A Navy brat who spent eight years in the Marines (two years aboard the carrier Independence). Worked in journalism in Eastern North Carolina through the latter part of the 90s, then became editor of Air Force Times in 2000. Stayed there five years, then took a break to finish some school. Now back in the game with Navy Times.
The MK 20 Sniper Support Rifle has been approved for full-rate production. The FN rifle is a variant of the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR) family. Fielding is expected to start in mid-May 2011. Three variants of the Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle, or SCAR, were approved July 30 for full-rate production. They were:
The remains of a soldier from World War I have been identified and are coming home with full military honors – some 92 years after Pvt. Henry A. Weikel paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. The Defense Department’s POW/Missing Personnel Office made the announcement today. The news is not likely to make headlines across the nation. Perhaps there will be some ink given in Mt. Carmel, Penn., which was the 28-year-old’s hometown. But we at Outside the Wire commend the service of Weikel, and a military that works to ensure its fallen veterans are brought home. Weikel was part of the…
Our friends at the Associated Press are reporting that the ABC television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will be helping a soldier severely wounded in the Nov. 5, 2009, Fort Hood shooting. Staff Sgt. Patrick Zeigler returned home from Iraq two weeks prior to the shooting. He was preparing to attend Officer Candidate School when he was hit four times in the attack. He suffered a nearly fatal wound to his head, according to the report. A bullet shattered the right side of his skull. The metal and bone fragments were too small to be removed, so doctors had to…
The XM1100 Scorpion doesn’t look like much. In fact, it resembles a miniature moisture farm from the planet Tattooine. But this is one chunk of metal the bad guys won’t want to cross. The 145-pound networked munitions system provides 30 days of security, surveillance & screening – and can easily take out tanks and vehicles that cross its path. It has acoustic, seismic and active IR monitors that can be used as part of a coordinated attack. It has an effective situational awareness of 400m diameter – roughly the size of your favorite football stadium and much of the accompanying…
An Associated Press story released Sunday provides gripping insight into the aeromedical teams of the 101st Airborne’s Task Force Destiny – remarkable men and women who provide fast medical evacuation throughout southern Afghanistan. This team has evacuated more than 2,500 patients since spring. But the photos accompanying the story are getting more attention than the aeromedical team. The powerful pics were shot by photographer Brennan Linsley. He spent five days with the team, and the AP selected and transmitted 12 photos to accompany the story. Four of those photos show mortally wounded Marines. The debate is not new. It has…
Some serious jingle has been dropped in the past week to beef the Army’s vehicle fleet, and soldiers are sure to like what they see. Oshkosh Defense is the big winner, with the following contracts: $413 million to produce a much-needed 1,800 medium tactical vehicles for Army National Guard by March 12, 2013. $255 million for 250 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle ambulances. We highlighted this vehicle in our AUSA coverage. This is a HUGE plus for combat medical care. They will roll out by May 31, 2012. $34 million for 78 M1076 palletized load systemtrailers and 78 M1075A1…
NASA let down legions of breath-holders who were convinced an alien roll-out would happen on Thursday. But do not be disappointed. The Army has unveiled a document thought by many to be a mythical concoction, or at least one that would remain hidden deep in the bowels of the Puzzle Palace, never to be seen by mere mortals. But now we know it does exist: The Ground Combat Vehicle’s Request for Proposal. All kidding aside, there were no surprises contained in the RfP, though the long wait and recent fiscal fallout made some question whether it would come to pass.…
The Pentagon says the defense budget must grow roughly 3 percent above inflation each year to sustain the military at current levels. As a result of the nation’s fiscal fallout, military spending will grow only 1.8 percent in 2012, and 1 percent in following years. That means the Pentagon must cut tens of billions from its budget to make up the difference. How will this happen? Let’s first consider Iraq, where there are some interesting numbers floating around as that nation beefs up its military in the wake of U.S. troops departing.
First introduced in 1966, the 40mm, belt-fed automatic grenade launcher is arguably one of the coolest – and baddest – weapons in the organic infantry. The Rapid Fielding Initiative now looks to improve the MK19 with an advanced sighting/targeting system. In a “sources sought” notice released this morning, the service described “an immediate need for an advanced sighting/targeting system for the MK-19 Grenade Launcher. The system will operate during day, night and all weather conditions.” The notice set forth the following requirements: The sighting system will allow the weapon to be aimed and fired in the same time frame as…
Air Force Army Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are taking significant strides, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army logged more than 1 million flight hours earlier this year, and is growing more comfortable – and capable – with an ever-increasing inventory. The service is flying the MQ-1C Gray Eagle over Iraqi skies from Camp Taji. Only two deployed Army units fly the Gray Eagle, according to this story. The plan is to field up to 132 Gray Eagles in 11 units at the division level. Operators in Iraq are attached to the Enhanced Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort…
