Under Secretary of the Army visits U.S. Army Alaska

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (Nov. 24, 2014) -- Under Secretary of the Army Brad R. Carson, who also serves as the Army's chief management officer, got an eyeful of Alaska's vast training areas during an aerial tour of the Interior, Tuesday.

After flying over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, Carson ended his tour at Black Rapids Training Site, 130 miles south of Fort Wainwright, the home of U.S. Army Alaska's Northern Warfare Training Center, or NWTC.

At NWTC, the Army's premier training center for cold-weather and high-altitude operations, Carson rode in a small unit support vehicle to the top of a nearby mountain in the middle of NWTC's training area, where he received an orientation of the training area, followed by a demonstration of Alaska's cold weather and survivability gear.

Carson also received a sand table brief of USARAK's recent successful Mount McKinley expedition from May on the actual training sand table used by the USARAK McKinley teams to plan for the expedition.

Alaska and the Soldiers stationed here made quite an impression on Carson.

"Amazing," he said. "It's beautiful and a great place for the Army to train. There are a lot of great facilities here that allow us to train a lot of important skills that will be essential for the future. As the Arctic becomes more important to us, and as the Pacific becomes more important to us, Alaska's going to be an important place for the U.S. Army, too."

Alaska's massive Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, or JPARC, training areas offer varied terrain and extreme weather conditions and are widely used by other branches of service and partner nations. The JPARC consists of all the land, air, sea, space and cyberspace used for military training in Alaska, providing unmatched opportunities for present and future service, joint, interagency and multinational training.

"This is my favorite part, coming out here and seeing the training ground has been really amazing, and the chance to fly over a lot of the other training areas here in Alaska," Carson said. "It's impressive to see how vast it is and all the great training ranges we have here that the whole U.S. Army can take advantage of."

The JPARC is comprised of approximately 65,000 square miles of available airspace, 2,490 square miles of land space with 1.5 million acres of maneuver land, and 42,000 square nautical miles of sea and airspace in the Gulf of Alaska.

The Alaska visit was the final in Carson's trip to the Pacific region, which included stops in Washington, Hawaii, and South Korea.

His goal during the trip was to gain a better understanding of each command's mission and capabilities. He also sought to learn current and future requirements of the units he visited.

 http://www.army.mil/article/138791/Under_Secretary_of_the_Army_visits_U_S__Army_Alaska/

 By U.S. Army Alaska Public Affairs Office

Turkeys fly military air to Afghanistan, Africa, Middle East this Thanksgiving

 PHILADELPHIA (Army News Service, Nov. 25, 2014) -- A lot of U.S. Service members won't be making it home for Thanksgiving this year. But once again, the U.S. military is bringing Thanksgiving to them.

In October, the International Security Assistance Force reported as many as 24,000 U.S. Service members still in Afghanistan. Additionally, U.S. Service members are deployed to Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan. There are also now Service members deployed to West Africa, as part of the fight against Ebola.

The Defense Logistics Agency, known as DLA, is making sure those Service members, wherever they may be, get a taste of an American home-cooked meal this Thanksgiving. They may not be able to eat it with their families back home, but they will enjoy it with their brothers-and-sisters-in-arms.

"Since they can't be home for the holidays, our team is dedicated to bringing the holidays to them," said Anthony Amendolia, with DLA Troop Support subsistence team in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

DLA reports that 2,000 pounds of turkey, 300 pounds of cranberry sauce, and 500 pies will be sent to Liberia. To Senegal, DLA sent 600 pounds of turkey, 75 pounds of cranberry sauce, and 200 pies. As many as 5,000 meals will be served between both locations, and Service members will have their choice of apple, cherry, pumpkin, pecan or sweet potato pie.

While the DLA Troop Support subsistence team typically starts planning to ship holiday meal items six months in advance, military operations in West Africa only began two months ago. In order to meet those short requirements, DLA airlifted the Thanksgiving meal items from the United States into Liberia and Senegal.

