But even at that time the organization thought more broadly; and the stated objectives included maintaining awareness of congressional and executive branch activities related to the small arms acquisition process, collecting and disseminating trade information of interest and value to the industry and the public, and handling trade inquiries.

Because the voices of larger industries overwhelmed the broader small arms industry’s voice (a single naval vessel or aircraft can cost more than an entire year’s small arms procurements) and no industry organization was focused on small arms, members knew that an organization like DSAAC was needed to promote its issues before governmental, economic and business groups.  Somebody needed to study pending legislative and acquisition matters to determine their direct and indirect implications to the industry and the public’s interest.

This required providing an effective means of promoting a helpful, supportive relationship between the industry and the public and to assist and advise government officials in accomplishing the requirements of the acquisition process.

The organization’s Board of Directors thus selected Major General Allen Youngman (RET) as the DSAAC’s Executive Director.  MG Youngman maintains a strong presence in the Nation’s Capitol.  DSAAC’s President, Mark Westrom of ArmaLite, Inc. describes MG Youngman as “without a doubt the sharpest General Officer I’ve had the pleasure to work with.”

The initial competition matter has evolved into current Army efforts to test a wide variety of small arms to be submitted for test and evaluation.

What nobody counted on was the organization being drawn into the now-famed UN Arms Trade Treaty process (the ATT), and a lesser-known UN project called the International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS).  The ATT first, then the ISACS were advancing without input from the Small Arms Industry.  While civil rights matters were the purview of the National Rifle Association, Second Amendment Foundation, and others, the more technical matters related to the ATT and ISACS processes appeared ill-understood and unaddressed.

DSAAC initially attended ATT conferences, sponsored by the World Forum on the Future of Shooting sports (WFSA) as early as 1997, with MG Youngman participating.  DSAAC is currently applying for Non Governmental Organization status similar to that of the NRA, WFSA, and IANSA.

Considerable rumor surrounds the ATT.  Among the rumors are that the Secretary of State has signed the ATT.  None of these rumors is true.  The ATT doesn’t exist even in draft form.  It is noteworthy however, that the process is heavily attended by organizations that are to say the least unsympathetic with the industry and firearms and their owners, and that some of these organizations are strongly funded and focused on loading the ATT down with their wishes.  Every ATT conference is heavily attended by Civil Society organizations that supply copious quantities of expensive documents, many in multiple languages.

UN leadership, including leadership of the ATT process, have stated clearly that the ATT is intended to address only the international transfer of military small arms only.  The current U.S. Administration’s position is similar to that of the previous administration: that the ATT is to relate to military armaments only, minus ammunition, and that the treaty must be based on consensus (unanimity) and equal treatment of all signatories.  These are high challenges for the UN.  At the same time, other nations are calling for privately held arms to be included, and for the treaty to go into effect with as little as 30 of the UN member states as signatories.

After a decade of preparatory meetings, a month long drafting phase is schedule to take place in July of 2012.  This process will surely be surrounded by a host of Civil Society organizations, generally unsympathetic to the American positions that will try to embellish the ATT with issues beyond military arms that will threaten its acceptance.  ATT will be in attendance focused on the military aspects of the ATT.

While attending what DSAAC believed was a 2009 Geneva conference on the ATT, DSAAC became aware of United Nations activity that is in some ways similar to the ATT: the ISACS.

ISACS is to consist of somewhat less than 30 modules covering a wide range of topics with topics ranging from industrial to civil rights in nature.  They include such matters as End Use Certificates, Border Controls, Collection (of weapons), and Gender and Small Arms and Light Weapons.  Some of these topics seem to step on the toes of the UN staff preparing the ATT.  Originally scheduled for completion in 2011, the ISACS is stretching into 2012.

Drafting of the modules is being performed by consultants hired by the UN, and reviewed by an “Expert’s Reference Group.”  ArmaLite’s Mark Westrom serves on the Expert’s Reference Group for DSAAC.

Like the UN and the WFSA before, DSAAC has applied for Non-Governmental Organization status at the UN.  This is a multi-year process and is not expected to be completed for several years.  Without such status, an organization normally has no voice at the UN.  DSAAC has been fortunate to have established itself on a practical basis and expects to continue its efforts.

Since initiation of the UN matters, some DSAAC members became concerned again of problems in competition: Army efforts to bring small arms production “in house” at the government arsenals.

Meetings with government officials reveals Army intent to maintain internal capacity to produce small arms components in case of emergency, and that about 10% internal production of DOD requirements are desired.  Industry concerns, of course, are that as overall DOD procurements turn downward the Army will yield to pressures to focus a greater portion of DOD contracts to the higher-cost arsenals.  The situation remains under observation.

Membership of the organization is highly focused, with primary (active) members of small arms companies focused on firearms, their accessories and components for arms of 40mm or smaller and designed or intended primarily for sale to or use by the Department of Defense or other government agencies.  Manufactures of firearm-related items (components, accessories, optics, kit, etc.), ammunition, and services form a second level of members: Associate Members.

The organization’s leadership consists of officers and board members from a variety of industry members both large and small, including FNMI, Colt’s Defense, Lewis Machine and Tool, and ArmaLite.

As conditions continue to evolve, DSAAC expects that its focus will continue to shift to meet the challenges facing the industry.

The 10th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) was sponsored by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation under the auspices of the Ministry of National Defence on 10-13 May, 2011.  The show was held at the Tuyap Fair, Convention and Congress Center in Büyükçekmece-İstanbul, Turkey, and had record turnouts.

The majority in attendance was Turkish military and procurement, and the foreigners were typically influential buyers and end users from over 104 countries.  There were 633 exhibiting companies from over 45 different countries.  This, the 10th IDEF, shows remarkable growth from the already well attended earlier shows.  For example, the 5th IDEF in 2001 had 256 exhibitors from 30 countries, and official delegates were only there from 30 countries compared to the 2009 total of official delegates from 67 countries.  That is significant growth, and the exhibitors who attend can expect not only to reach the Turkish military market, but many of the shakers and movers in the international scene.  Exhibition space, the “Footprint” of the show, increased over 35% from the 2007 show to over 20,000 square meters.

Additionally, the following were in attendance:

• Madagascar’s President,
• 34 Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
• 12 General Staff Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs,
• 437 high-level foreign delegation members responsible of defense supply for their countries.

IDEF 2011 was visited by a total of 52,502 domestic and foreign professionals.  244 press members from 15 countries were also present.

Small Arms Defense Journal had its booth set up in a different place from the 2009 show and the thousands of magazines that we brought were quickly snapped up by attendees and exhibitors.  This, along with many conversations that we had with attendees, indicated a strong interest in small arms by many, and the flow of influential delegates gave us quality time with many of the people we had wanted to meet with.  That’s high praise for show management for bringing these quality delegates to the show and getting them out onto the floor meeting people.

