BLACK WATCH
Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
Expertise to Help DoD Defeat Emerging IED Threats and Hazards
Silent-Capable Hybrid-Electric Military Motorcycle
Alion Science and Technology
Logos Technology
Alion Science and Technology, a global engineering, technology and operational solutions company, has been awarded a $17.7 million task order to provide DoD with engineering and science and technology expertise to help defeat IED threats against troops in theater and throughout the world. Alion will support conception, prototyping, improving and experimenting with technologies, devices and systems, bringing next-generation capabilities to counter-IED hazards. This includes improving warfighters’ situational awareness, enabling soldiers to better identify, defeat and bypass explosive threats. “The services we will provide under the task order will enable DoD to detect and neutralize explosive hazards wherever our forces are deployed,” said Terri Spoonhour, Alion senior vice president and distributed simulation group manager. “This will ultimately save lives and ensure our units accomplish their critical missions.” DoD develops systems for military applications that detect and neutralize mines, mine fields and unexploded ordnance. Technology development focuses on personnel protection, handheld detectors, wide area detection, mechanical clearance, vegetation clearance and mine awareness.
Logos Technologies has received a small business innovation research grant from DARPA to develop a military-use hybrid-electric motorcycle with near-silent capability. When fully matured, the technology will allow small, distributed military teams to move long distances quickly and stealthily across harsh enemy terrain. Developed in partnership with San Francisco-based all-electric motorcycle producer BRD, the platform will combine Logos Technologies’ quieted, multifuel hybridelectric power system with a cutting-edge, off-road electric motorcycle platform developed by BRD. This initiative will be the first time that a two-wheel-drive, multifuel hybrid capability has been integrated into a full-size off-road motorcycle. “Quieted, all-wheel-drive capability at extended range in a lightweight, rugged, single-track vehicle could support the successful operations of U.S. expeditionary and special forces in extreme terrain conditions and contested environments,” said Wade Pulliam, manager of advanced concepts at Logos Technologies. “With a growing need to operate small units far from logistical support, the military may increasingly rely on adaptable, efficient technologies like this hybrid-electric motorcycle.” Beyond the efficiency and mobility improvements the design aims to bring, the hybrid-electric approach also allows for extended periods of near-silent, electric-onlypropulsion as well as the generation of supplemental electric power for use by personnel in the field. “Our advanced yet affordable offering will provide operators the near-silent capability and ease of operation of an all-electric vehicle, along with the adaptable power generation and extended range of a multifuel internal combustion engine,” continued Pulliam. “By utilizing our team’s experience developing similar hybrid-powered projects and first-in-class electric motorcycles, the Logos Technologies-BRD partnership seeks to deliver a highly capable low-risk and proven product.”
6-Watt Explosion Proof Infrared LED Light Larson Electronics Manufacturer and distributor of industrial lighting Larson Electronics announced the release of a 6-watt explosion proof LED infrared light fixture mounted on an adjustable scaffold bracket. The 6-watt infrared light contained in this explosion-proof unit is available in 750 nm, 850 nm, or 940 nm to be used with any night vision or infrared equipment, and is attached to an aluminum ladder mount bracket that allows operators to easily mount this unit to ladders, handrails, catwalks and other similar structures. The EPL-JH-PMLED-6W-IR-150 scaffold mounted infrared LED fixture from Larson Electronics is weatherproof and comes with an adjustable aluminum scaffold mount that makes it ideal for industrial applications, maintenance, cleaning and servicing duties, and large hazardous work areas. This unit contains a 6-watt LED lamp that can be configured as a spot or flood beam. The lamp produces more light than a typical incandescent bulb with infrared cutoff filters. The LED lamp www.SOTECH-kmi.com
runs at a cool 55 degrees Fahrenheit compared to the 198-F average of a 300-watt incandescent, resulting in an easier to handle unit and less heat in the workspace. The lamp is universal voltage, not multi-tap, and operates on any power source ranging from 120 volts through 277 volts. The lamp is mounted to an aluminum bracket with an adjustable J-hook bottom bracket that enables operators to securely mount the light to any ladder or scaffolding. Lamp adjustment is made by an adjustable yoke that allows the operator to adjust the lamp both vertically and horizontally. The rail mount system has a minimum grab length of 35 inches and maximum grab length of 57 inches. The light head sits 21 inches above the top rail bracket and can be extended to 41 inches above the top rail. Each rail hook is 3 inches wide, and the top rail bracket has a total footprint of 16 inches. The light can be easily detached from the mounting system, aiding in deployment, storage and transport.
