Stryker units in action: media of the day

[Sgt Joch]

Steve, Michael, when I made my post, I just knew some Equipment Grog would find a technical fault in my nice sentiment, but I am in no mood to argue. Have a nice day!

Michael, do you have any feedback on how well the temperate CADPAT pattern is doing in Afghanistan terrain? Also, do you know why the Canadian military is not issuing uniforms in the CADPAT arid pattern to canadian troops deploying over there?

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally posted by JC_Hare:

Steve, Michael, when I made my post, I just knew some Equipment Grog would find a technical fault in my nice sentiment, but I am in no mood to argue. Have a nice day!

Michael, do you have any feedback on how well the temperate CADPAT pattern is doing in Afghanistan terrain? Also, do you know why the Canadian military is not issuing uniforms in the CADPAT arid pattern to canadian troops deploying over there?

a) Green uniforms identify them as Canadian, and distinguish them from Americans.

Green uniforms work great in many regions of the area of operations; see some of the photos of them operating in green areas

c) camouflage patterns really don't make much of a difference despite the hype, IMO, anyway; you get dirty in the field within 12 hours and start to blend in naturally in any event.

[Sgt Joch]

Originally posted by Michael Dorosh:

c) camouflage patterns really don't make much of a difference despite the hype, IMO, anyway; you get dirty in the field within 12 hours and start to blend in naturally in any event.

I agree, after all the Israeli Defence Forces still use the same plain olive-green uniforms.

I am still wondering why the Canadian Army would officially approve a desert version of the CADPAT uniforms if they are not going to use them. The official site:

CADPAT arid regions

states that the Army would stockpile 3,000 uniforms which would be used for "specified operations".

[Michael Dorosh]

They're using them right now; one of our Warrant Officers is over there and sent a bunch of pics. They're definitely wearing them.

[ng cavscout]

Originally posted by Battlefront.com:

JC, US soldiers buy a lot of their own kit as well, even though we spend trillions of REAL Dollars (not those funny colored ones you use ) on our military. Armored vests was one of the high profile ones, but hydration systems, equipment pouches, eye protection, etc. are also being bought up out of pocket. I remember one officer saying he had to shell out $400 for kit that he should have been issued.

Really, the only difference between the US military and other militaries is the scale of shorting the soldier. SSDM is a term that could be used (Same Stuff, Different Military).

Steve

We were issued camelbacks, and Wile-X ballistic sunglasses. Unfortunately, if you wear a prescription, like me, you have to pay for your own lenses, about $150 or so. We were issued this ballistic eyewear that took prescription inserts, like for a protective maski, but it was crap, mine broke after about 3 weeks of use. We were issued the new IBA, and nomex gloves, and all kinds of high speed stuff. No one in my unit had to buy their own gear, unless you count the Wiley-X prescription lenses, or stuff they bought because they didn't like the Army issue gear. One example is holsters. Alot of guys don't like the issue low-ride thigh holsters, they bought shoulder holsters, or hip holsters on their own.

[Sgt Joch]

Originally posted by Michael Dorosh:

They're using them right now; one of our Warrant Officers is over there and sent a bunch of pics. They're definitely wearing them.

thanks, any chance we could see those pics?

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally posted by JC_Hare:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Michael Dorosh:

They're using them right now; one of our Warrant Officers is over there and sent a bunch of pics. They're definitely wearing them.

thanks, any chance we could see those pics? </font>

[Sgt Joch]

very nice photos.

[Gpig]

Hi Michael

Doh. Wainwright. Hope'd I'd never see that place again.

Those are pretty nice lookin' turrets on the LAV's. Is that a 25mm chain gun? (Bushmaster?)

The LAV's we had in our hanger, back in Edmonton ('87-90) had a turret with more girth. Grizzly's I think they were called. Do you know what size armarment the main gun was on those (76mm)? And are they still used in the CAF?

Thanks,

Gpig

[Michael Emrys]

Originally posted by NG cavscout:

...nomex gloves...

That reminds me. I've been wanting to ask someone...It seems like most of the pictures I see of the guys in Iraq have them wearing gloves and I've been wondering about that. What is the reason behind the glove wearing? In prior wars of the last hundred years I only recall soldiers wearing gloves if it was cold or for some special reason, like they were in the horse cavalry. So what's the story here? Seems to me that gloves would make your hands more clumsy for small tasks, like loading clips for instance. Are they at heightened risk to receive cuts, abrasions, or burns on the hands?

Michael

[Michael Emrys]

Originally posted by Michael Dorosh:

Is that some kind of wire cutter sticking up on the front of the turret? I'm referring to that thing just to the right of the guy's hand in the top photo here. It appears to be about a foot and a half high.

Michael

[Splinty]

That reminds me. I've been wanting to ask someone...It seems like most of the pictures I see of the guys in Iraq have them wearing gloves and I've been wondering about that. What is the reason behind the glove wearing?

