Equipment used by SEALs during the invasion of Iraq:
Modified non-ballistic Skateboard Protec helmet. Typically worn in VBSS/maritime operations or in any circumstances where weight and speed matters.
The plate carrier is MBSS system by Allied Industries. It could either carry ballistic plates or flotation panels. It was lower profile alternative to SPEAR body armor which was also used at the time.
The DCU has Naval Special Warfare (NSW) modification. (Pockets on sleeves and Velcro in certain NSW style).
Blood types on Velcro. Goggles are strapped onto helmet via 550 cords. Notes: The black pouch is for HABD (Helicopter Aircrew Breathing Device), essentially mini oxygen cylinder for emergency during maritime operations. the glow stick affixed to the helmet may have been used for friendly/for identification during a nighttime raid. Merrell Sawtooth- Special Operations community’s favorite private purchase boots. Central Command Area of Responsibility (May 24, 2003) — SEAL (Sea, Air and Land) Team members board Joint Venture, High Speed Vessel Experimental One (HSV X1) for a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training evolution by fast roping from an HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the ÒIndiansÓ of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Six (HS-6). SEAL Team members conduct various training evolutions with Joint Venture and are both deployed to the Central Command Area of Responsibility in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael J. Pusnik, Jr. (RELEASED) A photo of SEAL in Iraq with similar set up as the display. Image Source and full context are unknown. Found in open source.
US. Navy VBSS: “Visit, board, search, and seizure” is a tactical team consisted of volunteers. The qualified sailors may volunteer to be on their assigned ship team, he/she would be attend VBSS qualification and training. VBSS is not part of Navy rating (job classifications); VBSS team members would have normal assignments within ship until the need arise.
After Operation Desert Storm (Or Gulf War) the United Nations imposed sanctions on Iraq which continued throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom. US. Navy occasionally deployed a ship to maintain the sanctions. The VBSS teams supported Navy ship by patrolling with Rigid inflatable boat, overseen the Iraq’s commercial traffic and oil terminals, visit and board ships if necessary, to ensure Iraq did not violate the sanctions by importing/exporting prohibited cargos.
During Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, the VBSS capacity has expanded to anti-terrorism; they board and search vessels for weapons, drugs, and terrorists being trafficked into the Middle East. Additionally, VBSS teams were heavily involved with anti-piracy operations in Africa when their ship was being deployed in support of OEF-HOA (Operation Enduring Freedom-Horn of Africa).
The tactical flotation vest made by London Bridge Trading, various of pouches for ammo, first aid kit, and other essential pieces of equipment. This vest doesn’t have any ballistic protection. The newer version of flotation vest would have soft armor and hard plates (Not shown).The back of vest has pouches for hydro-bladder and radio. RBR F6 Combat helmet. The typical helmet of US. Navy VBSS in early GWOT. At sea aboard USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) Jan. 15, 2002 — The leader of the Vessel Boarding Search and Seizure (VBSS) team from aboard USS Lake Champlain gives the operation briefing before conducting a search of a merchant vessel. Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) are being conducted by the U.S. Navy in cooperation with coalition ships in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Greg Messier. (Image courtesy of Navy https://www.navy.mil/view_image.asp?id=620)The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 21, 2003) — A Vessel, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team member inspects camouflaged mines hidden inside oil barrels on the deck of an Iraqi shipping barge. The shipping barge was intercepted and inspected by Coalition Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO) and Vessel Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) teams from the patrol craft USS Chinook (PC 9) in the early hours of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraqs weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographers Mate 2nd Class Richard Moore. (Image courtesy of Navy. https://www.navy.mil/view_image.asp?id=6036)
GWOT museum 