[Photo courtesy of BRD Motorcycles]
SOTECH 12.4 | 39
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SOCOM Leader
Q& A
Admiral Sees SOCOM Meeting Challenges of a New Era Admiral Bill H. McRaven Commander Special Operations Command Admiral Bill McRaven is the ninth commander of United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM), headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. SOCOM ensures the readiness of joint special operations forces and, as directed, conducts operations worldwide. He served from June 2008 to June 2011 as the 11th commander of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) headquartered at Fort Bragg, N.C. JSOC is charged to study special operations requirements and techniques, ensure interoperability and equipment standardization, plan and conduct special operations exercises and training, and develop joint special operations tactics. McRaven served from June 2006 to March 2008 as commander, Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR). In addition to his duties as commander, SOCEUR, he was designated as the first director of the NATO Special Operations Forces Coordination Centre, where he was charged with enhancing the capabilities and interoperability of all NATO Special Operations Forces. McRaven has commanded at every level within the special operations community, including assignments as deputy commanding general for operations at JSOC; commodore of Naval Special Warfare Group One; commander of SEAL Team Three; task group commander in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility; task unit commander during Desert Storm and Desert Shield; squadron commander at Naval Special Warfare Development Group; and, SEAL platoon commander at Underwater Demolition Team 21/ SEAL Team Four. McRaven’s diverse staff and interagency experience includes assignments as the director for Strategic Planning in the Office of Combating Terrorism on the National Security Council Staff; assessment director at SOCOM, on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, and the chief of staff at Naval Special Warfare Group One. McRaven’s professional education includes assignment to the Naval Postgraduate School, where he helped establish, and was the first graduate from, the Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict curriculum. McRaven was interviewed by SOTECH Correspondent Jeff Campbell. Q: Sir, you’re only a couple months away from completing three years at SOCOM’s helm. The command’s accomplishments in this time are numerous, from the growth of the theater specialoperations commands to the capture of Osama bin Laden and now embarking on the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) initiative. Do you feel like you’ve accomplished everything you set out to at SOCOM? www.SOTECH-kmi.com
A: I’m generally happy with what we’ve been able to accomplish over the last few years, but there’s a lot left to be done. I’ve made the preservation of our force and families my top priority. While we’ve made a full court press dealing with issues like wounded warrior care, suicide prevention, and mental and physical resiliency, there are no quick fixes to a lot of these issues. We’re posturing ourselves for a long-term solution, but I think we’re showing signs of progress. We have a professional and moral obligation to get this right. Q: When asked about an upcoming change of command at the NDIA SO/LIC and during the SOCOM Virtual Town Hall, your vice and deputy commander were abundantly clear that a change of command will have zero effect on the importance of both the TALOS and the Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF) initiatives. Would you call these aspects of your command’s legacy the most significant? They certainly cover the SOF Truth that ‘Humans are more important than hardware,’ all the way from protecting the ‘door knockers’ to their families back home. A: The TALOS project has unlimited potential, not just to protect the operator who is kicking down a door, but to drive improvements in how we do acquisitions by fostering new collaborative development models within industry. I’m not willing to accept “we can’t do it” for SOTECH 12.4 | 41
an answer, and I’m confident that history will judge this as an unprecedented innovation from SOCOM. My hope is that history will judge our POTFF program to be the beginning of a comprehensive process that ensures our force is mentally, physically and spiritually ready for the next fight, and that their families are strong and able to deal with the effects of a decade of hard combat. Q: What other priorities would you like to see the future commander run with over the next three to five years? A: I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment on what vision my relief should attempt to pursue. We have some bright general and flag officers in the SOF enterprise, and I’m confident the future will be in good hands. Q: The president recently nominated SOCOM Vice Commander Lieutenant General Heithold for assignment as AFSOC commander. How will SOCOM continue to maintain strong ties at the Pentagon with Heithold’s departure and Congress’ decision in the NDAA to keep SOCOM from expanding its presence in Washington? A: Brad Heithold has absolutely been the bedrock of our connection to the Pentagon. He will be missed, but he has institutionalized our relationships in the national capital region and I have no concerns about his successor being able to pick up where he left off. SOCOM has always had a strong presence in Washington. Our network of liaisons
