Special Forces In Baghdad (Large Picture).

[Operator Gordon]

I hope this ain't been posted before guys but enjoy.

http://mchugh.house.gov/pr2003/McHugh.SpecialForces.Baghdad.jpg

[Bayonet]

I cant see anything.... p-)

Where do special forces hide in Baghdad..? ;)

[cqbrdy]

what "ODA" is this?

[Operator Gordon]

Here is the link to the picture (hope it works for you all).

http://mchugh.house.gov/pr2003/McHugh.SpecialForces.Baghdad.jpg

[Operator Gordon]

cqbrdy, I ain't got a 'scooby doo' mate (Cockney slang for 'no clue', he he). Cool picture tho.

[ShotOver]

The most hardcore Airsofters ever..

[TFG]

What unit are these guys with? I'm suprised "special forces" are using PVS7s still, you'd think they'd have replaced those with PVS14s by now.

[Uncle Chô]

NKDA : No Known Drug Allergies

[ibstolidude]

What unit are these guys with? I'm suprised "special forces" are using PVS7s still, you'd think they'd have replaced those with PVS14s by now.
many, many, many, many, many, many....................................
people still choose to use ab/pvs7d - especially when you may be wearing them for loooooong hours. the PVS 14 (a mono optic) is great if attached to a weapon behind an optic - but pretty ****ty as a helmet piece for long hours, driving, guarding , patrolling, etc - it'll be 7D's for me & most everyone I have seen. If attached to your weapon you need to put your weapon to your head to see anything. Especially with the use of the an/peq 2 and similiar why limit oneself?

Static yea; dynamic no.
Atleast for a differing opinion.

[Deuterium]

What unit are these guys with? I'm suprised "special forces" are using PVS7s still, you'd think they'd have replaced those with PVS14s by now.

14's blow with a helmet mount. It's very easy to snap the mount. Also 7's are issued per man. You only have a couple of 14s on the team. I got to use 15's on the last deployment. They just plain ROCK. Vast improvement over the 7s or 14s.

http://www.ownthenight.com/images/products/goggles/g5.jpg

[MEGR]

Good Pic! Thanks!

[hank]

I cant see anything.... p-)

Where do special forces hide in Baghdad..? ;)

God help us.

hank

[Uncle Sam]

Great pic.

[ibstolidude]

What unit are these guys with? I'm suprised "special forces" are using PVS7s still, you'd think they'd have replaced those with PVS14s by now.

14's blow with a helmet mount. It's very easy to snap the mount. Also 7's are issued per man. You only have a couple of 14s on the team. I got to use 15's on the last deployment. They just plain ROCK. Vast improvement over the 7s or 14s.

http://www.ownthenight.com/images/products/goggles/g5.jpg
PVS 17 for weapons are also a wonderful "toy".

[Deuterium]

What unit are these guys with? I'm suprised "special forces" are using PVS7s still, you'd think they'd have replaced those with PVS14s by now.

14's blow with a helmet mount. It's very easy to snap the mount. Also 7's are issued per man. You only have a couple of 14s on the team. I got to use 15's on the last deployment. They just plain ROCK. Vast improvement over the 7s or 14s.

http://www.ownthenight.com/images/products/goggles/g5.jpg
PVS 17 for weapons are also a wonderful "toy".

Indeed. I wish the MTOE was higher.

[BR]

Why do they carry scissors? To cut the uniforms in case of wounding or there is any special reason?

[tuckerhat]

disregard

[tuckerhat]

Why do they carry scissors? To cut the uniforms in case of wounding or there is any special reason?

they look like trauma sheers to me.

[king_nothing100]

Why do they carry scissors? To cut the uniforms in case of wounding or there is any special reason?

Someone obviously hasn't heard of the US Special Forces detatched barber unit, give you a elite short back and sides, or any other hairstyle you wish.

[Some Guy]

See all those zip ties? Scissors are how you get them off of people who don't need to be tied anymore.

[Seraphim]

Why do they carry scissors? To cut the uniforms in case of wounding or there is any special reason?

Uhm obviously to cut things.

[rob]

you didnt hear, those are the new socom OCS(offensive cutting system) sissors

[fokket]

The scissors are also used to cut plastic cuffs.

[Seraphim]

The scissors are also used to cut plastic cuffs.


