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Joint Interagency Task Force 401 Publishes Counter-Drone Handbook

July 13th, 2026

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 recently published a practical handbook designed to aid audiences across government, industry and academia in building a shared understanding of the drone threat and the basic principles of protecting against illicit drones.

The task force developed the guide, titled “Small Drones, Big Problems: A First Principles Approach to Countering-UAS,” as part of its mission to synchronize counter-unmanned aircraft systems efforts across the War Department and federal interagency partners.

The handbook also establishes a common vocabulary and incorporates the latest information about UAS, including lessons learned from operations in the Middle East and on battlefields in Europe. It explains how adversaries can use drones, outlines the key components of a layered drone defense and examines the factors that enable successful counter-UAS operations.

“It is crucial to build a common foundation for counter-drone efforts as we work with the entire government and interagency partners to respond to this growing threat,” said Army Maj. Joe Amoroso, deputy chief of strategic initiatives for JIATF 401. “This guide shares vital first principles and direct feedback from warfighters employing [counter]-UAS systems so the entire community has the means, methods and concepts for countering the defining threat of our time.”

The handbook emphasizes a layered approach as the most effective defense against illicit drones, with a variety of tools available to counter threats. It reinforces the importance of capabilities that go beyond technological solutions, including training for warfighters that equips them with the knowledge and permissions they need to respond to drone threats in real time.

Through this publication, JIATF 401 continues its mission to expand counter-UAS capability to warfighters at home and abroad.

“While there is no silver bullet to protect against drones, the threat can be mitigated if we are proactive, work with partners across the government and build a layered defense,” said Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, task force director. “We have faced novel challenges before, and we should not be intimidated by this one. We should lean in and take every possible step to prepare ourselves to dominate on the modern battlefield.”

By Joint Interagency Task Force 401

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Vickers Tactical Magazine Release for the GLOCK 43X and 48 Models

July 13th, 2026

TangoDown® Inc. is pleased to announce the latest addition to the lineup – the Vickers Tactical™ Magazine Release for GLOCK® 43X and 48 (GMR-007M).

Since GLOCK® introduced the 43X and 48 models, their popularity as EDC firearms has grown extensively. Recently GLOCK® released their 15 round OE steel magazines, so we created a new 43X/48 magazine release to accommodate the GLOCK® steel magazines. Hello, GMR-007M!

Our GMR-007M offers the standard features our magazine releases are known for. This updated version of the GMR-007 allows for use with GLOCK® OE 10 round polymer magazines AND the new OE 15 round steel magazines.

For more information on the GMR-007M, visit: tangodown.com/vickers-tactical-magazine-release-for-glock-43x-48-gmr-007m

**Installation by a Certified GLOCK® Armorer or Gunsmith recommended.

Fits GLOCK® models 43X and 48 ONLY

GMR-007M Features:

– Extended and contoured, allows easy magazine release without shifting firing grip

– Injection molded from same material as OEM factory part

– Compatible with GLOCK® factory 10 round polymer magazines and factory 15 round steel magazines

MSRP: $19.20

Customer Questions: sales@tangodown.com

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Qore Performance Launches Bulk Purchasing to Meet Surging Demand

July 13th, 2026

Knoxville, TN — July 10, 2026 — Qore Performance, Inc., the industry leader in personal thermoregulation and hydration technologies, has launched bulk pallet ordering for its core hydration and cooling technologies, ICEPLATE® and ICEFLASK®. This streamlined pipeline is designed to allow defense procurement officers, law enforcement agencies, emergency preparedness agencies, and corporate safety managers to rapidly equip entire units and workforces during the height of the hot season.

By optimizing freight logistics and volume availability, these bulk programs provide fast, scalable deployment of the company’s field-proven ICEAGE ECOSYSTEM to safeguard personnel as summer temperatures peak.