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is the strength of our approach to interagency coordination and it is vital to our contribution to whole of government national security solutions. That hasn’t changed, nor will it. Q: The budget, sequestration and furloughs made for rough waters throughout the last fiscal year. What did you learn then to help the command navigate this year more smoothly? A: We learned that uncertainty will likely be a defining characteristic of our programming, planning and budgeting environment going forward. We also know that the men and women of Special Operations Command continue to prove their mettle all around the world, and hope the value that SOF brings to the nation will ultimately be recognized by budget decision makers. We may take some more lumps, but our future remains bright. Q: Recent cable TV series like Burn Notice and movies like Sabotage are both giving more exposure to SOF and showing examples of how former operators can use their skills in a second career. Are you pleased with Hollywood’s accuracy of late when depicting SOF, and how effective have shows and films been as a SOCOM recruiting tool? A: I tend to prefer watching sports over shows like these, so I’m not too familiar with the content. We’ve had a couple of high profile cases where SOF alumni have shared too much with the media and entertainment industry and we’ve made it very clear that those actions were unacceptable. But in general, I agree that most of our media and entertainment industry exposure is generally very positive. In fact, I was introduced to the SEALs as a young man by watching a John Wayne movie. Our recruiting is at an all-time high and the caliber of prospective SOF operators has never been better. I’m not even sure that I would make the cut if I was up against today’s competition. I wouldn’t entirely attribute this to all the media exposure we’ve had, but I do think there is an undeniable relationship there. Q: Small gestures can make a big splash these days with social media. When you wrote about a boy who asked whether a ninja or a SEAL was quieter, how surprising was it to see pictures of him and your response go viral? Have you stayed in touch with the 7-year-old prospect? A: We spend a lot of time here trying to understand the power of social media because it has had such a powerful impact on the global security environment of late. We’ve seen how in some cases one tweet can spark a revolution. That said, I must admit that I was shocked to see the level of attention that my note received. Maybe someone saw the letter and then considered the value of trying to connect with our young generation. Q: What concluding thoughts do you have for the civilian and uniformed personnel who make up SOCOM? A: The recently released Quadrennial Defense Review validated the role SOF will play on our national strategy. We’re going to continue to be entrusted with the tremendous responsibility of safeguarding our homeland with forward, engaged, culturally attuned, agile SOF who will play a key role in a layered defense. We should all have a healthy respect for this responsibility and opportunity, and it should drive us to demand the best from ourselves and each other. O
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Manufacturers make combat apparel safer, lighter and more comfortable. By John M. Doyle SOTECH Correspondent
The latest version of the Defender M fabWhile weaponry and body armor get most ric combines comfort, durability, protection of the attention when it comes to ground and affordability, he said, noting that the U.S. combat troops’ gear, the uniforms they wear Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps have and the apparel that goes under them is just all purchased garments made with the FR as important to doing their job. fabric. TenCate’s research and development Combat clothing doesn’t just keep soldepartment has tweaked it to make it more diers and Marines warm in the winter and tear resistant and appropriate for climates dry in the rain; high-tech fabrics keep them ranging from tropical to arctic. cool and dry in blazing hot conditions, proTenCate has laminate tect them from catastrophic products that are waterproof. burns and resulting infec“The Marine Corps inclemtions, shield them from small ent weather combat shirt is particle debris and fragments a perfect example of that,” after an explosion, and make Blackmon said. It’s made it easier for them to work with the Defender M stretch longer, harder and more effion the outside, an expanded ciently—no matter what the poly-tetrachlorine laminate weather or climate conditions. layer and then a mesh fabric And some of that protective on the inside. “So it’s watermaterial can also shield troops John Blackmon proof, breathes, but doesn’t from detection by radar and let moisture in.” The Marines infrared sensors. have been wearing the shirt, TenCate Protective Fabrics designed to go over their makes the material, not the standard combat ensemble, garment, that goes into field for about four years. “They uniforms, and the Union City, were looking for something Ga., company is particularly that would give them another proud of the flame resistant 10-15 degrees of protection (FR) properties contained in over the standard shirt they its Defender M fabric for daily had been wearing,” Blackcombat wear. mon noted. All the garments fashioned Andy Caughey Looking toward the from TenCate fabrics are flame future, he said TenCate is resistant, meaning that they incorporating ballistic protection into its are self-extinguishing after they are removed fabrics. Not that the technology would stop from external flames. The actual structure of a bullet, but it could protect a soldier or the fiber itself is resistant to fire, compared to Marine from the dirt, tiny fragments and fabrics that have been treated with a chemical other debris kicked up by an IED blast. Tenprocess, explained John Blackmon, TenCate’s Cate fabrics are incorporated now into the market manager for its protective military Army’s protective under garment, designed fabrics. On the standard mannequin burn to protect the groin area. “We’re looking at test Defender M rates a body burn percentage how we can translate this to a larger scale,” of less than 20 percent with no third-degree Blackmon said. burns predicted for the wearer. 44 | SOTECH 12.4
