All-New Soldier Fortune Black Ops joins show circuit

Monster Jam will debut the Soldier Fortune Black Ops monster truck in Albany, N.Y. later this month. Soldier Fortune Black Ops was inspired by those who serve in the elite special-forces branches of the U.S. Military and is the second military-themed truck in Monster Jam. Soldier Fortune made its debut in 2015 and is driven by Monster Jam veteran Chad Fortune. United States Army combat veteran Tony Ochs will pilot the new Soldier Fortune Black Ops throughout the 2016 Monster Jam season.

Soldier Fortune is a camouflaged, tank-inspired truck that pays tribute to the armed forces. Soldier Fortune Black Ops pays homage to the elite branches of the military and its majestic black coloring is designed to signify the special operations that these committed military personnel embark on every day.

“Soldier Fortune Black Ops is a special Monster Jam truck and one that we put a lot of thought into,” said Bill Easterly, Vice President Operations, Feld Motor Sports. “Monster Jam has a loyal military fan base and creating another military-themed Monster Jam truck was a natural progression since the debut of Soldier Fortune in 2015. We are excited and proud to have both of these Monster Jam trucks representing the armed forces throughout the 2016 Monster Jam season.”

Ochs is a 10-year veteran where he most recently performed the duties of an Apache helicopter Crew Chief in the United States Army. Ochs’ first overseas tour took him to South Korea, while subsequent operations took him to Iraq and Afghanistan. Ochs played a role in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan where special and black ops missions were routine, plus Operation Spartan Shield, a multinational force operation that spanned the entire middle-eastern region. When Ochs was stateside, he spent a majority of his military career stationed out of Fort Hood, Texas and was honorably discharged while stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas.

"I have always strived to be the best that I can be at anything that I do,” said Ochs. “I’ve dreamed big dreams, and I am certainly starting to fulfill those dreams. I know that as long as I keep a clean head and live an honorable lifestyle, nothing can hold me back from whatever I want to accomplish. I plan on flying Soldier Fortune Black Ops right into the Monster Jam World Finals. It doesn’t say anywhere in the rulebook that a rookie can’t be a world champion.”

Ochs has a deep rooted passion for those who serve in the military and takes great pride in performing at an elite level. Soldier Fortune Black Ops is a perfect fit for Ochs’ personality, demeanor and background, plus allows him to continue to show his support and appreciation to both veteran and active military men and women all over the world.

Soldier Fortune Black Ops debuted at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. on Jan. 15-16 and will run a full schedule of appearances throughout the spring.