Yeah that and only that. :roll:

[Some Guy]

The scissors are also used to cut plastic cuffs.


Yeah that and only that. :roll:

Roll your eyes somewhere else. Fokket knows exactly what he's talking about here. You can guess and conjecture all day long about what a pair of scissors can cut but the reason more than half the guys in the pic have them up front is to cut plastic cuffs.

[BR]

The scissors are also used to cut plastic cuffs.


Roll your eyes somewhere else. Fokket knows exactly what he's talking about here. You can guess and conjecture all day long about what a pair of scissors can cut but the reason more than half the guys in the pic have them up front is to cut plastic cuffs.

I only made that question just because almost of them have scissors.

Thanks for answering!

[ZoneOne]

i think a nice pocket knife -- which i figure they have too -- would work and you wouldnt have to bring a KNIFE and a pair of SCISSORS

[Some Guy]

i think a nice pocket knife -- which i figure they have too -- would work and you wouldnt have to bring a KNIFE and a pair of SCISSORS

Let me quote someone who would know:
"it's kinda embarrassing to put cuffs on someone, then slit there wrist getting them off."

[ZeroPositive]

cool photo well geared out :)

[hood]

Why do they carry scissors? To cut the uniforms in case of wounding or there is any special reason?

Everyone knows that they're to cut through the beaurecratic red tape which would normally accompany the purchase orders for such elaborate weapon mods. :)

[Fintin]

a few thoughts on this pic..

scissors...hes probly the medic...used to cut off anything in the area of the wound...


now for a few questions...

why do some have mags in their rifles...while others dont...

anyone care to explain why some of them obviously have new upper receivers?

[MVSpartan117]

Because the US doesnt have enough ammo for all the soldiers..... duh!

p-)


They were just probably called over for a pic and it didnt really matter if they had their mags in.

know what I mean?

[ZeroPositive]

no can u say it again :D
Some people ask such errr well thought out questions....

[ZoneOne]

"it's kinda embarrassing to put cuffs on someone, then slit there wrist getting them off."


If you put handcuffs on anyone -- i think you would be competant enough to NOT cut the persons wrist with the knife

the handcuffed man struggles -- his fault

all im saying is having a pair of scissors on you is extra **** to worry about -- if you have a knife -- it will do the job those scissors will do

I mean its one more thing to worry about losing or what not

[Steve Andrews]

A colleague at work has a nasty scar caused by trying to cut a cable-tie with a knife.

Plasti-cuffs are tough buggers. EMT shears are the safe, and professional, option.

[brachialstun]

Shears serve a variety of purposes. From cutting flexicuffs to removing clothing; they allow the user to make more precise cuts than those offered by a knife.

[Some Guy]

"it's kinda embarrassing to put cuffs on someone, then slit there wrist getting them off."


If you put handcuffs on anyone -- i think you would be competant enough to NOT cut the persons wrist with the knife

all im saying is having a pair of scissors on you is extra **** to worry about -- if you have a knife -- it will do the job those scissors will do

I mean its one more thing to worry about losing or what not

Great points one and all! They could probably save some weight by getting rid of those glow sticks too.. I mean, this is an Arab country.. you probably can't find a Rave for hundreds of miles.. Disco, sure..but no raves..

And this quote:

the handcuffed man struggles -- his fault
earns you the nickname "Stone Cold" :hug:

[Some Guy]

Shears serve a variety of purposes. From cutting flexicuffs to removing clothing; they allow the user to make more precise cuts than those offered by a knife.

Your new nickname:
Shear Advisory Council Spokesperson

[shrek]

You guys kill me, you will argue over the simplest of things for hours, I love it!!

Those neato scissors are standard in the new Combat Lifesavers medic kit that everyone is supposed to know how to use now (in SF). I never used them for medical stuff but they are the greatest for cutting zip ties, heavy belts and 550 cord and they will cut a penny in half, they're tuff mothers. I'm not sure why everyone has them on the front of their vests, probably just a uniform agreement so everyone will know where everyones is, is that as clear as mud.

Generally we kept mags out when in a safe, occupied dwelling like the pallace they're in, some put theirs in for the pic.

