DefenceTalkArmy aviation operates in worldwide missions while balancing the challenges of the deployments with maintaining training and readiness, Army aviation commanders said. The commanders addressed the topic during a panel at the Association of the United States Army’s forum on Army aviation, Jan. 29. The panel featured Col. Vincent H. Torza, commander, 12th Combat Aviation […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-aviation-balances-worldwide-missions-with-training-readiness-62610/

DefenceTalkIncluded within the $126.5 billion the Army has asked for in its fiscal 2016 base annual budget, is some $230 million for professional military education for Soldiers. The request represents an increase of about 21 percent over the $190 million the Army asked for last year, said Maj. Gen. Thomas A. Horlander, director of the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-requests-126bn-for-fy2016-budget-62605/

DefenceTalkUS drone aircraft targeted a senior figure in Somalia’s Shebab militia, the Pentagon said Tuesday, in the latest bid to take out leaders of the al-Qaida-linked group. US special operations forces “using unmanned aircraft and several Hellfire missiles” carried out the strike on Saturday against Shebab’s chief of external operations and planning, spokesman Rear Adm. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-drone-targets-senior-shebab-militant-in-somalia-62603/

DefenceTalkJOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS: Airmen from the 633rd Security Forces Squadron refined their marksmanship skills Jan. 26, using a new weapons simulator at Joint Base Langley-Eustis’ Combat Arms center. The Meggitt Training Systems’ simulator allows Airmen to gain real-world experience with the use of realistic situations, while saving Air Force resources. By allowing Airmen to practice […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-weapons-simulator-helps-refine-marksmanship-skills-62533/

DefenceTalkHe used to be one of them, so when paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division asked Rich Landry to design a rucksack to meet their needs, he was thrilled. “That’s my past,” Landry said. “This … is my favorite kind of work, because the whole parachute (piece) is just such an interesting dynamic when you […]https://www.defencetalk.com/natick-designs-new-rucksack-for-paratroopers-62526/

DefenceTalkThe Army’s Stryker vehicle, designed to quickly move Soldiers into a combat zone, is swift and mobile. Now its communications equipment will be, too. Strykers in the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team/2nd Infantry Division, also known as 2/2 SBCT, are being retrofitted with the Army’s new tactical communications network, increasing Soldiers’ ability to communicate over […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-equips-stryker-unit-with-new-communications-technology-62479/

DefenceTalkNATO is incorporating special operations into all aspects of its operations and training, the commander of NATO Special Operations Headquarters said here yesterday. Air Force Lt. Gen. Marshall B. Webb told the National Defense Industries Association’s Special Operations/Low-intensity Conflict Symposium that the organization is perfectly placed to capitalize on the multinational, multi-network response to threats. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/special-ops-assuming-greater-nato-responsibilities-62473/

DefenceTalkA new course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, will pair up Air Cavalry leaders with the operators of unmanned aerial systems. The Aviation Reconnaissance Course, scheduled to launch this spring, was discussed at the Association of the U.S. Army’s “Hot Topics” conference on aviation today in Arlington, Virginia. The course was mentioned during a panel discussion […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-helicopter-pilots-train-with-uas-operators-62470/

DefenceTalkSoldiers of an Army research center have worked to improve training for fellow Soldiers on a quick-reaction intelligence capability that better supports the system in the field and potentially reduces reliance on reach-back and in-field contractor support. Non-commissioned officers from the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center, or CERDEC, have expanded the training […]https://www.defencetalk.com/improved-us-army-system-training-to-increase-vigilance-62296/

DefenceTalkSpain said Friday it was starting negotiations with Washington to host a permanent US Marines intervention force for deployment on missions to Africa. The Spanish government said it was ready to permanently extend an agreement under which the force has been based at Moron de la Frontera, near Seville in southern Spain. The government approved […]https://www.defencetalk.com/spain-negotiates-permanent-us-marines-africa-force-62220/