British-based Armadillo Merino makes “next-to-skin” shirts and undergarments that keep bodies cool in summer heat or warm in winter cold. But what’s surprising is that its products are not made from space age synthetic fabrics, but wool. “Wool has been around for centuries. It’s been worn by soldiers under chain mail,” said Armadillo Merino Managing Director Andy Caughey. But forget your memories of scratchy, itchy long underwear, he cautioned, because manufacturers used very coarse-haired sheep back then. “What we’re now using is the fine Merino wool, which is the same as your luxury suiting fabrics,” he said, adding that thanks to selective breeding of Armadillo’s New Zealand sheep, “we’ve been able to get finer and finer microns” in the weave. But the garments made from this fine grade wool are also flame resistant up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Because they contain no synthetic fibers, they cannot melt onto the skin in the intense heat accompanying a roadside bomb blast. And because the wool contains no unnatural elements, it is less prone to cause an infection if it does get into a wound or burn, Caughey said. As for comfort, wool garments are more effective than synthetic fabrics that actually speed up the sweating process, according to Caughey. “You start sweating sooner, you start sweating more,” he said, calling it “performance-detrimental.” That’s especially problematic if the soldier is wearing a multilayer battle dress with fabrics designed to insulate against fire and the elements. “That moisture is not going to evaporate out to the next layer, so you’re going to retain that perspiration and it’s going to be uncomfortable” unlike with Merino wool, which can absorb up to 25 percent of its weight in water before it even feels wet. And that is going to affect performance, Caughey maintained. “When www.SOTECH-kmi.com
garment using fabrics made you’re perspiring, you’re overby Gore and Milliken. heated and your body is tryThe Marine Corps recently ing to cool down. You lose authorized use of the woodvaluable moisture and you’re land version of the lightburning calories. Those are weight, windproof, soft shell two things that are critical for jacket, currently being made the operational effectiveness in a desert camouflage pattern. of the soldier,” he said. Enhanced weather protecWhile Armadillo Merino’s tion in conditions unique to fine wool garments cost more Russ Hornung woodland operations includes than synthetics or cotton, moisture-wicking linings and Caughey said their utility highly breathable fabrics to reduce heat stress makes up for the cost difference with cotton during the day and help maintain a steady and synthetic fabrics, because a soldier might core body temperature at night. It also has need only one change of clothing instead of water resistant relief zippers, fasteners and three—less sweating means less odor due adjustment hardware made from non-corto reduced bacteria buildup. In short, a roding materials. All fabrics used in the CWJ warfighter wouldn’t have to change damp, contain technology to suppress the effectivesmelly undergarments every day. Fewer clean ness of near infrared (NIR) sensing devices, garments to bring on a mission means less like night vision goggles. weight to carry in the field, he said. Gore multispectral concealment materiW. L. Gore & Associates, of Elkton, Md., als also help shield troops and high value makes Gore-Tex fabric that protects soldiers equipment—from sophisticated radar and Marines inside and out. The combat technology as well as electro-optical infrawoodland jacket (CWJ) manufactured by red sensors. Raven Aerostar is using Gore Short Bark Industries is the latest protective
multispectral concealment materials to create garments and personal hides that greatly reduce the range of detection by multispectral EO/IR sensors. A combined visual camouflaging and sensor concealing outfit, using Gore multispectral concealment materials known as the Nemesis Turkey Suit, is the first product in a protective wear line made by is Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Raven Aerostar’s first product in the protective wear line. The suit uses a laminate made up of multiple layers and each layer acts as a filter, said Russ Hornung, product specialist for Gore. “What we try to do is isolate all the [five] different bands of interest,” he said, referring to the visual band, what the human eye can see; the NIR band, which can be seen with night vision goggles; as well as the long wave (LWIR) and mid wave infrared (MWIR) bands, which can be detected with thermal sensors; and the short wave IR (SWIR), which reflects infrared light, making even dark clothing look white. “We don’t just block the infrared,” Hornung explained; the technology scatters it while reflecting the surrounding environment.
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Milliken provides the camouflage printed Consisting of a jacket, pants, hood and woven material for the Enhanced Flame face shield, the suit limits the heat signature Resistant Combat Ensemble (EFRCE) a twoand IR visibility of the wearer. It also contains piece outfit with woven fabric trousers and loops for attaching concealment materials shirt sleeves. The body of the shirt will be like leaves and weeds, as well as detachable made of a knit fabric. The outfit is sturelements enabling wearers like “snipers, dier than its predecessor, maintains its color reconnaissance or target acquisition-type longer and meets military burn protection folks” to modify the garments. The suit also specifications: self-extinguishing within four keeps snipers or reconnaissance personnel, seconds of removal from the who must remain still for flame source. long periods, comfortable in a The EFRCE is part of Milvariety of weather conditions. liken’s ResQ military fabric While the last generation of line which combines textile combat garments provided science and chemistry to some protection from night create FR fabrics that also vision detection, it is defiprovide climate protection. cient against sensors that use “Because of a proprietary SWIR, MWIR and LWIR detectechnique, it is not heavier” tion, Hornung said. than other flame resistant fabThe need for multispecErik Cobham rics, Cobham said, noting that tral concealment has grown reducing the weight carried with the spread of IR sensors by troops in the field “is a sigaround the world, he said. nificant issue. We keep that in “The Iranians, the Chinese mind as we develop products.” and the French have spent a Milliken also supplies a lot of money and effort comcold and wet weather protecmercializing thermal camtive layer for the Generation eras as well as SWIR sensors, III Extreme Cold Weather which are a lot more common Combat System. An improved today,” Hornung added. seven layer ensemble that runs While the initial target from lightweight cold weather market appears to be special Jimmy Maritz underwear to extreme cold operations and other elite weather parka and waterproof troops, he said a kind of Gore trousers. Milliken’s