Scalable Thermoregulation and Hydration Infrastructure

The bulk procurement programs focus on Qore Performance’s foundational hard-cell technologies, providing direct mitigation against severe heat-stress injuries:

ICEPLATE® Gen 3 Bulk Pallet: Available for scaled unit acquisition, each standard pallet bulk order delivers 480 cooling / heating only ICEPLATE® Gen 3 cells, capable of holding over 190 gallons of total fluid payload. Shaped like a Medium ESAPI armor plate, individual 52.4 oz (1.55L) cells deliver 70 watts of conductive cooling when frozen. They fit seamlessly into plate bags*, safety vests, or specialized backpacks to weaponize temperature management without adding inefficient, shifting bulk to an operator’s kit layout.

ICEFLASK® Bulk Pallet: Engineered to mirror the exact form factor of a standard PRC-152 tactical radio, the 16.9 oz (500ml) ICEFLASK® canteen is now available for full fleet deployment. A single bulk pallet order delivers 1,848 ICEFLASK® units, providing a total capacity of 244 gallons. This tactical design allows organizations to utilize space-saving radio pockets or wing pouches for high-retention hydration and personal cooling. Ideal for military deployments.

ICEBLOQ Water Tamped Breaching Device: Designed for military and professional SWAT breachers, this next-generation breaching aid utilizes water as a tamping medium to focus energy on targets. It reduces Net Explosive Weight (N.E.W.) requirements by an average of 60–70% while minimizing operator risk and overpressure. ICEBLOQ is available for volume fleet procurement in standard 36- and 72-pack bundles as well as custom quantities directly through the procurement portal.

*Note: ICEPLATE® Gen 3 does not replace armor. For use alongside body armor, ICEPLATE® Gen 3 is worn within the IMS Pro Gen 3 sleeve alongside standard armor plates inside front and rear plate bags.

Turnkey Safety: Drive Thru Team Cooling Package

For commercial operations, franchise groups, and logistics hubs managing teams in high-exposure environments, Qore Performance highlights the Drive Thru Team Cooling Package.

This turnkey cooling package is optimized to protect high-throughput teams and is available in configurations tailored for 2 or 4 team members. The kit pairs high-visibility ANSI/ISEA Class 2 compliant ICEPLATE EXO® HiVis safety vests with a surplus rotation of closed ICEPLATE® Gen 3 hard cells. This setup allows supervisors to maintain frozen “cooling batteries” on standby in a freezer, ensuring continuous conductive cooling and heat-injury prevention across full shift rotations.

Enterprise Sourcing and Formal Quotes

For government procurement officers, institutional buyers, or corporate enterprise managers requiring formal agency quotes, bulk tier pricing, or customized logistical routing, Qore Performance has centralized the volume acquisition process.

To request a custom quote or initiate a large-scale procurement order across the full ICEAGE ECOSYSTEM, please visit the official Qore Performance Procurement Portal.

Posted in Advertiser, Hydration, Press Release | No Comments »

BFG Monday: Every Movement Has a Cost

July 13th, 2026

A Soldier pauses at a trail intersection beneath a canopy that blocks what little moonlight remains. Through night vision, familiar terrain has changed. Colors are gone. Depth is harder to judge. The field of view has collapsed into a narrow green window.

Ahead, the patrol continues moving quietly through the dark. A route needs to be marked. A danger area may need to be identified. A casualty collection point could need to be established before the night is over.

The mission does not stop because it is dark. It simply becomes more demanding.

US Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Oscar Ocampo

Darkness changes the cost of simple tasks. Under NODs, navigation, security, communication, terrain, spacing, and threat awareness are all competing for attention at the same time. What feels routine in daylight can become slow and deliberate at night. Every reach, every search, and every extra step matters more.

That principle applies to every piece of equipment a Warfighter carries. Medical gear must be reachable. Magazines must be retrieved without hesitation. Radios must be easy to locate and manipulate under stress. Marking equipment is no different.

