The photo from the Gulf War, the liberation of Kuwait (Desert Shield/Storm), referenced in the article brings back some fond memories...and I use the term "fond" rather loosely. ^^^^^^These soldiers are at Level 4 ^^^^^^ I wasn't in the Army, but I remember the gas mask we were issued in the USAF along with the other NBC gear. Troops all over the theater had been going to MOPP Level 4 almost nightly while staying on alert for attacks by Scud missiles that might carry chemical agents. What is MOPP Level 4 you ask? MOPP (Mission Oriented Protective Posture) Level 4: Over-garment - Worn Over boots - Worn Mask and hood - Worn Gloves - Worn We slept in this gear on occasion. You'd wake up, if you were lucky to fall asleep, in a very disoriented state of mind. Air Force issue gas mask for this era, an MCU-2/P
Air Force issue gas mask for this era, an MCU-2/P [/QUOTE] Hey, that's the M-1 helmet. Best damn helmet ever made for combat. Excellent wash basin and a fair cooking pot. And it was the only pillow you had when cutting Z's in the bush.
Apparenlty the photo, lifted from the Internets, is from 2004, a Air National Guard unit. It's conceivable they stil use Vietnam era surplus as protective cover, though the gas mask is 90s technology. The Army guys were jealous of our masks, apparently they were a snugger fit, offered up better visibility and communications. Though to me, everyone sounded like Darth Vader while wearing them.
Actually the M-1 helmet is WW ll era. I don't know how I could have shaved and kept myself clean in the bush without it. Never used one for cooking but I'm sure millions of soldiers and Marines did during WW ll and Korea. The M-1 helmet was also used as an excellent entrenching tool for digging fighting holes. (fox holes) Always tried to travel light as possible so always left the entrenching tool behind. If I had to dig in, the helmet moved five times more dirt than an entrenching tool .