contribution is the matecombat uniform is being field tested with rial that goes into the soft shell jacket, providthe multispectral concealment materials. “In ing “the extra protection that is not currently the future, we hope to build it into everyday in place,” Cobham said. garments so that every soldier has protection Protection isn’t limited to clothing. Waragainst these kinds of threats,” Hornung said. son Brands, a St. Louis-based company that Milliken & Company is also developing a makes protective boots and athletic shoes for multi-spectral concealment suit that reduces a number of companies, including Rockport an individual’s body heat signature as a shield and Florsheim, has three lines of military from thermal-imaging long- and mid-wave boots for the Army and Air Force under the IR sensors. Called Conceal camouflage techReebok brand. nology, it also provides some concealment The Reebok Rapid Response RB series, properties in the short-wave infrared realm which comes in desert tan for the Army, sage “but we are working on a different product green for the Air Force and black for law in the SWIR range,” said Erik Cobham, milienforcement tactical personnel, has already tary market manager for the Spartanburg, been worn by troops deployed to Iraq and S.C. Company. “We’re working to have it Afghanistan. “We consider it to have the evaluated and ultimately fielded with the greatest level of ankle support and cushionspecial operations community,” he said. “It’s ing,” said Jimmy Maritz, product innovations performing very well and we believe it will specialist at Warson. It also features a rugged ultimately be a game changer.” mountain trail rubber outer sole “for tracMilliken also makes flame resistant tion and durability in the field,” he added. and cold weather protecting fabrics. In the Other Rapid Response RB features include FR realm, “we’ve been sole-sourced for a a fully-lined upper, a polyurethane removprogram with the Marine Corps, which we able cushion insole and a shock eliminator hope to have fielded this year,” Cobham said. 46 | SOTECH 12.4
heel cushion, nylon mesh lining. It is also offered in side-zip and composite-toe cap versions. The non-metallic toe cap made of composite material that is lighter and stronger than steel and won’t conduct heat, cold or electricity. The Reebok Dauntless series is a new line of all terrain hot weather boots that are lightweight and flexible. Side air and drain ports as well as the Aegis Shield anti-microbial lining are included to ensure dry feet in both wet and arid conditions. “Because it is a little lighter weight and more flexible, we added a bruise plate in the midsole to add some structure and protection to the boot beneath the foot,” Maritz said. The Rapid Response RB and Dauntless boots are available in both 6- and 8-inch ankle heights. Waterproofing is another option. The Reebok Fusion Max series features Reebok’s total cushioning technology with 1.5 inches of cushioning and impact resistance in the heel, a half inch in the forepart and five layers of cushioning and shock absorption. It is Berry Amendment compliant, meaning all of its components were made in the United States, a requirement for sale at Army and Air Force Exchange Services outlets. Warson has two developed prototype boots with extra protection, one that’s resistant to blood-borne pathogens. “Like boots have water proofing built in, this has a similar membrane that goes one step further— preventing biological hazards in blood from reaching the foot,” Maritz said. The other prototype features a puncture-resistant flexible textile in the midsole of the boot. Looking ahead, most protective gear suppliers anticipate a falloff in business as the United States and NATO drastically reduce their forces in Afghanistan and military budgets contract in the United States and Europe. There’s been a reduction in demand, according to Maritz, “but at the same time, we’ve seen the market expand with a variety of new military footwear categories, most notably in lightweight footwear” for training and possibly garrison use, he said. “There are still a lot of things we can improve for our warfighters,” said Gore’s Hornung. “They’re just not going to be buying as much as they did in the last 10 years.” O
For more information, contact SOTECH Editor Chris McCoy at chrism@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.sotech-kmi.com.
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Building relationships that make a difference. By Captain Sam Rosenberg Over the past decade, multinational partnerships and training have grown into key components of the United States’ National Security Strategy. In Iraq, military transition teams rebuilt and trained army and police forces gutted by the 2003 invasion. In Afghanistan, advise and assist brigades helped construct a national army and police force to replace brutal Taliban warlords. Now, the U.S. Army is adopting the concept of regionally aligned forces (RAF), brigades and divisions who retain habitual training and operational relationships with specific geographic regions around the world. Under the RAF concept, American forces deploy to partnered regions and train and work with indigenous forces as a way to extend American operational reach and to build partner capacity. Under this concept, the Army also becomes more expeditionary and more attuned to international security and geopolitical issues. At the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany, American units routinely train with NATO partners in both mission rehearsal exercises prior to deployments and in decisive action training environment scenarios (DATE), sharpening their skills in wide area security and combined arms maneuver. In both types of rotations, the ability of American company level leaders to work by, with and through multinational partners is often essential for mission success. But what makes one company better than another at partnership? How can platoon leaders and squad leaders make the most out of partnered operations? Here are some thoughts, based off countless operations with foreign security forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and nearly 10 months of observing multinational rotations at JMRC, that may prove helpful to company-level leaders preparing to deploy on partnered operations.