Chemlights remain one of the simplest marking tools available. No batteries. No programming. No setup. They work when they are needed, which is why they continue to be used for route marking, room marking, hazard identification, training lanes, and casualty collection points.

The problem has never been the chemlight itself. The problem has always been how users have had to carry and deploy them.

For years, the common solution was improvised. Individual chemlights were taped to reduce output under night vision, bundled together with 550 cord, and carried in groups based on color or mission need. It worked because users made it work, but it was never clean. Bundles add bulk. Cord creates clutter. Different colors have to be sorted. Individual lights have to be separated, activated, and deployed, often while wearing gloves, moving over uneven terrain, and maintaining awareness of everything happening around the user.

None of those actions are complicated on their own. Together, they create friction at the exact moment the user needs fewer things competing for attention.

That problem led Blue Force Gear® to develop the MARCO® Dispenser line. The MARCO 1.5 organizes thirty 2-inch chemlights in a compact package with a footprint similar to an M4 magazine, giving users a cleaner way to carry and deploy marking lights without loose bundles, tangled cord, or unnecessary bulk.

Instead of searching through a bundle and separating a light from a tether, the user can remove and activate a chemlight with a simple two-finger motion as it leaves the dispenser. The result is not just faster deployment. It is a more consistent workflow when consistency matters.

That difference is easy to overlook until the conditions get worse. Low light has a way of exposing unnecessary movement. Gloves reduce dexterity. Terrain slows the pace. Communication becomes more deliberate. Peripheral vision is limited. The user is already processing less information through a narrower view of the world, which makes every additional task more expensive.

Marking should not become one of those tasks.

Whether identifying a route, marking a danger area, supporting a training lane, or establishing a casualty collection point, the goal is not simply to carry chemlights. The goal is to place light where it is needed with as little interruption as possible. Equipment should support that process, not add another problem to solve.

Small efficiencies matter because they compound. One less reach. One less search. One less unnecessary movement while working through a complex problem in the dark.

The best gear does not change the mission. It removes friction between the user and the task. Every movement has a cost. The right equipment makes sure those movements are not wasted.

For units seeking to increase survivability and operational performance through reduced load carriage by upgrading to Helium Whisper, contact the Blue Force Gear Military Department or visit BlueForceGear.com.

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Radio ‘Rodeo’ Leverages C5ISR Center Expertise, Facilities to Improve NGC2 Tech

July 13th, 2026

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Next Generation Command and Control, the U.S. Army’s flagship continuous transformation effort relies on a partnership with industry to identify the most promising technologies and make the best investment decisions for rapid capability development and delivery.

The Army’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center supported that effort through its “Radio Rodeo.”

Held from March through April of this year, the rodeo consisted of a series of simulated battlefield communications challenges using the center’s unique laboratory and testing infrastructure to create the effects of denied, disrupted, intermittent and limited bandwidth caused by an adversary. These challenges were directed against emerging radio capabilities from more than a half-dozen industry partners, designed to assess their communications systems’ ability to keep Soldiers depending on them in the fight.

The goal is to ensure that U.S. forces are the most lethal force in any conflict. Good communications in battle is essential to that. The sooner industry technology developers learn about the vulnerabilities in their radios, the faster the Army is able to field the warfighter with a better radio.

Historically, formal operational or developmental test cycles could take years and were often not aligned to industry’s research and development timelines or the Army’s unit equipping schedule. The Radio Rodeo, and potential follow-on events, rapidly accelerate this process down to months, if not weeks. According to George Palafox, the senior engineer for the effort, “This is testing performed at the speed of need for industry technology developers.”

According to C5ISR Center Director Beth Ferry, “The Radio Rodeo is unlocking the best of both industry technology development and the Army’s science and technology workforce. Working together, we are establishing the Army’s best path forward for investing in these capabilities.”