Istanbul is an exotic city, with millennia of non-stop historical importance.  Centrally located to the crossroads of the Mideast, Asia, and Europe, Istanbul is the ideal location for IDEF.  Visitors to the city can expect to not only do business at IDEF, but to also experience an amazing place.  The Grand Market (Bazaar) has been in continuous operation since the 12th century, with its covered avenues and many shops dating back beyond current memory.  This sprawling city has thousands of places for the attendees to explore, and we recommend planning for several extra days in the area to do so.

IDEF receives our highest marks for a military show featuring weapons: the show was well designed, the attendees flowed through the entire show, management went all-out to ensure that the exhibitors had their needs filled, and the attendees were the targeted group.  Almost everyone we talked with was planning on setting up and attending at the 2013 edition of IDEF.

Aselsan is a large Turkish Armed Forces Foundation company, with a wide variety of offerings. Their quad IGLA-S remote station dominated the area, but in their opto-electronics section, the newest creations were found. The BOA Thermal Weapon Sight, mounted here on the newest model SVD Dragunov sniper rifle in 7.62x54R. The BOA weights just less than 2.1 kg with battery, and the LI-Ion or AA Batteries will provide a life of 12 hours. BOA has a 6x magnification for longer range detection, as well as an electronic 2-4x zoom. Features include polarity change, image freeze, image transfer to a heads-up display, as well as most other normal options. (www.aselsan.com.tr)

The Urban Tactical Shotgun-15 rounds, or UTS-15, is a new offering in 2011 from UTAS in Turkey. SADJ readers will note this was premiered at the IDEX show in February 2011 in Abu Dhabi. Essentially, this is a bullpup designed tactical shotgun with two magazine tubes; one holding 7 rounds, the other holding 6. UTAS retained the services of American firearms designer Ted Hatfield (pictured) to take the original Neostead Shotgun design they had licensed from South Africa, and make it ready for their market. This entailed a complete re-design of the internals. One interesting feature of this high-capacity, compact shotgun is that the three modes of feeding can be chosen: feed from right tube only, feed from left tube only, or feed from both tubes, alternating. (www.utasturk.com)

Swedish company Aimpoint had a full stable of their newest military products on display. Aimpoint’s Concealed Engagement Unit (front) is a step up for the safety and concealment of military and LE personnel who require the ability to remain behind cover while sighting their weapon onto an enemy fighter. In situations facing heavy suppressive fire or sniper engagement, the new CEU offers the ability to use the Aimpoint red-dot system exposing only the weapon and operator’s hands while keeping head and body safely behind cover. (www.aimpoint.com)

Beretta’s new assault rifle, the ARX160, as previously covered in SADJ (Volume 1, Number 4) was quite popular as well. The unique 40x46mm grenade launcher module was displayed with its stand-alone stock. (www.berettadefence.com)

Aerospace Long March International presented the standard FN-16 surface-to-air missile, with its 6,000 meter interception range and anti-cruise missile capability.

ATK’s Modular Advanced Weapon System (MAWS) was designed to be a remote platform for ATK’s 30mm link-fed M230LF heavy machine gun. Firing the 30x113mm cartridge at a rate of 200 RPM, with 144 rounds in the feed can, the MAWS is a formidable remote station. The M789 HEDP projectile weighs 236 grams, with 27 grams of PBXN-5 explosive. The electro-optics include: Forward Looking Infrared sensor; MWIR (cooled), auto-focus, auto-cal, electronic zoom, visible sensor, eye safe laser rangefinder, high intensity spotlight, and extended day color TV with continuous zoom. The MAWS can be customized for the end user’s need, and can be platform or vehicle mounted. (www.ATK.com)

MODIAR had many of the products from their military production available from small mortars to ammunition and links. The IST-14.5 Anti-Material Rifle is a semiautomatic anti-material rifle that utilizes the full power of the modern 14.5x114mm round used in the KPV series. This rifle allows for approximately 2,000 meters of range, driving a 58.5 gram (MDZ Incendiary) or 63.9 gram (B32 API) projectile at approximately 950 meters/second. With the semiautomatic action and the five-round detachable magazines allowing for rapid second shots, this 33.8kg rifle adds new capability to the tactical squad. (www.mdi.gov.az)

Early in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq it was clear by the entire sniping community there was a need for a new updated sniper rifle.  Modern semiautomatic rifles show little to no accuracy degradation from the traditional bolt action rifles used throughout the last century.  The use of a semiautomatic sniper system not only would provide the snipers with their existing capabilities but so much more.  Snipers could engage five targets in at least half the time it would take a sniper with a bolt action rifle.  Also, the snipers ability to engage multi-targets is vastly increased.  The sniper also would have 20 rounds of ammunition rather than the 5 of the standard bolt action rifle.  It was time for an update.  Onset the XM110 SASS Program (Semi Automatic Sniper System).

There already existed a weapon in the military system that fit most of the requirements, the U.S. Navy’s Mk11 Mod0 sniper rifle.  The Knight’s Armament Company rifle is based on Gene Stoner and Reed Knights SR25 rifle – a modernized AR-10 if you will.  This rifle began service in 1990 and distinguished itself within the SOCOM community.  Based on the well known M16 weapon system, this makes the user feel right at home and comfortable with the feel, operation and maintenance of the weapon system.  This weapon was ready to go mainstream to enhance a sniper’s ability to do his job more efficiently and enable him to deal with any situation which may arise.

The SASS program was announced by the military in November of 2004.  Several companies submitted entries.  This would include companies such as Knight’s, Remington, DPMS and ArmaLite.  Mark Westrom of ArmaLite, a retired U.S. Army Ordnance officer, entered a version of his proven AR-10 rifle.  He took his standard design and made the needed changes to make his Geneseo, Illinois made rifle compete for the gold.  Westrom and ArmaLite are not new to the military market; they have rifles in service in Canada as well as Israel.  Westrom knew it would be all but impossible to displace the Knight’s Armament Company rifle already in service.

The telescopic stock of the ArmaLite XM110 was replaced with the Magpul PRS (Precision Rifle Stock) which is one of the finest stocks of its type. The PRS has adjustable buttplate as well as cheek piece. Additionally, a rail is located on the bottom to accept a monopod if desired.

