FirstSpear

2026 Special Operations Wounded Warriors Charity Dinner and Auction

April 20th, 2026

For Immediate Release

Myrtle Beach, SC – March 13, 2026 – Special Operations Wounded Warriors (SOWW), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to honoring and supporting U.S. Special Operations Forces members wounded in combat or training, is proud to announce its annual Charity Dinner and Auction. This signature event will bring together supporters, veterans, and patriots for an evening of inspiration, fellowship, and fundraising to aid in the healing and recovery of our nation’s quiet professionals.

Set against the backdrop of the stunning Myrtle Beach coastline, the event will feature renowned guest speaker Enrique “Ric” Prado, a 24-year CIA veteran and specialist in paramilitary, counter-terrorism, and clandestine operations. Prado served as Deputy Chief of Station for the original Bin Laden Task Force and later as Chief of Operations in the Counterterrorist Center during 9/11, coordinating missions with elite units like Delta Force and SEAL Team Six. Prado will share insights from his bestselling memoir, Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior.

Joining as VIP guest is multi-talented entertainer and patriotic Army veteran Craig Morgan. A country music icon with over 2.5 billion career streams and more than 25 Billboard-charting songs, Morgan is also a TV personality, author, and celebrated outdoorsman. He served 17 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, including as a member of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, and in 2023, he reenlisted as a Warrant Officer. Honored with inductions into the Grand Ole Opry and the U.S. Field Artillery Hall of Fame, as well as the USO Merit Award and the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, Morgan remains deeply committed to supporting active-duty and veteran service members through organizations like Operation Finally Home and the USO.

Event details:

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Location: Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort at Grand Dunes, 8400 Costa Verde Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC

Attendees can look forward to a live auction featuring unique items and experiences, networking opportunities, and stories of impact from SOWW beneficiaries. Proceeds will directly support SOWW’s mission to provide healing outdoor adventures and targeted therapies to Purple Heart recipients and other wounded Special Operations warriors, having already touched over 1,000 lives since our founding in 2012.

Sponsorships, table reservations, and individual tickets are available now. Scan the QR code on the event flyer or visit SOWW for more information. Room reservations at the venue can be made by calling +1 843-449-8880.

SOWW

Help Elevare Foundation spread the word about SOWW!

SOWW invites media, corporate partners, and the public to join in celebrating and supporting our Special Operations heroes. For press credentials or interview requests, please contact the above.

About Special Operations Wounded Warriors (SOWW): Founded in 2012 by a group of Special Forces veterans and outdoors enthusiasts, SOWW is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that offers therapeutic outdoor experiences, service dog programs, and mental health support to active-duty and veteran U.S. Special Operations Forces members wounded in service. With a focus on low-recognition sacrifices, SOWW fosters recovery through nature-based activities and camaraderie. Learn more at www.sowwcharity.com.

Special Operations Wounded Warriors | SOWW | SOWW Charity

SOWW Charity

Join us in helping to support the brave men and women of our U.S. Special Operations Forces that have sustained …

Posted in Admin, Fundraising, Nonprofit, Press Release, Veterans | No Comments »

BFG Monday: Upgrade Your Gear – Not Your Knees

April 20th, 2026

Each year, the VA bears the long-term cost of joint injuries sustained in service, while investment in lighter load carriage systems remains limited. The weight carried by Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen doesn’t just impact performance in the moment—it reduces mobility, increases fatigue, and raises the risk of injury. Over time, that burden follows them home, affecting quality of life long after their service ends.

When troops are required to carry outdated government-designed gear instead of lighter Commercially-developed innovation, it not only decreases their lethality and survivability during combat operations but also drastically reduces their quality of life after they’ve served to protect our freedom.  We believe that it is cheaper to upgrade to lighter equipment than to buy joint replacements.

This 2021 article from ScienceDirect stated that heavy loads “impact the biomechanics of human gait […] increasing the risk of musculoskeletal injury.” A handful of top-tier load carriage manufacturers focused on creating lighter gear but lighter kit is only practical if it holds up to combat use. A pouch or a lighter attachment system that saves weight but fails under field conditions is worse than useless, it’s a liability. This is why the material used to build Blue Force Gear’s patented Helium Whisper is as important as the design itself.

Blue Force Gear (“BFG”) utilizes their proprietary ULTRACOMP high-performance fabric facing laminate on their revolutionary MOLLE attachment system. ULTRACOMP is deceivingly thin, but its performance under testing tells the real story. ULTRACOMP exceeds the durability of 1000D Cordura (the gold standard fabric in military load carriage) in both tear and abrasion resistance. Tested to ASTM 3884, ULTRACOMP survived more than 8,000 cycles on a 50-gram Taber abrasion test without failure.

ULTRACOMP is self-extinguishing with no melt and no drip properties and antimicrobial, so bacteria and fungus aren’t an issue. It’s also hydrophobic, meaning it won’t absorb water (more on this in a future article). This is not a material that was chosen because it was light enough. It was chosen because it outperforms the alternatives across every metric that matters in the field and empowers lighter designs by replace both fabric and webbing through innovative designs.

