on citizens’ income and the labor force in general. We are doing the follow up and are accurately recording all refugees who are coming from Syria and performing a full security investi-gation on every single individual because we are afraid of the possibility of terrorists’ infiltrators existence among the refugees. JSO is playing a major role in checking the refugees’ identities.

JSO is also considered an important strategic power in the higher com-mander’s hand to be used as a winning ticket to meet the objectives that serve the national interest and defend our national security.

In addition to the economic challenge, there are security and demo-graphic challenges that have an effect on the country’s culture. We are playing a major role in the military and security operations and we are working as a deterrent force, supporting the Borders Guards in addition to our position as a strategic power ready to face any threat from any direc-tion.

Q: What is next year’s arms contract plan? Weapons? Helicopters? Vehicles? Or surveillance equipment? Or anything else?

Al-Abbadi: JSO has good potentials but we wish to have satellite commu-nication equipment and we need to have more helicopters to reinforce our fighting and strategic capabilities.

Moreover, we wish to have strategic transportation—meaning transport aircraft exclusively for JSO operations like the C-130 and C-17 that will make JSO a more self-sufficient power in term of training, equipment and arms.

We wish to have vehicles that function everywhere under all circum-stances and desert areas in particular because most of the areas in the Middle East are desert.

These are our future plans and they require an independent budget but I’m optimistic that we are going to reach what we are pursuing because of the efforts of his Majesty the King, his Excellency the Joint Staff, and the support from our brothers in the friendly countries that we are highly count-ing on. Furthermore, we count on our friends in the friendly countries because we believe that the JSO missions are integrated and require the unification of international efforts to face the challenges.

From a geographic perspective, we are on the frontline in the region. We are leading this war whether at the ideologi-cal level or on the military level against Khawarij and the terrorist groups in the region. Additionally, Jordan has had martyrs in this war and we are still at the ready in order to prevail peace and security in the region and the world.

Q: Would you please talk about the King Abdullah II Special Opera-tions Training Center (KASOTC). It started five years ago. For JSO, what’s the significance of this center?

Al-Abbadi: KASOTC was opened five years ago on May 19th of 2009. I was the center’s military commander back then and am still tracking the center’s activities.

This center is closely associated with the Jordanian Armed Forces Command and it was formed to handle every training requirement of JSO and security commands and elements that require special training in order to execute their mission. The center cost $300 million and it includes many facilities with specialties in specific skill sets like breaching for rooms and buildings, fighting in built-up areas and releas-ing hostages There is even an Airbus airplane to conduct the training of anti-hijacking scenarios.

This center has many other training facilities for other special tac-tics and operations—all designed with the special warfighter in mind.

The center is also available for countries to reserve for exclusive training, however, it specializes in allowing friendly countries to join in training together with the different courses, whether counter terrorism or special forces or Commandos, with the objective being the unification

...I’m optimistic that we are going to reach what we

are pursuing because of the efforts of his Majesty

the King, his Excellency the Joint Staff...


of special operations warfighting concepts and techniques. Moreover, the concepts and techniques development should meet the threats size and the lessons taken from the battles. Some friendly countries like USA and UK and other states have made use of the center for training purposes.

Q: Is there any plan to expand the center in Amman? There was a talk recently about adding naval center in the Gulf of Aqaba?

Al-Abbadi: The main plan behind the center formation centered around three phases; the first phase in Amman, the second one in Aqaba for naval training and the third phase in Zarqa area for long-range weapons training.

However, as I mentioned previously, the economic factors have im-pacted the progress of the phases. This center was built by our efforts and those of our friends’ efforts and with phase 1 basically complete, we still have to work on phase 2 at the Gulf of Aqaba, close to the naval base were we will provide diving courses, countering maritime piracy, and counter terrorism training.

The third phase will be located in northeast of Amman which is a desert area as an opportunity for the forces to have training in various terrains.

Q: KASOTC has the Warrior Competition every year, what is the out-come of mobilizing of the special operations forces with army and security forces?

Al-Abbadi: KASOTC’s commander can elaborate with more details about this event.

As a special operations commander and the center’s former com-mander, the Warrior Competition is one of the essential programs that had been developed and included in KASOTC. In this contest, most of counter terrorism units will be mobilized and I present one or two teams from Jor-dan’s Special Battlaion 71 which is well-known and distinguished battalion and other special operations forces will send teams to participate in this contest with main objective: develop methods and concepts and having familiarity with other fighters from friendly countries.

In 2015, 37 teams from 19 countries participated.Meanwhile, it’s a competing process and we are working to make

this the best event of its kind. This year it will take pace the week before SOFEX.

Q: A year ago, a Jordanian pilot, Muath al-Kasasbeh crashed and was captured by ISIL which committed the most terrible crimes against this pilot. Has this incident changed JSO tactics in the training for fighting missions and search and rescue?

Al-Abbadi: First of all, ISIL’s crime against Muath al-Kasasbeh can’t be forgotten from the Jordanian common memory and this atrocious crime committed by Khawarij led to two issues: first was enforcing the Jordanian national unity and second was revealing the reality of this bogus mob.

We, as special operations, have the capability of search and rescue but our operations are limited; however, post to al-Kasasbeh martyrdom, we started training in in combat search and rescue with friendly countries cooperation—primarily with the USA and UK—and


a special force had been formed to execute missions like this one particularly in areas far from the Jordanian Kingdom borders.

In addition, we worked on developing long-term concepts and achieved several accomplishments in term of significant necessities in the operations of search and rescue combat.

al-Kasasbeh martyrdom was a painful incident but we’ve learned from it a lot and we have today specialized teams in this tactic with good options and the capability to execute that mission anywhere.