YES, God help me 14's will give you a migraine in 5 minutes if you try to do anything but shoot your weapon with them. Wanna know how it feels?Those of you with glasses take them off and just look through one lens, then walk around and try to work!! There's no depth perception and your mind continually flip-flops on which eye to pay attention to. I was in a hummer with a Ranger named Monkey when he hit two signs, ran off and embankment and almost into the river then ran up on a wall and turned the hummer on it's side, it stopped only because of the MK-19 on top.

I would guess 3rd group!!

[DE_Six]

Can you tell us more about the Combat Lifesaver kit? Is it large? Is it issued on an individual basis (in SF at least) or only to 18D/medics?

Also, anyone used the PVS-18, or has it been replaced by the PVS-15 (which looks like a binocular PVS18 tubes welded together)? I guess the PVS14's bugs also apply, given it's a monocular NVS too.

[Whisper_44]

I was in a hummer with a Ranger named Monkey when he hit two signs, ran off and embankment and almost into the river then ran up on a wall and turned the hummer on it's side, it stopped only because of the MK-19 on top.

I'm telling you man, your stories are golden, you need to think about a book deal, Shrek III - "a day in the life"

Not for all the action and adventure, but for the real world every day stuff, that made up your days. I'll bet you had some good AAR's ;)

[shrek]

Thanks Whisper! I am writing down some of the more humorous and not so humorous days with my team as well as all the quotes that made us laugh until we pissed in our pants.

Example: After the local village leader said that a bad man was hiding an IED in the road and it blew up and that he was glad that he was dead we ask him if he was sure that there was only one man, he said yes.

Later, our medic walked up with two bloody objects in his hands and said, "Hey, Haji man, Right leg, Right leg, unless this was one f..ked up individual there was two people crouching over that thing when it went off"!

Classic, morbid, but classic!!

[hank]

Thanks Whisper! I am writing down some of the more humorous and not so humorous days with my team as well as all the quotes that made us laugh until we pissed in our pants.

Example: After the local village leader said that a bad man was hiding an IED in the road and it blew up and that he was glad that he was dead we ask him if he was sure that there was only one man, he said yes.

Later, our medic walked up with two bloody objects in his hands and said, "Hey, Haji man, Right leg, Right leg, unless this was one f..ked up individual there was two people crouching over that thing when it went off"!

Classic, morbid, but classic!!

We'll get Guy Ritchie to direct/produce and Brad Pitt can play shrek. It can be the Middle Eastern sequel to Lock, Stock and Snatch.

I'll do all the contract work for a nominal fee. Deut can play the tough guy. CJ will be the goofy radio operator. seoustriker can play the medic. Farmgirl will be shrek's love interest. Trigger will be monkey, goes without saying.

hank

[Deuterium]

a few thoughts on this pic..

scissors...hes probly the medic...used to cut off anything in the area of the wound...


now for a few questions...

why do some have mags in their rifles...while others dont...

anyone care to explain why some of them obviously have new upper receivers?

It's probably a cheese photo. Notice some of the expressions in the back? Stupid make me put on all my kit for some lame photo #$@!^%$*&*^%!!!

[ChuckThunder]

a few thoughts on this pic..

scissors...hes probly the medic...used to cut off anything in the area of the wound...


now for a few questions...

why do some have mags in their rifles...while others dont...

anyone care to explain why some of them obviously have new upper receivers?

It's probably a cheese photo. Notice some of the expressions in the back? Stupid make me put on all my kit for some lame photo #$@!^%$*&*^%!!!

Hehe. This dude does not look every pleased.

http://img56.photobucket.com/albums/v170/Chuck314/35wu64t.jpg

[Beowulf]

What unit are these guys with? I'm suprised "special forces" are using PVS7s still, you'd think they'd have replaced those with PVS14s by now.

14's blow with a helmet mount. It's very easy to snap the mount. Also 7's are issued per man. You only have a couple of 14s on the team. I got to use 15's on the last deployment. They just plain ROCK. Vast improvement over the 7s or 14s.

http://www.ownthenight.com/images/products/goggles/g5.jpg
PVS 17 for weapons are also a wonderful "toy".

Indeed. I wish the MTOE was higher.

hehehe...I got to use 21's on occasion. purty sweeet

[shrek]

For DE6:

The kits are supposed to be given to everyone. The medics still do the real work we're just trained to do stuff like intubate and save some dude that's really in bad shape and the medic can't get to right away, or perhaps if it's the medic himself that got hit!!!