Service members in the CENTCOM area of responsibility will also have a Thanksgiving dinner, thanks to DLA's work. DLA sent 48,982 pounds of turkey; 8,750 pounds of beef; 4,560 pounds of ham; 6,048 pounds of shrimp; 900 gallons of eggnog and 4,000 pies to feed Service members in Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan. In Afghanistan, service members received 29,184 pounds of turkey; 31,920 pounds of beef; 21,660 pounds of ham; 25,650 pounds of shrimp; 840 gallons of eggnog; and 6,000 pies.

"Whether they're stationed on a remote base in Afghanistan, or a field hospital in West Africa, they'll be eating a traditional American Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 27," Amendolia said.

William Addison, a spokesman for the Defense Logistics Agency, said food items bound for Africa left the United States on special missions from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. A spokesman at the base said at least one Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the 6th Airlift Squadron there participated in the mission to ferry holiday cheer to Service members deployed overseas this Thanksgiving.

 By Army News Service

http://www.army.mil/article/139017/Turkeys_fly_military_air_to_Afghanistan__Africa__Middle_East_this_Thanksgiving/

SEARCH CAREERS & JOBS Computers & Technology

Includes technical and informational support for a variety of areas. Positions available in computers, communications, environmental health, intelligence, explosives and unmanned vehicle operations

 http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/computers-and-technology.AR-both.html

Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer (25S)

Satellite communication systems operator-maintainers are responsible for making sure that the lines of communication are always up and running. They maintain the multichannel satellite communications for the entire Army.

Job Duties

• Maintenance of satellite communications equipment and associated devices
  
• Conduct stressed and unstressed network operations
  
• Prepare system and equipment related forms and reports

Requirements

Those who want to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army jobs are best for you.

Training

Job training for a satellite communication systems operator-maintainer requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 18 weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and in the field.

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Use of various types of communications equipment
  
• Working with codes
  
• Maintenance and care of communications equipment

http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/computers-and-technology/satellite-communication-systems-operator-maintainer.html

Cryptologic Network Warfare Specialist (35Q)

Cryptologic Network Warfare Specialist performs initial cryptologic digital analysis to establish target identification and operational patterns; identifies, reports, and maintains Intelligence information in support of Commander’s Intelligence Requirements and uses technical references to analyze information.

Job Duties

• Operates automated data processing (ADP) equipment for both remote and local collection, processing and reporting
  
• Performs initial cryptologic digital analysis to establish target identification and operational patterns
• Develops and maintains analytical and operational working aids and databases to support target collection, identification, and location
  
• Prepares technical products and time sensitive reports in support of Cryptologic Network Warfare operations

Requirements

Those who wish to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army jobs are best for you.
Additional testing is required for this MOS. Those who wish to enlist in this MOS will be required to pass the Information Communication Technology Literacy (ICTL) test.

 http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/computers-and-technology/cryptologic-network-warfare-specialist.html

Army Cyber branch offers Soldiers new challenges, opportunities

 FORT GORDON, Ga. (Nov. 24, 2014) - Soldiers who want to defend the nation in cyberspace, as part of the Army's newest and most technologically advanced career field, now have an Army branch to join that will take its place alongside infantry, artillery and the other Army combat arms branches.

Army Secretary John McHugh and Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno approved the creation of the Cyber branch in September, as one of the first official steps in establishing a 17-series career field specifically dedicated to managing the careers and professional development of officers. The remainder of the 17-series career field management program is expected to be implemented by October 2015, with both enlisted and warrant officer career paths.

"This is a historic development for our Army, for the Soldiers who are already defending the nation in cyberspace, and for those who will do so in years to come," said Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Fogarty, commanding general of the Cyber Center of Excellence. "Creation of the Cyber branch acknowledges the critical role that our cyber warriors play in the armed forces of today and tomorrow, and it will provide us with the structure to make certain that the highly skilled Soldiers who are selected for these positions are well-trained, professionally developed and appropriately assigned."