The ArmaLite XM110 took the basic AR-10 design ArmaLite has produced since it came to market in 1994 and utilized a telescopic 6-poition VLTOR club foot stock assembly.  The requirement stated an adjustable stock, which could either be a telescopic or a fixed stock with an adjustable buttplate. The rifle was all coyote tan in color per requirement.  The rifle was equipped with a match grade 2-stage trigger manufactured by Chip McCormick.  ArmaLite designed back-up front and rear sights were used along with an ArmaLite designed free floating handguard with quad Mil-Std 1913 rails.  The barrel was chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge with a 20-inch 1 turn in 11.25 inches and was equipped with a mount for a Sure Fire sound suppressor.  The gas flow was adjustable permitting normal use, suppressed as well as complete gas shut off.  There was a scope requirement but no particular scope was specified.  ArmaLite opted for the Leupold 3.5×10 match scope which had been used with confidence on the Mk11 MOD0.  The maximum effective range of the rifle was 1,000 meters with a barrel life of 7- to 10,000-rounds depending on maintenance and how it is used.

The AR-10 series produced by ArmaLite uses a modified M14 magazine rather than the original AR-10/SR25 magazine.  The ArmaLite AR-10 was introduced to the market after the U.S. Federal Assault Weapon Ban.  Westrom wanted all of his customers to be able to have high capacity magazines.  There were very few of the original ArmaLite AR-10 magazines or Knights SR25 magazines available in the market and if you could get them they were extremely expensive.  Knowing of the extensive stocks of M14 magazines, Westrom opted to design his rifle around this magazine and making a few modifications that included replacing the follower with one equipped with a spring loaded plunger that would actuate the bolt catch when the rifle fired its last round.  Over the decade of the ban, ArmaLite offered these modified magazines for sale and would convert customer magazines over if they were sent to the factory.  After the sunset of the assault weapon ban, ArmaLite went to work to develop their own magazine, which is based on the M14 design but modified for use in the AR-10.  Currently Westrom offers 5-, 10-, 20- and 25-round magazines.

Monroe County Sheriff Deputy Stephen Warden test fires the ArmaLite SUPER SASS rifle while the author’s 8 year old daughter Sophia spots for him. Warden is a firearms instructor as well as a veteran of both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Also per requirement the rifle was provided in a Hardig polymer case which added over $1,000 to the cost of the weapon system.  Provided were cleaning materials, spare parts as well as a sling.  On September 28, 2005 Knight’s Armament Company was awarded the contract for the M110.

Westrom put much development into his SASS rifle and saw it had potential for other military, law enforcement as well as commercial markets.  Now without the restrictions of the solicitation, Westrom went on to develop his AR-10 Super SASS rifle.  The Super SASS was revealed to the shooting community at the SHOT Show in 2006.  The Super SASS is a suppressor ready rifle.  The adjustable gas system has two settings, one for normal use and another for use with a sound suppressor.  The valve can be moved with the base of a 7.62x51mm cartridge.  The Super SASS was designed to work with the Advanced Armament S3R large chamber suppressor. However, if you are unable to possess a sound suppressor for one reason or another, ArmaLite offers a look-alike which can be mounted on the barrel for cosmetic purposes.  The 20 inch match grade heavy triple lapped barrel is ceramic coated AISI 416R stainless steel with a 1 turn in 10 inch twist optimal for 150 to 175 grain projectiles.  The ammunition suggested by ArmaLite is the 168 and 17grain match loads.  ArmaLite guarantees 1 MOA out of the box on all Super SASS rifles.

The receivers are manufactured from 7175 T-74 aluminum forgings.  The upper receiver is a flattop upper receiver with a Mil-Std 1913 rail.  This rifle features the fairly newly released forward bolt assist.  The upper receiver also has a fired cartridge case deflector preventing fired cartridge cases from hitting a left-handed shooter in the face.  The rifle is equipped with a Precision Reflex Company manufactured gas buster charging handle which prevents rifle gases from coming back at the shooters face when firing the rifle with a sound suppressor on it.  There is a standard A2-style compensator provided on the muzzle.  The bolt carrier group is modified with forward assist notches and maintains the standard manganese phosphate finish.  ArmaLite used the rubber “O” ring reinforcement of the extractor spring.  This is good insurance especially when firing the rifle in the sound suppressed mode.  Suppressors over gas the rifles gas system making it work much faster.  The extra pressure on the extractor increases extractor force giving additional strength in extracting a cartridge case that is slightly optureated still caused by the bolt opening sooner.  The rifle is provided with three rail protectors for offhand shooting.

The SUPER SASS shot like a world class sniper rifle. From a distance of 100 yards the rifle fired a .44 MOA group using 5 rounds of Silver State Armory 7.62x51mm M118 Match ammunition that is loaded with a 168gr open tip match bullet.

The lower receiver utilizes the Magpul Precision Rifle Stock (PRS), perhaps the finest stock of this kind on the market.  The stock has adjustable cheek weld as well as butt plate.  The stock has a club foot design enabling the shooter to place the non firing hand on it to lock the stock into the shooters shoulder.  The bottom of the stock has a short Mil-Std 1913 rail allowing the attachment of a monopod.  The rifle has a National Match two-stage trigger with a first stage of 2.5 lbs and a second stage of 4.5 to 5 lbs.  The rifle was shipped with one ArmaLite 10- and one 20-round magazine.

The rifle was provided with a Leupold Mark 4 3.5 to 10x scope with an illuminated reticle.  This scope has a 40mm objective and is equipped with bullet drop compensator for the 7.62x51mm round with a 168gr projectile.  The illuminated reticle is turned on or off by the user and has 11 increments of brightness.  The scope was mounted in an ArmaLite 30mm scope mount.

The overall stats on the rifle come in with a 20 inch heavy barrel.  The overall length of the rifle is 44.5 inches and weighs in at 12 pounds.  The fit and finish of the rifle was superb.  The receivers were nice and snug.  The rifle is clearly ArmaLite’s crown jewel and for good reason.  The rifle has an effective range of 1,000 meters.  The rifle was tested with Silver State Armory 7.62x51mm 168gr (M118) and 175gr OTM (M118LR) ammunition as well as Hornady .308 Win Superformance Match 175gr BTHP (#8077) ammunition.  The best group shot was with the 168gr Silver State Armory ammunition at .44 inches at 100 yards.  However the other two types of ammunition all grouped between .50 and 1.0 inches.  Recoil was mild compared to many autoloading 7.62x51mm rifles.  The in-line construction of the Stoner weapon system greatly contributes to this enhancement in handling.

Whether military or law enforcement, the tactical sniper would have everything needed in a sniper rifle with the ArmaLite SUPER SASS.  Precision accuracy, reliability, firepower and high quality workmanship are all hallmarks of this rifle.  For the commercial customer whether it be a competitor, hunter or recreational shooter you can own a military grade sniper rifle.