The bags are about the size of, ummmm, errrrrrrrr a mailbox, yeh, a mailbox. they fold out like a rifle cleaning kit and have everything you would need, i.e. chest tubes, intubaters (sp?) and yes, scissors!



A combat lifesaver is a soldier who has received rudimentary training in advanced first aid skills. These advanced skills include wilderness first aid but also some paramedic skills such as intubation and advanced airway management.
Combat lifesavers are neither first aid providers nor fully qualified emergency medical technicians. They are a weird mixture of both optimized to provide lifesaving care for trauma and medical emergencies on the battlefield.

Combat lifesaver skills are exactly that, for use in combat conditions only. The alternative is not between skilled care and a (much less qualified) lifesaver's care, but between basic first aid and a lifesaver's care. The combat lifesaver is a link in the military chain of survival between buddy and self first aid and the platoon medic who is a fully qualified medical professional.

The United States Army developed the combat lifesaver program as an effort to make advanced medical skills available to smaller units such as vehicle crews.

[ctcboy]

I sue plastic ties at work all the time and theyare a pain in th a** to cut with a knife. Scissors would be a much better choice especially if you didnt want to slice the person you were cutting them off of.

[shrek]

Ok, MED question; What fluid found in nature can be used to replace blood in a fluid replenishment situation. Don't say water!!

[Trigger]

Ok, MED question; What fluid found in nature can be used to replace blood in a fluid replenishment situation. Don't say water!!
Maple Syrup. Duh! :D

[shrek]

Damn Trig, I knew you'd get it!!


Ok, anyone else?

[ibstolidude]

Ok, MED question; What fluid found in nature can be used to replace blood in a fluid replenishment situation. Don't say water!!
I am a stuupid coconut head with no idea. :D

[Beowulf]

Ok, MED question; What fluid found in nature can be used to replace blood in a fluid replenishment situation. Don't say water!!
I am a stuupid coconut head with no idea. :D

heh...BTW I liked the meatwad 'tar better.

[DE_Six]

Thanks Shrek! :D

[DE_Six]

Ok, MED question; What fluid found in nature can be used to replace blood in a fluid replenishment situation. Don't say water!!

Err...let's see my research skills...

Perflurocarbons (PFC) have an application as blood substitute (they carry oxygen) and are naturally excreted by lungs and urine. But I'm sure as hell urine is a no-go (blood infection and all that...)

Saline is a blood expander...

???

[Whisper_44]

Ok, MED question; What fluid found in nature can be used to replace blood in a fluid replenishment situation. Don't say water!!

Err...let's see my research skills...

Perflurocarbons (PFC) have an application as blood substitute (they carry oxygen) and are naturally excreted by lungs and urine. But I'm sure as hell urine is a no-go (blood infection and all that...)

Saline is a blood expander...

???

Urine is actually sterile when it leaves the body, only to be contaminated by contact with outer skin or other airborne particles. That might be the answer in a pinch..??? hate to see the transfusion process on that one... :cantbeli:

[DE_Six]

But isn't there a very severe case of blood infection caused by an abnormal bladder permeability that allows urine to leak and contaminate blood, or am I all mixed up? :|

I always thought urine, like bile, was a carrier for all the body's waste, some of them relatively harmful.

[Whisper_44]

Well, urine is not a toxic waste product and this has been scientifically proven. 95% of urine is water, 2.5% consists of urea and the remaining 2.5% is a mixture of minerals, salt, hormones and enzymes. Toxic substances are being removed from the body through the liver and intestines, through the skin and through the outbreath. The main function of the kidneys is to keep the composition of the blood in optimal balance. When there is to much water, the kidneys will remove it. But that doesn't make water into a toxic waste product

[DE_Six]

Thanks, interesting :)

[shrek]

The answer lies in one of the last few posts. Not one where someone actually guessed either, right Ibst......

[Hydro]

The answer lies in one of the last few posts. Not one where someone actually guessed either, right Ibst......

Coconut milk?

[Flagg]

Saline for blood volume/fluid replacement

BUT not for oxygen transport...need hemoglobin for that

[bolter9]

The answer lies in one of the last few posts. Not one where someone actually guessed either, right Ibst......

Beer?