To support these goals, both the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence, or CoE, at Fort Gordon, and the Human Resources Command created personnel career management and proponent offices to lead and shape the future development of this new Army career field.

"The establishment of a Cyber Branch shows how important and critical the cyber mission is to our Army, and allows us to focus innovative recruiting, retention, leader development, and talent management needed to produce world-class cyberspace professionals," said Lt. Gen. Edward Cardon, the commanding general of Army Cyber Command.

Cyber CoE officials say the United States' military networks evolved from providing communication systems and services to a warfighting weapons system. All of cyberspace is now considered a warfighting domain and an operational environment in which the Defense Department will conduct cyberspace operations. This new warfighting domain brings the need for a new type of Soldier capable of understanding cyberspace as an operational environment, just as an infantryman understands the land domain and a pilot the air domain.

"Every day, newspaper headlines underscore the importance of cyber defense to national security," said Col. Gregory Conti, director of the Army Cyber Institute at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. "The creation of the branch lays the foundation for a professional cyber force to best protect the Nation."

The Cyber branch already reached a milestone accepting the first six officers for duty as cyber operations officers, in the 17A area of concentration. Five of the six will be assigned to the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber), at Fort Meade, Md., with the sixth assigned to the Cyber Protection Brigade at Fort Gordon.

By October 2015, enlisted Soldiers joining the career field will be designated as military occupational specialty 17C, cyber operations specialist, while warrant officers will become 170A cyber operations technicians. The process for Warrant Officers and NCOs to transfer to career field 17 is under development.

According to Col. Jennifer Buckner, commandant of the U.S. Army Cyber School, within the Cyber CoE, the branch will form in two phases, with a target of bringing almost 1,200 officers, warrant officers and enlisted Soldiers into the branch during the first phase, through 2016. In the second phase, the cyber branch will incorporate electronic warfare Soldiers in the 29-series Military Occupational Specialty.

"Much of the infrastructure of the branch is still under development," Buckner said. "For example, for the time being, officers selected for the branch will attend either signal or military intelligence officer education courses. However, the Army needs outstanding young men and women with these qualifications now, so we will start to build the branch with the available institutional training and plan to evolve to cyber-specific courses in fiscal year 2016."

As the proponent for the Army's newest career field, the Cyber CoE is developing the accession standards and strategies for filling positions in the branch. Although the Army is currently accepting applications from second lieutenants through colonels, the Cyber CoE is still working on firm standards for entry into the branch, Buckner said. In order to be eligible, Buckner said. In order to be eligible, applicants must be able to obtain a top secret clearance and be able to pass and maintain a counter-intelligence polygraph and National Security Agency access. She added that a bachelor's degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics discipline would be a plus.

"Beyond that, we're still developing standards," Buckner said. "So my advice is, if you can meet the basic requirements, feel you have something to offer to our Cyber branch and are motivated to join what will truly be an elite corps of professionals in our Army, then go ahead and apply."

Once accepted into the career field, officers, warrant officers and enlisted Soldiers will fill a wide variety of positions with cyber mission force units and traditional Army formations, including: cyber operator, analyst and planner positions. The branch will also include traditional leadership, command and staff positions.

Although a significant number of cyber positions will be located at Forts Gordon and Meade as the majority of cyber elements are assigned there, cyber Soldiers will have assignment opportunities across the force. The Army's total force approach to cyber includes significant growth in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve's cyberspace capabilities and capacities.

"We believe the branch will attract high quality talent to the Army and many of those people, once they experience the opportunities available in the cyber branch will choose to stay," Conti said.

"I think membership in the cyber branch presents an exciting, cutting-edge opportunity for the right Soldiers," Buckner said. "It will be a unique gathering of professionals, using skills that have become associated with the bad guys in our popular culture. But we'll be wearing the white hats -- good Soldiers, doing good work in cyberspace for a great nation. I can't think of a more interesting and rewarding opportunity to serve than that."

For information on joining the Cyber branch as an officer, contact the Human Resources Command Cyber branch at (502) 613-5398/6614. Enlisted and warrant officer branch contact information will be released as it is established.