Retired U.S. Army Ordnance Officer Lt. Col. Mark Westrom, President of ArmaLite (right) describes the merits of his SUPER SASS to two Kosovo Army Officers at the Adriatic Sea Defense& Aerospace show in Split Croatia in March of 2011. The SUPER SASS drew quite a lot of interest with snipers who are used to the heavy and high recoil Dragunov sniper rifles. They had never seen a rifle the quality of the SUPER SASS in the former Warsaw Pact countries.

As has been commented on before in this journal, there are two conferences that should be on the list of anybody in the small arms and ammunition community to attend.  While the bigger NDIA Small Arms Symposium held in the United States in May of each year is the larger, the Shrivenham Small Arms Symposium held at the Defence Academy in England is the focal point for European developments.

The smaller size of the Shrivenham Symposium gives it a more personal atmosphere though both Symposia provide a vital opportunity to ‘network’ and the 25th annual Small Arms and Cannon Symposium held in August of 2011 was well attended.  The programme consisting of short presentations on various subjects is now well established.  The symposium is spread over three days with the introductory welcoming presentation this year by Brigadier Mark Lacey, Head of Technology Division at the Defence Academy.  Commencing after lunch on day one, the following full day also includes practical range demonstrations and the opportunity for attendees to fire selected weapons on the local test-range facility.  Day three closes at lunch time.  Why days spread over three?  Experience and customer comments have shown that the current format allows, particularly European attendees, the opportunity to arrive on day one and depart after lunch on day three, reducing the need for extended overnight stays.  Shrivenham being conveniently situated within the catchment area of the three major London airports is ideally situated.

Located north of London, ISTEC Services has been supplying the UK MOD with specialist weapon mounts of its own design for over two decades. ISTEC also offers Platform Integration and sighting systems in its services and products line-up. www.istecservices.com

There were in all twenty-one presentations in the busy programme and the varied subject matter of the presentations covered the following subjects:

• Global Overview of Small Arms Development – Richard D Jones, Editor Jane’s Infantry Weapons yearbook
• UK Lethality Programme Update – Colonel Peter Warden, UK MOD
• The Future Dismounted Close Combat Research Programme – Colin Rainment, SEA, Ltd.
• Improving Explosive Effects at a Dismounted Level – Gregg Bazley, SDE, Ltd.
• Reducing the Burden on the Dismounted Soldier – Jeremy Smith, Cranfield Defence & Security
• XM25 and P30 Colour Marker – Markus Staiger & Hans-Jurgen Kron, H&K GmbH
• What can a Social Scientist Teach the Small Arms Community about Weapon Design? – Dr Matthew Ford, University of Hull
• Developments in Small Arms Ammunition – Tony Williams, Independent Consultant
• No Place to Hide – Weapon Sight Technology to Enhance Small Arms Effectiveness – Steve Rickard, Qioptiq Ltd
• 40mm Ammunition and Weapons from Rheinmetall Germany – Franz von Stauffenberg, Rheinmetall Weapon Munition, Germany
• Rapid Acquisition of Crew Served Weapons Accessories – Jason Davis, NSWC Crane
• Barrel Hygiene and Long Range Accuracy – Andrew Evans-Hendrick, Riflecraft, Ltd.
• Long Range Ammunition Precision for Shooters – Janne Boström, Nammo Lapua OY
• DISD Introduction – Jörg Wenderoth, Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics GmbH
• Can your Femur Fracture even if a Bullet Doesn’t Hit the Bone?  –  Dr Debra Carr, Cranfield Defence & Security
• Tungsten Carbide Material Research and the Development of Armour-Piercing Small Arms Ammunition – Thomas Mauritzson, Nammo Vanäsverken AB and Manfred Wolf, Kennametal Shared Services GmbH
• FN FCU Fire Control Unit for 40mm Low Velocity Grenades – Michaël Barone, FH Herstal
• State of the Art and Future in Thermal Imaging for the Dismounted Soldier – Andreas Peterhanwahr, AIM Infrarot-Module GmbH
• The Canadian Vision of Future Small Arms – Major Bruce Gilchrist, National Defence Headquarters, Canada
• The Development of Task Specific Ammunition for Special Forces – Stephen Higgs and Allen Clarke, Primetake, Ltd.
• The Utilisation of Forensic Ballistics in the Battlespace – Andre Horne and Jack Tiernan, LGC Forensics

Accuracy International 7.62mm AX308 sniper rifle fitted with suppressor. www.accuracyinternational.com

New subject matter presented this year was the LGC Forensics “The Utilisation of Forensic Ballistics in the Battlespace” presentation, which covered forensic support in military operations in providing internationally acceptable court reports linking suspects to weapons and improvised explosive devices (IED’s), through the intelligence gathering activities of a forensic science provider.  Otherwise the main thrust of the presentations was the continuing development of sighting equipment to provide the war-fighter with an enhanced 24 hour capability across the range of equipment issued to today’s infantryman and the development of specialist small arms ammunition to further increase the effectiveness of small arms at greater ranges, particularly for the sniper.

A long-established feature of the Shrivenham Small Arms and Cannon symposia is the formal dinner held on the evening of the second day.  Long held in the adjacent Kitchener Military Officers Mess, times have moved on and the venue this year was the Steam Railway Museum of the Great Western Railway in nearby Swindon town.  The museum is situated in the renovated premises of the former Swindon Railway Works and guests were seated among the major and minor historic artifacts of the museum for an excellent four-course dinner, with pre-dinner drinks (with a chance to wander around the museum) and wine in abundance.  A good time as the British would say was had by all.

Small Arms Defense Journal would like to encourage the small arms community to lend their support to the XXVIth Small Arms & Cannon Symposium to be held in the last full week of August 2012.

Qioptiq is the largest UK manufacturer of night vision, image-intensified and surveillance optics. www.qioptiq.co.uk

The fifth bi-annual PARTNER Serbia show was held over the course of four sunny days in Belgrade, Serbia in late June 2011.  The show has grown considerably since the first show, as well as from the previous one in 2009 (reported on in SADJ Volume 3, Number 1), having now moved into the largest of the exhibition halls in Belgrade Fair.  Expectations are that the 2013 show will have grown significantly from 2011, both in vendors and attendees.  YugoImport is the co-promoter of the show and the various factories they represent take up a significant portion of the floor space.  Various refurbishment centers and Serbian military groups make up a very impressive outdoor display as well.

Visible for the first time was the cooperation of other Balkan countries: Croatia and Bulgaria had large delegations and display areas for their defense contractors.

SADJ has been attending this show since the beginning, and we are very pleased to be attending in 2013 as well.