The rodeo subjected industry radios to simulated degrading effects in the center’s cutting-edge Combined Joint Systems Integration Laboratory, followed by systematic field testing. C5ISR Center engineers then analyzed the data they collected to assess the resilience of each radio, culminating in one-on-one engagements with each industry team to give them a detailed report on their radio system’s performance.

During this sequence, the center’s industry partners get real-time feedback and have the opportunity to make fixes on the fly in collaboration with Army technical experts during the field testing phase.

Through these rodeos, the C5ISR Center team members learn alongside industry partners and in turn, the Army learns. Industry partners get the benefit of timely performance evaluations and a heads up on any imminent changes in Army requirements. This helps them make the most of their internal research and development budgets.

Another benefit of these rodeos is the value of collaborative technology development between government and industry. The Army gets the best available technology in the hands of Soldiers much faster. Other divisions at the C5ISR Center are developing the same methodology — in-depth vendor product testing followed by technical exchanges to advance other areas of defense technology such as 5G communications, wireless power and antennas.

By Brian Feeney, DEVCOM C5ISR Center Public Affairs

Posted in Army, Comms, Guest Post | No Comments »

Buyer Beware – Fake Phokus Research Website

July 12th, 2026

A fraudulent website is impersonating Phokus Research Group and selling fake versions of our products under our name, using our images and product listings.

It is NOT affiliated with us and is NOT an authorized seller.

Our ONLY official store is phokusresearch.com

If you see steep “discounts” or offers that seem too good to be true on any other site claiming to be Phokus, do not enter your payment information.

Please report and share to protect our community.

Questions? Contact us directly at phokusresearch.com/contact.

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From Code to Combat: Celebrating the Legacy of the Army Software Engineering Center and the Dawn of the Army Software & Innovation Center

July 12th, 2026

For more than four decades, the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Software Engineering Center has been a cornerstone of the Army’s technological advantage. Now marking a new era of service, the center has embarked on an exciting new chapter, adopting a new name that reflects its ongoing mission and future direction?the Army Software & Innovation Center. Building on its support?center origins, CECOM ASIC now plays a central role in giving American Soldiers a decisive edge on the digital battlefield.

The Early Days: A Foundation in a Hardware World

Throughout its history, the Army’s software offices demonstrated the ability to adapt and evolve in a constantly changing environment. The SEC’s story began in 1983 with the establishment of the Software Development and Support Center at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, created to centralize software management for the Army’s Battlefield Automated Systems. In these early years, the world ran on hardware. Software, while important, was not yet the pivotal force it is today.

The center’s creation was driven by the need to support massive, hardware-based programs that required extensive, coordinated software engineering. Early large-scale initiatives highlighted growing software demands, particularly the Tactical Fire system for automating truck-based artillery fire and the Joint Tactical Communications program for digitizing tri-service communications. These were followed by programs like?Mobile Subscriber Equipment, a multi-billion-dollar initiative that underscored the critical need for a dedicated organization to manage the complex software lifecycle.

“In the 1990s, software did not drive systems the way it does today,” Jennifer Swanson, who began her career as an SEC intern in 1992 and later served as its Director from 2017 to 2022, said. “It was a hardware-focused environment where development cycles stretched for years. Now, the only way to evolve on the battlefield is through software that can be updated daily, if needed. That is a very different need.”

Despite this, the center, under various names, quickly proved its value. It played a key role in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, earning the prestigious Association of Old Crows award for its electronic warfare support. In 1991, it became the first Army Materiel Command group to earn a Capability Maturity Model Level 3 certification, a significant achievement that underscored its advanced software capabilities at the time.

A Shifting Battlefield: Dominance Through Digital Agility

A major shift in 1996 consolidated Army software operations under CECOM SEC, boosting efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The SEC became a microcosm of CECOM from a software perspective, handling everything from research and development to project management and logistics. “They were responsible for full life-cycle efforts … they did it all, for every system, from a software perspective,” Ed Thomas, former Director from 2000-2007, said. “The SEC was such a unique organization … a rare combination of engineering, development, and operational capabilities, with the ability to go forward. Not many organizations have that lifecycle capability.” Thomas said. This comprehensive role was vital as the SEC led Y2K readiness efforts to ensure the uninterrupted operation of critical Army systems.