Relationships are Force Multipliers Often in a multinational environment, there is little reason for one side of the partnership to listen or act on what the other side is saying, aside from a common endstate. Typically, there is no clear command authority established, and therefore, one side is not subordinate to the other. Consequently, the key impetus for action becomes personal relationships. In Iraq, as a young platoon leader fresh out of the basic course, I thought surely all the Iraqi soldiers and police officers would listen 48 | SOTECH 12.4
to the Americans. We were supposedly the best army in the world, with the most advanced technology, so why wouldn’t they listen to us? I realized early in our deployment just how wrong I was when I scheduled patrols with our partnered Iraqi Army company and, much to my surprise, the soldiers rarely arrived prepared or on time. My platoon sergeant, a charismatic Iraq veteran, had a much different experience when he scheduled patrols instead me. After learning some of the language and cultivating friendships within the Iraqi unit, he would issue instructions and receive a much more favorable result from our partners. The key to his success, as I later realized, was that he simply took the time to build relationships with the Iraqis. He spent a few minutes every day joking with the Iraqi soldiers in their own language, drinking chai and never turning down a utensil-free meal. The Iraqis appreciated this and put far more weight on his instructions and ideas than anyone else, simply because they cared about the relationship. The JMRC hosts numerous multinational rotations every year. It is not uncommon for an American platoon leader or company commander to partner with a Romanian infantry platoon or a Slovenian company as they execute their mission rehearsal exercise or DATE rotation. Normally, the multinational unit replicates a host nation security force, challenging the Americans tactically, technically and logistically. Most of these challenges, however, could be mitigated if the units took more time to talk, listen, and learn from each other. For example, during a recent multinational DATE rotation, an American company commander learned, just before the start of a major operation, that his partnered platoon did not bring enough ammunition for the mission. If the commander took the time to build a genuine working relationship with the leadership of the partnered force in advance of the operation, he may have been able to identify and prevent the ammunition shortage. The lack of ammunition embarrassed the multinational unit and frustrated the Americans. The issue soured the relationship for much of the remainder of the rotation, until both units made a concerted effort to talk and work together to achieve mutual objectives. This event underscores the importance of relationships when conducting multinational operations. Several techniques can assist leaders in building better, more functional relationships with their multinational partners. First, learn about and understand the culture www.SOTECH-kmi.com
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and history of the partnertional operations. Several techniques can assist leaders in building better, more functional relationships with their must as you would treat your own unit in all aspects. Include multinational partners in the same meetings and hold them to the same expectations you would with an American unit. Create a battle rhythm that establishes routine, simple meetings and information sharing sessions with the partnered force. In Afghanistan, my company held weekly combined targeting meetings that served as a routine and simple way to exchange information between the American and Afghan units operating in the area. Lastly, break down physical and cultural barriers as much as the tactical situation permits and experience the same hardships as your partnered force. If partnership is uncomfortable, you’re doing it right.
Communication is the Best Antidote to Friction Key to any multinational partnership is regular communication in both tactical situations and in administrative settings. Tactically, our technology and operational security measures can present a challenge in communicating with partnered forces. We almost never have the same type of radios as our partners and operational security usually prevents us from using the same encryption keys. There are two possible ways to overcome these challenges. First, identify and remove technology and language barriers. If possible, implement a common radio over which both forces can securely communicate. Place interpreters in positions close to these radios so they can translate thoughts and plans between the partnered forces. If technical or operational aspects prevent the use of a common radio between the units, build a small liaison team with security and communication specialists. One technique is to build a liaison team with a joint tactical air controller (or a joint fires observer if the controller is unavailable), a linguist and an infantry fire team, thereby ensuring the team has both security and highly trained radio operator with advanced equipment to convey information between partnered forces. A platoon sergeant or a senior squad leader could assist with command and control of the team while the platoon leader or company commander focuses on management of the entire operation. Second, develop a clear and concise radio distribution plan for each mission, mapping which key leaders have each type of radio and explaining the frequencies on which each leader will operate. If possible, overlay the radio distribution plan onto the unit concept sketch to ensure all elements have the correct communication method. Next, practice radio communications between all elements during rehearsals, ensuring the partners understand how, when and to whom they should relay information.
Linguist Management is Decisive In multinational partnership, language barriers almost always present a challenge to effective communication. This, of course, is where linguists come into play. But just having a linguist is not enough. A unit must properly track, manage and employ linguists in order to reap the full benefits of partnership—or in other words, treat linguist management as a decisive operation. First, weigh the decisive operation with enablers. With respect to linguist management this means putting your best and brightest non-commissioned or commissioned officers in charge of linguist support, scheduling, www.SOTECH-kmi.com
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pay and leave. Second, ensure your shaping operations are nested with the decisive operation. This means optimizing the use of the right linguists for the right operations at the best possible times. Too often, though, units mismanage or fail to properly employ their linguists, damaging their partnership and the relationship with the local population. For example, during one particular rotation at JMRC, we received special administrative (civilian) linguists to facilitate communication between observers and the foreign training unit, which also happened to have an American liaison team. In order to communicate with the embedded American liaison team, the training unit had tactical interpreters, who are active members of the foreign military unit. Typically, these tactical interpreters are not nearly as well trained in English as the administrative interpreters, so the training units tend to gravitate toward the more skilled English speakers. Consequently, the relationship between the training unit and the tactical linguists is damaged and the training value of the rotation for the tactical interpreters is limited. Instead of relying on the administrative interpreters, the unit should focus on strengthening the capabilities of their tactical linguists. If a unit has weak or untrained linguists, build a training plan to improve their language skills. If you have a weak fire team, you don’t just accept their deficiencies. Build a training plan to make them better. Linguists should be no different. Challenges such as these can be avoided, though, by assigning a motivated and knowledgeable manager to track and employ the unit’s linguists. In Afghanistan, my battalion hand-picked our headquarters platoon sergeant to serve as the battalion linguist manger. At the time, I was frustrated because the NCO the battalion chose was critical to our command post. He was diligent and hard-working. He needed little guidance to accomplish tasks and he understood the bigger picture. He was, much to my chagrin, the perfect choice. If picking a particular person to serve as a linguist manager hurts, then you have picked the right person. Too often units choose the former squad leader with an attitude problem or the NCO that is more focused on retirement than actually contributing to the unit. These units pay for those choices when linguists threaten to quit at inopportune times or when the linguists refuse to patrol or translate documents. Remember: Poor linguist managers often result in weak linguists, which will surely lead to operational confusion. In my battalion’s case, we had comparatively few issues because we picked the right person for the right job. Our linguist manager treated our linguists with care, skill and purpose.