Some Highlights of the Show (Products Not Shown)

Beatronic Supply APS:  One of the most innovative electronics/optics groups on the planet is Beatronic Supply from Denmark.  Beatronics has put together their own products, combined with products from many other top of the line manufacturers, to create a pallet of choices that is full range.  Beatronic has Vektronics, they have high-speed video systems, and testing equipment that is needed by all in the ballistics field.  Check them out.  (www.beatronic.com)

Milan Blagojevic-Namenska A.D.:  Powder manufacturer MBN is in full production of both bulk propellant for a variety of ammunition manufacturers around the world, but they produce bag charges for a variety of howitzer systems.  (www.mbnamenska.com)

Military Refurbish Center:  The Serbian Military Refurbish Center has a modern facility dedicated to recovering and testing various ammunition, munitions, and systems.  They are highly skilled at analyzing and preparing programs to bring inventories up to standard.  Contact: Miroslav Hajducovic at hayduk1@eunet.rs.

Prva Petoletka:  Prva Petoletka had a large display within the YugoImport area and two items stood out as very interesting.  First is the MSRG-40 six-shot 40x46mm low velocity launcher – also made in 38mm as a five shot.  There were two variants of the 40mm, for longer cartridges or one for shorter HE type cartridges only.  The other was a lightweight 120mm Mortar.  (www.ppt-namenska.co.yu)

Prvi Partisan:  Ammunition manufacturer Prvi Partisan needs little introduction in the West.  They have their own product line of small arms and hunting ammunition that has been running since 1928, as well as their “under license” production for a variety of U.S. and European distributors.  (www.prvipartizan.com)

Technical Overhaul Department – Cacak:  The Technical Overhaul Department located in Cacak performs a lot of rehabilitation of military equipment as well as experimentation and design.  The M70 series AK in 7.62x39mm is their version of an “AK Bullpup” and it was a well done design.  (www.trzcacak.co.rs)

Croatia set up and displayed at this Serbian military show for the first time. Agencia Alan represents the Croatian military contractor production for export, and they had a large display concentrating on sniper rifles and anti-material rifles. Further into their display were many product lines that covered almost all of the defense industry needs. (www.aalan.hr)

Emco is a large contractor in Bulgaria specializing in mortar, cannon, and grenades of various types. Of special interest is their new subcaliber training system for the RPG-7 and SPG-9 systems, using 7.62mm tracing projectiles that match the trajectory of the standard rounds. For U.S. contacts, info@longmountain.com For international contacts, hayduk1@eunet.rs or emco@gbg.bg

Ed Atchley from Aspen Water, Inc. had a very popular booth with his water converting portable units. Of special interest to SADJ readers who are deployed would be the Aspen 2000DM, which can purify both fresh and salt water at a rate of 1,500-2,000 gallons per day depending on input, and can use solar power to operate. (www.aspenwater.com)

The M87 NSV tank machine gun in 12.7x108mm from Zastava has been placed into a new remote controlled operating station.

MRS, the Modular Robotic System, is a dual tracked 250 kg remotely operated vehicle that is armed with two M79 90mm rocket launchers. There are other launchers that are available such as the M91 120mm.

APOS is the stationary wireless remote controlled short range anti-tank system utilizing the Sloboda M91 120mm rocket launcher. The warhead can penetrate 800mm of Rolled Homogenous Armor. Range is 350 meters for accuracy against MBT (Main Battle Tanks).

DALOS from the Military Technical Institute is a remotely operated light weapon station for mounting on an armored vehicle or stationary stand. Initial design is for use with the M86 7.62x54mm (PKT) machine gun or as shown, with the BGA30 M93 30mm automatic grenade launcher (AGS-17).

Krusik and Sloboda had their displays intermingled by YugoImport for the purposes of showing the full line that could be produced in Serbia and offered by YugoImport. Both companies offer longer range ground to ground rocket systems such as the M90 and Maljutka.

Perhaps the best known name in the Balkan region regarding military and law enforcement products is Mile Dragic Productions. MD has an amazing array of camouflage and gear for every situation, as well as high quality boots, batons, and armored vehicle programs. (www.armyequipment.com)

A direct derivation from the TAR-21 Tavor bullpup rifle, adopted in 2003 by the Israel Defence Forces, we are going to introduce to SADJ readers the version designed for the Sayeret (Special Forces) units, a shorter and more modular rifle that, in case of need, can be converted into a SMG.

The TAR-21 project in Ramat Hasharon was started in 1995 when the Israeli company name was still IMI (Israel Military Industries).  In recent times, IMI ownership has been handed over from the State of Israel to a private company, the Samy Katsav Group (the same holding that includes also Meprolight, Selectron International Optronics and Global Shields) and changed its name to Israel Weapon Industries or IWI.

It was the intention of IWI that the new rifle design would have to satisfy the needs of the Israeli infantryman due to the most recent battlefield requirements.  A large majority of the combat actions of the IDF happened in urban areas, where soldiers must fight in harsh CQB conditions: apartments, narrow roads, restricted spaces typical of small villages where the terrorist enemy have their site and hold their positions.

Another tactical consideration comes from the fact that IDF is a highly mechanized army.  Even if the Israeli soldiers, during their GIBUSH (the selection for the combat units), are trained to cover long distances marching by feet, it is an operative reality that most of their movements on the battlefield are done travelling by APCs, IFVs or by helicopters.  This requires to have the equipment, including the assault rifle, as compact as possible.  IDF learned this lesson when they adopted the FN FAL, in the 1960s.  Aside from reliability problems they had with this rifle, the FN FAL was a very long rifle and very uncomfortable to carry inside an armoured vehicle or to be handled inside a helicopter during an airborne infiltration behind enemy lines.

Currently IDF is armed with a very small quantity of IMI Glilon (the Galil short version), and mainly with M16A1s, refitted with round handguards and different sling system, and Colt M16A1 Carbines, with old style polymer collapsible stocks, both with fixed carrying handle on the upper receiver.  Only in recent times has the series 900 Colt M4A1 carbines been issued.  According to battlefield reports, even the M4A1 has been judged by the Israelis as too long to fit the need of the Israel mechanized infantry.

The solution chosen by IWI engineers was to design a bullpup rifle; allowing this way to have a short rifle without limiting the ballistic of the 5.56mm cartridge because of very short barrels.  The result was the TAR-21 rifle (the acronym stands for Tavor Assault Rifle – 21st Century), officially adopted in 2003 by the IDF.

Due to the high number of Elite and Recon units in the IDF, IWI was requested by TSAHA’L to modify the TAR-21 design for its own special forces.  The Micro Tavor was born, and after some intensive field testing, the design was refined and modified into the last version, currently delivered to the Israeli army: the IWI X95 Special Forces carbine.

