USMC SARATOGA (JLIST) suit
All posts by Jeremy Albright
172nd Stryker Brigade, OIF 05-06
The 172nd Stryker Brigade was the one of few first units to deploy with new Universal Camouflage Pattern- Army Combat Uniform (UCP-ACU). There wasn’t any UCP colored patches available yet so Olive Drab patches from BDU era was used, with velcro added to those. This is one of the earliest “transitional uniform era” in the collection. The 172nd was one of the unfortunate units that had one of the longest deployment (16 months) due to US. Army’s stop loss policy in 2005. This soldier was in the 4/11th Field Artillery. He was eventually promoted from Specialist to Corporal, presumably during the deployment and patches for ACU were finally available.
184th Infantry Regiment, California National Guard
101st Airborne Division modified uniform
36th Infantry Division, Iraq 04-05
Corporal Nick Gotelli, USMC artilleryman
Corporal Nick Gotelli, was in Kilo Battery, 3/12 Marines (Artillery). During the invasion of Iraq, the unit was attached to 2/11 Marines (Artillery) under Regimental Combat Team 5 (RCT-5) of the 1st Marine Division. The unit compromised of Oshkosh 8 ton trucks towing 155mm M198 howitzers.
On March 2003 just days right before the invasion begun, the 2/11 artillery hammered Iraqi Army positions; paved the way for the RCT-5’s infantry and armored units to cross the line of departure on March 21. The RCT-5 was credited as the first regiment to cross into Iraq; supposedly making 2/11 the first artillery unit to fire into Iraq.
The 2/11 also supported the notable operation of capturing Saddam international Airport with a fire mission.
Cpl. Gotelli was issued old used Desert Combat Uniforms that were handed down by U.S. Army due to the shortage of desert camouflage uniforms (DCU). The uniform has evidence where U.S. Army patches were stripped off. He was issued few sets of USMC ega (Eagle, globe, anchor) iron-on transfers which he had to apply to uniforms and helmet cover himself. The unit also had SOP requiring him to sew velcro square on sleeves of his DCUs and top of helmet cover for reflective squares (To distinguish friendly/foe in night).
Chris Ayres was the journalist that embedded 2/11 Marines; he wrote a book about his war experience: War Reporting For Cowards. The book turned out different and unique from other war books; it is about how Chris Ayres ended up being an “accidental” war journalist and how he was so terrified that he couldn’t embed all the way to Baghdad. He covered some of what the unit did during the invasion (half of it anyway). Nick Gotelli remembers how terrified Chris Ayres was. Despite this, the book was funny and entertaining like a sitcom.
Special thanks to Nick Gotelli for loaning his actual uniform and gear to make this exhibit/photoshoot possible.
Translation and Cultural Smart cards/Manuals
US troops were issued language translation smart cards small enough to be carried in pocket. It typically would include translations of important keywords in languages of the region; as well visual illustrations to point out; and some cultural information that would help troops to interact with local population. Those can be useful in circumstances an attached interpreter is not available on a patrol.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy Torres-Cortes tries to speak with an Afghan villager by pointing to a phrase on his language translation card while patrolling Wadawu valley in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, Aug. 7, 2009. U.S. troops are issued the cards, which offer basic phrases in Afghanistan’s native languages. Torres-Cortes is assigned to 4th Infantry Division’s Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team. August 2009. Source: https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Photos/igphoto/2001219234/
There are many varieties of those. I am always in search for more.
Collection of modified DCUs and BDUs
ODA 3236 uniform and team hat
10th Special Forces “Panzer” modified DCUs.
Two examples of “Panzer mods” DCU. We came up with name due to the fact those were modified at the shop at Panzer Kaserne. Typically 10th SFG wore those. There are also exists tan velcro example which isn’t shown here. Panzer mods were most commonly seen worn in Africa (OEF-A, for advisory role) as well few instances in Afghanistan and Iraq. The black velcro one is currently in Paul Arnold‘s collection. The OD green velcro currently in my collection is named to the soldier who was severely wounded in Uzbin Valley Ambush in 2008. He was one of the 7 to receive bronze star with V device.
Navy EOD modified DCU
USASOC modified DCU
Special Forces support personnel’s DCU.
Special Operations helmet
ACH worn by a support personnel with the 3rd Special Forces Group from 2011 to 2016. The helmet saw three deployments to Afghanistan.
TACP in Afghanistan- 2004.
A nearly complete set from TACP airman. The modified DCU has SSGT ranks velcro’ed. The chest rig is Afghan made. Most of gear was spray painted tan to blend in environment better.
Note: I didn’t acquire this lot directly from the veteran so history is unknown however, based on equipment and uniform, my best guess for period is 2004-05.
GWOT museum 