Rehearsals, Rehearsals, Rehearsals A rehearsal is an effective way to practice and synchronize key portions of an operation, address contingencies, identify decision points, and mitigate risk and operational friction. The importance of rehearsals is often amplified in multinational operations due to inherent language, cultural and tactical differences between units. Multinational rehearsals require unique considerations to maximize effectiveness and ensure mission success. First, rehearse before the actual rehearsal. A company or battalion combined arms rehearsal may be overwhelming and intimidating to our partners. The structure and briefing order may be confusing too. Practicing the process beforehand may ease some of the concerns of the partnered force. Next, execute the rehearsal in clear, 50 | SOTECH 12.4
concise, easy-to-understand prose without excessive use of acronyms that many foreign militaries find difficult, if not impossible, to understand. Explain the operation in terms that every soldier at any level in any army can understand. Instead of saying, “We will move at a 73-degree azimuth for two clicks over undulating terrain before reaching a linear danger area,” try using language like, “We will move generally northeast for approximately 30 minutes, moving uphill and downhill along the way before reaching a small stream.” Using simple, more direct language will paint a clear picture of the operation for everyone involved. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, address in-depth the contingencies the unit may encounter during the operation. These contingency plans should include all eight forms of contact (direct fire, indirect fire, non-hostile, obstacle, chemical/biological/ radioactive/nuclear considerations, air threats, visual contact and electronic attacks).
Sometimes, Less is More Nobody likes a know-it-all and after fighting two wars in 13 years in partnership with large, diverse coalitions, chances are that some of our allies see the U.S. Army that way. On my own deployments, I’ve watched American mentors grow impatient working with their partners. Instead of empowering their partnered force to solve problems, the Americans just solve the problems themselves, but in a very American way that ignores key cultural issues. To paraphrase T.E. Lawrence, do not do too much with your own hands; better to let your partnered force develop their own more culturally attuned solutions. And sometimes it is better yet to say and do nothing at all; rather, simply listen to your partnered forces and understand their priorities and their constraints, because oftentimes they are far different from our own.
Conclusion The size of the U.S. Army is shrinking, the war in Afghanistan is ending and budget constraints continue, yet the world remains a very dangerous place. With a military that is increasingly limited operationally, the future in force projection may very well be in security cooperation and multinational partnership. The U.S. Army may be able to project just as much influence as the larger Army of five or six years ago through multinational partnerships, regional alignment and security cooperation. This strategy will require company level leaders to be well versed and comfortable with the nuances of working with partnered forces in diverse regions like Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Pacific-Asia region. Remember that relationships are force multipliers, linguists can be decisive, and know when to simply listen. These lessons will help our platoon leaders and company commanders take the high ground with their multinational partners on future battlefields. O Captain Sam Rosenberg is a maneuver company primary observer, Coach Training, Timberwolves Team, Ops Group, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany.
For more information, contact SOTECH Editor Chris McCoy at chrism@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.sotech-kmi.com.
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June 2014 Vol. 12, Issue 5
World’s Largest Distributed Special Ops Magazine
ATK AC 235 Gunship ............................................................................... 13 www.atk.com AR Modular RF ....................................................................................... 49 www.arworld.us/more Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp......................................................C3 www.ballaerospace.com Beretta USA .............................................................................................. 3 www.berettadefensetechnologies.com Controp Precision Technology ................................................................ 1 www.contropusa.com Deployed Resources ............................................................................... 11 www.deployedresources.com Fluor ....................................................................................................... 43 www.fluor.com Iris Technology ...................................................................................... 42 www.iristechnology.com
Cover and In-Depth Interview with:
Brig. Gen. Darsie Rogers
Commander U.S. Army Special Forces Command
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Special Section
MBDA Inc. .............................................................................................. 40 www.brimstonemissile.com
Night Vision Review Industry leaders discuss their greatest advancements in night vision system for the special operations warrior.
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Features
Modern Day Marine ............................................................................... 45 www.marinemilitaryexpos.com Raydon ................................................................................................... 16 www.raydon.com Saab Group.............................................................................................C4 www.saabgroup.com Streamlight Inc. ..................................................................................... 29 www.streamlight.com TEA Headsets .......................................................................................... 37 www.teaheadsets.com W.L. Gore ................................................................................................ 38 www.multispectralconcealment.com
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Recon Rotary Wing Many in the rotary wing industry anticipate a rotary wing replacement for aging helicopters; however, a proposal has arisen within the Army to team current rotary wing aircraft with UAVs as a substitute. USVs Remotely piloted surface ships are a growing component of the Navy’s arsenal and may be vital to future special operations mission success. Harsh Weather Warrior Gear Clothes that protect the SOF warrior from the cold, the heat and the pooling of sweat in boots prevent a wide range of potential points of injury. Identity Masking Technologies Maintaining anonymity or masking identity through the use of encryption or other means is crucial to combat missions.