The X95 is really compact: only 590 mm long with its 13 inch barrel.  To make a fast comparison, an M4A1 with fully extended stock and a 14.5 inch barrel is 880 mm long.

The rifle is built around a backbone made of a “U” shaped steel rail, where its mechanics moves and the polymer receiver is fixed.  It’s hard to say that the X95 is beautiful, but its appearance, in the gray-black polymer livery, is very aggressive and martial and less “toy” looking than the previous green polymer.  The change reflects the fact that the polymer chosen for building the external body of the carbine has been changed from the previous models.

The old greenish polymer was studied to be rigid and impact resistant as much as possible.  But with the frequent use during field testing, the main problem was that even if it was able to absorb hard shocks, the polymer was not able to last: after a while cracks in the body started to appear, compromising structural integrity of the weapon.  The solution was to adopt another polymer, the current black gray looking one that was “softer” but did not show cracks after intensive use, being also more resistant to the strong UV middle-east sun radiations.

The X95 operates with two different mechanics: the 5.56×45 carbine with gas recovery system and 9×19 caliber blowback operated submachine gun, both using the same body.

The 5.56 carbine uses a long stroke gas recovery mechanism.  During the shoot sequence, the bullet in the barrel uncovers a hole, the gas port, which blows high pressure gases into a tube where there is a gas piston that starts to move rearward due the effects of the gases.  The gas piston is permanently locked with the prismatic bolt carrier, that starts, in its turn, to move rearward too, and so doing, due to a cam on the bolt carrier body, causes the bolt head to rotate and unlock the breech only when gas pressures are on safe values.  The group bolt-bolt carrier keeps travelling rearward for about 70 mm, compressing the recoil spring and ejecting the spent brass.  When the kinetic force of the shot ends, the recoil spring pushes forward the bolt-bolt carrier group, feeding a fresh cartridge from the magazine, chambering it and locking again the bolt in the breech locking lugs.

When shooting the 9×19 SMG version instead, it is only the prismatic bolt weight and the force of the recoil springs that define the bolt opening delay to ensure a safe opening of the breech, the rest of the operation sequence being identical to the 5.56 version.

The X95 barrel is produced using a cold hammer forging process, with 6 right-hand grooves, 1:7 twist.  This is quite curious since the IDF uses both M193 and M855 ammunitions.  The explanation is due to the IDF doctrine, since they do not want to renounce to the better terminal effects given by the 55 grs ball, and reserve the heavier 62 grs ball ammunition only for squad sharpshooters.  On the muzzle end of the barrel is mounted a flashider with 5 radial slots located only in the upper portion of it, while the lower part is closed, being this solution identical to the one adopted on the American M16A2 assault rifle.

The gas port is located 187 mm from the end of the barrel extension.  On the breech is mounted the barrel extension, with the locking lugs for the bolt.  The bolt face presents a singular asymmetric locking lug configuration: the three locking lugs, in fact, are located at 12 o’clock, 4 o’clock and 7 o’clock.  This last one, in its turn, is split into two smaller ones.  The bolt face is hollow, to create a belt that completely surrounds the cartridge rim ensuring a level of safety in case of gas leak from a broken primer or shell rupture.

On the bolt face there are also a big extractor claw that engages the cartridge rim for almost one quarter of the diameter, and a spring loaded ejector pin.  To reverse the spent case ejection, the bolt head must be replaced – an operation that must be performed by the unit armourer.

The bolt carrier is a prismatic rectangular shaped block of steel CNC machined to accept the cam and the bolt head.  Protruding from the upper front of the bolt carrier body there is the integral operating rod, ending with the stainless steel terminal of the self adjusting gas valve.  Internally the operating rod is hollow to accommodate the recoil spring and the recoil spring rod.  The bolt, bolt carrier, recoil spring and spring rod are permanently joined and do not need to be separated during field maintenance.  The bolt carrier side walls are straight, sealing the ejection port on the polymer body, avoiding the need of a ejection port lid to keep dust and debris out of the action.

The X95 body is realized in a black-dark gray highly UV and impact resistant polymer plastic.  While the rear portion of the body is identical to the standard TAR-21 rifles, the front and middle portion differ greatly for their shapes and commands collocation.

The front handguard has a round section, with ribs on the lower part to give the shooter a better grip.  The front and upper part has ventilation holes to allow air to circulate and cool the barrel.  At the upper tip of the front handguard there are the backup front sights, realized in polymer and adjustable only for windage.  After the backup front sights there is a short Picatinny rail to allow accessories to be mounted.  Standard configurations foresee for X95s a tactical lamp, with its PTT button strapped with Velcro on the front handguard.

Collectors and historians are familiar with the Russian “Tractor Cap” or “Snow Cap” Maxim machine gun.  It was a modification of the PM1910 (Pulemyot Maxima na stanke Sokolova or “Maxim’s machine gun Model 1910 on Sokolov’s mount”) that did away with the small water filler hole in the water jacket and instead a much larger hole was cut into the top of the water jacket that allowed snow, ice or larger volumes of water to be introduced quickly into the water jacket.  The hole was covered by a tractor radiator cap that was hinged on one side and secured by a clasp on the other side.

Historians are unclear on exactly when the Russians started to incorporate this modification in production runs of Maxims during World War II with a few starting as early as late 1941, while a majority and general consensus of others being sometime in 1943.  Nevertheless, it was a great idea that served well particularly in cold, wintery climes.  However, it was not a Russian idea.  The Russians, in fact, copied the idea from the Finns as a result of the Soviet-Finland (Winter War) of 1940-41.

‘Tachankas On Line Of Fire’ by G. Savitzky 1931. Russian Maxim Model 1910 machine gun mounted on a cart with four horses in the Russian Civil War era. The word “Tachanka” refers to the spring carriage and was widely used to carry Maxim machine guns during the war. In modern Russian usage, it means a machine gun unit with three or four horses as depicted in the painting and was a widely used propaganda image.

Finnish Maxims
The Imperial Russian Army introduced the first two models of Maxims, the Model 1905 and Model 1910, in Finland by the Russian Army stationed in Finland.  During the Finnish War of Independence (also called the Finnish Civil War) of 1918, these Maxims were used by the Finnish Reds and Whites as well as being used by the “Soviet/Russian” troops on behalf of the Finnish Reds.