Q: Is the recruit selection process in the elite forces steady for all units or there are other issues according to unit spe-cialty? How is the right person selected to be a part of the Jordanian special op-erations?

Al-Abbadi: In general, we select according to a unit’s specialty. The special operations fighter must have certain characteristics and the most important one is the self-motivation and desire to join special opera-tions. This, of course is in addition to other required steps like the a security background check and specialized examinations like psychological and physical exams.

This is regarding the JSO units but there are special units like 101 and 71 Battalions for counter-terrorism and we have other teams that have special qualifications in warfight-ers’ selection with long detailed process that an individual would have to pass success-fully in order to join such units.

In other words, not everyone who became a fighter in the JSO can join 71 or 101 Battalions and generally speaking, the qualifications that have been implemented by JSO are different than the qualifications for the other Armed Forces branches. We are very precise in the selection and each candidate goes through many committees before joining JSO.

Q: What is the importance of joint train-ing and joint exercise with special opera-tions forces of allied countries? Are there any exchange programs between the JSO and friendly special operations?

Al-Abbadi: JSO has good terms with all Arabic and friendly states.

We have annual joint exercise whether in form of exchanges or in other forms. We also have annual exercises like Ready Lion that includes special operations forces from at least 20 countries. During Ready Lion all participating teams are under one command.

An example of an exchange is that I have liaison officers in the USA including a colonel working now with American Special Opera-tions Command and at the same time I have an American colonel representing U.S. Special Operations Command here in Jordan. As well, there are American special operations units in constant training with JSO units. We have a strong close collaboration with the USA and we have joint training with Arabic countries and friendly states and we highly cherish and proud of that.

al-Kasasbeh martyrdom was a painful incident

but we’ve learned from it a lot and we

have today specialized teams in this tactic with good options

and the capability to execute that mission

anywhere.


The adage has it wrong. What you don’t know can hurt you.In the case of small and special forces teams on the ground,

this means that what you can’t see can be dangerous—or deadly. So, there’s a premium placed on spotting adversaries first, as well as on techniques to stay hidden while doing so.

The challenge is that physical constraints get in the way, often creating a need to reduce system size, weight and power—SwaP. On-going investigations into possible solutions look promising, according to Joseph Brooks. He’s director of the special products and prototyp-ing division at the Fort Belvoir, Va.-based Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) within the U.S. Army’s Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC).

Better acquisition of a person, object of interest or a target is simple, in theory. All that’s needed is imaging different spectral bands, as these supply different information.

“We do, in fact, use multiple modalities to help us overcome the shortcomings of some environments and in others to enhance our ability to detect and acquire targets,” Brooks said.

Visible sensors cover wavelengths from 400 to 700 nanometers. Near and short-wave infrared (IR) sensors takes over after that, imaging wavelengths out to about 2,000 nm. Longer wavelengths of 5,000 to 10,000 nm are the domain of thermal IR. Visible as well as near and short-wave IR depend on reflected light. In contrast, thermal IR captures images based on the heat given off by objects themselves.

A combination of these different types of sensors can supply more information than any single one can. Thermal IR sensors, for

instance, work at night while near or short-wave IR imaging pen-etrates smoke and visible devices offer a high resolution color view.

Recent advances have made it easier for a soldier on foot to field such a sensor combination. For instance, thermal IR systems used to depend upon cooling to temperatures hundreds of degrees below freezing, which meant they needed a table-top sized cooler. The advent of uncooled detectors that operate at ambient temperatures while offering acceptable detection range and resolution has changed system requirements.

“That makes it a low power, smaller device,” said Thomas Soyka, chief of the quick response branch under the special products and prototype division of CERDEC NVESD. “Now it’s moving to the ground soldier. You’re seeing that capability there.”

Other technologies are also extending capabilities. For example, smart-phones cram remarkably good optics and capable sensors in very small pack-ages. When such new technologies and other optics innovations are applied to military applications, they enable a reduction in size and weight, according to Susan Fung, electronics engineer in the quick response branch.

“When possible the military likes to leverage commercial technology, such as smartphones,” she said.

She noted another example comes from gaming technology. The software developed for games fuses imagery and information, presenting it in a way that can be quickly interpreted without being distracting. The same tech-niques can also be applied to the problem of getting target data to a soldier.

But, despite such progress problems remain. One is that soldiers are already burdened with gear and equipment, with the load topping 100 pounds. No one wants to add to that burden and the military is always looking for ways to lighten it.

Various commands and agencies are working on solutions to keep the enemy at much more than arm’s length before they can be detected.

BY HANK HOGANSPECOPS CORRESPONDENT


The issue is that imaging different spectral bands requires different sensors. Those sensors may need different optics, which adds weight.

What’s more, if the sensors are being trained on the same object, there has to be a way to overlay the images. This can be done by splitting the incoming light into multiple paths, but this can be difficult to do in a soldier-mounted unit because the length is too great, Soyka said.

He added that another option is to use software to do the image overlay. That, though, demands processing and so creates an associated battery drain.

When the alignment of different images is done through software, another problem emerges. Ground forces work at a variety of distances. These can range from the very close in, say within a meter, to something much further away, such as a kilometer or more. Most of the time, the soldier may be concerned with the short end of that range, which would mean, seemingly, that it would be best to optimize the alignment of multiple images for the shortest distances.

“If you try to maintain the alignment for that, then longer distance objects may have a ghosting image,” Soyka said.

One solution, he noted, is to build a system where the software align-ment can be adjusted. In effect, the soldier can turn a dial and change the overlay, eliminating ghosting and any problems it may bring, without sacrificing the ability to achieve precise overlay at another distance.

Another consideration is the field of view. In general, the longer the distance a system images at, the narrower the field of view. Traditional night vision goggles have about a 40-degree field of view, but there can be a need for a longer distance capability. In that case, another system may be embedded within or added onto a night vision goggle, enabling greater reach at the price of a smaller field of view.