[bolter9]

deleted.

[Stl. boy]

NS or normal saline (0.9% sodium cloride) is the best fluid to replace blood loss, most of the fluid stays within the circulatory system and does not distribute to other body compartments. It is not an expander, but more of a fluid replacement. Hemostarch and the like are blood expanders. And yes, you would need a transfusion (direct or from a bag of plasma) to replace the hemeglobin for oxygen resupply.

And yes, urine is sterile, mostly water with urea, sodium, potassium and other little odds and ends in it, but should not contain bacteria (therefore, sterile). If bacteria is found, thats a UTI and they use the little stick test to figure out what bug it is.

Now that i reread, i apologize for the long physiology lecture ;)

[Deuterium]

NS or normal saline (0.9% sodium cloride) is the best fluid to replace blood loss, most of the fluid stays within the circulatory system and does not distribute to other body compartments. It is not an expander, but more of a fluid replacement. Hemostarch and the like are blood expanders. And yes, you would need a transfusion (direct or from a bag of plasma) to replace the hemeglobin for oxygen resupply.

And yes, urine is sterile, mostly water with urea, sodium, potassium and other little odds and ends in it, but should not contain bacteria (therefore, sterile). If bacteria is found, thats a UTI and they use the little stick test to figure out what bug it is.

Now that i reread, i apologize for the long physiology lecture ;)

Old school. We carry Hespan now in trauma kits instead of Saline.

[Stl. boy]

What is Hespan, it sounds like a blood expander like hemostarch? Is it a combo of fluids and an expander?

[Deuterium]

What is Hespan, it sounds like a blood expander like hemostarch? Is it a combo of fluids and an expander?

I'm not a medic but I believe you are correct. I've heard the hetastarch term used as well. I know I carry a 500m/l bag of Hespan now instead of the 1L of saline I used to carry.

[rakkasan187]

NS or normal saline (0.9% sodium cloride) is the best fluid to replace blood loss, most of the fluid stays within the circulatory system and does not distribute to other body compartments. It is not an expander, but more of a fluid replacement. Hemostarch and the like are blood expanders. And yes, you would need a transfusion (direct or from a bag of plasma) to replace the hemeglobin for oxygen resupply.

And yes, urine is sterile, mostly water with urea, sodium, potassium and other little odds and ends in it, but should not contain bacteria (therefore, sterile). If bacteria is found, thats a UTI and they use the little stick test to figure out what bug it is.

Now that i reread, i apologize for the long physiology lecture ;)

You should apologize because you are mistaken. NS while perhaps is the most widely used fluid for volume replacement it is not the best. Whole blood or packed RBCs are the best. Plain and simple. NS also does not stay in the intravascular space...in fact only about 2/3 of isotonic crystalloids (NS) remain after 20-30 minutes...the rest third spaces into the interstitial tissues or is excreted if urinary function is not compromised.

You sort of have it right in regards to colloids. Colloids work by drawing fluid into the intravascular space (systemic system). Their biggest advantage in a austere environment is it provides a medic a means of volume resuscitation without carrying a ton of fluids in the aidbag. However colloids carry their own associated risks such as coagulapathies, anaphylaxis, electrolyte derangement as well a remaining in the intravascular compartment for extended periods of time.

And finally, transfusing plama will do absolutely nothing for your hemoglobin levels. While plasma does carry a marginal amount of oxygen in the bloodstream, hemoglobin is found on RBCs which is a completely different component of the blood.

Before you want to teach class Stl. Boy you had better hit the books yourself....

[shrek]

Be nice everybody!!


IT'S COCONUT MILK!!

[FozzieBear]

The answer lies in one of the last few posts. Not one where someone actually guessed either, right Ibst......

Coconut milk?

he wins :) lol

[Flagg]

IT'S COCONUT MILK!!

A doc friend told me that a couple years ago over beers....I thought either:

1.) He was taking the piss

2.) I was too drunk to remember correctly

But one question.....does coconut milk provide for oxygen transport like hemoglobin?

[shrek]

From what we were taught it is merely a fluid relacement for quick blood pressure fixing, like Saline or Ringers!!

[ibstolidude]

What is Hespan, it sounds like a blood expander like hemostarch? Is it a combo of fluids and an expander?

