.In reversal, Army issues lighter gear for Afghanistan deployments
WASHINGTON — The Army has ordered that $3 million in new, lighter combat gear be sent immediately to two battalions preparing for Afghanistan, officials have disclosed.
The decision lifts a hold that the Army had ordered last month on the experimental effort. The Army's turnabout came after The New York Times reported April 18 on the decision to halt the shipment and after Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates asked the Army to explain the delay.
"Secretary Gates takes a special interest in all force protection matters," said Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary. "He wanted to know why this latest body armor design had not yet been provided to our soldiers in the field. He asked his staff to get to the bottom of it."
On Friday, Army officials said the predeployment tests of the equipment had been completed, and that the service's leadership was satisfied that the new gear would adequately protect soldiers while helping to relieve exhaustion and reduce injuries, and enable greater mobility.
Among the equipment being sent to Afghanistan, about five pounds will be cut with the use of a lighter, more comfortable vest and carrier system for bulletproof plates that cover the chest and back, Army officials said. However, the Army decided not to send a lighter model of bulletproof plates as originally proposed, but instead will continue using the current Army-approved plates that are about four pounds heavier.
The lighter plates have been adopted by the military's Special Operations Command, which includes the Army's elite light infantry troops, the Rangers. But senior Army officials said the extra protection offered by the heavier plates was important to protect soldiers on patrol in Afghanistan, given the increase in insurgent violence.
Together, the new body armor, boots, rucksacks, weapons and slings for carrying extra bullets will shave at least 13 pounds from the load of the average soldier and almost 25 pounds for those who carry heavy machine guns.
MercuryNews
The decision lifts a hold that the Army had ordered last month on the experimental effort. The Army's turnabout came after The New York Times reported April 18 on the decision to halt the shipment and after Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates asked the Army to explain the delay.
"Secretary Gates takes a special interest in all force protection matters," said Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary. "He wanted to know why this latest body armor design had not yet been provided to our soldiers in the field. He asked his staff to get to the bottom of it."
On Friday, Army officials said the predeployment tests of the equipment had been completed, and that the service's leadership was satisfied that the new gear would adequately protect soldiers while helping to relieve exhaustion and reduce injuries, and enable greater mobility.
Among the equipment being sent to Afghanistan, about five pounds will be cut with the use of a lighter, more comfortable vest and carrier system for bulletproof plates that cover the chest and back, Army officials said. However, the Army decided not to send a lighter model of bulletproof plates as originally proposed, but instead will continue using the current Army-approved plates that are about four pounds heavier.
The lighter plates have been adopted by the military's Special Operations Command, which includes the Army's elite light infantry troops, the Rangers. But senior Army officials said the extra protection offered by the heavier plates was important to protect soldiers on patrol in Afghanistan, given the increase in insurgent violence.
Together, the new body armor, boots, rucksacks, weapons and slings for carrying extra bullets will shave at least 13 pounds from the load of the average soldier and almost 25 pounds for those who carry heavy machine guns.
MercuryNews
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