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Viking
10-25-2004, 20:10
This is my OEF gear list. I'm on my second tour in Afghanistan. We spend most of our missions dismounted. Here goes:
DA-MICH with PVS-14 mount
Blackhawk plate carrier w/BH ammo pouches that hold total of six mags, BH
MBITR pouch, flashbang pouch, a GP pouch made by TF 160 riggers. On
back is a camelback pouch and my med gear (1 isreali, 1 kerlex, 1 tactical
med solutions tourniquit, 1 ace bandage, two needles for decompresion)
During DA I use either the urban headset or Comtac Peltors on my radio.
I also carry five flex cuffs on my vest.
Pistol Belt w/M9 (surefire mounted) in a Safariland holster, leatherman, three
mags in one pouch and another pouch with a mag and Surefire 6P, I
also use an Eagle SAS dump pouch with a flex linear charge.
I sometimes carry my BH raptor pack (old style) with a couple of EPW kits, and some small bolt cutters.

Vehicle OPS (GMV)-I wear my plate carrier (level four). My MICH is always within
reach. We can sustain for weeks in our trucks, but our particular team
doesn't use them that much. Each truck has a .50/MK-19, M240, SATCOM
FM radios, Blue force tracker, ammo, parts, food, water etc.......

Dismounted OPS-We do this a lot. We infil through various means and conduct
area recons/movement to contact. Once we find and fix them, we finish
them through whatever means available.
Load carrying-I use a Tactical Assault System chest harness (patroller). Its
similar to MOLLE stuff but way more durable. I bought in green and
threw some tan paint on it. I carry four ammo pouches for a total of six
mags, two of which are tracers to mark for the AH-1 Cobras which we
use a lot. On the sides I have two large GP pouches. Right side has
a Surefire 6P, a pair of EMT shears, a Steiner 8x30 military/marine
binos and a smoke grenade. Attatched to the outside of
the right pouch is my med pouch
(SOP right side of whatever LBH you wear)1 isreali, 1 kerlex, 1 ACE, 1
Asherman, 1 cravat, two needles, and an airway. Left GP pouch has
a bottle of water and my PVS-14s in a padded bag, spare AAs, and a
small talkabout radio for worst case team comms. On the outside of
left side is a three frag pouch that I carry two frags in. The third frag
pouch has 25' 550 cord (for turning over enemy dead, i have seen three
booby trapped bodies this trip and one last trip) and a small bottle of
CLP. Also on the outside left is my MBITR pouch and a small GPS (etrex
vista) pouch. I like this vest. Last year I used the BH commando chest
harness. I didn't like the crossed straps on my neck, and the fact that
it didn't open up in the middle to make it more comfortable in the prone
or hanging in the patrol base. The TAS vest straps don't cross they are
more like an H-harness. They were made of webbing though which
is OK, but I cut the shoulder straps off an old LBV and had an Afghani
tailor sew them onto the fastex buckles. Just replaced the web straps
with some more padded ones.
Ruck-I used my old ALICE pack up until recently. I don't personally like the
MOLLE ruck. Some guys do. Now I use a Camelback BFM. I always
have the bladder full. I carry some power bars, MREs, MSR water
bladder for extended ops, a pair of socks, a white star parachute, a
red smoke grenade, an IV, spare MBITR battery, a 5590, a SATCOM
antennae (w/ MBITR adapter), Snugpak softie 3 sleeping bag, field
jacket liner, spare AAs and 123 batts, and an extra pair of glasses
(I had the PRK done last year but it didn't fully work). On the outside
I strap a small camelback that I can grab and go. In it I have a wool
cap, an MRE main meal, and a JOG map.

GP-All my survival items are carried on my uniform. Maps, a small compass, signal mirror, whistle, aviators orange panel, IR strobe light, fire starter, toilet paper (MRE), small red light, earplugs, leatherman, benchmade knife, dental floss, glint tape, and some baby chems.
I have always liked the ACOG but recently switched to the EOtech. I use a PEQ-2A. For DA I put on a Surefire 962. I like the EOtech so far. Doesn't have the magnification but everytime we got ready for a DA (which was often for a while) I would put on my M68. Now I just keep the EO on. I also use a back up iron sight.
The army issue boots wear out quick over here. I wear a pair of Asolo FSN 95 GTX. These have been the best pair of boots I've ever had. The ankle support is excellent. The soles wore a little thin on all these rocks but overall, I'm satisfied with them and I plan on buying another pair. Other guys wear Merrells and Lowas. They all like them.
I don't like the "skull crusher" (NVG headmount). Never have liked it. I wore one many nights last year. I would put a ball cap on under it when I knew it would be on for a long time. Now I wear a Pro-Tec helmet. It's small and light and extemely comfortable. I screwed a standard helmet mount onto the front and I attached a strobe light to the back for some counter weight. I picked up this trick from our AF CCT guy. Works great out walking for hours on end out in the dark mountains.

