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h USN/USMC helicopter pilot/crew flight gear used in Iraq?

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  • Member since
    November 2005
h USN/USMC helicopter pilot/crew flight gear used in Iraq?
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 15, 2005 8:57 AM
Does anyone know where I might find reference photos of USN/USMC helicopter flight crews in Iraq in full gear, (tan flight suit, vest, helmet, etc). Thanks, Pete
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: phoenix
Posted by grandadjohn on Saturday, January 15, 2005 9:16 AM
found this
http://community.webshots.com/photo/81168340/105090022VExXnR
http://community.webshots.com/photo/81168340/244867372ZRdPYh
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 15, 2005 9:28 AM
Thanks grandadjohn, but those are jet pilots although I know the flight suits are probobly the same. Pete
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Aaaaah.... Alpha Apaches... A beautiful thing!
Posted by Cobrahistorian on Saturday, January 15, 2005 10:56 AM
Hmmmm... what ARE USN and USMC helo flight crews wearing these days? Has the AIRSAVE survival vest/body armor been standardized across the services?
"1-6 is in hot"
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Modeling anything with "MARINES" on the side.
Posted by AH1Wsnake on Saturday, January 15, 2005 12:30 PM
I can say that early in the war (2003), USMC crew had the desert-color flight suit, the basic OD-green survival vest over that, and then an olive-colored vest known as a "chicken plate" that allowed a large ballistic plate to cover their chest area. Marine aviators have camoflauge covers over their helmets....and most of these were still in the green-scheme early on.....but I suspect that most have changed to a desert-colored cover by now.
If you wanted a really interesting uniform, you could have cobra pilots dressed in MOPP-bottom suspender pants and green skivvy shirts! This was while we were operating under the chemical/biological threat, and the idea was, if our crews received a warning that an NBC event had occurred, they would land, throw on their MOPP-top and gas mask, and continue the fight. Of course, the real reason for flying in suspender-pants and a t-shirt was that it was a heck of a lot cooler!

 

"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and those who have met them in battle. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion."
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: phoenix
Posted by grandadjohn on Saturday, January 15, 2005 1:22 PM
maybe this one will help better
http://community.webshots.com/photo/81168340/109462987LZAEih
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 15, 2005 1:55 PM
Pete,

Try these this website for USMC: www.usmc.mil

Once in the homepage type in any of the following in the "Search" box, on the upper left hand side of the screen:
HMM, HMH, or HMLA

Also make sure you have "Image Achive" in the section labeled "Choose Section to Search". (located just below the Search box).

There are a lot of photos of USMC Aircrew in the Image Archive.

For USN try www.navy.mil

Click on "Navy Websites" (on left side of the page) and scroll down to the "H" part. There are websites of various USN helo SQDNs and have pics of their helos and crews.

Have fun.

Carl
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: phoenix
Posted by grandadjohn on Saturday, January 15, 2005 9:33 PM
It should be noted that aircrew will also "customize" the gear to meet the own needs, in additon to those provided by thier unit. Such things as knifes, handguns, etc. are carried according to the individual tastes.
In my case, I always carried a Swiss Army knife in a case on my belt and my Gerber was attached to my survivial vest. I also carried an issue canteen full of water, I also carried a small .22cal pistol in my helmet bag(totally unauthorized in the continental US ) and I was not the only one. If you go down, even in peacetime you can not always know where you are or will be and what will be needed until help arrives.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posted by ridleusmc on Saturday, January 15, 2005 10:47 PM
Hey AH1Wsnake

Are you in Jacksonville right now? Get in touch with me, Jacksonville has a good model club. I'm an airframer with HMH-464. My email is cjridle@hotmail.com
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posted by ridleusmc on Sunday, January 16, 2005 12:53 AM
The first pic shows the desert tan flight suit, the body armor, and MOPP trousers that AH1Wsnake was talking about.
The second pic shows a friend of mine walking to his 53E. That dark green float coat he wouldn't wear while the aircraft is in flight.

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 17, 2005 7:57 AM
Thanks for all of the replies, very helpful. Pete
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