The Model 1905 had many brass parts and a brass water-jacket.  The Model 1910 did away with these brass parts and now included a fluted metal water jacket and was mounted on the Sokolov wheeled mount.  The Sokolov mount was deemed unsatisfactory for the forest and swampy terrain of Finland and the Finns developed a tripod for infantry use that was similar in style to the German DWM commercial Model 1909 tripod but was not a direct copy.  The Finns designated their Maxims as the M09/21 in 1921.  Further refinements in 1931 addressed issues with the need for a metallic belt and anti-aircraft capabilities that included an accelerator located on the muzzle of the Maxim that could be quickly adjusted allowing two rates of fire: a critical factor in increasing the Maxim’s role as an effective anti-aircraft weapon as well as the addition of an extra metal leg extension that would be carried underneath the tripod.  This resulted in a new designation of the Maxim as the M32/33.

Business end of the Russian Model 1910 Maxim machine gun. The front end cap contains the front sight, steam exhaust port with condensing hose attached and black muzzle booster. Also seen between the muzzle booster and the front sight is the forward attaching end of the internal steam tube that runs the entire length of the water jacket. The “tractor cap” can be seen on top of the water jacket.

But there was another major, but extremely simple, refinement of these Maxims that dealt with the method of water cooling.  Maxims are water cooled machine guns.  High volumes of fire result in extremely hot barrels that must be kept cool and water contained in a jacket surrounding the barrel was the method of cooling at that time.  The water would begin to boil after several belts of ammunition was quickly fired, turning the water into steam that caused steam pressure to build within the water jacket. An outlet was provided for the steam to escape to relieve the pressure.  Eventually, the water would boil off below the level of the barrel and fresh water would have to be introduced back into the water jacket to replenish the volume.  The Finns were rightly concerned that there must be a more expedient way to fill the water jacket surrounding the Maxim’s barrel particularly when being used in an environment that precluded the use of water in its liquid form.  After a period of trial and error, a simple and innovative design change was ordered that took advantage of Finland’s long, cold winters.  The Finns replaced the small filler port in the water jacket of the older Maxims with a larger port on top of the water jacket and added a snap-cap that secured the larger filling port.  This provided an advantage for two reasons.  First, the cap could be quickly opened to allow a larger volume of water to be rapidly introduced into the water jacket and, secondly, the new system allowed both snow and ice to be introduced into the water jacket during the winter when water in its liquid form was non-existent.  This modification occurred in 1939 and was truly both an inventive and radical adaptation and was so successful than many older Maxims in Finnish stockpiles were converted to accept these so-called “snow-caps.”

Right side profile view of the Russian Model 1910 Maxim. Note the early removable tripod-like legs that enabled the gun to be brought up to a higher firing position. These were found to be a detriment to the health of the gunner and were soon discarded. The odd-shaped box attached to the trailing leg frame contained a spare lock (bolt) for the gun. Note the enlarged ‘tractor cap’ on top of the water jacket to facilitate the ease of introducing snow or ice into the water jacket.

The Winter War
Just three months after the start of World War II with Germany invading Poland on September 1, 1939 and the Soviet invasion of Poland on September 17, 1939, on November 30, 1939, the Soviet Union began an offensive against Finland that ended on March 13, 1940 with the Moscow Peace Treaty.  This Soviet/Finnish war is known as The Winter War.

The Soviet forces invaded Finland with 21 divisions totaling some 450,000 men – approximately three times as many soldiers as the Finns, 30 times as many aircraft, and a hundred times as many tanks.  The Red Army, however, had been crippled by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin’s Great Purge of 1937, reducing the army’s morale and efficiency shortly before the outbreak of fighting.  With more than 30,000 of its army officers executed or imprisoned, including most of those of the highest ranks, the Red Army in 1939 had many inexperienced senior officers.  Because of these factors, and high commitment and morale in the Finnish forces, Finland was able to resist the Soviet invasion for far longer than the Soviets expected.  But ultimately the Finns saw that they would eventually be overwhelmed and sued for peace signing the Moscow Peace Treaty ceding 11% of its pre-war territory and 30% of its economic assets to the Soviet Union.  But the Soviet forces did not accomplish their objective of the total conquest of Finland but did gain sufficient territory along Lake Ladoga to provide a buffer for Leningrad.  The Finns, however, retained their sovereignty and enhanced their international reputation.

The weather that winter was particularly cruel.  Fighting was brutal for both sides and the Soviets suffered heavy casualties.  But the Russians did learn many cold-weather lessons and one of those lessons was leaned from the enemy: how to keep their Maxim guns operating when no liquid coolant was available to cool their weapons.  They also learned from the Finns that painting their guns in a white camouflage helped break up the outline of the weapon emplacement in a snow environment.  These and many other “cold weather” lessons would ultimately serve the Soviets well in the coming years as they fought the Nazis on the frozen steppes of their Mother Land.

Top cover of the Russian M1910 Maxim showing the data markings and the feed block for the loaded belt of ammunition. The arrow in the star denotes that this gun was made at the Tula Arsenal factory with the manufacturing date of 1944. The serial number is the Cyrillic letters HE and 96. As is common to all Maxims, the loaded canvas and brass belt containing 250 rounds is fed into the feedblock from the right hand side.

Spare parts and gunner’s kit for the Russian M1910 Maxim. Issued to each gun, the canvas shoulder bag kit contained cleaning rods and jigs, key spare parts, and tools needed for proper maintenance in the field. Note the large round rubber gasket as a replacement for the one used in the ‘tractor cap’ to prevent leakage of water in the jacket.

Russian Maxim gun on early Sokolov mount with tripod legs in place in World War I. The removable legs were later discarded as being detrimental to the well being of the gunners.

Russian Model 1910 Maxim on wheeled Sokolov mount painted in winter camouflage. Note the large cap on top of the water jacket and the steam condensing hose to remove steam pressure build-up in the water jacket.

Top view looking straight down onto the water jacket through the ‘snow cap’ filling area. This large mouth area allows the rapid introduction of liquid or liquid solids such as snow and ice. The top hinges open to the side and has a rubber gasket to seal around the mouth. The white bar seen across the mouth of the filling hole and welded to the sides of the water jacket is an inverted U-shaped shield that contains and protects the steam condensing tube that runs fore and aft inside the water jacket. Damage to the steam tube (from jamming in ice) could block or break the tube thus preventing pent-up steam pressure from venting from the water jacket through the steam escape port resulting in a ruptured water jacket case severely limiting the use of the gun.

“If we describe an all-volunteer force of warriors who share the core values of honor, courage and commitment and who are renowned for their professionalism, expertise, innovation, and superior physical fitness, you would be hard-pressed to decide whether we described Marines or SOF (Special Operations Force) operators.  We found plenty of common ground to build on, but … the question at the heart of the issue is what is a MarSOF warrior”  – MARSOC Information paper

It defies logic that United States Special Operations Command did not include the Marine Corps until a little over five years ago.  All the more so because the Corps is arguably the most nimble, aggressive and experienced component of the U.S. Armed Forces in the dirty and demanding business of fighting “small wars” in remote corners of the world.

