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.
US. Air Force Security Forces
This DF-LCS LBE was produced by Eagle Industries for USAF Security Forces Squadrons. On this set up: 3x double ammo pouch, 1x double ammo pouch with buckle, 1x IFAK pouch, 1x MBITR pouch, and 2x canteen/utility pouch. Not shown: Safariland drop-leg holster.
USMC Force Recon, Invasion of Iraq
This display shows an equipment as worn by Force Recon Marines during the invasion of Iraq. They conducted reconnaissances, assault, hunt for high value targets, as needed for Marine Air-Ground Task Force.
This display shows an equipment wore by Force Recon.
-Desert camouflage SARATOGA suit.
-MICH helmet with NVG mount.
-Full Spectrum Battle Equipment (FSBE): The kit specifically designed for the Force Recon. It includes Amphibious Assault Vest, leg panel, pouches for ammo, frag, flashbang, individual first aid kit, etc.
-Safariland holster for M45 MEUSOC pistol (Recon’s variant of 1911), they typically would have extended magazines for it.
-Breaching equipment: Force Recon utilized various of breaching equipment such as Halligan tool or sledgehammer. (For this display, went with sledgehammer). They used DIY breacher tool holder- made of PVC pipe, duct tape, and zip ties.
GWOT museum 