In 2008, the SEC relocated its headquarters to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The move shifted its mission from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, due to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The SEC provided life-cycle software products and services for a broad range of Army and Joint systems, including avionics, communications, logistics, and intelligence. The center’s work ensures warfighters have the advanced tools needed to succeed in any environment.

“The organization is not stagnant; it actively moves to where the Army is going,” Stephen Kovacs, former SEC Acting Director from 2007 to 2008, said. This ethos guided the SEC through decades of rapid modernization.

Key accomplishments during this era include:

Revolutionized Aircraft and Ground Protection: During the Gulf War, the SEC’s Army Reprogramming Analysis Team completely revamped the process for updating aircraft software that protects against surface-to-air threats. This overhaul reduced the reprogramming turnaround time from several weeks to 24-48 hours, providing a lifesaving, rapid-response capability. This process was later applied to ground-based systems, such as the Counter Remote-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare?Duke system.

Delivered Critical Infrared Countermeasures: When Army helicopters were attacked by shoulder-fired missiles in Iraq, the SEC delivered critical software updates to enable infrared countermeasures. These software systems enabled aircraft to automatically deploy evasive countermeasures, directly protecting aircrews in combat.

Received Commendation for Y2K Efforts: The SEC’s work on over 165 battlespace systems was so successful that it earned a Letter of Commendation from the Army Chief Information Officer/G6, Lt. Gen. William Campbell.

Pioneered Acquisition Efficiency: In the early 2000s, the center developed a new acquisition strategy by consolidating over 50 individual software support contracts into two large omnibus contracts called Software Support and Engineering Support. This innovative approach eliminated duplication, reduced contract management overhead, and improved overall support for soldiers.

Logistics Modernization Program:?The center was integral to the initial deployment of LMP, a massive undertaking to modernize the Army’s supply chain. Based on its foundational success and deep expertise, the SEC was then tasked with establishing the Army Shared Services Center, a new organization designed to provide permanent, dedicated software support for the LMP system and its users.

Intelligence & Electronic Warfare Support: During Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, the SEC executed a mission-critical software overhaul of the Guardrail intelligence software. The system was originally designed for a conventional battlefield and to look across a defined front line from friendly territory. To meet the demands of asymmetric warfare, the center’s engineers re-architected the software, enabling the platform to conduct 360-degree surveillance. This fundamental transformation allowed Guardrail to continue its vital intelligence-gathering mission in a new operational environment without traditional battle lines.

Received the Army Superior Unit Award: The SEC earned the prestigious Army Superior Unit Award for its performance of providing software sustainment and technical support to the Army during the 2007 calendar year.

Centralized and Enhanced Field Support: The SEC fused all its forward-deployed personnel—including field support engineers, help desks, and call centers—into a single organization with a direct reporting line to its headquarters. This restructuring significantly improved operational performance and efficiency, leading to the transfer of the Digital System Engineer mission from Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical’s Technical Support Facility to the SEC.

The Modern Era: Forging the Army’s Tech Company

By the 2010s, the strategic importance of software in military operations had become paramount. The ability to update systems on the fly was essential for battlefield evolution, and cybersecurity had never been more critical. The organization’s focus shifted to modernization to meet these new demands.

Field Support & Continuous Delivery:?The SEC placed Software Readiness Officers with every active Army division and corps. These officers provided on-the-ground technical support. They ensured that software delivered through the modern repository is effective and user-friendly in real-world conditions.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: The center developed and deployed AI Flow, a secure, Army-owned generative AI platform. It automates and accelerates tasks for users across the Army. Work that once took days or weeks can now be accomplished in minutes.

