What to bring out on a trip
 

Okay this is for every 18C, not just the 18X that just graduated last week. It is sad when three ODAs and one ODB deploy to conduct combat ops to a forward “Base” and forgot to bring items or equipment forward. Basic tool sets, equipment, and supplies. Bottom line is you MUST take care of YOUR ODA, don’t think that your higher (ODB or FOB will) or others will. To watch the ODB and ODAs looking for hand tools, nails, screws, power tools, tape and mech tools to use to make anything from furniture to breaching charges is very sad.

Facts: Deploying or moving forward to conduct one- to two-week combat operations outside of your assigned Fire Base, you need to plan for the most or worst. If you are living at another camp or forward site you should bring your own supplies. Only one ODA brought basic engineering tools forward to, let's say to make “things” needed for the mission at hand. So with this happening, I think this needs to be brought up and hopefully it will drive what is need by Groups for their AORs. Not just within OIF & OEF deployements.

I’m going to break this down into two different parts. First is things you need to think about getting from home station prior to deploying to OIF or OEF or wherever. Second will be basic things I feel you should always bring if you will be working out of a stationary place outside of a fire base.

Things to have from home station:

Repair and Utilities (R&U) Kit:
- A good cordless power tool set. I like a Makita over a Dewalt. Why? Because of the Skill Saw blade size. Make sure you get a 6 1/2 saw blade, some cordless come in 5 1/4" Makita is 6 ½”. Overseas, you get a lot of unfinished lumber, you need a bigger blade.
++Also get an extra battery charger and make sure you have four batteries total. If you have old ones that came with your tool set, order some new fresh ones with your SOR and Company funds before you deploy. It can be hard (very) to get them in some countries.
- Six (6) good framing hammers, 2 ea 3 to 5 lb. hammers, 2 ea. Cats Paw or nail pullers and 2-4ea 25 ft. tape measures. When you get into country get 2-3 meter tape measures so you can tell locals the sizes that you need something made in. This way they can take the measurements too.
- Corded power tools. You will need to bring the following; IMHO, this is what I like to have. Plus, once you get to a good foreign country (Europe) you need to get as many in 220-240V as you can.
+ Skill Saw with 2-3 25-40 tooth cut (higher better for 2’X4” cutting) and 6o+ tooth cut for finishing, plywood and Plexiglas (Carbide Teeth), and 1-2 masonry and metal cutting blades.
+ Standard ½” drills with a good drill bit set. You need a drill bit set that covers everything from wood to metal to concrete.
+ Hammer drill With third world materials and concrete you need one.
- 4-5 good hand saws. It’s good to have two cross cut and ripping saws, I would say two of each type. I like to have a Shark tooth saw too; it can cut both – Cross and Rip.
- Tree Bow Saw. Get 4-6 blades on top of the on that it comes with. Look in third world countries you find a lot of rough cut lumber. Sometimes, you may have only trees to deal with. A hand box saw can come in handy too.
- Chain Saw. With trees and rough lumber a chain saw is a Charlie’s best friend at times. I like a Husqvarna; you want something that you can work on easily. Mr. Harsey your input here, please chime in!! Get extra chains, spark plugs, and a tool key too. Make sure you get the 2-cycle oil for the fuel mix, and bar oil too, a box key for each saw should work. You have to know your AOR for this.
- Hex tool set: get English and a metric set each.
- A Dremel tool kit, I like a Roto Zip set. They make a cordless one now, so that helps out. This can be used with your demo set too.
- A good tool set. Some like a Craftsman or Mac Tool set. Get it in a plastic tool box and something over 110 tools. It’s good to have it in metric and English.
- Tool belts or apron (Added). 2-4 each if you’re doing a lot of building. Get more with your mission (MTT) fund site. Make sure it has a nail pouch and hammer “hook”.
- Nails and screws. Get some, screws are more important than nails. Third world screws are typically flat head screws and they SUCK!!
- A box of Series 5200 locks. People like to cut them and our ODA always has a universal key when we deploy. Don't forget your master key!
- Extension cords: 2-4 25 ft. cords, 1-2 50 ft. and 100 ft. cords. You need to get some of the cords with a three plug head. Get a heavy enough gauge cord for the loads you plan on running. Ask your 18E if you need help with the electrical calculations.
- A small generator. 5-15K is great and is overkill. But if you have to a lot of work or run some heaters or OPCEN items they work. Mil Gens are too big IMO.
- Lastly get a home improvement book. Something like the Home Depot or Lowe's book that covers just about everything within a house repair. An electrical one helps too.

