August 6, 2020

 

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 IN THIS EDITION:

Old Hickory Soldiers Return Home DVIDS 
The 2020 NCNG Biennial Survey is now available NCNGA 
NGAUS 142nd General Conference, A Virtual Experience: Registration is now open. NCNGA 
Meet the ‘Smuzzle,’ the Army’s new hybrid suppressor that reduces sound, recoil and flash Army Times 
U.S. to withdraw about 12,000 troops from Germany but nearly half to stay in Europe Reuters 
2,410 Airmen Selected to Transfer to the Space Force AF Mag 
August 6th — Today in Guard History National Guard 

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Old Hickory Soldiers Return Home DVIDS 

Family and loved ones welcome home Soldiers of the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team as they arrive at the Sgt. Lance Eakes Readiness Center in Durham after a year-long deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield August 1, 2020. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens/Released)

The 2020 NCNG Biennial Survey is now available NCNGA 

This survey is a tool for senior leaders to review and gain a sense of the overall climate within the North Carolina National Guard by assessing various critical areas that impact our organization. Your individual responses are vital to the health of our organization as we strive to be the most Ready, Reliable, Responsive, and Relevant military force for our State and Nation. The survey remains open through 15 September 2020.

Click here to take the survey!

NGAUS 142nd General Conference, A Virtual Experience: Registration is now open. NCNGA 

NGAUS is bringing the 142nd General Conference to you.

In a year like no other, the association will conduct a conference like never before — livestreamed from the National Guard Memorial in Washington, D.C., to your computer, tablet or mobile device. You will have a front-row seat to see and hear senior defense officials and to catch up with old friends.

The event is set for August 28-29. Help craft NGAUS priorities for fiscal 2022 budget deliberations. Learn the way ahead. Enjoy some state and Guard pride. You won’t want to miss it!

Meet the ‘Smuzzle,’ the Army’s new hybrid suppressor that reduces sound, recoil and flash Army Times 

Army scientists have developed a combination suppressor and muzzle brake that keeps machine guns on target and quieter on the battlefield — a boon for the tactical-level soldier’s accuracy and movement.

It’s a hybrid device that cuts half the volume at the shooter’s ear, reduces recoil by a third and drops volume down range by one quarter, said Gregory Oberlin, a small arms engineer at the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Center Army Research Lab.

The piece of gear has been coined the “smuzzle” and can trace some of its legacy to a muzzle brake design for the 155mm howitzer.

A muzzle brake helps keep down “muzzle climb” that results from a weapon firing and gas pressure forcing the muzzle upward.

Read More…

U.S. to withdraw about 12,000 troops from Germany but nearly half to stay in Europe Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. military on Wednesday unveiled plans to withdraw about 12,000 troops from Germany, in fallout from President Donald Trump’s long-simmering feud with Berlin but said it will keep nearly half of those forces in Europe to address tension with Russia.

Trump announced his intention last month to cut by about a third the 36,000-strong U.S. troop contingent in Germany, faulting the close U.S. ally for failing to meet NATO’s defense spending target and accusing it of taking advantage of the United States on trade.

“We don’t want to be the suckers any more,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday about the decision. “We’re reducing the force because they’re not paying their bills; it’s very simple.”

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2,410 Airmen Selected to Transfer to the Space Force AF Mag 

The U.S. Space Force has selected 2,410 Airmen out of more than 8,500 Active-duty volunteers to transfer to the new service beginning Sept. 1, the service announced July 16.

The accepted volunteers are all in the space operations (13S) and space system operations (1C6) Air Force Specialty Codes, and include a mix of officer and enlisted personnel.

“This is an exciting and historic time for these space operators who will be some of the first members to join the Space Force,” Lt. Gen. David “DT” Thompson, U.S. Space Force vice commander, said in a release. “Each one of them has an important responsibility to contribute bold ideas to shape the Space Force into a 21st Century service.”

Selected members who are awaiting a pending promotion board will transfer after meeting with the board. Space operators who did not volunteer to transfer to the new service may apply to retrain into another career field, transition to the reserve component, or apply for separation or retirement if eligible, according to the release. When the transition period ends “sometime around 2022,” organic space specialties will fall under the Space Force and will no longer be available to members of the U.S. Air Force.

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August 6th — Today in Guard History National Guard 

1763
Bushy Run, Pennsylvania – Almost as soon as the French and Indian War ended securing the western frontier of America for British interests, an Ottawa chief named Pontiac formed a confederation of numerous Indian tribes intent on driving the English out of the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region. As part of his campaign he laid siege to several frontier posts, including Fort Pitt, on the site of today’s city of Pittsburgh, PA. Among those defending the fort was the Philadelphia “Associators,” militia regiment. They continued to hold on despite repeated Indian attacks. To break the siege the governor and English authorities dispatched a relief force lead by Pennsylvania rangers (militia backwoodsmen experienced in Indian tactics). The main body was composed of Scottish soldiers of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment better known as the “Black Watch.” This army encountered Pontiac’s forces along a creek named Bushy Run and in a very bloody two-day engagement compelled the Indians to withdraw and lift the siege of Pitt. Ever since this battle every year when Philadelphia’s 111th Infantry (lineal descendants of the Associator’s) hold their annual ‘dinning in’ they always have a special place setting and an empty chair for the commander of the Black Watch to join in and be honored by the regiment. At least twice in the more than 200 years of this tradition the then commander of the Highlanders was on hand to accept the honor.

Read More…