Joint Service Collaboration: The center’s Army Reprogramming Analysis Team started a working group with the Navy and Air Force. This group shares threat analysis software, reduces redundant work, and enables faster responses to new and evolving enemy capabilities.

Cybersecurity and Zero Trust Architecture:?The SEC took a leading role in policy development for the Army’s Zero Trust cybersecurity framework, a crucial initiative to protect the service’s data and networks from advanced cyber threats by adhering to a “never trust, always verify” principle.

Army Food Management Information System: The SEC modernized the Army’s web-based food service platform, which oversees operations for more than 800 dining facilities globally. The center developed custom Application Programming Interfaces to connect the legacy system to modern platforms, successfully enabling advanced data analytics, automated supply ordering, and convenient CAC meal purchases.

This evolution was put to the ultimate test by global events. When Russia first invaded Ukraine, the organization’s agility and readiness were paramount. The SEC deployed a team to Germany to operationalize all Joint Battle Command Platform systems, ensuring full mission support capability.

The Heart of the Mission: People, Culture, and Leadership

Throughout its history, the SEC’s greatest asset has been its people. The organization has long been recognized for a culture that fosters growth and builds leaders from within.

“It is a family-type organization where everyone tries to look out for each other,” Kovacs said, adding that a guiding principle was always, “You can do no wrong by doing the right thing.”

This environment was crucial for talent development. The Software Engineering Intern Program has been a cornerstone for decades, bringing in new engineers and providing them with hands-on experience and advanced education.

“I am grateful I had the opportunity to grow as a leader at a place like SEC,” Swanson said. “It allowed me to learn. We all make mistakes, but I never felt a mistake was something I was going to get punished for. That helps you become a more confident leader.”

This practice of “leaders building leaders” created a foundation of trust and empowerment that remains central to the organization’s success, a success recognized with the prestigious Army Superior Unit Award.

The Future is Now

Today, as CECOM ASIC, the organization is the Army’s premier tech hub. Software has never been more important to the Army and CECOM ASIC is its tech company. There are many skilled professionals at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge solutions in AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics.

“We are incredibly proud of our history, because those decades of experience serve as the launchpad for what comes next,”?Garrett Shoemaker, Director of CECOM ASIC, said.?”Software is the foundation of the modern battlefield, and CECOM ASIC is drawing on that legacy to lead this future transformation for the Army as a whole. We are paving the way forward, ensuring our Soldiers have the agile, innovative digital capabilities they need to dominate tomorrow’s fight.”

From its origins as a small support directorate to its current role as a center of innovation, CECOM ASIC’s 40-year journey is a story of evolution. Its unwavering dedication to the mission and its ability to adapt and lead in a constantly changing technological landscape will continue to shape the future of warfare.

By SCOTT HOCHENBERG

Posted in Army, Forces Focus, Guest Post | No Comments »

New Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Authorize First National Service Animals Monument on the National Mall Reserve

July 12th, 2026

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2026 — The National Service Animals Monument (NSAM) applauds the introduction of the National Service Animals Monument Location Act, a bipartisan legislation introduced July 1 authorizing placement of its monument on the National Mall Reserve, the nation’s most distinguished location for works of exceptional and enduring national importance.

NSAM will be the first national monument honoring the contributions of service animals and their handlers throughout American history. It will commemorate the partnerships that have served our nation in the military, law enforcement, search and rescue, disability assistance, and many other vital roles while celebrating the enduring human-animal bond.

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans of Virginia (R), who introduced this bipartisan piece of legislation, said, “As Co-Chair of the Working Dog Caucus, I have the highest admiration for the animals that have faithfully served alongside our men and women in uniform. From the horses that proved essential in military strategy to the nearly 6,000 canines that continue to play a role in drug interdiction and bomb detection, their roles have made our service members safe. I’m grateful to my Co-Chair, Congressman Don Davis (D, NC), for his partnership and I’m proud to introduce this legislation to honor the contributions of the animals in our Armed Forces.”