Demo Kit. Well it is no longer the SDK, the regular Army has it now. So plan for your shortcomings on the supplies within it. All of those nice MOD shaped charges are all EOD items. What you were taught in the Q-course during CALC & PLACE is not what they were used for. Find the SDK TM book and you will see what they are used for. With that note, get your supply NCO to order what you want. He will have to re-confirm the order every 30-60 days, so you have to remind him.

What I think you need extra for a Demo Kit: (others chime in)
- The Dremel tool set works great for building Breaching charges.
- Tape Tape Tape!! Get some from the store. That DOD Lighthouse for the Blind doesn’t stick too well in the heat. Get colored duct tape.
- Spray adhesive.
- Get some craft store Super Glue. Regular Super Glue doesn’t stick to plastic and Demo well if at all. The craft type from a craft supply store works great.
- Electrical wire strippers. Pick up at least two.
- If you Demo Kit don’t have the Gerber DEMO/EOD Tool get two for you and the other 18C. They will walk off if not secured.
- Utility knife. Get 4-6 utility cutting knives to aid in cutting demo instead of your Benchmade you use to open your food with. Get extra blade sets too.
- Order good commo wire (copper) from your SIGDET if you plan on doing electrical caps. Some foreign countries only use electrical caps, check on where you are going.
- Double sided adhesive tape. Super tape or something along those lines. Check with your SFAUC committee or CIF Company. They will know what is working in which ever theater you are going to.
- Rubber bands. As needed, all sizes. Riggers will have the heavy ones.
- Medical tape. I like taping my charges with 1” medical tape then writing the DTG made and charge name. Time systems, the same way.
- Paint markers. Two sets are working fine. Get some for your 18B and 18E, they like them too.

Going to another Fire Base
 

Look, I will always take some needed supplies and equipment while on a mission. Everyone does, you need to plan for what you doing.

Here is a small list of what I would take if I'm going to stage out of someone else's fire base. US, NATO, ISAF, Coalition, etc. (added) You can say your going on a combat mission, but you will almost always need to build something for your ODA. DEMO Charges, Weapon Racks or mounts. Fix something that gets broken. So they way I roll is I bring what I can fit into my truck or best trailer for the unknow that awaits me at the new Fire base. If it is not another ODA or ODB, I bring my "stuff" for the COMBAT mission ahead. If your going out to do a DA stlye mission you don't need this. We know that, this is from that place that you will be staging out of. Find out what is there and work from there on what your ODA needs to bring forward.

Two items that are great to have are a mechanic's tool box or kit and a spot-arc welder kit/set.

Try to get an electrical class and a welding class for PMT training. It will help you out. KBR and Locals aren't always there when you need them.

While in country:

R&U kit:

Hammers, power tool sets (corded & cordless), a couple of your hand saws and maybe the tree bow saw. Get some nails to travel with. Plan to have wood shipped to wherever you are. If someone is “watching” your FB, ensure they know where your wood, nails, etc. are located. I run with my Cordless tool set and a hand tool bag wioth some nails in a ammo can.

DEMO:

Deploy with enough demo to make war with. Ensure that you bring (100 mile) tape, thumb tacks, rubber matting, adhesive tape and spray, as well as charge “sticks”. Bringing along some cardboard can help out too.

MtnGoat-
I'm sitill working on that other project, it keeps blowing up on me (probably cause it's for you, damn 18C), but here are some ideas from my time in construction.

A lockable gangbox to keep the tools in is essential, besides security - everything is in one place.

You need to have a couple of 16 oz hammers on top of the heavy framers - and go with the most ergonomic designs out there for all of them, some even have vibration damping - you will thank me for this advice after 3 days of driving nails.

Have manual backups for all of your power tools, and yes that includes hand augers and hand drills - don't forget bits tthat work in the auger too (diamond chuck most of the time)

3 or 4 ratchet sets (2 ea metric from .5 mm to 30mm sockets and cut drivers, and 2 ea english from 1/64 to 2 in sockets and cut drivers)

Don't cheap out on drill bits, that is one place you will pay for frugality and make sure to mark your wood bits and metal/carbide bits differently - wood bits suck in metal, and metal bits gum up in wood - always clean your bits after use, and buy a bit sharpener.

Rather than buy different sets of tools for different voltages, get a multi socket voltage converter/inverter - probably cheaper to get 2 than have 4 sets of tools. and if you really bhave $$ in the budget - a diesel generator might be a good idea if it fits the mission.

Ok, I'm prepared to take fire now for my suggestions.