As for detection while remaining unseen, system and sensor develop-ment work can help with that. “We certainly know what the strong points of the sensors are and what the weak points are,” Brooks said.

“That’s why it’s important for us during training to educate the operators on the advantages and disadvantages of our technology so that in an operational scenario they’re best utilizing that capability while minimizing their vulnerability,” Fung said.

As part of its development process, CERDEC NVESD will get systems into the hands of soldiers and senior level NCOs for evaluation. Any feed-back can then be used by the rapid prototyping division, which has its own shop facilities, to refine devices and also to improve training. In the end the goal is to have something that industry can support because that will be needed when thousands of systems are put into the field.

While CERDEC NVESD works on next generation surveillance and de-tection systems, DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, tackles what will come the day or maybe decades after. It’s a high risk, high reward focus, with such notable past hits as stealth technology and miniaturization of GPS receivers. Due to the nature of what it’s attempt-ing to do, DARPA has also had its share of misses.

Jay Lewis is a program manager within DARPA’s Microsystems Tech-nology Office. Lewis heads several efforts aimed at making things clearer for ground-based warfighters.

These include advanced wide FOV Architectures for Image Recon-struction and Exploitation or AWARE, which pushes imager performance. There’s also LCTI-M, or Low Cost Thermal Imager – Manufacturing. It seeks to make infrared technology so that it can be generally used by individual warfighters. A third program is Pixel Network for Dynamic Visualization. PIXNET is a response to the fact that night vision goggles are now widely available as off-the-shelf commercial devices, eliminating what was once a significant military advantage. Multi-band cameras can counter this and reestablish that command of the detection high ground. Currently,

though, they are too large and expensive for warfighters to field, a situa-tion the program is attempting to fix.

Lewis noted benefits have been shown when combining at least one band that is primarily reflected light, such as in the visible or short wave infrared, with a thermal emission band in the mid- or long-wave infrared. Generally, it’s not practical to be able to access all bands at all times, he said.

With the PIXNET program, the goal is to create multi-band imagery us-ing small and low power systems for the first time, Lewis said. “While the challenges are considerable, we expect to demonstrate real-time, multi-band, high-resolution image fusion in both a helmet-mounted camera and a clip-on weapon sight.”

As for what can be done with the images thus acquired, sharing sen-sor information is a major area of interest. An example of such research and development work is DARPA’s ULTRA-VIS program, an augmented reality system.

According to an unclassified description, the soldier worn situ-ational awareness system “allows the small unit leader to display iconic representations of blue force locations, tactically relevant targets, and coordinated actions and effects. The icons are geo-registered on the battlefield and viewed from each warfighter’s perspective using a see-through, head-mounted display.”

Thus, individuals can share geo-located markers of interest, such as for friend or foe. They can provide this information to another warfighter in the network, with the information overlaid from that soldier’s perspec-tive onto the scene.

The ULTRA-VIS program is over. Fiscal year 2012 budget documents said that prototype units were planned to transition to U.S. Army Special Forces Operations Command and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Finally, while a lot of smart people are working on ways to allow ground forces to see without being seen, they also are smart enough to realize that physical constraints exist. It may be possible to do better now or in the future than in the past, such as by creating soldier-mount-ed systems that functionally do jobs that today can only be handled by much bulkier and heavier equipment. At the same time, though, actually achieving the ideal isn’t in the cards. That’s when researchers began balancing one desirable attribute against another.

As CERDEC NVESD’s Fung said, “There’s nothing that we do—no actual models—that are perfect. There are always environmental conditions or size and weight where you have to tradeoff performance. There are always tradeoffs.”

Better acquisition of a person, object of interest or a target is simple, in theory. All that’s needed is imaging different spectral bands, as these supply different information. (DoD photo)


The 437th Airlift Wing has a long and proud heritage, tracing its earliest roots back the 437th Troop Carrier Group activated on May 1, 1943. Today, based at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., the 437th is a C-17-flying component of Air Mobil-ity Command and the only wing trained and equipped to directly support special operations missions.

With air transport in the unit’s DNA, in late 1979 and early 1980, the 437th began receiving the new C-141B Starlifters along with a new mission—Special Operations Low Level II (SOLL II). According to the unit history, “Crews began training immediately, and the wing soon had nine crews qualified for night vision goggle low-level flying, night vision goggle landing and rapid cargo off-load.” The 437th retained the SOLL II mission through the C-141 era until 1997, when the SOLL II mission was transferred to the 305th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire AFB. The mission was transferred to allow the 437 AW to complete the transition to the first full C-17A “Globemaster,” equipped wing in the Air Force; the SOLL II mis-sion returned to the 437 AW and the new C-17A in 2002, and has remained to this day.

Within the Air Force, each C-17 wing is sized according to the assigned mission in both per-sonnel and aircraft. Currently the 437 Airlift Wing has 48 aircraft assigned and the associated number of personnel. In essence, the C-17 wings fall into either multi-squadron wings or single

squadron wings. “At present, the 437th Airlift Wing is comprised of both an operations group and a maintenance group,” explained Lieutenant Colonel Jim Harris, 437th Operations Group, depu-ty commander. “The operations group has three flying squadrons and one support squadron.”

Mission aside, all continental United States C-17 wings are active duty Air Mobility Command, Air Force Reserve Command units, or Air National Guard units.

In order to avoid a fleet of multiple variants of the same airframe, Air Mobility Command’s policy is to work toward a homogeneous fleet with equal capability. As modifications are implemented, the fleet is constantly in a state of flux but the modifications are planned across the board. “Some users prefer the most up-to-date aircraft, but the Special Operations Low Level II mission can be accomplished with any C-17 aircraft,” said Harris. “The user units may have some roll-on/roll-off equipment that is certified for use on the C-17. Any unit-provided ‘no scar’ roll-on/roll-off equipment is not considered an aircraft modification.”