 By Fort Gordon Public Affairs Office

http://www.army.mil/article/138883/Army_Cyber_branch_offers_Soldiers_new_challenges__opportunities/

U.S. Army Coaches Academy

For more than 10 years, the U.S. Army has recognized the commitment and dedication of today’s high school coaches by inviting each U.S. Army All-American’s coach to San Antonio during Bowl Week to attend the U.S. Army Coaches Academy. During the three-day event, coaches have a chance to take part in numerous events, including seminars on leadership, football and physical development, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Awards Show and, the 2015 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Highlights of the Coaches Academy includes classroom seminars to expose Academy Coaches to some of the most cutting-edge information and leadership based seminars administered by U.S. Army representatives, along with high school football coaches from across the country. 

http://mail.usarmyallamericanbowl.com/bowl-week-events/coaches-academy

U.S. Army All-American Bowl Game Day

The excitement starts well before kick-off for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Fans of the Bowl game are treated to the pagentry and passion of our U.S. Army soldiers as they systematically file into the Alamodome. From the ceremonial and unique game ball delivery--via army rappellers from the Dome's ceiling--to the patriotic pre-game festivities of singing and music, ticket holders are in for a treat.

 http://mail.usarmyallamericanbowl.com/bowl-week-events/bowl-game-day

Drew Lock of Lee’s Summit High School selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl

Drew Lock of Lee’s Summit High School, Lee’s Summit, Missouri,

has been selected to join an elite group of All-Americans for the 2015

U.S.  Army All-American Bowl. Those selected will play in the annual

East vs. West match-up on Saturday, Jan.3, 2015, at the Alamodome in San   Antonio, Texas. The game will be televised live on NBC at 1 p.m.

EST and will feature the nation’s top 90 high school football players.

Sgt. Gany and Sgt. Lay from the Grandview Army Recruiting Center and Maj. McCullagh from the Pioneer ROTC Recruiting Battalion presented the All-American Bowl Jersey to Lock at Lee’s Summit High.

http://usarmyallamericanbowl.com/players/player-roster

Burns & McDonnell partnered with the United States Army through the Partnership for Youth Success Program

Today Burns & McDonnell stepped forward joining other American Corporations and Public Sector Agencies who’ve partnered with the United States Army through the Partnership for Youth Success Program. Young men and women who join the Regular Army or the Army Reserves can select the PaYS program during enlistment processing. By doing so, these Soldiers are assured a job interview with their PaYS Partner upon completion of Army service.  Mr. Robert Reymond of Burns & McDonnell and Captain Seth Sanert from the Greater Kansas City Recruiting Company signed the Partnership for Youth Success memorandums of agreement at the Burns & McDonnell world headquarters.

Army family let’s thank Burns &McDonnell for supporting our Soldiers.

Hooaaah!

Cargo Specialist (88H)

Cargo specialists help ensure Army forces receive supplies, weapons, equipment and mail — on a daily basis, all over the world. They are primarily responsible for transferring or supervising the transfer of passengers, cargo and equipment to and from air, land and water transport by manual and mechanical methods.

Job Duties

• Inspect, count and document cargo utilizing both manual and automated data processing systems
  
• Load and unload supplies and equipment from ships, docks, beaches, railheads, boxcars, warehouses, motor vehicles and aircraft
  
• Operate and maintain all types and sizes of winches, cranes and forklifts
  
• Create load plans for air shipment and ocean liner vessels
  
• Operate ocean liner vessel equipment

Requirements

Those who want to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army jobs are best for you.

Training

Job training for a cargo specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and eight weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instructions. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field.

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Operation and care of forklifts, power winches, container handlers and cranes
  
• Techniques for loading and storing cargo
  
• Techniques for planning and scheduling cargo shipments
  
• Safety procedures for handling potentially dangerous cargo

 http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/transportation-and-aviation/cargo-specialist.html

Watercraft Engineer (88L)

Watercraft engineers are primarily responsible for supervising or performing maintenance on Army watercraft and auxiliary equipment on marine vessels.