Hope any of this helped. Please feel free to PM me with any questions. I'm sometimes out of the net for days or weeks but i'll get back to you. All of this is just my personal list. Take it easy and I will too.

Razor
10-26-2004, 08:27
Viking, great run-down of your gear. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask about your opinions on some of your stuff.

How has the BH stuff held up for you? Are you using mostly the STRIKE stuff (which seems to be better quality than the normal line of gear)?

On the back of your plate carrier, do you use a purpose-built pouch for your med stuff, or just a pouch that holds it all?

Do you think wider flat straps on your TAS Patroller rig would have been more comfortable, or is padding the only way to go for rigs carrying a real combat load?

Good tip on the 550 for checking bodies!

Is the Camelbak BFM holding up ok?

Is there a decent adapter out yet for hooking an MBITR to a 5590 (besides just stripping the connector wires and wrapping them around the batt terminals)?

Have you checked out the Adventure Medical Kits Pocket Survival Pak yet? It has quite a bit of the things you carry, and comes in a small, lightweight, waterproof package. I really like what they offer.

Which Benchmade are you carrying, and what is your opinion on it?

Do you find that you don't often need the 4x magnification of the ACOG, hence the switch to the EOTech?

Thanks again for all the info.

Viking
10-28-2004, 04:09
I'll try to answer the best i can.

the BHI is the STRIKE pouches. They are holding up very well. On my body armor, i put all the med stuff inside the plate pouch. the team all knows its there and i painted a red cross on the velcro opening for the plate. i find the padding more comfortable on the TAS. i sometimes wear it for five or six days at a time with a full combat load. the camelback BFM is nice. it doesn't really have a frame so if my load is over fifty pounds, i use my ALICE. i've only had to do that once this trip and that was because it was a planned seven day trip with no planned resupply so i had extra h2o. the 5590 adapter was made by our group EMS. it looks like an MBITR battery with a wire coming out to plug into the 5590. runs for about two days. thanks for the tip on the adv. med kits i'll check it out. our benchmades are autos. they were issued and i'm not sure of the model # sorry. i carry the binos on my vest so i don't really need the ACOG right now. still not definate. i may switch back to the ACOG. i hope this helps. let me know about anything else.

PSYOP Rob
10-28-2004, 06:24
I have a question about plate carriers versus OTV. Is there a huge tradeoff in protection when using just a plate carrier, ie. the shrapnel and 9mm ballistic protection that the interceptor provides in areas the plates dont cover? Has this been a consideration for anyone when choosing whether to buy a plate carrier or not? Also, does anyone have any experience with products from Patriot performance materials in Sanford, NC?

Viking
10-28-2004, 07:38
patriot performance and tactical assault systems are the same company. i really like the CSP

stanley_white
10-28-2004, 20:07
I have a question about plate carriers versus OTV. Is there a huge tradeoff in protection when using just a plate carrier, ie. the shrapnel and 9mm ballistic protection that the interceptor provides in areas the plates dont cover? Has this been a consideration for anyone when choosing whether to buy a plate carrier or not? Also, does anyone have any experience with products from Patriot performance materials in Sanford, NC?

I like the idea of the concealable level III vest with the plate carrier and level III+ or IV plates as it has more flexibility for different missions.

For example if your mission profile demands you operating in full-house gear then you can wear the concealable vest with plate carrier for maximum protection. If you are rolling out in civvies or otherwise and need ballistic protection but the bulk of the plates is a non-starter then you can wear just the concealable vest.

It all depends upon the demands of your mission.

Viking
10-29-2004, 00:38
here's the TAS rig.

Archer06
10-29-2004, 04:51
Great info. Thanks. It is good to see stuff of this quality comming from 3rd Gp

NousDefionsDoc
10-29-2004, 06:32
Great thread Viking. Thanks for sharing.

frznballz007
11-03-2004, 23:50
Viking,

Great thread, I appreciate the info. Stay safe bro!