As special operators will always tell you, it’s not about the machine but the individual so training is a differentiator. Qualification training

in the C-17 aircraft is conducted at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., under Air Education and Training Command. “They are better able to provide the most up-to-date mix of classroom, simulator and flight training,” said Harris.

The simulators that are already in place allow crews to train and rehearse normal instru-ment, airdrop and mission training procedures just as they are conducted in the aircraft.

A majority of the mission planning is ac-complished in the squadrons using the mission planning computers the day prior to a flight. The aircraft loadmasters utilize either the computer on the aircraft or traditional pen and paper to calculate the aircraft’s weight and balance before each flight.

In the past, the Air Force Personnel Center allowed SOLL II personnel longer assignments, but that agreement was rescinded. At present, SOLL II personnel are subject to the same as-signment policy as any other 437th AW crew-member.

Because there are a finite number of C-17s available on any given day, Air Mobility Com-mand assigns any number of worldwide mis-sions to the 437th AW that are not SOF-related. Aircraft and crews are assigned to missions as the mission demands. This includes routinely participating in missions, exercises and training with other country’s aircraft on a variety of profiles.

THE 437TH AIRLIFT WING MAINTAINS SPECIAL OPERATIONS SKILL SETS WITH THE C-17A GLOBEMASTER

BY JEFF MCKAUGHAN


8th Annual United States Army Special

Operations Command’s

International Sniper

Competition.


March 21-25 saw competitors from around the globe gather at Fort Bragg, N.C., for the 8th Annual United States Army Special Operations Command’s International Sniper Competition.

The competition saw 25, two-man teams from special operations forces, government agencies and military forces from Germany, Singa-pore, Ireland, Australia, Kyrgyzstan and the United States pitted against each other in events testing their abilities in 20 challenging events over the course of five days.

Competing for bragging rights isn’t the only reason for the competi-tion. Master Sergeant Ivor Gonsalves, a Special Forces Sniper Committee instructor, said, “The competition’s primary purpose is to foster cama-raderie, inter-service competition and showcase tactics, techniques and procedures along with the various types of equipment in use with different units.”

Consistent training in stalking, target acquisition and shooting helps the teams meet a series of prerequisites required to enter the competi-tion. “Participants from the U.S. military are from the United States Special Operations Command’s units and must be graduates of their service’s sniper course. There are a few exceptions to this rule, the U.S. Army’s Sniper School and the U.S. Marine Corps Scout Sniper School competitors, for example, are allowed to compete as a professional courtesy to fellow sniper instructors. A number of foreign special operations units are also invited to compete as well as select U.S. federal law enforcement special response teams,” said Gonsalves.

Each year the events change making the competition unlike any other sniper competition. The events are created by the instructors of the Special Forces Sniper Course. “The events originate from the experi-enced cadre of the Special Forces Sniper Course. Events are designed to highlight perceived weaknesses in training. We want participants to leave this competition with thoughts on what and how to train better,” said Gonsalves.

Not only is it tough to hit the targets every time, but the competitors are also racing against the clock. Each event has time limits ranging from three to eight minutes along with a limited amount of ammunition.

After stress events, moving targets, night engagements and multiple long-shot ranges, one of the teams from USASOC secured the victory. According to Gonsalves, the USASOC teams have a history of victories, but teams from 5th Special Forces Group and the Army Marksmanship units have won as well. This year the 3rd Special Forces Group team took home the victory.

The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, the U.S. Army’s Special Operations Center of Excellence’s Special Forces Sniper Course Cadre administered the competition.

Article by U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School public affairs.

A Special Forces sniper prepares to engage his target at the United States Army Special Operations Command’s International Sniper Competition, where 25, two-man teams from special-operations units, foreign-partners and law enforcement agencies put their skills to the ultimate test. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob Braman)

SPECOPS 14.3 | 21 www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

The more than 11,000 pound airframe hovered just feet above the soldiers’ heads while sand and other debris obscured their vision as they focused on rigging the quad bike onto the belly of the aircraft with a sling—an operation that requires a high-degree of attention to detail, meticulous preparation and an unerring commitment to safety.

Dozens of support soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, recently participated in sling-load operations to stay tactically and technically sharp on the procedure, which is a staple in providing soldiers in combat the beans and bullets required to win on the ground.

“Sling-load skills are perishable like many other individual soldier tasks,” said Headquarters Sup-port Company commander Captain Kai (first name). “This training helped introduce new soldiers to the mechanics of sling-load operations and gave senior NCOs an opportunity to refresh skills and share knowledge and experience,” he said.

The battalion’s support companies take pride in being able to provide depth and breadth in the logis-tics realm and consistently look for new ways to add value to the organization’s lethal prowess, said Kai.

Although it is not known for certain when the U.S. Army first lobbed provisions from an aircraft to soldiers on the ground, by the summer of 1942 “sup-ply by air” had become commonplace in the Pacific

Theater, according to Dr. Steven E. Anders, Quarter-master Corps Historian and author of “Aerial Delivery and Field Services—A Brief History.”

After the advent of the aerial delivery training department at the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Va., in 1951 and the solidification of aerial resup-ply doctrine during the Korean War, the rife use of helicopters in Vietnam proved equally effective at resupply via sling load, according to Anders.

For the First in Asia Battalion, resupplying small teams of operators on the ground requires innovation and versatility.