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I nsertion O r d er Dea d line: M ay 20, 2014 A d M aterial Dea d line: M ay 27, 2014
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INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Special Operations Technology
Mario Pantuso Senior Program Manager Aeroscraft Corporation areas. The tower is comprised of a triangular formed truss with composite tube structural members set in between formed aluminum center stabilizers and an external lattice of aluminum extrusions that form bridgework, giving the truss its strength and rigidity. It is ultra lightweight yet strong, and provides a lower-cost heterogeneous system than many comparable ISR platforms.
Mario Pantuso is a senior program manager who spearheads strategic business development to governments and militaries on a global basis for Aeros’ lighter-than-air and ISR platforms. While in the Navy, Pantuso served as a helicopter anti-submarine pilot based out of North Island Naval Air Station, completing two successful Western Pacific carrier tours. Pantuso holds a MBA with finance concentration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Q: Please tell us about some of the Aeroscraft benefits available to the SOF community, such as the ability to deliver in harsh conditions where no runways or facilities are present. A: The Aeroscraft is an advanced hybrid airship able to compress inert helium for in-flight ballasting using a patent-pending buoyancy management system, or controlof-static-heaviness (COSH) system. COSH enables true vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), eliminating the need for expensive infrastructure like runways and ground crew to manage external ballast exchange requirements that have prevented airships from becoming cargo airships. The Aeroscraft advantage lies in providing true VTOL flight operations like a helicopter, but with the ability to carry much greater tonnage. It can travel long intercontinental distances like an airplane, yet provide more space and fuel efficiency made possible by lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicle technology. It provides the essential operational value of VTOL with extended hover capability, and precision deployment for oversized cargo logistics, at a reduced cost, while consuming significantly less fuel. This capability can allow the SOF community to engage in VTOL flight operations while carrying much larger and heavier equipment to forward operating bases and ‘outside the wire’ with greater route flexibility, and reach austere locations. For example, the Aeroscraft can have SOF logistics support and sustained mission benefits by rapidly inserting forward command outposts, supporting encrypted communications, repositioning special assets for unique 52 | SOTECH 12.4
SOF missions, or delivering contingency ops packages quickly, especially in environments with existing infrastructure limitations. Essentially, we can follow the tip-of-the-spear operators, address their resupply needs and medical mobility requirements, and even aid humanitarian missions. Outside SOF missions the vehicle will help reduce the logistics footprint in OCONUS operations and the dependency on foreign airbases and ports, and will address anti-access strategies employed by adversaries. The Aeroscraft’s cargo bay will accommodate much larger equipment than can be moved by air today, requiring less on-site final assembly in certain instances, as with supporting aircraft or UAVs. The smaller Aeroscraft will vertically lift 66-ton payloads, while the larger will carry 250 tons, providing new point-to-point air delivery capability. Because an Aeroscraft only needs to overcome drag in forward flight, not generate lift, it can operate at roughly one-third the fuel consumption of conventional alternatives (airplanes and helicopters) on a per-ton/mile basis, permitting ‘greener’ cargo carriage. Q: Can the sensors atop your towers communicate/relay information to Aerostats or other products? A: Yes, they are flexible for numerous payloads, so communications relay to an aerostat would be one of the options. Aeros’ lightweight tower is an integrated system that lets a single operator establish a surveillance zone for events, emergencies and security applications rapidly. The lightweight tower system is an elevated ISR that is easily transportable and can be assembled and deployed in urban
Q: What other advancements or new products can we look forward to this year? A: You’ll continue to see the fleet development for the Aeroscraft cargo airship progress in 2014, along with growth in our traditional LTA portfolio as aerostat products continue to expand and adapt to more tactical scenarios in ISR/communications. Aerostats like Aeros’ Skycrow are also being used increasingly for broad multi-spectral imaging applications. We’re also exploring autonomous mission controls, and expect to see growth in our tower business with this portable and quickly assembled solution requiring only a single operator and supporting numerous security applications in urban scenarios. Finally, we’re further enhancing field hydrogen generators that can serve the dual roles of lift support and power for OCONUS and other remote operations. Q: What else would you like the SOF community to know about the people and products of Aeroscraft? A: The team at Aeros does complete inhouse research, development, production, flight and operation of Aeros-branded advanced-technology air vehicles, FAA production certification and flight innovation. The team at Aeros includes military veterans and our organization has an established history developing solutions for the U.S. military. We love feedback from the field, and insights into the evolving needs and aspirations of field operators and their commanders. Understanding the desires of the teams in the field helps us engineer and deliver products that most fully support their missions. O mario.pantuso@aeroscraft.com www.SOTECH-kmi.com