U.S. Army ISAF Loadout

[Khaos]

For those of you who didn't catch it, here's the thread that spawned this loadout.

My goal is to create a loadout based off of an U.S. Army ISAF soldier in Afghanistan, circa 2008. I'm not focusing on a specific unit, but this is a Mean Green Army loadout, and thus I don't appreciate complaints about ACU. What I'm looking for is constructive criticism on the gear I've laid out (accuracy, something I've forgotten) from people who have done the research or have worn it in the sandbox. If you don't know what you're talking about, please don't post unless you have an honest question.


Here's what I've laid out. Text in brackets [] denotes quantity or specific details, while text in parenthesis () denotes color.

Modern US Army ISAF Loadout

Uniform
ACU’s (Top and Bottom)
Danner Desert Acadias [Hot Weather]
Patrol Cap (ACU)
Rigger’s Belt (Sand)
Moisture Wicking Shirt (Sand)
Nomex Flight Gloves (Foliage Green)
American Flag Patches [x2] (IR ACU), Name Tape (ACU)
Danner Hot Weather Socks (Sand)

Deuce Gear
INTERCEPTOR OTVGS Replica (ACU) EDIT: IOTV Replica (ACU)
MICH-2000 Replica (ACU Cover)
M16 Covered Ammo Pouch [x4] (ACU)
Dual 40mm Pouch (ACU)
IFAK (ACU)
SERPA Holster [Beretta M9, MOLLE Attachment] (Foliage Green)
Camelbak 3L Hydration Pack (ACU)
NOG Mount, Cat Eyes Band [With Name] (Foliage Green)

ECWCS Uniform
Gen II Parka (ACU)
Long Underwear (Top and Botom, Sand)
Beanie (Foliage Green), or Balaclava (Foliage Green)

Misc.
CRKT M16-02z
Leatherman Wave [With Case]
PETZL Headlamp
ANSI rated sunglasses [brand unknown]
ESS Goggles Replica [Foliage] EDIT: Arena Flakjak Goggles [Sand]

Note that this isn't complete by any means. I already have some of this gear purchased, and I've tried my best to lay out what I want, but I may have forgotten some things. If you can suggest something that I should really have, I'm all ears. If you want specific brand names on anything, I'll try to get those posted up as I decide/buy.

Weapons and such are an entirely different matter. I'm planning on an M4 RIS, and probably a KJW M9, but that's all still up in the air, and we'll save that for another day. EDIT: Probably going with a CA M4 RIS and the KWA M9 PTP.


Thanks ahead of time for your suggestions!

[shakespeare]

I feel so intelligent for thinking you were the ISAF soldier in the other thread I actually have a suggestion! The KWA M9 PTP is a very nice pistol, except for the price (more than KJW).

[Khaos]

I guess that could be taken as a compliment.

I'm still deciding on which sidearm, so your suggestion will be taken in to very serious consideration...

[Radduski]

Your layout is basically what I have here with me. As for the rifle, you'd probably want to go with something along the lines of an M4 with RIS, and maybe an M68 Aimpoint, or an ACOG. That's the majority of the stuff you'll see around these parts.

If you want, I'll get all my gear together, and take a few pictures to give you a really good idea of the setup of most people around here.

Well done!

[PanzerFaust]

do it Zane!

[Beran]

HSLD

[Variable]

HSLD

which means leave the pants at home boy.

[Khaos]

If you want, I'll get all my gear together, and take a few pictures to give you a really good idea of the setup of most people around here.

Well done!

That would be AWESOME! Thank you!

HSLD

which means leave the pants at home boy.

I'm thinking Danners, a pair of boxers, and a bandanna.

Edit: Does anyone know how well Condor ACU pouches blend in with issue ACU equipment? Are the colors the same, or can you tell them apart?

[Khaos]

Triple?

[PanzerFaust]

holy triple post!

needs more edit button

[Khaos]

shazaam. I'm having some internet trouble.

[Radduski]

Look man, I'm generally pretty busy. I'll get my shit together, and get those photos as soon as possible, but no guarantees it will be soon. It might be easier at the moment for you to get some photos of your gear together, assuming that you have it all, and post em so I can tell you what's up.

Regardless, I'm going to try and find the time to get those pictures for you.

<3

[Steve]

I'd definitely go with something other than the nomex flight gloves. When I was over there, we got to wear whatever gloves we wanted. I love Oakley personally, but the Hatch gloves will work pretty well. Flight gloves are a little dated.