“Our soldiers and NCOs are among the most versatile in the Pacific,” said Kai. “This training reflects the flexibility and adaptability we try to instill in our soldiers. As support elements to forward deployed special operations forces, [Forward Support Compa-ny] and [Headquarters Support Company] encourage creative solutions to problems and an outside-the-box mentality towards logistics.”

From deepening SOF-conventional force interop-erability to developing new concepts for support and providing options for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, 1st Battalion soldiers remain commit-ted to staying at the height of readiness.

Richard L Rzepka is the U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa.

Army SOF keep their aerial skills current. BY RICHARD L RZEPKA


Warfighters are not usually pictured driving around in Toyotas, Fords, and BMWs, but for a growing number of them, especially special opera-tors, that is exactly what they are doing.

Diplomats, dignitaries and corporate officials travelling in danger zones have long been transported in up-armored civilian vehicles. The phenomenon has also been around militaries for some time, but has caught on in a big way in recent years.

There are a couple of reasons why special operators would choose Detroit, Japanese or German OEM vehicles over standard military issue.

One is the question of visibility. Especially when operations are being conducted in urban areas, in close quarters with civilian operations, the OEM option makes special operations teams less conspicuous. And in older and smaller populated areas, with narrow and winding streets, these non-standard commercial vehicles (NSCV), can operate where lumbering military trucks cannot.

The essential component to the armoring process, is, of course, steel. Specialized steel must be used to reinforce the vehicles while not altering their outward appearance and defeat the very purpose of using

The reasoning behind non standard commercial vehicles is to tactically move around but in a vehicle that blends in with other traffic.

BY PETER BUXBAUM, SPECOPS CORRESPONDENT

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civilian vehicles. As the steel adds weight to the vehicle, and in effort to maintain the vehicle’s original performance, tires, suspension systems, en-gines, and/or transmissions must also sometimes be upgraded, depending on the specific situation.

As with many military systems, government acquisitions types are always looking for innovations that will make them lighter and less expan-sive without compromising protection. Developments in steel and compos-ites have made some progress in this area.

“Having spent 30 years in the Army, I remember driving in up-armored Toyota Landcruisers as far back as Bosnia,” said retired Major General David Fraser, chief operations officer at the Toronto-based Inkas Armored Vehicles.

“The problem faced by militaries in some operations is that they can’t get their big machines into small villages,” said Ricky Jordan, general

manager of the UAE-headquartered Saxon Armor. “The roads aren’t wide enough and people can see them coming a mile away. More discreet vehicles came into play because they can move around virtually unnoticed.”

Companies specializing in up-armoring ve-hicles generally buy them from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) according their customers’ preferences. “The armor is also usually specified by the client,” said Jim LaBine, a program manager at Battelle. “Suspension systems are reinforced to handle the additional weight and to maintain the original handling of the vehicle. The goal is to come as close to the original performance as possible.”

The steel used in the armor is acquired by the modifiers from specialty manufacturers in the U.S., Brazil and Ukraine and is much stronger than steel used in construction, on vessels, or for fuel tanks. “A 22-caliber bullet can go straight through those,” said Jordan. “Ballistic steel needs to stop a 5.56 or 7.62 bullet travelling at 980 feet per second.”

The NSCV market is global in scope. Battelle has manufactured such vehicles for the U.S. Army. Saxon is located in the United Arab Emirates and supplies militaries and police departments as well as private concerns in that region with up-armored vehicles. Inkas is emphasizing growth in overseas markets having recently opened a facility in Nigeria.

“We have a big footprint in Nigeria that serves that market as well as a regional hub for other countries in the region,” said Fraser. “We are also shifting our attention to South America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and the Philippines.”

The up-armoring of an OEM vehicle is a long process that leaves the original vehicle almost as an empty shell. Ordinary glass is removed so it can be replaced with ballistic glass. The body of the auto must be hollowed out that it can be fitted on the inside with steel armor that doesn’t change the vehicle’s outward appearance.

“OEMs typically use two millimeters of mild steel,” said Jordan. “We are adding 6.5 mm of hard steel plates. They have to be bent and cut in a certain way to fit the inside of the vehicle.

We’re pretty much reverse engineering what the auto manufacturers have done. But we still have to put the seats, and the dashboard, and the pedals back in their proper place and it still has to look like an OEM vehicle.”

Civilian vehicles in their original state were never designed to sup-port the kind of weight that is being added by the modifiers, so the next step is to reinforce those components of the vehicle as required to allow it to operate and perform normally. “We reinforce the frame, knuckles and hinges, things that tend to bend over time,” said LaBine. “Additional fuel filers are often added. Brakes and brake fluid also normally have to upgraded.”

Heavier duty brake fluids can handle the higher temperatures being generated by the heavier vehicles. Suspension system upgrades take into

Above: This well-known photo clearly illustrated the early adoption of non standard trucks by special operations forces in Afghanistan. (DoD photo)

Bottom: In many circumstances, a military vehicle can incite further violence or escalate a situation, allowing it to become out of control before security forces and positioned themselves NSCV are much less threatening in their outward appearance. (Inkas photo)


account the fact that special operators often operate the vehicles off-road and at high speeds.

The added weight can also put strain on the original engine and transmission. “Vehicles equipped with a V8 en-gine might not need an upgrade,” said LaBine. “Otherwise, we might add turbochargers or piggybacks that trick the engine into producing more horsepower.”

As part of a U.S. Army program to produce lower-cost non-standard commercial vehicles, Battelle has included upgraded suspension and braking systems; reinforced front and rear bumpers with integrated infrared flood lights; included high-output alternators to operate ad-ditional electronics at idle; and provided comprehensive personnel protection, including opaque and transparent armor solutions into purpose-built vehicles.

Weight, cost, and the level of protection are always key considerations when governments acquire up-ar-mored civilian vehicles. It presents an interesting problem for acquisitions personnel, armor manufacturers, and vehicle providers because a combination of the lightest and strongest armor will tend to be the most expensive.