I'm not a medic but I believe you are correct. I've heard the hetastarch term used as well. I know I carry a 500m/l bag of Hespan now instead of the 1L of saline I used to carry.

Hespan is hetastarch in sodium chloride solution - Hespan is used to expand blood plasma volume. The goal is to minimive the kool-aid like affect of using simple saline or LR during hypovolemia.

Lactated Ringers (or dextrose in lactated ringers) is an isotonic electrolyte solution typically used to supply water & electrolytes (with or with out dextrose/calories) or as a diluent for IM's (it is generally non-reactive with most drugs but does contain potassium, calcium, sodium, chloride)

We really need a true EXPERIENCED medic to run their yap.

[Stl. boy]

You should apologize because you are mistaken. NS while perhaps is the most widely used fluid for volume replacement it is not the best. Whole blood or packed RBCs are the best. Plain and simple. NS also does not stay in the intravascular space...in fact only about 2/3 of isotonic crystalloids (NS) remain after 20-30 minutes...the rest third spaces into the interstitial tissues or is excreted if urinary function is not compromise.

You sort of have it right in regards to colloids. Colloids work by drawing fluid into the intravascular space (systemic system). Their biggest advantage in a austere environment is it provides a medic a means of volume resuscitation without carrying a ton of fluids in the aidbag. However colloids carry their own associated risks such as coagulapathies, anaphylaxis, electrolyte derangement as well a remaining in the intravascular compartment for extended periods of time.
And finally, transfusing plama will do absolutely nothing for your hemoglobin levels. While plasma does carry a marginal amount of oxygen in the bloodstream, hemoglobin is found on RBCs which is a completely different component of the blood.

Before you want to teach class Stl. Boy you had better hit the books yourself....

Dont flame if you dont know what is being talked about. NS is the best FLUID to be used. Whole blood or packed rbc's are not strictly fluid like we were talking about. We are discussing medic packs and both whole blood and packed rbc's are supposed to be refridgerated. Unless our medics have been issued refridgeraters as standard, these options are not available to them. And you are wrong on the distribution. Out of 1L of NS, 250cc will stay within the blood with the rest (750cc)distributing to other compartments. These two compartments are the interstitial fluid(fluid between the organs) and intercellular fluid (fluid withing the cells) Yes, this seems low, but it is the highest amount out of the available fluids (the next being LR at 230cc). I will conceide the plasma statement, i was thinking whole blood but plasma was what came out. Plasma will do no good for oxygen carrying ability. Been hitting books on these subjects for a while now, so i do know what i'm talkin about. Welcome to the forum, by the way. woot

[rakkasan187]

That was a typo...I meant to say after 20 minutes 1/3 would remain in the intravascular space with the other 2/3 moving out of the vascular compartment (interstitial space.) And you are right with your 250/750 explaination. Keep in mind in medicine there are very few absolutes and different text/sources will differ especially in quantitative measurements.

[ArmyRanger]

they have there blood type taped on there arm pockets, just wondering if anyone else noticed. ive seen it on boots, and Helmet Cateyes (Bands) too

[Seraphim]

they have there blood type taped on there arm pockets, just wondering if anyone else noticed. ive seen it on boots, and Helmet Cateyes (Bands) too

Your a Ranger you should know.

No we didnt see it because we are all blind p-)

[dghost]

they have there blood type taped on there arm pockets, just wondering if anyone else noticed. ive seen it on boots, and Helmet Cateyes (Bands) too

looks more like they wrote it on the fabric with a sharpee to me....

a lot of units require you to have your name, blood type and at least the last four digits of your SSN (our SOP required your first and last initials as well as the last 4 of your SSN) on the cat eye band...


Be nice everybody!!


IT'S COCONUT MILK!!

thats just plain high speed... :D

[Seraphim]

they have there blood type taped on there arm pockets, just wondering if anyone else noticed. ive seen it on boots, and Helmet Cateyes (Bands) too

looks more like they wrote it on the fabric with a sharpee to me....

a lot of units require you to have your name, blood type and at least the last four digits of your SSN (our SOP required your first and last initials as well as the last 4 of your SSN) on the cat eye band... some units



Ya its sharpee...the kid has just been watchin BHD one too many times.

[dghost]

Ya its sharpee...the kid has just been watchin BHD one too many times.

say it ain't so... :cantbeli: