US Air Force Increasing the Airstrikes in Afghanistan

With the defeat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria nearly complete, the U.S. Air Force is quickly turning its attention back to Afghanistan. As the number of close air support missions dwindles in Iraq and Syria, the need in Afghanistan remains constant and the Air Force is stepping up the air campaign. In April 2017, […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 9, Day 3

Tuesday is Leg Day at the gym, and a perfect way to shake off those doldrums. Begin with pull-ups and towel pull-ups for those who don’t have access to climbing ropes. Then squats with lighter weights with more reps, lunges and the sled followed by a three-mile run Training: Continue to prep for the UBRR […]

Masons Program Honors Veterans and Widows in CMass

With Memorial Day right around the corner and many veterans organizations and schools holding programs celebrating our veterans service to the United States, the next small event is one we hadn’t heard of before but was well worthwhile. The Freemasons of Massachusetts and the 24th Masonic District for the past four years have put together […]

Orange, MA Hosts Armed Forces Weekend Military Expo

The small town of Orange, Massachusetts was the scene of a large Armed Forces Expo over the weekend complete with battle reenactments from the Civil War, World War I and World War II. They even had a flyby with a C-47 Skytrain, complete with markings from the D-Day invasion. A few lucky visitors got to […]

Veterans Ruck March 370 Miles to Honor Fallen Troops

A group of Nevada veterans are rucksack marching 370 miles from Las Vegas to the northern area of the state to honor those troops who have given their lives in combat since 9/11. The march will cover about eight days and is expected that 170 veterans will take part. Leo Garcia is marching with the […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 9, Day 2

We’ll kick off our Monday and work week with a mini-UBRR test. Start off with the basics of pushups, sit-ups, and crunches, then to the bar for V-ups, pull-ups and dips before a 5-mile run. The standard says 40-minutes but shoot for something below that. Remember to stay hydrated and mark your progress in your […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 9, Day 1

It is time for our Sunday morning Rucksack march. Do a quick warmup of pushups and sit-ups before heading out for an 8-mile rucksack march. Head out over varied terrain and try to go as fast as you can without running. The standard is 120 minutes. Aim to lower that Stretch well both before and […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 8, Day 7

Saturday morning in the gym for shoulders and back work. Towel pull-ups are for those with no access to ropes. The only way to get better at pull-ups and climbing ropes….is to practice doing them until they are a strength.  Followed by a four-mile run in 32 minutes or less. Log your numbers down in […]

Senate Confirms Haspel as CIA’s First Woman Director

In the end, the vote to confirm Gina Haspel as the next Director of CIA stayed pretty much divided along party lines with Republicans favoring her nomination and Democrats voting against it. It times it seemed that her nomination was going to fail due to numerous questions over her running an “enhanced interrogation” site in […]

Pakistan Building Fence Along Border with Afghanistan

In order to slow the flow of terrorists from Afghanistan, Pakistan has begun a project to construct border fences along their porous 1500-mile border with Afghanistan. The project is slated to cost $483 million and the military is hoping it will help in dismantling militant networks in the largely lawless North and South Waziristan regions. […]

UK Considering Sending More British Troops to Afghanistan

After calls by President Trump to NATO allies to join the U.S. and send more troops into Afghanistan, the UK defense secretary has written to Theresa May recommending the UK boosts its military presence in the country. Currently, there are more than 600 troops in the capital of Kabul, there helping train local Afghan Security […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 8, Day 6

Friday means another Leg Day at the gym. Begin with some Squats – front, dumbbell goblet, and barbell to build up strength for carrying a rucksack. We’re going with a lighter weight and more reps here. Then some lunges and after the weighted sled push/Fireman’s Carry, finish the workout off by breaking things up a […]