Author: Tony Grist

MATBOCK is an industry leader in developing and manufacturing innovative products and technologies for Defense, Law Enforcement and outdoorsmen. One of their best-selling products is called the Cobra Sled which was recently added to a SOCOM program of record to support Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) operations. This is an option for SOF operators to swap heavier bulky systems for the lightweight, Cobra Sled. The prime is Triablco and if medics are interested in obtaining a Cobra Sleds for their unit, they need to route their requests up to Medical Logistics team. The Cobra Sled is the lightest and smallest hoistableevacuation sled…

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Capt. Keneally Phelan, Director of Intelligence with 4th Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), was named the 2025 recipient of the Lt. Gen. Sidney T. Weinstein Award for Excellence in Military Intelligence at a ceremony held on Fort Carson, CO, Oct. 30, 2025. She is the first “Original” from the 10th SFG(A) to receive the award, which recognizes exceptional leadership and commitment within the Military Intelligence (MI) Corps. The Weinstein Award was established in 2007 to honor Lt. Gen. Tom Weinstein, known as the “Father of Modern Military Intelligence.” His innovative vision transformed Army Intelligence, shaping…

Remembering Our Pearl Harbor Fallen On this day in 1941, the Empire of Japan launched a surprise attack on the US fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The result was 2402 killed by enemy action and 21 ships damaged or sunk, including 8 battleships, with two permanently lost (USS Arizona and USS Utah). Understandably, the event plunged the United States into World War II. Let’s all take a moment to consider those who gave it all for freedom and the American way. We ow them a debt we can never repay. Read the full article here

Mountain Hardware – Stretchdown Quilt Measuring 59″ x 82″, the Stretchdown Quilt from Mountain Hardware uses 650-fill down for lightweight warmth and compressibility. It features an integrated stuff sack which can be used as a pillow when stuffed. Additionally, the bottom hem snaps and folds into ‘Foot Warmer’ to keep feet warm inside the quilt and the edge snaps form a poncho that allows you to wear the quilt hands-free. The color is Mantis Green which fits in pretty well with most of SSD’s readership. www.mountainhardwear.com/p/stretchdown-quilt Read the full article here

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FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The Department of the Army activated the U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command in a historic transition ceremony today at Fort Bragg, uniting U.S. Army Forces Command, U.S. Army North and U.S. Army South into a single, four-star operational headquarters. The ceremony also marked the casing of the U.S. Army Forces Command colors and the retirement of FORSCOM’s commanding general. Gen. Andrew Poppas, who has led Forces Command since July 2022, is set to retire after more than 37 years of service. “Today we become something new,” Poppas said, “but FORSCOM’s spirit of readiness, resilience and warfighting…

U.S. Marine Corps engaging with the Archer Strike FPV Drone System (Photo by Cpl. Joshua Barker) ?El Segundo, CA – Neros Technologies has been awarded a multi-million delivery order contract with the United States Marine Corps to provide advanced small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) — including kinetic-strike capable FPVs — together with comprehensive operator training and support, across the Fleet Marine Force (FMF). The award underscores the Marine Corps’ push to rapidly field combat-proven, American-manufactured drone technologies that ensure asymmetric effects capability by expeditionary combat units—at scale. Built without Chinese components and certified under the Department of War’s Blue UAS…

As mentioned before, I do not choose my guns, especially my carry guns, based on pure performance. I think that is a pretty dumb way to go, as there are many more important things to base your carry gun on rather than “pure shooting performance”. Even if I did, I don’t really know what that means, as I can shoot all guns at basically the same level. I find Glocks to shoot a hair worse for me than other guns, but the difference is actually pretty meaningless. I am the limiting factor, not the gun. That said, I have heard…

People’s Liberation Army Integrated Soldier System At Milipol we got a glimpse of the QDS204E Integrated Soldier System. Interestingly, it’s shown here in MultiCam, likely to draw international clients. Nothing seen here is groundbraking but it’s nice to get a look. Here is an article from 2022 regarding improvements to the system which seems to be in spiral development. Considering China and Russia’s defense pact, I find it an odd choice for any NATO nations to entertain the notion of adopting Chinese defense systems. I’d suspect this display (and other companies at Milipol) hoped to draw African and Asian contingents…

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