That is some outstanding work VG, and is a great planning document, especially for those making their first trip into the box. As a matter of fact, your writing is getting much better too, that was damn near perfect.

Last time I checked, they didn't teach deployment lists (or property book accountability) in the 18C course. 18Cs better get the info they need on it on their own.

x SF med is also correct. The above items will walk off with your teammates using them in CONUS. You get in theater and slickie boy is going to have half your gear at the end of the first day. Get a lock box and some spare locks. Issue that stuff out like you were at the auto craft shop. Check it for all components when they return it. That $350 saw isn't much good if the blade breaks and the spares are all gone to the local open air market.

You new 18Cs take this for action. The life you save could be your own.

Great work, hermano!

TR

TR-
Property book accountability could be accomplished with a simple database or excel spreadsheet if you have a laptop available, plus you could run a 'balance sheet' with purchase dates for all of the items. The last part sounds anal, but even a good $300 drill motor will only last about 5 yrs of heavy use, it's a good way to accrue your budget for repurchase/replacement of items.

For expendibles - nails, tape, epoxy, screws, drill bits, driver tips, wire, wire nuts, bolts, washers... (lots of #2 phillips bits, they walk away and get stripped) keeping track of what's used will help you plan future projects - and you can see if you can locally source them on site rather than carry them.

Another type of item that gets forgotten - pipe wrenches / adjustable wrenches, all it takes is one plumbing job where all you have is large channel locks.... and don't forget a pipe cutter too - one that is rated for pig/slag iron and one that is rated for pvc / copper / galvanized.

As for power tools - Ryobi, Makita, Dewalt, and Rigid are very good - Porteer Cable has gone downhill over the past couple of years. I've got a Ryobi 18v cordless multi toque drill driver that is great, and the batteries will work with all kinds of add on tools - reciprocating saws, circular saws, I think they even have a jig saw attachment now. quick charge, lots of power and a speed chuck that really locks down - not hyper expensive, and extra batteries and chargers are not budget killers either - 4 hr charge from dead, 1 hr quick charge - the ylast about 4-5 hrs of work each.

I can see from the lists that times have really changed. But the posts reflect one thing that hasn't......I used to inventory my boxes/gear every Monday morning because things do seem to walk off!

Accountability for property always has been and always will be an issue.

Jim

MG - Excellent post/advice. I'm sorry to see you having to reinvent the wheel though. I've been counseled a few times for assembling kits containing most of what you've listed. Course that was in the days of "peacetime" supply accountability and busybodies that had problems with "excess property". x-SF-med - that's a good addendum. Especially the part about the gangbox. I'm assuming weight is no longer the problem it used to be when outloading? You might consider adding a couple furniture dollies and a hand truck to the list. Rolling beats carrying and there's almost never anyone free to help move loaded boxes when the time comes. (Hernias are a mission stopper.) Peregrino


P.S. MG - did you cheat and get an editor to proof spelling and grammar? :p

Couple things to add...

R&U kit, don't forget a couple up/down converters. They are invaluable but you can also usually buy some in country. Don't forget that the GMV come's with a 110 volt power supply so you can charge batteries out on patrol, even if you don't have a generator.

Demo kit, a couple bags of large wowen's hair clips, to attach the firing system to the charge.

Peregrino-
Most of the new gangboxes come with locking wheels now - and a folding pull handle on each end - Knaack makes the best, although not the lightest. Building removeable dividers into the box so stuff doesn't shift too horribly is great too. and level maps for what's where once the dividers are in saves time finding and invetorying items.

I wish I had been an 18C now, you guys get power tools.

Have you played with the idea of one of the electric nail guns, if you have the inverter on hand, it would speed up any construction, they'll handle up to 18d nails now, they're not just for trim, and no compressor.

One of the gun shops I work for uses Knaack Boxes to transport inventory to/from gunshows, and as a desk/retail counter while at the show.

I ahve also seen Nail guns that were Propane powered, taking a standard camp stove type propane cylinder. I think I saw them in Popular Mechanics a while back.

Good times,
Blake

We used standard pneumatic nailers and air tools. (See the Redneck Engineering thread.) As long as you have an in-line regulator and the appropriate adaptors any vehicle with air brakes will run them. If you only have HMMV varients there's always portable compressors. They keep getting smaller, more powerful and more durable all the time. I'm a big fan of pressurized air; it's always useful for something. I've used the propane powered nailers (Paslode makes a good one) and they're great - as long as you can find the cartridges and keep the batteries charged. Peregrino

If fastening to concrete- Tapcons!! Get the real ones, they come with a bit for piloting and a driver. They come in all sizes and are outstanding.

