Many of you may recall earlier in 2009 we ran a special supplement within the pages of SOTECH entitled Defeating the IED. The supplement had a heavy focus of the work being directed and coordinated by the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization and featured an exclusive interview with Major General Thomas Metz, director of JIEDDO. The first issue of Military Training Technology in 2010 will feature a brand new Defeating the IED supplement, led off with an exclusive interview of the new director of JIEDDO and followed by a full complement of articles including training against IEDs (live and virtual systems); mobility and survivability (MRAPs, ballistic protection, blast attenuating seats, runflat tires); detection capabilities (the latest surveillance and evaluation technologies); a look at JIEDDO’s broad agency announcement; and a review of JIEDDO’s most significant programs. A final bonus to the Defeating the IED supplement is a Who’s Who pictorial of JIEDDO and its various offices and the people that manage them.

If you have any questions or want to be a part of this Defeating the IED supplement you can contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Marty Kauchak, editor of Military Training Technology at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Finally, just a few words about KMI Media Group in 2009 and 2010: We had a great 2009 launching a new magazine—U.S. Coast Guard Forum—which makes our ninth. 2010 starts in a similar fashion, with the launch of our 10th publication, Tactical ISR Technology. Our growth is a direct reflection of our resolve and commitment to serve the military community of the United States with information resources they can use.

As always, if you have any questions or comments about SOTECH, please feel free to call or drop me an e-mail.

All the best.