As to the hat, I'd say either go with a boonie cap or do a fob-specific cap. On one of the bases, we wore tan caps with the fob name on the back over the sizing hole and non-subdued rank on the front. On the second base, we wore tan ball caps with velcroed on tan US flags. I much preferred the latter choice. Mostly because I kept losing boonie caps. The patrol caps look prettier. But the boonie is much more useful. So I'd go with the boonie if you are dead-set on wearing an ACU cover.

As to the uniform, the flag goes on the right sleeve only. Usually we wore either our unit patches on both sleeves, or no patches, or for a brief period, a FOB-specific patch on the left shoulder and our unit patch on the right. A not-insignificant number of the 'fobbits' had ISAF unit patches on their left sleeve. They were round, and said ISAF in the middle of the patch with something around the rim. I'm sure you could find them online. If you sport one, it will definitely nail down where and what you are reenacting as. But you will probably get made fun of for wearing the "I Suck At Fighting" / "I Saw A FOB" patch.

Mag carriers were typically either the ones issued or the ones you could get at the PX, which was SpecOps brand, or locally produced (about the same quality as UTG). And then over time, we started migrating our gear to either Tactical Tailor, 5.11 Tactical, Blackwater, or Blackhawk. So, it was not uncommon to see guys with pouches from different manufacturers in tan, flat dark earth, or ACU pattern all on their vest at once.

Also, two hand grenade pouches are a good idea. If nothing else, they will help with the look. Stick them somewhere useless and leave them empty. Most guys got issued the pouches and told to wear them, but didn't get grenades.

And everyone over there is carrying an IFAK. The location varies by unit SOP. We were all carrying them so that we could rest the elbow of ou non-shooting arm on the pouch to stabilize the rifle when shooting from a standing position. Also, if you can find one, a one-handed tourniquet in the IFAK, and a OHT carried in the lower calf pocket were mandatory for my unit.

My info is a bit dated, though. I did my time from mid '06 through mid '08 and did my best to stay down in the Kandahar region.

[Khaos]

Update: I have almost completed the cold weather portion of my loadout (Gen II parka, long underwear, fleece [on backorder] and hat [also on backorder]). I decided that with the weather we've been having here in Bellingham lately, that I should get that stuff first, as it can do double duty as everyday wear.

Look man, I'm generally pretty busy. I'll get my shit together, and get those photos as soon as possible, but no guarantees it will be soon. It might be easier at the moment for you to get some photos of your gear together, assuming that you have it all, and post em so I can tell you what's up.

Regardless, I'm going to try and find the time to get those pictures for you.

<3

Thanks ahead of time. I don't have all of it yet, so pics will be helpful when I'm purchasing, but I understand that I'm the least of your worries. I'll take anything I can get!

I'd definitely go with something other than the nomex flight gloves. When I was over there, we got to wear whatever gloves we wanted. I love Oakley personally, but the Hatch gloves will work pretty well. Flight gloves are a little dated.

I have a hard time finding gloves that actually fit me, so I'll get the nomex, which I know will fit, first, and then go from there. That and I burn through gloves so fast that I'll need to find something bombproof, and I've heard mixed reviews about the various alternatives. Trial and Error will be my best bet.

As to the uniform, the flag goes on the right sleeve only. Usually we wore either our unit patches on both sleeves, or no patches, or for a brief period, a FOB-specific patch on the left shoulder and our unit patch on the right.

I forgot that. Since I'm not doing a particular unit, I'll probably pick up one of the rectangular ACU ISAF patches for my left sleeve, and a flag for the right. I'll probably mess around with that thought once it's all purchased.

I'm heading down to Camp Rilea in a couple weeks, and I figure I'll do some shopping at the PX for miscellaneous pouches and a cover.



I appreciate all your help guys!

[Malice]

Well, I'm less than 1km from ISAF HQ, and Camp Eggars in Kabul, so I see .mil guys pretty frequently.

Your loadout is pretty good so far. Only things I saw that you may want to consider:

- Almost all the .mil M4's here run the Aimpoint or ACOG, PEQ-15, and some type of Surefire.
- Stick with the patrol cap for a basic line unit. I haven't seen ball caps here except with the ODAs. If they're working...they've got their ACH on.
- Depending on what kind of unit you want to portray...there are a LOT of shoulder holsters here. Usually the cheap leather ones. Most of that comes from the fact that a lot of the units here are HMMV mounted.
- If you want to be really thorough, a lot of the units here are using the new FR uniforms. Not sure how easy they are to source out though.

That's about all I saw. Good luck on the impression.