VG,

Thanks for the tips/ideas. I'll share this with my Sr. when I get back to work and add this to my references.

PS. Have you happened to recieve any Oberta Beef Jerkey products recently?

Now this is funny, I can feel your hand hitting the back of my head on the first line. "SGT your on it (Pop) this time." LOL

Property Book accountability was being taught in the course from 02-05ish. It got cut for not being needed as much as somthing else. The talk was the new guys could learn on the ODAs and on Deploys. I was like, well thats really hooking the guys and ODAs up. It was only a day long blcok, covered the basics. At one point it was only for about 3-4 hours, done under the table and not on the POI at that time I was told. Sad to know that its gone. Knowing the basics on 2062, LOGSTATs, SF-44 (OPFUNDS), Logisitical Class and how "stuff" works is a lot for a Sr to cover while doing PMT or Load out. But thats what we have always be doing, so no change on that end.

Off my box

I was going to add this as an Edit on the hair clips. Wish we had some here somethings.

Zip Ties of different lenghts and sizes are valuable when making charges.

Don"t forget the oils and lubricants for all those tools...if it requires a specific one take it or otherwise WD40 is a good cover-all.

looking through some "old" packing lists...I'll be back

Break Free or some other CLP - WD 40 can get gummy and attracts dust and sand.

Great Thread. Thanks Mtn Goat. I guess what used to me institutional knowledge isn't. Thanks again for getting the word out.
Abu Jack

Good point about the wd40, however if used correctly dust and sand won't be a problem. Also depends on what part of the world you may be deploying....

Not on a saw blade or to lube hinges, or for about 999 other uses.

The CLP collects dust and grit just as badly, as it is heavier.

TR

Or a couple of cans of 3 in 1 would work too.
Scotchbrite, 0000 steelwool, and some good fine grit emery paper were left out of the R&U kit, all have multiple uses (cleaning and finishing).

jeweller's rouge works well as a fine abrasive...if you are patient...

I remember wondering what the dull spots on the glass cover of the Tm Ldr's desk were when I first got to 775 in Panama. Seems the Sr. Eng. needed a perfectly flat surface so he could hand lap the valves off of the dive compressor. Learned a lot on that team. Peregrino

This seems like a no brainier, but a good Tool bag to hold your Hammers, marking tools, pencils, markers, plumb bob, hand tools (screw driver, ETC) that you use a lot along with all of those items that seem to walk away on there own.

Added Items:
Carpenters square, 2ea
One foot level along with a three foot one
1-2 chalk line with a refill bottle
Miter Saw Protractor, small one, great for trying to find what cut (angle) you need in that special area.

This gets away from tool's and demo equipment, but it is still a 18C item. If your conducting mounted op's, you should always have a good recovery kit. Preferable 1 per truck, but at a minimum at least one per convoy.

This is a pretty good basic kit.

http://www.4x4wire.com/reviews/eoprecov/

The only thing I would add to it, is an extra length of cable 25 to 50 ft long, that would fit through the pulley.

Plus do regular PMCS on the winch on your vehicle to ensure that it will work properly when needed.

good idea...because i now normally travel paved roads, i quit carrying a come-along in the truck...unless you get really stupid, it can be used to get out of most situations (if used with patience and common sense)...

DEMO BOX add on
 

9 Volt Batts for your CD-450 and RAMS. re-fill your 450s and put 6-8 9 Volts in the top cut out of your RAMS metal box. I would take one full box of 9Vs. They are hard to get here from the SIGDET and Local ones SUX.

Also, for all of you new 18C coming from the Course. Pass the word; we have TDFDs and your istructors need to cover them more!! I use have and use them!! There not GONE and you will or can see them in your future.

Ive always been a fan of the 18B and 18C combined tool sets, it cuts down on boxes and space, the only thing the 18B needs in addition is a rubber mallet
punch set and a Hex wrench set. all the rest of the tools the 18C already has in his kit like screwdrivers, pliers,wire cutters, bolt cutters, and heavy hammers,
all teams should have a air compresser now days, they can be used for everything. not a fan of rechargable tools they always run out of juice when you need them the most, Air power is much more dependable, it just makes more noise is all. and of course your little honda portable generator.

Agree with that also you can carry a army issue grounding rod in your truck if you get stuck pound that grounding rod in the ground all the way then attach your pulley to it if you are in a spot with no ancor point or tree's its expendable just leave the rod.