The National Service Animals Monument Location Act is endorsed by the National Service Animals Monument, Paws for Purple Hearts, Canine Companions, America’s VetDogs, Guide Dog Foundation, and US War Dogs Association.

New Legislation Helps Tell a Long-Overdue American Story

For more than two hundred fifty years, service animals and their handlers have helped shape our nation’s history.

“Together, these animals and their handlers have protected lives and communities, defended freedom, expanded independence, and embodied enduring American values of courage, sacrifice, loyalty, and compassion,” said Susan Bahary, founder and sculptor of the National Service Animals Monument.

Yet despite their extraordinary contributions, their legacy has never been permanently recognized on our nation’s most significant commemorative landscape. America cannot fully tell its own story without telling theirs.

The National Mall Reserve is home to America’s most significant national memorials. This legislation affirms that the story of service animals and their handlers belongs among the defining stories of our nation, receiving permanent recognition alongside the people and events that shaped American history.

This legislation is about more than creating a monument. It helps complete America’s story by ensuring future generations understand one of our nation’s most enduring partnerships and the extraordinary role service animals have played in shaping our history.

The National Service Animals Monument is funded entirely through private philanthropy. As this bipartisan legislation moves forward, supporters can help by sharing the mission, encouraging support for the legislation, and making tax-deductible contributions to help bring this lasting national tribute to completion. To learn more, receive updates, or make a donation, visit the National Service Animals Monument website: nationalserviceanimalsmonument.org

As America Celebrates 250 Years, an Enduring American Legacy Receives National Recognition

“Since our nation’s founding, service animals and their handlers have answered the call in times of war, crisis, need, and hope,” said Bahary.

Bahary continued, “As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we have an opportunity to ensure future generations remember not only the heroes who served our nation, but also the remarkable service animals who stood beside them every step of the way.”

For more than three decades, Bahary has worked alongside veterans, law enforcement professionals, first responders, service animal organizations, handlers, and individuals with disabilities whose lives have been transformed by these partnerships.

Bahary added, “Again and again, I have heard the same message: ‘Please don’t let these stories be forgotten.’ Their place in our nation’s history deserves permanent national recognition, and this monument will ensure future generations remember these extraordinary partnerships for centuries to come.”

Support for the legislation comes from leaders throughout the service animal community.

“America’s VetDogs and the Guide Dog Foundation are proud to support the National Service Animals Monument, a powerful tribute to the extraordinary animals who serve our nation alongside America’s heroes during and after their life of service,” said John Miller, President and CEO of America’s VetDogs and Guide Dog Foundation and member of the NSAM Service Animals Advisory Committee. “We are honored to stand behind a project that recognizes the life-changing impact of service animals and ensures their legacy is remembered for generations to come.”

Chris Willingham, President of the U.S. War Dogs Association, added: “This legislation marks an important step toward realizing the National Service Animals Monument’s mission of honoring service animals and their contributions to our nation. As passionate advocates for the military working dog community, we are thrilled to see their service and sacrifice recognized as part of this historic project and preserved for future generations.”

“Canine Companions pioneered the modern service dog movement, and we’re proud to support legislation honoring the extraordinary service and devotion of working dogs,” said Paige Mazzoni, CEO of Canine Companions. “This monument will stand as a lasting tribute to their impact, ensuring future generations recognize and celebrate the unique bond between humans and dogs and the life-changing support these remarkable animals provide every day.”

About the National Service Animals Monument

The National Service Animals Monument (NSAM) is the nonprofit organization leading the development of the first national monument honoring the service, contributions, and sacrifice of military, law enforcement, assistance, and other service animals and their handlers throughout American history. Already authorized by Congress and funded entirely through private philanthropy, NSAM is working to ensure their legacy is permanently recognized in our nation’s capital.

Posted in K9, Memorial, Press Release | No Comments »