During October 2003 to August 2004 (OEF III), 1st Battalion, 501st PIR, assigned to the 172nd Infantry Brigade, deployed to eastern Afghanistan. The battalion operated jn Khost Province and Pakistan Province, with FOB Salerno as its primary base. During this rotation, 1-501 fell under the operational command of Combined Joint Task Force 180 (or CJTF-180).

The battalion’s primary objectives were to deny insurgent cross-border movement from Pakistan, secure key population centers, and protect FOB Salerno and surrounding supply routes. 1-501 conducted continuous dismounted and mounted patrols, cordon-and-search missions, and engagements with local tribal leaders to support stabilization efforts. During the deployment, the unit experienced several small to mid-sized engagements, including ambushes along mountain roads and raids on insurgent weapons caches and rocket launch sites, which required platoon and company-level combat actions across rugged terrain.

Equipment as worn by 1-501: The unit hadn’t gotten any new MOLLE equipment other than OTV/IBA body armor so they had to make do with their outdated LC-2 equipment. Based on the analysis of reference photos, it would appear that many of soldiers had Tactical Tailor’s “split front” MAV chest rigs, either out of pocket or “unit purchase”. It was likely cheaper to purchase the chest rig alone and use the issued “not-so-quite comparable” LC-2 pouches on them than purchasing the complete Tactical Tailor MAV kit.

Unfortunately, I am still searching for the original PASGT helmet cover with black square diamond shaped patch, as worn by them, to complete this display.