I have gone through two different sets of drill bits during this trip. I didn't get them, nor do I know if the got NEW ones for this trip. I would say ensure you get NEW drill sets, maybe two extra of 1/2", 3/4" and any you typically use more of. If you can get a drill sharper machine. There small and portable, great to have. I brought mine over, but it got pluged into a 220V socket. D@mn the bad luck.

Hey this isn't just for an 18C to post his ideas. Like MAX TAB and 7624U posted, its open to all. I would like some one who knows Chain saw to post what they like to use. So if you have some good ideas from when you were deployed and wished you took it and you did pack it out and it helped out. Tell us so we all know. Even if its something you do back here at home station or on your 4x4 rock crawler.

Goat-
Make sure you get at least 2 sets each of bits for wood and metal - they cut differently and using wood bits on metal will ruin them, as will using metal bits on wood - always lube while metal cutting - to preserve the bits (light machine oil is best) DON'T CHEAP OUT ON THE BITS, or saw blades (reciprocating saws are your friend!) or carbide cutting wheels. Just my .02 from about 7 years in commercial construction and a lifetime of woodworking.

Had these PMed to me.. didn't see these posted:


-British Standard Whitworth wrenches. It’s a common fastener used up until the mid 70's on British vehicles and machinery, I've been told The Aussies still use it on the Rovers the produce under license.

- Metal Devil saw blades (http://www.metaldevil.com). They last many times longer than the abrasive steal cutting blades for circular saws, and I have never had one grenade because the metal doesn't get hot and pinch the blade.

- Ratchet straps; Holding, pulling, securing, or what ever else you can think of.

- Hi-lift jack and Jack-Mate . Besides used for changing big tires, they can be used for clamping, spreading, and as a big come along. http://www.jackmate.com/jm8000.php
http://www.hi-lift.com

-Milwaukee 28v cordless tools. Powerful, bomb proof, US made, long battery life, no heavier than my old 18v set, and a battery charge indicator. They have an SDS hammer drill, 1/2 impact, and some other heavy duty items in their line up. I picked up a second drill and 1/2 impact on eBay for 90 bucks each.

Just my 3rd post here including the intro and do not want to over step my bounds.

I like to carry a 10 or 20 lbs CO2 bottle with regulator and coiled flex hose with Quick Disconnect. 1/2 Drive impact wrench + air chuck. This is great for inflating tires after airing down for off road operations. This set up works well for nailguns or any other air powered tool.

Have you gents seen or used liquid electricle tape? I have found it very helpful in field electricle repairs or replacing wire insulation if a small short has occured as a temporary repair.


(edit add)I use this when off roading

Electrical...
 

Major issues when either setting up the Team House / Fire Base can be solved by pre-fabbing the electrical system. The PDSS should answer most questions for what needs upgrade or built from scratch. If nothing else, have some US Standard wire, switches, sockets, breaker box, etc. Also if you don't have an electricaly inclined team mate a couple of books on the subject along with any TM's that you can find for generator sets (5-10k at least). Other expendable stuff that helps out like wing nuts, electrical tape, breakers, zip-ties, and wire wall staples. Some things that would have helped tremendously on my last trip. Just my .02, have a good un'

Great thread.

What's the rep on Hilti tools? I've heard from one charlie I know that they're great/awesome, etc, but never used them myself. They're also very expensive.

I don't like DeWalt too much, their batteries seem to go to shit fast. Was thinking of buying some Makita or Ryobi power tools, but if Hilti is better I'll look into it.

Hilti = heavy construction. Think parking garages, sky scrappers, piers, etc.

x/S

Bench Grinder.

4" hand grinder with steel cutting discs and abrasive flap pads.

All- thread, various sizes, in lengths with associated hardware.

Cheater Pipes/Breaker Bars, 2" Dia- 3' Length.

Spud/Tanker/Pinch Bar.

Post hole diggers.

Cable Puller/Hand Winch/Come Along with snatch block pulleys, chain and hooks.

Sledge Hammer.

Rope.

Rigging TM 5-725

Fluke Multi-Meter

To add to previous replies in regards to drill bits......

I am personally bringing a "Drill Doctor" on my next trip to keep up with the demand for sharp bits. Thing works great, have been using it for a while now and love it.

Sharp bits in the sand box seem to be few and far between

Thought I add this:
http://www.goweld.com/

Special Operations Construction (SOC)
 

TO - Theater of Operation Construction has been changed to Special Operations Construction (SOC) for anyone that has been out of it or under a rock like me.

Also you can contact 18C Committee or get on their AKO site and download the NEW SOC handbook.