Job Duties

• Perform daily systems checks
  
• Repair and maintain gasoline and diesel engines
  
• Troubleshoot and repair watercraft propulsion machinery
  
• Repair and service hoisting, lift machinery and engine-related electrical systems

Requirements

Those who want to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army jobs are best for you.

Training

Job training for a watercraft engineer requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 10 weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instructions. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field.

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Internal combustion engine theory
  
• Repair of electronic and electrical machinery systems
  
• Service and repair of fuel injection systems
  
• Welding and machine shop fabrication

 http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/mechanics/watercraft-engineer.html

Army mariners highlight capabilities, impact in Pacific for Under SecArmy Carson

 JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (Nov. 19, 2014) -- Army mariners from the 8th Theater Sustainment Command shared their unique capability and the joint and multi-national impact Army watercraft has across the Pacific Theater with Under Secretary of the Army Brad R. Carson during his tour of U.S. Army Vessel Lt. Gen. William B. Bunker (Logistic Support Vessel 4) here, Saturday.

The U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility stretches 9,000 miles, and more than one third of the region's 36 nations are small islands, with the majority of the population living within 200 miles of the coast. When it comes to flexible logistics for the region's joint and multi-national forces, the theater's geography and size demand a team effort maximizing and preparing every available transportation option.

The logistic support vessel, or LSV, that Carson toured is one of the Pacific's 26 Army watercraft assets and its crew averages more than 210 days at sea per year, providing over-the-water transportation of equipment and personnel to increase maneuverability and readiness throughout the region.

The vessel's cargo deck is designed to hold any vehicle in the U.S. Army inventory and comparable vehicles in sister services' and partner nation militaries. The flat bottom boat can carry up to 15 M1 Abrams main battle tanks, or 82 standard containers, which is the equivalent of 17 C-17 aircraft loads. The boat has both bow and stern ramps for roll-on and -off operations and can beach itself to load or discharge cargo over the shore, in as little as four feet of water.

The vessel and other Army watercraft assets provide capabilities that enable access to unimproved ports in austere environments, a potentially critical contribution during humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations.

In addition to routine personnel and equipment movement missions, LSV-4 also joined 22 other nations and sister service counterparts during the world's largest international exercise, Rim of the Pacific 2014, playing a major role in surface/vertical cargo lifts, casualty evacuation training, and Logistics over the Shore operations.

Other Pacific-based Army watercraft elements are set to participate in exercise Combined Joint Logistics Over the Shore 2015, and future Pacific Pathways rotations, and are currently executing Pacific Utility and Logistics Support Enabler-Watercraft II, or PULSE-W II, providing flexible, cost-effective, and tailored cargo delivery options throughout the region in support of joint and multinational exercises and missions.

http://www.army.mil/article/138491/Army_mariners_highlight_capabilities__impact_in_Pacific_for_Under_SecArmy_Carson/

By 8th Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs

Armor Officer (19)

Armor officers are responsible for tank and cavalry/forward reconnaissance operations on the battlefield. The role of an armor officer is to be a leader in operations specific to the armor branch and to lead others in many areas of combat operations.

Job Duties

• Command the armor units and combined armed forces during land combat
  
• Coordinate the employment of armor Soldiers at all levels of command

Requirements

Those who want to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army jobs are best for you.

Training

Job training for an armor officer includes completion of the Armor Officer Basic Course where you learn the skills and operational aspects that are used in an armor platoon. Cavalry officers will need to complete the Scout Leaders and Cavalry Leaders Courses.

 http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/combat/armor-officer.html

Cavalry Scout (19D)

The cavalry scout is responsible for being the eyes and ears of the commander during battle. They engage the enemy in the field, track and report their activity and direct the employment of weapon systems to their locations.

Job Duties

• Secure and prepare ammunition on scout vehicles
  
• Perform navigation during combat
  
• Report information on terrain, weather and enemy
  
• Collect data to classify routes, tunnels and bridges

Requirements

Those who want to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army jobs are best for you.