“Battelle has done a lot of research with armor providers on exotic materials such as composites, which could be layers of ceramics and Dyneema or steel,” said LaBine. “Formulas can be changed to meet requirements. The typical armor solution remains some sort of high hard steel.” Dyneema is a high-strength, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene that can be fashioned into panels and incorporated into armor solutions. One problem with Dyneema, according to Fraser, is that research has shown that its ballistic properties degrade over time.

One way in which Battelle has successfully produced low-cost armored and upgraded vehicles is through imple-mentation of design for manufacturing methodologies. Battelle was able to reduce the armor part count on its NSCV design by 40 percent. Since its first design in 2004, Battelle has delivered more than 150 NSCVs.

Recent advancements in armor include development of an ultra-hard steel. More work will be done in that area as it is brittle and difficult to bend or form. Research into synthetic composite materials to reduce armor weight is also ongoing.

“The whole world is saying we need lighter armor so composites have started to take center stage in last few years,” said Jordan. “The problem is that in order to get the same ballistic protection as from steel the composite must be five times thicker and take up a lot of space. Composites also are not blast proof.”

One solution may be to combine composites with steel in armoring solutions. Jordan prefers relying on advances in steel, where thinner and lighter materials now provide equivalent ballistic protection. “I can get 50 caliber-proof steel that used to be 30 mm thick that is now 9.3 mm thick so we have removed a lot of weight,” he said. “But technology that make the vehicle super light is still a long way off.”

Jordan and Saxon have pioneered other advancements—in tires, brakes and rims—that allow the OEM vehicles to cope with the additional weight provided by the armor. Jor-dan worked with two tire manufacturers to develop a 12-ply tire that can handle much more weight than ordinary tires, looks like an OEM tire, and doesn’t cost much more.

Brake system must be able to provide stopping power to heavier weight vehicles travelling at high speeds. “Two companies I worked with designed brakes that can stop a six-ton vehicle from 80 miles per hour in less than 30 feet with more control than an OEM vehicle,” said Jordan.

Ordinary tire rims were designed to carry a total of 5,300 pounds. “We are putting another 550 pounds on the vehicle,” said Jordan. “The first pothole it hits it shatters and the occupants get exposed.”

Jordan worked with Toyota to design a rim that can carry 3,860 pounds per rim. “It is designed to allow a bullet to pass through without affecting stability,” said Jordan. “It is a hard solid in form and has no spokes and can take the additional weight.”

Jordan also incorporates special tire-monitoring mechanism in Saxon’s purpose built vehicles. “Everyone is supposed to check the tires before they drive but no one ever does,” he explained. “But if you get a flat tire in a danger zone you are exposed. Our system, installed in the tire rims, requires drivers to check the tires before they can drive away.”

“Technology has made advancements,” said Jordan. “It is designed to make it simple for the end user and to make sure the vehicle spends more time on the road than in the maintenance shop.”

But the essential and continuing challenge for the NSCV industry will be to reduce weight and thereby complexity and costs. “We have ongoing research and development on materials that can increase protection and reduce weight,” said Fraser. “Some of our supplier are now able to give us better protection material for the same weight and, as we move forward, we are looking at how to reduce that weight.”

David Fraser

Jim LaBine

Ricky Jordan

Looking every part like a local truck is the key to a non-standard commercial vehicle. However, in addition to offering a higher level of protection, manufacturers have considered the maintenance and sustainability costs so they become an investment—not something disposable. (Battelle photo)


Unlike conventional military medics, special operations forces medics typically operate in remote far forward locations in adverse and challenging conditions and often find themselves having to be largely self-reliant when it comes to combat casualty care. These challenging condi-tions and situations are difficult to recreate and the casualties and wounding patterns operators and medics may be faced with are even more difficult to produce.

At the NATO Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ) we are driving NATO special operations force medical training. We are incorporating the most current and realistic simulators into our training scenarios and courses and are seeing significant benefits for the SOF operators and medics across the NATO alliance.

Within NSHQ lies the Allied Centre for Medical Education (ACME) where tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) is combined with special operations medical training. The aim is to enhance the capabilities of not only the individual or team who attends the course but as ambassadors for their country they return with the tools to enhance the

capabilities of the entire SOF community of their nation.

The ACME contains a revolutionary purpose build medical simulation center that was built by the Pulau Corporation in 2012 at the Supreme headquarters Allied Europe Powers and is conve-niently located in Belgium, in the heart of Europe. The simulation center is equipped with four hi-tech simulation labs which are divided up to replicate the three phases of TCCC which are care under fire, tactical field care and tactical evacu-ation. The final simulation room being a mock up of a C-130 Hercules military evacuation platform. Each of these simulation rooms are equipped with full sound, video recording, smoke, lighting and even smell capabilities. These sensory stimulants are all used to create a battlefield environment, which when combined with interchangeable wall backdrops and simulators it succeeds in creating a entirely realistic environment that immerses even the most experienced and seasoned opera-tor into the scenario.

CARE UNDER FIRE

The care under fire room is set to recreate the point of wounding of a casualty and has a backdrop of an open desert location to enforce the vulnerability of both the operator and casualty and to test their situational awareness. In this room we are testing the initial life saving treat-ment carried out by either the injured soldier or

those around them. The operator is faced with a casualty who has been involved in an improvised explosive device attack and sustained multiple injuries with the most urgent being a traumatic amputation of the lower right leg and is bleed-ing out in front of the operator. The casualty is moving and screaming for help and without immediate life saving treatment in the form of a tourniquet to stop the massive arterial bleed the operator’s teammate will die. This casualty is in the form of a KGS, Multiple Amputation Trauma Trainer (MATT) HEMO that produces a powerfully realistic and rugged point of wounding battlefield casualty simulator. The MATT HEMO simulator is perfect for training the SOF medic and operator in the life saving techniques required to stop any massive hemorrhaging and due to the rugged design of the simulator it can be used for training in some of the most hostile environments.

