Posted on 01/28/2006 4:33:36 PM PST by Cannoneer No. 4
Yowch.
We'd set up 180 out once [1600 mils out], but didn't have any fire missions until the next day.
Come first light, we all scratched our heads and said, "Aren't we facing the wrong way?"
From there we set up in a nice sand pit, and actually got something done.
We had contact with the opfor team.
After a couple shots, everyone is out of ammo.
Captain starts yelling at us.
My wiseguy response: "Yes sir, we WERE issued four magazines, but only 20 total blank rounds per soldier."
We also once left a troop behind by himself.
We were checking out an area, and the Captain tells the guy pulling Air Guard duty to dismount the vehicle.
Since I was out in the middle of the field we were checking out, I wasn't aware of this.
So we come bustling out of the field due to the neighbors being there, hop in the vehicles and head to the next position.
We get to our destination, I look for our machinegunner.. and then go "where is he?"
I then get told that somehow it is my fault the guy got left behind.
I then get told that somehow it is my fault the guy got left behind.
Splendid links in this article.
Afghan Patrol
With Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Peacekeepers Help Make Kabul Safe For Democracy
Text & Photos by
Warrant Officer Tracy Sapera
After receiving detailed orders and conducting rehearsals, we mounted up in our Light Armoured Vehicles or LAVIIIs. Dressed in our new digital-style Canadian Pattern, (cad-pat) combat clothing for desert operations, we wore our armoured vest with chest and back plates, load-bearing vest, (LBV) for carrying our rifle magazines and other essential equipment, and Kevlar helmet with a Mounted Monocular Night Vision Goggle (MNVG) for observing in the dark. We carried our heavy-barrel C8 [M16A2] rifle with infra-red, (IR) pointer and SureFire flashlight, both mounted on a rail system. We also had two C9 [M249 SAW] gunners with us as we depart Camp Julien.
Yeah.
They're makin' me somewhat jealous.
I see some of the gear and think, "If we'd had that in my old unit.."
The guy who was supposed to do the headcount was the Gunny.
I asked if we had everyone, got told to shutup, and that we indeed had everyone.
(oops!)
So we were down by one guy, and one machinegun.
(I'd have loved to have the updated -249 from the article links!)
The guy who was supposed to do the headcount was the Gunny.
Are they fireproof/fire resistant/fire retardant?
Having once exited the ramp of a CH47 $hithook and peeled off to the side where the engine exhaust set my yowie suit on fire, I'm more than a little curious. [Since my camo suit was based on an oversize helo pilot's Nomex flight suit turned inside out, I suffered only minor discomfort, aside from that to my dignity which was mortally wounded by laughture and requests by my pals to do it again once they'd pulled their cameras out of their rucks.]
Anyway, mech/heloborne troops really do need Nomex or other fireproof outfits.
Someone who is fashion conscious?
It was remarkably fortuitous that the Vietnam-era M1962 web gear ammo pouch that held two M14 magazines flat across the belt would also work with three of the smaller M16 magazines stuffed in sideways. But there were never enough of them, and ammo bandoleers that held seven were the field expedient substitute that unfortunately didn't fare very well in the monsoon season. Others preferred canteen covers or BAR belts, which held 18 magazines- a good start.
Until the 30-round magazines came around, circa 1970 or so, depending on what unit got to call firsties. Then it was canteen covers, AK magazine pouches [with a first-aid dressing or a half-dozen loose rounds stuffed in the bottom, or if you were real lucky, a couple of the magazine pouches used by the Ozstraylions.
The VC had *tactical vests* for their AKs'/Type 56s in the 1960s, helpfully supplied by the Chinese, even if we didn't. By the mid-1970s, I had mine.
Pretty basic, they were good for three magazines [6 if you liked 'em no-rattle tight] a frag grenade on either side and a first-aid pouch or compass.
Amazing what the "clothiers" come up with for the comfort and safety of the troops.
Good for another bump
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