Author: Jack Bogart

PALAWAN, Philippines– Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 3rd Artillery Regiment, 7th Infantry Division (Multi-Domain Command-Pacific) conducted a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System live-fire iteration on April 27, 2026, in Palawan, Philippines. Conducted in coordination with U.S. Marines, Philippine marines and Australian soldiers, this event was part of a counter landing live fire exercise designed to repel a simulated enemy landing force across multipleranges, from deep-water approaches to shallow littorals, in defense of the island. The HIMARS maneuvered onto the beach from a concealed position and launched four Reduced Range Practice Rockets, effectively demonstrating the system’s mobility and precision. Thepractice and…

The annual Best Sapper Competition gathers the U.S. Army’s elite engineers to compete in tests of skill, endurance, and creativity in leveraging advanced technologies. That’s why the Army’s ENFIRE reconnaissance system played a role in this year’s competition held at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., from April 20 to 23. Cory Baron, who manages Product Director Combat Terrain Information Systems (PD CTIS) which fields ENFIRE, explained why the system was included in the competition for the third year in a row. “Being invited to participate in the Best Sapper competition is an incredible honor,” said Baron. “To be asked to come…

By Massad Ayoob Posted in #Guns #Skills Versatility, dependable function, and high hit potential are among the reasons why so many of us cling to a 110-year-old pistol design. However, we have a couple of generations of gun owners who didn’t grow up with that particular pistol — the 1911 — and can benefit from the experiences with it of those who have gone before. Let’s look at a few “hacks” that make life with the 1911 a little bit easier and, even, safer. Chamber Checks Safety and peace of mind alike are reasons pistol owners frequently…

Gatorz Eyewear X Navy SEAL Foundation SENTIX The GATORZ x Navy SEAL Foundation Sentix brings together American crafted durability and a mission that extends beyond the frame. Built from aircraft grade aluminum and paired with TruRay Smoke Polarized lenses, each pair delivers the clarity and strength required in high performance environments. Custom Navy SEAL Foundation and THAT WARRIOR engravings reflect a mindset defined by resilience, discipline, and commitment. A portion of proceeds from every purchase supports the Navy SEAL Foundation and its work providing critical care for warriors, veterans, and their families. Get yours at www.gatorz.com/products/navy-seal-foundation-x-sentix. This entry was posted…

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. —   Air Force Special Warfare Airmen from the 48th Rescue Squadron, 7th Air Support Operations Squadron, and 316th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal conducted a proof-of-concept event on April 7, 2026. The event integrated a commercial off-the-shelf kinetic interceptor with an expeditionary counter-small unmanned aircraft system (C-sUAS) to address critical capability gaps for small teams operating “outside the wire.” The demonstration took place at the Arizona Army National Guard Florence Military Reservation in Arizona. As adversaries increasingly employ low-cost, one-way attack drones, smaller, forward-deployed teams face growing risks without access to traditional, fixed-site air defense. This…

High-performance gear care products support NEMO’s Adventure Forever® mission to extend product life and reduce waste. {Dover, NH — April 27, 2026} — NEMO Equipment has partnered with U.K.-based Storm Care Solutions, LTD to serve as the exclusive U.S. distributor of the brand’s line of outdoor gear care products. For NEMO, whose Adventure Forever® mission includes extending the life of outdoor gear, offering rigorously tested, high-performing cleaning and waterproofing solutions is a natural extension of the company’s commitment to keeping gear on the trail and out of the landfill. Well-maintained gear lasts longer and performs better. By distributing STORM through…

By Friedrich Seiltgen Posted in #History In 1960, the U.S. Army published a proposal for a new light observation helicopter to replace its Bell H-13 helicopter fleet, which was the Army’s primary helicopter during the Korean War. The Hughes helicopter company responded with its Model 369 to compete against entries from Bell and Fairchild-Hiller. The Hughes entry made its first flight in 1963. The design featured an egg-shaped fuselage that had excellent visibility for the crew, and the four-bladed articulated rotor gave it great agility. In the end, Hughes was victorious, and the Model 369 received its…

A reliable down puffy is the undisputed MVP of cold-weather layering. The best women’s down jackets balance insulation, mobility, and packability for everything from sunrise ski tours to everyday wear. Thankfully, today’s top designs are even lighter and better tailored. Editor and backcountry expert Chris Kassar put 10 women’s down jackets to the test over the last eight months. She logged 200 miles across the Tetons, Colorado Rockies, and Alaska, from ski tours to backpacking trips and rock climbs. To that end, the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody remains our top overall pick thanks to its dependable warmth, durable construction, and…

Synthetic insulated jackets provide reliable warmth when the weather turns sour. Unlike down — which loses its loft and insulating power when soaked — synthetic jackets trap heat even in a downpour and breathe efficiently during high output. Over the past nine months, GearJunkie Editor Chris Kassar and lead tester Ryan Kempfer put 15 synthetic jackets through the wringer. They logged 60 days and 350 miles hiking, skiing, biking, and climbing in Jackson, Wyoming, to find the best options. Throughout the past four years, five testers have worn nearly 50 different jackets to narrow the field. We crowned the Arc’teryx…

Users can now create challenges directly within their favorite SIG CONNECT games. NEWINGTON, N.H., (April 28, 2026) – SIG SAUER, an industry-leading manufacturer of cutting-edge firearms, optics, and ammunition, introduced today new features in its SIG CONNECT app. SIG CONNECT is a mobile training tool that turns shooting sessions at a range into interactive experiences with real-time hit detection. Through the new features, SIG CONNECT users can create custom challenges directly within their favorite games or jump into existing competitions. Users can choose their game type, set the distance, and select the Optical Hit Detection (OHD) target, then define rules,…