Do our troops over there carry their gas masks (technically, MOPP gear) around with them a lot? I’ve had to sometimes in training here in the U.S. - and it sucks. Especially when you can’t use inserts and you wear glasses and you have to put the thing on. I would hope they wouldn’t have to carry it on their person all the time, but have it close by. I like to look at pictures of combat in Iraq, but I never see them carrying MOPP gear. Of course, the odds of a NBC attack while clearing a building is extremely low.
Lately, everyone has gone back to that, yes. Mililtary and attached civilians alike. We cannot leave a secured base without one..and the convoy commanders check for it before you can get into the vehicle. Same with boarding helicopters.