173rd Airborne Brigade

The 3rd Infantry Division was the spearhead during the invasion of Iraq. One brigade, particularly the 3rd had Olive Drab subdued patches (For woodland BDU), on their Desert Camouflage Uniforms opposed to typical desert subdued patches, possibly due to shortage of desert patches. After the invasion, 3rd Infantry Division returned to Iraq for second deployment in 2005-06. The 1st Battalion of 15th Infantry Regiment opted to continue wearing Olive Drab patches, as a throwback to the invasion, also it was believed that they done it for psychological reason; to instill the fear in the insurgents as most of them were in Saddam’s army during the invasion. (Anecdote is not yet to be verified). Other things that was unique to the 1/15 was the gaping of badges and modification of DCU, as shown on this example, one chest pocket was moved to left sleeve. (Image showing 1/15 with modifications at bottom).

This DCU belonged to SSG Burke. Before he He was with the 173rd Airborne Brigade during the invasion of Iraq and participated in the Operation Northern Delay; a combat jump into Northern Iraq. His name is listed under chalk 5 in the published combat jump manifest.

In 2005-2006 the 173rd Airborne Brigade had first deployment to Afghanistan.

The 173rd Airborne Brigade authorized the modification of uniforms on Brigade level. Everyone had their Desert Combat Uniforms (DCU) modified by removing the existing pockets on uniform to upper sleeves. That way pockets would be accessible and useful while wearing a body armor. The DCU and BDU (Battle Dress Uniform or known as woodland) had a outdated design which have four pockets on uniform. Two on chest and two at bottom front, which was designed to be worn with old Load Bearing Equipment without body armor. Those pockets would’ve been covered by body armor, rendered them useless and inaccessible. Earlier that practice of modifying uniforms was typical for Special Operations Forces, then more and more regular army soldiers copied the idea and worn them only in field because it was not authorized or frowned upon by higher ranking traditionalists in the regular army. However, in 2005, the 173rd airborne brigade was one of few units that had finally authorized the modification on DCU for deployment.

Many of soldiers opted to purchase aftermarket tactical gear because chest rigs and enhanced rucksacks were favored over standard issue MOLLE II equipment. The popular privately purchased equipment was Tactical Tailor’s Modular Assault Vest (MAV) chest rig and Tactical Tailor’s Modified ALICE (MALICE) rucksack.

Also it was the period when Army had finally issued body armor and MOLLE equipment in desert camouflage in more wider scale. Since 2001 woodland camouflage body armor and equipment worn over desert uniform had been a familiar sight due to the lack of desert equipment at the time.