Mostly sweaty hands.

[Battlefront.com]

Thanks Splinty. That makes a LOT sense. I also thought it was because hands are so easy to ding on stuff. With gloves on you don't have to think as much about what your hands come into contact. When I used to do a lot of paintballing (which has as much to do with real combat as a Mercedes has to do with a Yugo. That's for you MD! ) I started to wear gloves and found they made a huge difference in how I conducted myself.

NG Cavscout, yeah... from what I've seen a lot of the stuff guys bought out of pocket 3-4 years ago is now either purchased at the unit level or theater level using various programs that work around the often lethargic logistics system. Which drove us crazy because the amount of wildly different COTS stuff we saw in pics made us wonder if ANYTHING was standard issue any more Some of these items, surprise surprise, are actually going through the regular supply chain now in a standardized manner.

Therefore, I'll qualify my earlier remarks by saying "at times the US soldier has to buy his own stuff". Still is true to some extent, I'm sure. I know a USMC Major that was not near a PX when he got his orders to go over to Iraq. So he had to buy his own stuff (including MOLLE gear) since there was no time to get the issue stuff through normal channels. From what I remember he had to beg an armor vest (COTS of some sort) and helmet off of someone. This was about 18 months ago.

Steve

[akd]

I'm sure urban environment contributes to the desire for gloves also, not to mention that nomex are fire resistant, which is probably handly in a country where vehicles tend to blow up a lot.

[akd]

Back to the original topic!

http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/nov2005/photoessays/pi20051116a4.jpg

http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/nov2005/photoessays/pi20051116a1.jpg

U.S. and Iraqi army soldiers create a blocking position along the Syrian border, Nov. 10, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Benjamin J. Flores

Caption is wrong I think. Looks like U.S. soldiers and marines, but maybe some Iraqi army in there, too.

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/CSA-2005-11-16-082634.jpg

November 16, 2005

Sgt. Melvin Clark, from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, stands guard outside a clothing store while conducting a patrol in Mosul, Iraq. By Staff Sgt. James Harper Jr.

[ November 16, 2005, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: akd ]

[Yardstick]

Originally posted by Michael Emrys:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by NG cavscout:

...nomex gloves...

That reminds me. I've been wanting to ask someone...It seems like most of the pictures I see of the guys in Iraq have them wearing gloves and I've been wondering about that. What is the reason behind the glove wearing? In prior wars of the last hundred years I only recall soldiers wearing gloves if it was cold or for some special reason, like they were in the horse cavalry. So what's the story here? Seems to me that gloves would make your hands more clumsy for small tasks, like loading clips for instance. Are they at heightened risk to receive cuts, abrasions, or burns on the hands?

Michael </font>

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally posted by Gpig:

Hi Michael

Doh. Wainwright. Hope'd I'd never see that place again.

Those are pretty nice lookin' turrets on the LAV's. Is that a 25mm chain gun? (Bushmaster?)

The LAV's we had in our hanger, back in Edmonton ('87-90) had a turret with more girth. Grizzly's I think they were called. Do you know what size armarment the main gun was on those (76mm)? And are they still used in the CAF?

Thanks,

Gpig

Those were cougars with 76 mm guns. They are being phased out of armour units in favour of the 8 wheel vehicles. The 6 wheel AVGPs included both the Cougar (FSV) and the Grizzly (IFV).

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally posted by Angryson:

I wear them becuase, to be honest, I have no idea where the locals hands have been and they seem to want to shake hands, alot. So, in order to not be a total jerk I wear gloves.

I always thought good manners dictated you took your gloves off to shake hands as a sign of respect, so they may be thinking you're a total jerk anyway.

Emrys - I am guessing it is a wire cutter also...

[Yardstick]

Well, it's better than giving them a cold stare and ignoring their outstreched hand now isn't it?

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally posted by Angryson:

Well, it's better than giving them a cold stare and ignoring their outstreched hand now isn't it?

You'd have to ask them!

[Yardstick]

Come on now, that would require effort! To hell with that!

Oh, btw that thing is a wire cutter, I've seen them monuted on Strykers, right in front of the TC's hatch.

[Michael Emrys]

Originally posted by Michael Dorosh:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Angryson:

Well, it's better than giving them a cold stare and ignoring their outstreched hand now isn't it?

You'd have to ask them! </font>

[c3k]

Gloves: think about flash burns; handling hot items (gun barrels/receivers come to mind); tearing a nail or two; saving fingers (one of the guys in my unit jumped down and his wedding ring caught on sheet metal - too bad for him his ring-finger was unable to stop a 200lb body in mid-fall); as previously noted, the sense of protection lets you move quickly without caring about abrasions and cuts.

Is that enough or do we need more reasons?