Marines, also colorfully known as Leathernecks and Devil Dogs, are proud to be major players in more conventional aspects of the Global War on Terrorism, launched by the U.S. and allies following the murder of thousands of innocent Americans in horrific suicide attacks by Islamic extremists on September 11, 2001.  But, until recently, SPECOPS missions against freedom’s many foes have been the exclusive domain of soldiers, sailors and airmen.

Lucky for USSOCOM – and not so lucky for bad guys around the globe – the puzzling omission of the Corps, with a long and rich history of success in expeditionary warfare and home to hard-charging, superbly trained Marine Force Recon, was corrected by President George W. Bush.

January 1944, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. U.S. Marine Raiders, gathered in front of a Japanese dugout they helped to take on Cape Totkina, have earned the bloody reputation of being skillful jungle fighters. Today’s Marine Corps Special Operations Command carries forward the Raiders’ proud heritage. (U.S. Navy/National Archives)

In October 2005, Donald H. Rumsfeld, the Bush administration’s Secretary of Defense, directed the formation of a 2,500 man Marine Component to serve with USSOCOM.  Four months later, on February 24, 2006 Marine Corps Special Operations Command, led by Major General Dennis Hejlik, was formally activated at Camp Lejeune, NC.

Fast, Steep Climb
MARSOC immediately moved forward at double time with a small but highly motivated headquarters staff, drawn primarily from personnel who became available following deactivation of the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Anti-Terrorism).  Urgent demands of the GWOT necessitated building force structure and conducting initial operations at the same time, which one insider said was like “painting a car while driving 50 miles per hour.”

The Foreign Military Training Unit (FMTU) was the first fully operational element, tasked with hands-on training as well as conduct of Foreign Internal Defense missions to assist friendly nations struggling against terrorist networks.

FMTU was fortunate to have quickly attracted a heavy concentration of experienced and capable NCOs with proficiency in relevant foreign languages and ability to effectively teach a wide range of practical military skills.  It grew to two companies, began taking on some Unconventional Warfare/Foreign Internal Defense taskings, and its teams regularly deployed to train and advise several developing countries engaged in counter-terrorism operations.

22 May 2008, Camp Lejeune, NC. Marines with MARSOC’s Special Operations Advisor Group sight in an M40A3 rifle on distant targets during two weeks of scoped weapons training. This is part of the weapons subject matter expert course for selected SOAG students. (MARSOC photo by Sergeant Steven King)

Hejlik, appearing before a congressional committee in January 2007, noted with pride a particular success that followed MARSOC assistance to the African nation of Chad.  A major assault the previous year by Islamist rebel forces advancing on the capitol was stopped and pushed back, he said, by two battalions of the Chadian military that had been trained by FMTU teams.

With FMTU’s expanding and evolving role came a name change to Marine Special Operations Advisor Group, and it has most recently restructured to become the Marine Special Operations Regiment’s Headquarters and its 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, both close to MARSOC‘s flagpole aboard Camp Lejeune.

Door Kickers
The Corps’ Force Reconnaissance companies – repeatedly proven effective for the most demanding missions launched from land, sea and air – were essential assets in the fast and steep climb to full operational capability.  In the months after the activation of MARSOC, the structure and personnel of both 1st and 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company transferred to MARSOC to form the 1st and 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalions.  Both MSOBs retained their traditional home bases, with the 1st at Camp Pendleton, California, and the 2nd at Lejeune.

2007, Afghanistan. In a very interesting photo that appeared only briefly on official Department of Defense news outlets, a MARSOC operator is seen picking off Taliban fighters with the exotically rare HK 417 rifle. This accurate, reliable and heavy-hitting 7.62x51mm semi-auto was developed by the respected German gunmaker Heckler & Koch in response to a request from ‘unspecified elements’ of U.S. Special Operations Command. (U.S. Army photo by Specialist David Gunn)

In the beginning, all operators in these “tip of the spear” companies already held the 0321 Reconnaissance Man MOS (military occupational specialty), designating them as elite Recon Marines.  The current training pipeline for what are now called Critical Skills Operators (CSO) accepts experienced Marines and Sailors from any MOS who can meet a long and serious list of requirements.  Graduates of the Individual Training Course may eventually receive an Additional Skill Identifier signifying qualification as a CSO, but for the time being a special code on their training record notes this achievement.

Marine Special Operations Teams are the basic building block for highly flexible and tailorable employment in a wide array of taskings.  Marine Special Operations Company structure calls for four Teams, each usually consisting of 12 Marines plus two Navy Corpsman, all qualified CSOs with a common set of capabilities and each having additional special skills.

Teams usually deploy as part of a task-organized MSOC that is augmented by detachments from Marine Special Operations Support Group.  MSOSG specialists provide necessary skill sets such as EOD (explosive ordnance disposal), K-9 working dogs, targeted intelligence, sophisticated communications, and others.

7 April 2009, Reno, Nevada. Marines and Sailors with a company from 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion ventilate targets in a rapid fire shooting drill that’s part of the Dynamic Assault Course at the Washoe County Regional Shooting Facility. Note the EOTech holographic red dot sights on their SOPMOD (Special Operations Peculiar Modification) M4A1 Carbines. (USMC photo by Lance Corporal Stephen Benson)

Operational tempo for these first two hard-charging battalions – colorfully known as “door kickers” for the Direct Action part of their mission capabilities – started fast and quickly grew.  The first Marine Special Operations Company stood up in June 2006 and deployed to GWOT in December with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).  Their role was similar to the MEU’s Maritime Special Purpose Force, well equipped and manned with specialists in the conduct of maritime interdiction, deep recon, direct action, and close quarter battle.

Security requirements necessarily cloud details of most subsequent missions but cross-referencing various sources reveals the number of operational activities rapidly increasing each year, most notably in Iraq and Afghanistan.  By March 2009, the third anniversary of MARSOC, Marine Special Operators were regularly deploying for dozens of missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom Afghanistan, Philippines, Horn of Africa, and Trans Sahara.  The number and variety of deployments continues to grow and task forces are operating in at least four of USASOC’s Theater commands including Central, Europe, Pacific, and South.

Essential Training and Support
Providing intensively trained operators to round out all twelve “door kicker” companies in the regiment’s three battalions is the responsibility of the Marine Special Operations School.  Building on the structure and field work of 1st and 2nd Special Missions Training Branch, MSOS was activated in June 2007 at Camp Lejeune.