The weight savings Helium Whisper delivers, as much as 50%percent over legacy MOLLE pouch equivalents, come without any compromise to the durability warfighters depend on. The modern warfighter is already carrying an unsustainable load. Saving their knees and backs cannot come at the cost of gear reliability. ULTRACOMP ensures it doesn’t have to. Superior material, superior design, superior performance – at a fraction of the weight.

To learn more about how your unit can increase lethality and survivability and drastically reduce load carriage weight by upgrading to Helium Whisper, contact the BFG Military Department or visit BlueForceGear.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Load Carrying | No Comments »

USAF, Army Integrate Air Defense Capabilities During Freedom Shield 26

April 20th, 2026

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) —  

The 51st Security Forces Squadron and 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade conducted joint training during exercise Freedom Shield 26 at Osan Air Base, March 9-13.

During the exercise, the 51st SFS and 35th ADA worked together to detect and respond to a simulated hostile drone approaching the installation, using a U.S. Army AN/TWQ-1 Avenger to identify, track and engage the simulated aerial threat.

“This training integrated Army air defense capabilities into the base defense plan,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ty Waits, Echo Battery, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment Avenger platoon leader. “By working alongside Air Force security forces, we ensure we can rapidly respond to aerial threats and protect the installation.”

The Avenger is a mobile air defense platform equipped with Stinger missiles designed to counter low-altitude threats, such as drones and aircraft.

Integrating the Avengers system into Osan’s defensive posture strengthens the base’s layered defense strategy.

“Our goal is to defend the installation against smaller aerial threats so higher-level systems can focus on larger threats,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christian Natal, 51st Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of wartime plans.

Natal emphasized the increasing prevalence of small unmanned aerial systems in modern conflicts, highlighting the importance that defenders train against them. Training scenarios like this ensure personnel can quickly detect, track and respond to potential unmanned aircraft incursions.

The training additionally emphasized the use of man-portable air defense teams, or MANPADs. If the Avenger platform becomes inoperable, the crews can remove the Stinger missile pods and deploy them as mobile teams capable of moving across the installation with security forces patrols.

This flexibility allows defenders to reposition quickly and maintain air defense coverage across the base.

Joint exercises like this strengthen coordination between U.S. Army and Air Force units and improve readiness against evolving threats.

“As drones and other unmanned systems become more common on the battlefield, training like this ensures we are prepared to defend the base and protect the mission,” Natal said. “Continued joint training helps ensure forces remain ready to respond to emerging threats in a dynamic security environment.”

By SSgt Tylir Meyer

51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Army, Guest Post | No Comments »

Stuff I like – Bamboo Hoodie from Safariland

April 19th, 2026

Offered in Black and Tigerstripe the Hoodie is made from a moisture-wicking and breathable blend (46% Bamboo, 46% Polyester, 8% Spandex). It features a chest patch pocket and thumb holes at the cuff. It’s quite comfy.

Available in sizes Small – 2XLarge.

safariland.com/collections/t-shirts-hoodies/products/bamboo-hoodie

Posted in Clothing, Stuff I Like, Tigerstripe | No Comments »

Today is Patriot’s Day

April 19th, 2026

Each year, we remind our readers of the events of April 19th, 1775. Fabled as the “Shot Heard Round The World,” this was the true beginning of the American Revolution, a worldwide conflict which would engulf the super powers of the day in battles as far away as India, and last for another eight years.

Rebellion had already been brewing on the North American continent for a decade. Finally, in the early hours of the day, North American Militiamen fired on British troops, starting a war that would result in the ascendency of the American Eagle over this land we now call the United States.

This battle is from which, we draw our concept of the iconic Minute Man.

Each Patriot’s Day, we honor those men at Concord and consider what it must have been for them to stand there together, in the face of the world’s greatest army and take up arms in the defense of their colony from oppression.

That the militia came together on that morning to protect their arms from seizure by an oppressive government is an indisputable fact. We find the roots of the Second Amendment in the events of that day.

“Stand your ground. Don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.”
-John Parker
Captain of Militia

As the initial volleys of fire were exchanged near daybreak on Lexington Green, colonial volunteers fell back in the face of over 500 occupying British troops. But as the battle moved on to Concord, the tide turned, and the redcoats were routed as more and more colonists joined the fray.

The British troops retreated through Concord where they were reinforced. Despite boasting a strength of 1700 men, they remained no match for the determined colonists who forced them to continue their retreat to the safety of Charlestown in Boston. The militiamen continued to pursue, setting stage for the Siege of Boston.

Today, join me in honoring those early American warriors who pledged their lives to give us our hard fought freedoms and this great land.

Posted in History | No Comments »

USSOCOM Announces 2026 Athletes for Warrior Games

April 19th, 2026

We’re proud to officially announce the 2026 Team SOCOM athletes who will represent United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at the this year’s Warrior Games !

