US praises British troops' kit
The equipment used by British soldiers on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan is as good as anything found in the American arsenal, according to a group of US Army Command Sergeant Majors (CSM).
Transatlantic praise: American soldiers believe the latest weapons and equipment used by their British counterparts on operations is now second-to-none
Speaking at a conference showcasing the US military's advancements in science and technology, the senior NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) insisted that British troops – referred to as 'the Borrowers' and 'Flintstones' by their American cousins ahead of the invasion of Iraq in 2003 – have no reason to look jealously across the Atlantic.
While asserting that US Forces have always respected their comrades-in-arms, the experienced commanders said that a proliferation of new kit, vehicles and weaponry through procurement programmes and urgent operational requirements had cemented the British Army's standing as an elite power.
CSM Jeffery Mellinger, US Army Materiel Command, said:"I have spent a considerable amount of time with the Brits down in southern Iraq and Basra in particular.
"And I spent enough time with them to realise that not only was the kit good, but that their tactics, techniques and procedures were things the US Army and the rest of the coalition forces should take a closer look at."
"I have spent a considerable amount of time with the Brits... enough time with them to realise that not only was the kit good, but that their tactics, techniques and procedures were things the US Army and the rest of the coalition forces should take a closer look at." CSM Jeffery Mellinger, US Army Materiel Command
CSM Hector Marin, US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, who served alongside British forces in the build-up to the invasion of Iraq, said he was bemused by the 'Flintstones' tag, which alluded to soldiers living in Stone Age conditions, and argued the nickname was far removed from reality:"The British soldiers had the same assets that we had in the US and we were side-by-side sharing the same maintenance facilities," he said.CSM James Diggs, HQ North Atlantic Regional Medical Command, suggested that good co-operation would ensure parity between the British and US Army in the future. He said:"When you think in terms of the UK, it's a partnership. We're leveraging not only our technology but also our ability to get the mission done."
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/UsPraisesBritishTroopsKit.htm
Anyone have any experience with all this new kit they seem to like so much?
CSM Jeffery Mellinger, US Army Materiel Command
http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/06/30...jor/index.html
CSM Hector Marin, US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command
http://www.rdecom.army.mil/pages/leadership_csm.html
CSM James Diggs, HQ North Atlantic Regional Medical Command
http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/VISI...ges/diggs.aspx
Seems a bit silly to ask these three guys that question.
i think thats bullspit. we equip our armed forces pretty well. its probably just spew to get more money. our servicemen/women are quality, and they have the kit to match....gear is nothing if its not on a high quality individual.
It says nothing about US gear being bad. It just says that the British now have comparable kit to them. Back in 2001/2003, we were still using webbing and Kevlar vests with heart-and-back ceramic inserts while the US army was wandering around with their MOLLE plate carriers, all the 'gucci' gear. And now we have some of our own, that's all it says.
Everyone simply wants what they cant have...nothing new
I have no doubt that our brothers from the UK have great kit, but I have to agree that these guys are not the ones to comment on anything. Not to go too far off-topic, because this is a good one, but seriously, THESE are the most qualified guys they could find to give feedback? None of them, I'd be willing to bet, have put their own gear to the test, besides parade-ground inspections. Why does the US army even allow people whose jobs DO NOT involve fighting, to get elevated to such lofty positions in an organization whose SOLE purpose is to fight.Originally Posted by Erik2a4
On the other hand, I have heard good things, especially about electronics, used by UK forces. No, make that GREAT things. Ever since I read "Learning to eat soup with a knife", I've been a bit jealous of the whole culture of the UK armed forces.
Well, from the above you can apparently write, but I wonder.......can you read at all?
Mellinger is the only one who has any combat experience, and honestly, equipment issues are not something I would necessarily turn to a CSM to explain or comment upon. Especially a MACOM CSM. He's just not going to know from first hand experience.
I'm sure the Brits have gear they like and dislike, but using these three "Commanders" (?) as a reference point is faulty.
Always known the Britts to have very good kit.
the brits always had nice equipment.
atleast they keep much of their stuff for more then 10 years, not like the US
Are you so sure about the US kit having only 10 year issue dates? I seem to recall ALICE being introduced around 1975-76 and being in use all the way up to 2000s, and MOLLE coming from the SPEAR/ELCS program in 1995ish-2000.... regardless. Brit kit's always looked pretty good...but its always up to the end user..... question for you serving in the British Army, do you buy your own kit or is it generally issued?
Yeah, I agree with this.
But if I had my choice, I'd take a homegrown M4 over an L85 (or SA80, whatever the designation is...those Brits confuse me sometimes) any day.
Well, their desert DPM is better than ACUs,at least.
That's for sure.
A Potato Sack is better than ACU's
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