TACTICAL FIELD CARE

Due to the nature of special operations missions it is sometimes not appropriate or not possible for a casualty to be evacuated. This is normally due to the tactical situation which must always come first and this can lead to SOF med-ics and operators having to care for casualties over an extended period of time and a delay in the evacuation timelines normally adhered to by conventional forces. The next simulation room the operators are exposed to has the backdrop

The power of simulation

BY STAFF SERGEANT RYAN MELVILLE (OR7)COMBAT MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (UK)ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPSNATO SPECIAL OPERATIONS HEADQUARTERS


of a mud hut which gives those training a semi permissible environment to continue onto the next stage of treatment.

This stage of care is known as the tactical field care stage of treatment and is administered by the medic or operator who starts further treatment once they are no longer under effective hostile fire and in some cover from fire. At this stage of treatment the casualty will have been moved from the point of wounding to cover. This means the operator must re-assess the casualty to make sure that any tourniquets applied whilst under fire are still working effectively and then carry on treating the casualty.

As in many cases a casualty who has been involved in an IED attack will sustain multiple injuries and once any massive hemorrhaging has been dealt with the operator will have to system-atically check the casualty for further injuries. In order to teach this stage of training effectively, NSHQ utilizes the high fidelity offered by the Caesar Trauma Patient Simulator from CAE Health-care, this provides the operator with a casualty that can test them to their limits. This versatile and realistic simulator can provide the operator with a multitude of simple to complex wounds to treat, from minor bleeding wounds requiring an emergency bandage to a tension pneumo-thorax and facial trauma Cricothyrotomy which requires complex invasive procedures.

This is further enhanced by the ability to program the simulator in advance to act out the scenario so that there is no requirement to control it during the treatment of the casualty and also allowing the instructor to extract themselves from the area. The benefit of extracting the instructor from the scene allows the operator to experience a situation as close to the real thing as possible whilst building their confidence in the drills and equipment they will be using whilst deployed on operations. The length of time of the tactical field care stage of treatment for special operations is difficult to predict due to the tactical evacuation of a casualty to a medical treatment facility varying considerably.

TACTICAL EVACUATION

The tactical evacuation (TACEVAC) stage of treatment is the care rendered once the casualty has been collected by an aircraft, vehicle or boat and is where additional medi-cal personnel and equipment are normally pre staged to provide advance lifesaving treat-ment and damage control surgery. Within the ACME simulation rooms the casualty is moved into the TACEVAC room showing a inhospi-table desert once they have been prepared for transportation and await the evacuation

platform that arrives in the form of a C-130 aircraft.

NSHQ strives to share good common practice and enhance the NATO alliances SOF capabilities and one such example is the highly sought after Special Operations Surgical Team Development Course (SOSTDC). This course teaches NATO medi-cal personnel and operators how to create and re-fine elite special operations surgical teams (SOST). The SOF operational environment, characterized by extended medical evacuation timelines and the high-risk nature of SOF operations increases SOF personnel’s chances of requiring urgent surgical intervention in austere environments. Increasingly national SOF elements are participating in military assistance operations and humanitarian response by deploying specialized, highly mobile, flexible surgical capability to perform medical engagement, partnering and disaster medical care.

Within the SOSTDC course NSHQ students are exposed to state of the art medical simulation and simulators to practice team concepts and surgical skills to be better prepared to create, maintain, train and employ SOST’s. In order to train at this advanced level of care NSHQ employ the SimMan 3G by Laerdal. The SimMan 3G is an advanced high fidelity patient simulator that is capable of displaying neurological symptoms as well as physiological. It can be pre programmed to recre-ate complex injuries and is able to log and react to the treatment given by the care provider. Some other essential and innovative technology that the SimMan offers is automatic drug recognition light sensitive pupils and bodily fluid excretion. This simulator is the centerpiece of the NSHQ SOSTDC.

PROS AND CONS OF SIMULATION

Simulation, especially medical simulation, has been around for a millennia. Rudimentary in ancient times when physical models of anatomy were constructed it has developed progressively until the introduction of the Harvey Mannequin in 1968. The Harvey mannequin was considered to be a groundbreaking product in medical simulation and demonstrated just what was possible by per-forming more than 25 different cardiac functions of the human body by varying blood pressure, breathing and pulse.

Today, simulation and simulators have secured a permanent place in SOF medical training and education for a number of reasons and the success of these early models aided them being established early on in many civilian medical training facilities and more recently into SOF and conventional Military medical training facilities. It was also recognized that medical simulators allow for a standardized patient simulation to evaluate provider skills and knowledge and scenarios can

be run repeatedly to allow the to hone and im-proved skills without the pressure of dealing with a live casualty. This also means that skills training no longer have to depend on finding a suitable live casualty with a specific injury anymore saving time, money and ultimately lives in the long run.

There are, however, disadvantages to using simulation in SOF medical training. Simulators are obviously not human beings and have a tendency to be dehumanizing, they lack the facial, verbal and emotional interaction of a real person. Dehumanizing is less felt with live tissue training and although a controversial subject, standardized patients if properly prepared can simulate injury and associated human responses very realistically.

The cost of equipment, personnel and programs is substantial and enough to warrant the development of large collaborative simulation centers similar to NSHQ but this only applies to the use of high fidelity simulators, part task trainers such as an Intravenous (IV) arms for IV cannula-tion or advanced airway trainers can be very cost effective but limited to skill oriented training so when purchasing simulators it is imperative that they meet the intended purpose of training. Simulator’s such as high fidelity simulators are frequently purchased but the requirements of logistics, personnel and learning how to run the simulator are not thought through and many man-nequins end up in store rooms and cupboards as they are just not seen as cost or time effective.