These incredible warriors embody resilience, dedication, and the unbreakable spirit of our community. Through their commitment to recovery and excellence, they continue to inspire us all.

Join us in congratulating them as they continue to train hard for San Antonio! ?

Let’s Go Team SOCOM!!

Posted in Guest Post, SOF, Warrior Athlete | No Comments »

The Army Holds Organic Industrial Base Industry Day As It Looks To Expand Munitions Production Capacity

April 19th, 2026

PICATINNY ARSENAL, NJ – In a landmark event to bolster the nation’s defense capabilities, Army Contracting Command – Rock Island (ACC-RI), on behalf of Portfolio Acquisition Executive Agile Sustainment and Ammunition (PAE AS&A) and Army Materiel Command (AMC), held an Industry Day event on 19-20 March 2026 focused on highlighting opportunities across the Organic Industrial Base (OIB).

The general session drew an impressive crowd of more than 450 industry partners and government leaders. The remarkable attendance and active engagement from all participants made the event an overwhelming success, fostering invaluable collaboration that is crucial for strengthening our nation’s defense capabilities.

The objective of the event was to bring together government leaders and industry partners to discuss opportunities available across the OIB for public-private-partnerships (P3) and/or co-production at Government Owned, Government Operated (GOGO) installations, as well as with the Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support (ARMS) Program at Government Owned, Contractor Operated (GOCO) installations. The government also provided an overview of Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) opportunities. Both traditional and non-traditional defense contractors attended and helped shape the outlook for utilization of P3s, co-production, and EULs across the OIB.

Liz Miranda, AMC Executive Deputy to the Commanding General, and Col. Jason Bohannon, Capability Portfolio Executive Ammunition and Energetics (CPE A&E), provided opening remarks that shaped the focus on the rising global demand for munitions and the pressing need to modernize our industrial infrastructure.

Companies in attendance were provided a comprehensive overview of key initiatives, including EULs, ARMS, P3s, an overview of GOGO sites, pyrophoric flares production, assured munitions initiatives, and market intelligence, as well as updates on the GOCO Construction and Iowa Army Ammunition Plant competitions. The government also detailed upcoming opportunities for a range of critical components, including projectiles, metal parts, fuzes, and propellants. A key focus of the event was identifying and addressing critical gaps within the OIB, where industry innovation and partnership can make a significant impact.

Following the general session, more than 120 one-on-one meetings were held with companies interested in providing solutions based on the information provided in the general session. The one-on-one meetings were a cornerstone of the event, allowing for focused, in-depth discussions between industry and government representatives.

Lynda Armer, Executive Director, ACC-RI, closed out the session emphasizing the need to build off the collaboration fostered at the event. “We look forward to growing critical capabilities across the OIB. The innovative solutions proposed by industry are a key step in this process,” said Armer. “These exchanges of ideas are fundamental to building the strong, collaborative relationships needed to advance our shared objectives.”

Industry partners were encouraged to respond to the U.S. Army Enterprise Strategic Capital Partnership Request for Information posted on SAM.gov with whitepapers detailing proposed solutions identified in the one-on-one meetings.

By Michael Chambers

Posted in Ammo, Guest Post, Industry, Manufacturing | No Comments »

L3HARRIS Demonstrates Autonomous Electronic Warfare Capability During US Army Experiment

April 18th, 2026

MELBOURNE, Fla., April 14, 2026 — L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) successfully demonstrated an advanced autonomous electronic warfare (EW) capability during a recent U.S. Army experiment, showcasing its ability to detect, locate and neutralize threats in real time.

The demonstration featured the compact, software-defined Deceptor™ EW payload deployed on multiple unmanned aerial systems. Operating within the Distributed Spectrum Collaboration and Operations (DiSCO™) ecosystem, the Deceptor system enabled coordinated, AI-enabled sensing and effects across the battlespace. The integrated system also detected and geolocated radio frequency (RF) threats, fused data from multiple sensors in real time, and executed RF jamming to neutralize those threats. 

“Electronic warfare is uniquely suited for autonomy, where speed and scale in the RF spectrum are decisive,” said Lauren Barnes, President, Spectrum Superiority, Communications & Spectrum Dominance, L3Harris. “Our work is focused on delivering autonomous EW capabilities that reduce operator burden while increasing operational advantage.” 

Deceptor leverages commercial off-the-shelf hardware to enable rapid integration across unmanned air, ground and maritime platforms through a modular, open-system design. The small form factor design meets the size, weight, power and cost requirements of modern distributed systems, which enables deployment at scale across thousands of unmanned platforms to deliver distributed EW effects. 

L3Harris continues to build on more than a decade of investment in compact EW technologies. Upcoming demonstrations will further integrate Deceptor with other EW solutions to deliver coordinated effects across multiple domains and platforms. 

Posted in EW, Press Release | No Comments »

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