USMC now using 'foliage' on helmets?
Okay, I have this pic of USMC in Fallujah with synthetic foliage (like the Brits in European theater) on their helmets. I am wondering:
Is this new?
Is this official or unofficial (field expedient)?
Is this attached on top of, or instead of the helmet cammo cover? (I am guessing on top of...)
Any info would be appreciated.
definately on top of it as you can see, or not!?!?!?!?!?!
It blends better in the environment
The helm isn't recognised as a helm anymore. So better consealment. That's all about it. Perhaps it looks cool and keeps the Marines differnt equipped than usual US forces.
I don't think it's all that new. There's a picture in the photo galleries here of a soldier or Marine wearing one during Desert Storm:
http://media.militaryphotos.net/phot...MST9303509.jpg
In any case, I believe you simply lay it over your helmet and strap it on with elastic or whatever. Also, I've only really seen these pre-made ones in use in desert environments (i.e. Iraq, Afghanistan) while I've sometimes seen Marines wearing covers with burlap sewed on much like a ghille suit:
http://media.militaryphotos.net/phot...s/b_usmc03.jpg
All it is - is the normal Camo Netting, cut (as far as I know) down to helmet size.
The purpose is to disrupt the visual 'shape' of the K-pot. Yes, the netting goes on top of the cloth cover.
The 25th ID from Hawaii used to wear rag tops made from old BDU's.
Yes, the helmet fluff helps when in foliage but also to break up the regular shape of the helmet in an urban setting, much like the 'mitznefet' that some of the Israelis use.Originally Posted by wyrm_142
I was just curious because one minute you see the marines using the MARPAT helmet covers only and then suddenly at Fallujah almost all the TV coverage (that I saw) showed them all fluffy...
Anyhow, I think it looks cool and is probably a good tactical move.
Our fake foliage doesn't work half as well as the Israeli "clown-hat."
At long range a helmet is easy to see on someones head or sticking out above a ledge or building edge. With the camo, as has been mentioned already, this shape is removed. Most of the time it's just a piece of camo netting cut into pieces and it is the decision of the individual commander if his troops wear it or not. There are some things not totally governed by red tape!!
When fake foliage isnt good enough.
it's not USMC policy - up to the unit - probably a Battalion CO policy...
Battalion policy makes a lot of sense - since I hadn't seen this in Iraq before Fallujah. So does anyone else have pics of USMC in Iraq with similar foliage?
its not exactly a new thing...soldiers have been adding strips of camo to their helmets every since D Day. thats just the earliest example i can think of
US Forces used them in Panama during Operation Just Cause, and 2nd ID still uses them in Korea. In fact I have seen some pics of 2nd ID guys using real foliage since its available.
Isn't a US Army unit/division/whatever famed for using foliage on their helmets? (Could be the 2nd Infantry Division.)
Can't remember where I read or watched it
Sorry guys, I wasn't really looking for a history of foliage on helmets, which we all know has been going on for a long time; I wanted to research the current state of affairs specifically relating to the USMC in Iraq, hopefully with some pictures and even more hopefully with some comments from a serving Marine.
Any of you guys out there?
the 82nd has been putting camo of some kind or another...canvas, camo net, burlap, etc...on its helmets for 60 years now..other'n that, the only division that has anything famous about its helmets that i can think of is 3d ID, they have always had their unit patch on there
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