Thanks,

Ken

[akd]

http://military.revenanteagle.org/albums/November-16th-2005/051019_F_4177H_121.sized.jpg

U.S. Army Strykers assigned to the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Second Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, Ft. Wainwright, Alaska patrol a road in downtown Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 19, 2005. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)

http://military.revenanteagle.org/albums/November-16th-2005/051102_F_4177H_061.sized.jpg

U.S. Army members of the 172 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, Alpha Company, aim their weapons at a balcony during a building sweep in Mosul, Iraq, Nov. 2, 2005 in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/Photos/Nov/Hi-Res/07.jpg

U.S. Army Specialist Ryan Crabtree of the 172 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, Alpha Company, creates rapport with local shop owners while conducting a patrol in Mosul, Iraq, Nov. 3, 2005 in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.

may have been linked already:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/Photos/Nov/Hi-Res/06.jpg

U.S. Army members of the 172 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, Alpha Company, move down a staircase during a patrol in Mosul, Iraq, Nov. 2, 2005 in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.

11th ACR security platoon (Sept. '05):

http://www.tfblackhorse.org/yabbfiles/Attachments/Boyd.JPG

http://www.tfblackhorse.org/yabbfiles/Attachments/Strykers.JPG

http://www.tfblackhorse.org/yabbfiles/Attachments/Dismounted.JPG

http://www.tfblackhorse.org/yabbfiles/Attachments/Workhorse.JPG

backlogged images of interest:

unorthodox entry:

http://military.revenanteagle.org/albums/October-1st-2005/050928_F_2828D_013.sized.jpg

Soldiers from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, attempt to enter a shed suspected of containing an enemy weapons cache, in Anah, Iraq.

night raid:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/CSA-2005-11-07-091734.jpg

A Soldier from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, raids a suspected insurgent hideout in Mosul, Iraq.

Stryker rear security:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/CSA-2005-10-05-080851.jpg

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, patrol a neighborhood in Mosul, Iraq, where insurgents have been known to be operating.

Stryker in the snow:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/OCPA-2005-09-15-095800.jpg

Soldiers of USARPAC’s Alaska-based 4th Bn., 23rd Inf., train with the Strykers they recently took with them to Iraq.

Border patrol:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/CSA-2005-08-29-093246.jpg

Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, roll through the desert in their Stryker vehicle during a patrol near the Iraq/Syria border.

All-around security:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/CSA-2005-08-30-082729.jpg

Soldiers from Company B, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, provide security outside their Stryker vehicle during a patrol for hidden weapons in Rawah, Iraq.

120mm mortar Stryker:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/OCPA-2005-08-12-160502.jpg

A 120mm mortar round sails out of the tube of a Stryker MCV-B manned by Soldiers from the 1st Bn., 23rd Inf. during new equipment training at the Yakima Training Center.

Commander's interface system:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/OCPA-2005-08-12-160548.jpg

Spc. Timothy French, Co. B, 1st Bn., 23rd Inf., works at the commanders interface in a Stryker MCV-B at the Yakima Training Center.

detail of gun mount:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/CSA-2005-05-09-100436.jpg

A Soldier from 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, patrols Mosul, Iraq, in his Stryker.

commander with M4 close at hand:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/CSA-2005-04-27-095642.jpg

A Soldier in a Stryker vehicle from Company B, 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, keeps an eye out for insurgents in Sinjar, Iraq.

supplemental armor, supplemental firepower:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/CSA-2005-04-11-095523.jpg

Pfc. Joshua Pol, from 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, his M240 machine gun at the ready, scans the horizon for signs of trouble from a Stryker Armored Vehicle during a patrol near Mosul, Iraq.

Eotech, Elcan and lipstick?:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/CSA-2005-03-31-103424.jpg

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, roll toward “enemy” forces in their Stryker during Exercise Foal Eagle in South Korea.

ambush dismount:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/CSA-2005-03-25-095946.jpg

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, exit their Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle to counterattack an “enemy” ambush during Foal Eagle Exercise in South Korea.

OP:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/050208A_0O6ALab2005-02-16.jpg

Spc. Alex Mumford, from Company C, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) keeps a watchful eye for insurgents in Mosul, Iraq.

what a craphole:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/0NTYLab2005-02-07.jpg

A Soldier from Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), watches for insurgents while Soldiers in a Stryker roll down a road in eastern Mosul, Iraq, toward a newly discovered enemy weapons cache.

fireteam:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/StrykerCache024.JPG

Sgt. 1st Class Mark Gallegos, of Company C, 1st/24th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) points to the home he wants a squad to enter during an offensive operation in search of anti-Iraqi forces in Mosul.

[akd]

what a badass:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/CSA-2005-09-29-090636.jpg

Pvt. Kueth Dolvony from the 14th Cavalry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, provides security behind a house while fellow Soldiers enter the front during a weapons cache search near Rawah, Iraq.

my new desktop:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/CSA-2005-04-14-084351.jpg