One important point is that not one simulator is able to do it all, therefore SOF units may need different simulation modalities to accomplish their curriculum objectives and at NSHQ we are dedicated to the education and advice to all of the NATO alliance and partner nations SOF units on current simulation and simulators.

LOOK TO THE FUTURE

So it seems that medical simulation is here to stay within the SOF medical community and although there is not one perfect simulator that can cater to all the needs of an operator, NSHQ continues to look to the future of medical simula-tion. One such exciting development is through virtual reality that has come about with the advent of the computer gaming industry and become the latest innovation to be explored and adopted by NSHQ and the medical simulation community in order to create more affordable and realistic train-ing in order to prepare SOF operators for future operations.

NSHQ will continue to lead the NATO alliance into the future in the field of medical simulation to increase NATO SOF medical interoperability, save lives at the point of the sword and improve mis-sion success.


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Iomax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C2www.iomax.net

ISDEF Expo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11www.isdefexpo.com

Middle East Special Operations Commanders Conference . . . . . . . . . . 15www.inegma.com/events/mesoc2016

SOFEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C3www.sofexjordan.com

ADVERTISERS INDEX

EditorialJEFF MCKAUGHAN • [email protected]

CorrespondentsPETER BUXBAUM • HENRY CANADAY • ANDREW DRWIEGA •

PATRICK CLARKE

Associate PublisherRON MAYNE • [email protected]

Publication DesignJENNIFER OWERS • SCOTT CASSIDY

Subscription InformationISSN 1097-0975

Special Operations International is published ten times a year by Defense House Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction without permission is strictly forbidden. © Copyright 2016. Special Operations International is free

to qualified members of the U.S. military, employees of the U.S. government and non-U.S. foreign service based

in the United StatesAll others: $75 per year. Foreign: $120 per year.

CEO & Managing DirectorJEFF MCKAUGHAN

[email protected]

Contact InformationDefense House Publishing

P.O. Box 236Forest Hill, Maryland 21050 USA

Telephone: 443-243-1710Fax: 410-838-0224

www.specops-dhp.com

RESOURCE CENTER

April 27-30, 2016Marrakech Air ShowMarrakech, Moroccowww.en.imas-aero.com

April 28-30, 2016Army Aviation Mission Solutions SummitAtlanta, Ga.www.quad-a.org

May 2-5, 2016XponentialNew Orleans, La.www.xponential.org/auvsi2016

May 9, 2016Middle East Special Operations Commanders ConferenceAmman, Jordanwww.inegma.com/events/45/Middle-East-Special-Operations-Commanders-Conference--MESOC-2016-

May 10-13, 2016SOFEXAmman, Jordanwww.sofexjordan.com

May 16-18, 2016Sea-Air-SpaceNational Harbor, Md.www.seaairspace.org

May 17-19, 2016ITECLondon, UKwww.itec.co.uk

May 23, 2016Global SOF Foundation Annual SOFIC ReceptionTampa, Fla.https://globalsoffoundation.org/annual-sofic-reception

May 23-26, 2016SOFICTampa, Fla.www.sofic.org

May 23-26, 2016SOMA Scientific AssemblyCharlotte, N.C.www.specialoperationsmedicine.org

June 8-9, 2016Multi-Agency Craft ConferenceBaltimore, Md.www.navalengineers.org/Symposia/MACC-2016

June 9-10, 2016Fast Jet Pilot Training Eastern EuropePrague, Czech Republicwww.smi-online.co.uk

June 13-17, 2016EurosatoryParis, Francewww.eurosatory.com

June 15-16, 2016TSISOrlando, Fla.www.ndia.org/meetings/61T0

September 19-21, 2016Air & Space Conference & Technol-ogy ExpoNational Harbor, Md.www.afa.org

September 14-18, 2016Africa Aerospace & DefenceWaterkloof Air Force Basewww.aadexpo.co.za

September 21-23, 2016Sniper SymposiumUKwww.omconf.com/eventdetail.asp?EID=102

September 27-29, 2016Modern Day MarineQuantico, Va.www.marinemilitaryexpos.com/modern-day-marine.shtml

October 3-4, 2016AUSA AnnualWashington, D.C.http://ausameetings.org/2016annualmeeting/

October 26-28, 2016Global SOF Symposium – EuropeVilnius, Lithuaniawww.globalsofsymposium.org/europe

November 2-3, 2016Close Air Support ConferenceReading, UKwww.omconf.com

CALENDAR


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Special Operations International

TM: Deanna Loperena/Alyssa Gabriele

PA: Steve Hutchings

Ret: Greg Olsen

QC: Justin O’Brien

PR: Hallie Belt

PP: Kim Nosalik

Brand: BDS

AD: Lauren Loehr/Sarah Frazer

CW: Jeff Hampton/Chloe Lebamoff

GCD: Eugene Varnado

AE: Danielle Wilburn/Alex Furth

AB: Kathleen Candelaria

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Client: Boeing

“MYSTIFY, MISLEAD, AND SURPRISETHE ENEMY” – Sun Tzu

Decision-Making Superiority Delivered.

Agile. Powerful. Capable of sustained operations in the middle of nowhere: The Insitu ScanEagle® UAS platform works the way you do. Adding ScanEagle to your small, specialized teams brings strategic capability to the tactical level. With expeditionary launch and retrieval, multiple target tracking, stealthy ops, and an unparalleled record of success—covering over 800,000 combat flight hours—ScanEagle is ready to go, just like you.

www.insitu.com/SunTzu

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