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172nd SBCT soldiers try new gear on for size

Mar-22-2005 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

[Link to Full Article] with 3 photos

Spc. Corey Strand
Fort Wainwright PAO

FORT WAINWRIGHT – Hangar 1 was transformed during the first week of March from an aircraft hangar to a warehouse piled high with boots, helmets, uniforms and everything else needed to outfit a brigade with all the gear they will need in Iraq.

Soldiers of the Forward Maintenance Company, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team reported to the hanger in their physical training uniform, carrying their duffel bags and ready to collect their gear.

“We will have another issue in the summer before our deployment for Soldiers unable to make it to this one,” said Cpt. Charles Bovey, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, SBCT.

During the initial phase of Operation Enduring Freedom, many Soldiers were buying things like civilian sunglasses, moisture-wicking t-shirts and socks and civilian global positioning satellite systems to supplement their military issue. The Army responded by dispatching members of Rapid Fielding Initiative to Afghanistan to find out what Soldiers needed to carry out their missions.

The Soldiers told them, and RFI provided the equipment. Currently only those deploying in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom will receive the equipment. “Right now this is all Organizational Clothing Individual Equipment,” said Mike Beggs, ACU unit fielding chief. “Like TA-50 gear, this will have to be turned in when the Soldiers return from their deployment.”

The new uniforms and equipment will be available for general issue in Oct. 2006.

Contact the writer at corey.strand@wainwright.army.mil


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