Training

Job training for a cavalry scout requires 16 weeks of One Station Unit Training. Some of it takes place in the classroom, but most of it will be spent primarily in the field. Whether it’s taking part in squad maneuvers, target practice or war games, cavalry scouts are constantly refining their skills to keep themselves sharp.

 http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/combat/cavalry-scout.html

U.S. Cavalry Soldiers, NATO allies demonstrate commitment in Iron Sword 2014

PABRADE, Lithuania (Nov. 17, 2014) -- U.S. Cavalry Soldiers joined soldiers from eight other nations to complete the inaugural Iron Sword 2014, a multinational combined-arms exercise involving nearly 2,500 military personnel in the Republic of Lithuania, Nov. 2-14.

Soldiers from B Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and Soldiers from C Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, joined soldiers from Canada, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom for the Lithuanian Land Forces exercise.

"The theme of this exercise is to train together and ensure we achieve interoperability while conducting military operations," said Maj. Gen. Almantas Leika, commanding general, Lithuanian Land Forces. "Besides this, we are building and developing trust and confidence amongst our Soldiers, commanders and units. We are strong when we stand united."

Fort Hood, Texas-based Soldiers from 2nd Bn., 8th Cav. Regt., in Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and Vilseck, Germany-based Soldiers from 1st Sqdn., 2nd Cav. Regt., in Strykers, conducted hasty defense and attack maneuvers, dismounted patrols and other missions, alongside infantry units from the Canada, Estonia, Hungary and the U.K., an air defense unit from the Czech Republic and reconnaissance units from Luxembourg and Germany.

The exercise, organized under the NATO Military Training and Exercise Program, is designed to strengthen multinational military cooperation and interoperability.

"This exercise has become a true symbol of our flexibility, solidarity and unity," said Juozas Olekas, Lithuanian Minister of Defense. "Iron Sword demonstrates the resolve and commitment of all those allies contributing to the neighbors of NATO and collective defense."

In 1990, Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare independence, and became a full member of NATO in 2004. Iron Sword 2014 is the first large-scale NATO exercise hosted in the Baltic nation of nearly three million people that borders the Russian Kalingrad Oblast to the southwest.

"Being in a former Soviet republic, and training in military installations and ranges that were used by the Soviets has been an interesting experience," said Staff Sgt. Dusin Vinyard, section leader, B Co., 2nd Bn., 8th Cav. Regt., and native of Hutto, Texas. "Knowing how hard the Lithuanians fought for the freedoms they now have makes me appreciate freedom more, and shows how important this training is."

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskait attended the closing ceremonies for Iron Sword 2014, and addressed service members and attendees.

"Collective defense is the basis of the united and strong NATO," said Grybauskait. "The Wales Summit agreed on concrete collective defense measures for the Baltic States. This exercise is a good proof that NATO is placing special focus on our security and taking concrete measures to ensure it."

Iron Sword 2014 also served to certify units of the Lithuanian Land Forces for standby for the NATO Response Force, in 2015 and 2016.

U.S. Soldiers participated in Iron Sword 2014 as part of the larger U.S. Army Europe-led Atlantic Resolve, a multinational combined-arms exercise involving the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and host nations, taking place across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to enhance multinational interoperability, to strengthen relationships among allied militaries, to contribute to regional stability and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO.

 http://www.army.mil/article/138431/U_S__Cavalry_Soldiers__NATO_allies_demonstrate_commitment_in_Iron_Sword_2014/

By Staff Sgt. Keith Anderson

 

Soldiers of the future will generate their own power

NATICK, Mass. (Nov. 17, 2014) -- Wearable technologies may provide U.S. Soldiers with on-the-move, portable energy and reduce the weight of gear they carry into combat.

Researchers at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, or NSRDEC, here, are developing Soldier-borne energy-harvesting technologies.

During the Maneuver Fires Integration Experiment, or MFIX, a combined, multi-phase joint training exercise held in September 2014, at Fort Benning, Georgia, researchers tested prototype energy-harvesting technology solutions.

"My initial impression is that they fulfill a need for instant power generation on long-range missions when displaced from traditional resupply methods," said Sgt. 1st Class Arthur H. Jones, an infantryman with the Maneuver Center of Excellence who participated in the demonstration.

A sharp rise in Soldier-worn power capabilities has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number, variety and weight of batteries carried by warfighters in the field.

This weight prompted NSRDEC researchers to begin developing and evaluating small, lightweight, efficient, on-the-move, portable energy-harvesting and distribution systems that eliminate the need to carry extra batteries.

Energy harvesting works by capturing small amounts of energy that would otherwise be lost as heat, light, sound, vibration or movement. It uses that energy to recharge batteries and provide power for electronic devices such as a Soldier's communication equipment, sensors, or battlefield situational displays.

Researchers first demonstrated the concept to Army and government representatives at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, in April 2014. The demonstration consisted of experienced Soldiers wearing three energy-harvesting devices while traversing a four-mile course that included hard surfaced roads, lightly wooded areas, open fields and hilly terrain.

The technologies, which included wearable solar panels, backpack and knee kinetic energy-harvesting devices, are now being tested at MFIX as ways to reduce the weight and number of batteries Soldiers must carry to power electronic devices.

Lightning Pack's Rucksack Harvester relies on the weight of the backpack to produce kinetic energy when the backpack oscillates vertically in response to the Soldier's walking or running stride. As the backpack is displaced vertically, a rack attached to the frame spins a pinion that, in turn, is attached to a miniature power generator. It is capable of producing 16 to 22 watts while walking, and 22 to 40 watts while running.

Bionic Power's Knee Harvester collects kinetic energy by recovering the power generated when walking. The articulating device is attached to both the upper and lower part of each leg and extracts energy when the knee is flexed. Through software control, the knee harvester analyzes the wearer's gait and harvests energy during the phase of the stride when negative work is being performed. This attests that the Soldier is exhibiting less metabolic activity descending when compared with descending without wearing the device.

MC-10's photovoltaic, or PV, Solar Panel Harvester operates by converting sunlight into electrical energy. The panels, which cover a Soldier's backpack and helmet, are constructed from thin gallium arsenide crystals that provide flexibility to the panel's material and allow it to conform to a Soldier's gear. Under bright sunlight conditions, with the PV panel facing the sun, the backpack panel is capable of delivering 10 watts while the helmet cover panels provides seven watts of electrical power.

At MFIX, NSRDEC researchers collected power-management data and assessed user feedback from the Soldiers wearing the technologies. Once the energy-harvesting technologies themselves are validated, the next step will be to sync with the Integrated Soldier Power Data System as a way to distribute the energy to a Soldier's electronic devices.

Additionally, "MFIX is looking at new concepts with energy-harvesting devices and how they fit in a tactical environment," said Noel Soto, project engineer, Power and Data Management Team of the NSRDEC Warfighter Directorate.

"MFIX is an important opportunity that allows us to quantify the energy-harvesting technologies that generate Soldier power on the move," said Henry Girolamo, lead, Emerging Concepts and Technologies, Warfighter Directorate, who has been involved with the effort since 2011. "The MFIX Data collected in the experiment will inform us of the power harvester efficiency by comparing energy harvester equipped Soldiers and non-energy harvester equipped Soldiers and states of charge from the energy harvesters versus discharge from non-energy harvester equipped Soldiers."

----

This article appears in the November/December 2014 issue of Army Technology Magazine, which focuses on robotics. The magazine is available as an electronic download, or print publication. The magazine is an authorized, unofficial publication published under Army Regulation 360-1, for all members of the Department of Defense and the general public.

The Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.

RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness--technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection and sustainment--to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.

 http://www.army.mil/article/138057/Soldiers_of_the_future_will_generate_their_own_power/

 By Jeff Sisto, NSRDEC Public Affairs