The 361st PSYOP Company- SFC Shawn McElravy

Civil Affairs/PSYOP

The Desert Combat Uniform (DCU) and beret belonged to SFC Shawn McElravy, who was NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) in charge of the 1290th Psychological detachment. The detachment was made up of men from 361st Psychological Company. The 361st is part of the US. Army reserve unit, 12th Psychology Operations Battalion. The unit was activated in 2003 then deployed to Mosul, Iraq in 2004-05 to support the 25th Infantry Division’s Stryker brigade. The detachment provided valuable support: Information war. The detachment would utilize press equipment such as large printers and heavy duty industrial paper cutting machine, with capabilities of printing flyers, airdrop leaflets, and posters. They also utilized various tools including but not limited to, broadcast equipment and loudspeakers. They used any tools that would enable them to deliver the information to local populations. More information, details, and images can be found here: http://www.psywarrior.com/361stPsyopIraq.html

SFC McElravy’s beret, as worn by 361st PSYOP Company soldiers- the 12th POB distinctive unit insignia (DUI) on USACAPOC flash.

The DCU has United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (USACAPOC) Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, the command 361st PSYOP company falls under, and a combat patch of 25th Infantry Division to reflect that he was deployed and attached with them. US flag patch is made of 3M type reflective material, mounted on Velcro. The Infrared reflective (IR) flag patch was adopted by Stryker Brigades at the time to assist soldiers with recognizing friendly/foe while wearing night vision goggles (NVG). DCU has air assault wing and Combat Action Badge (CAB). The CAB only awarded to non-infantry soldiers who saw combat, which indicated that SFC McElravy had his share of combat during the deployment.

US Army (USA) Soldiers from 1290th Tactical Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) Detachment (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), 361st PSYOPS Company (CO), Bothell, Washington (WA), load boxes filled with leaflets into a trailer for distribution throughout Mosul, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. (Image: Released to Public
Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files)
Nightscope shot of US Army (USA) Soldiers from 1290th Tactical Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) Detachment (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), 361st PSYOPS Company (CO), Bothell, Washington (WA), loading boxes filled with leaflets onto a USA UH-60 Black Hawk for distribution over Mosul, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (Image: Released to Public
Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files)

Siege of Mir Wais Hospital, Kandahar Dec-Jan 2002

Special Forces

The display is currently on loan to American Armory Museum for their Operation Enduring Freedom exhibit.

Anti-Taliban leader Gul Agha Sherzai’s Pashtun force liberated Kandahar from Taliban’s control in late 2001. There were still pockets of Talibans and (foreigners) Al Qaeda fighters throughout the city. Sherzai’s forces captured few wounded hard core Al Qaeda fighters, who were then brought to Mir Wais hospital for treatments. On December 7, 2001 nine Al Qaeda fighters overpowered their captors, armed and barricaded themselves in a wing of hospital, besieged it. Al Qaeda fighters handed over two of their severely wounded fighters who weren’t able to fight, to Sherzai’s forces. One of fighters committed suicide by blowing up himself with a grenade. Six Al Qaeda fighters remained.

US. Army 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)’s ODA 524 team had arrived in Kandahar just two days earlier to replace another team, ODA 574 due to heavy casualties from accidental friendly air strike incident. When ODA 524 arrived on scene, Pashtun leader Sherzai insisted that Americans could not enter the Mir Wais hospital but insisted they train and prepare Sherzai’s own force for assault. With the siege ongoing, the ODA trained the 15 best fighters selected from Sherzai’s force for assault. For a few weeks, these Pashtun fighters were trained in urban warfare and Close Quarter Battle.

Men from ODA 524. Note the “I love NY” pins. Image source: Getty images

The ODA emplaced and blew breaching charges on the hospital wall creating an entry point for Sherzai’s assault force. The breaching caught Al Qaeda fighters off guard however, Sherzai’s assault force moved too slowly, allowing Al Qaeda fighters to recoup and put up a heavy resistance. At one point during the assault, a grenade blew up wounding multiple Pashtun assaulters, forcing them to retreat. On the second assault attempt, the remaining Pashtun assaulters were no longer motivated, requiring the ODA to step in. The ODA conducted this second assault themselves. After tossing multiple grenades and heavy gunfight, they successfully took down all the six Al Qaeda fighters. The men of ODA 524 ended a 50 days siege without taking casualties.

The two severely wounded fighters were treated and transferred to United States’ Guantanamo Bay Naval base in Cuba for the high security detention camp controlled by Joint Task Force- Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO).

Aftermath of successful assault.
Image source: AP photo and the BBC News article.

The equipment on the mannequin display: Pakol hat and Chinese made “Chicom” chest rig commonly worn by Afghans; also worn by Special Forces soldiers to blend in their allied fighters and local population. The “I love NY” pin was worn by ODA members as a tribute to 9/11. The desert camouflage uniform (DCU) was modified by relocating pockets to sleeves for ease of access while wearing vest or chest rig. Strips of Velcro were added so branch/name tags can be removable for anonymous reason and Velcro squares on sleeves were for reflective/IR squares with purpose to distinguish from friendlies to foes. Under the modified DCU is Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) fleece jacket.

The “barrack” photo taken by Special Forces soldier showing how he utilized his “Chicom” chest rig.
Image source: Unknown/ Open source

Sources:

-Weapons of Choice; ARSOF in Afghanistan

-http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1786011.stm

The soldier from ODA 524 which the display is based on. Image source: Unknown/Open Source
The “ammo crate” base.

Special Forces TC2000 helmet

Equipment, Special Forces

An original helmet with sprayed camouflage pattern and strips of Velcro added for various of attachments including NVG mount accessories or patches. Special Operations Forces (SOF) troops typically customize or personalize their helmets to meet their operational needs or individual preference. This TC2000 is made by CGF Gallet, the original manufacturer of the helmet series before the company was bought out by MSA. The CGF version was the first TC2000 adopted by US. Military exclusively for SOF units while the conventional units still had PASGT helmets.

AFSOC STS Kit

Uncategorized

The equipment as worn by Special Tactics Squadron from Air Force Special Operations Command from late 1990 into early Operation Enduring Freedom.

-PBPV-II AAF body armor

-AWS .inc CCT (Combat Controller Team) Load Bearing Vest.

The CCT LBV has been modified; the factory shoulder pads were replaced with Vietnam War era M-1956 H-harness by operator, while the real reason unknown but the vest shoulder straps had reputation of being weak and old Vietnam War era shoulder pads has more slim feature. While the vest was originally designed for Combat Controller team, it was also used heavily by Pararescue Jumpers due to radio pouch.

Tech. Sgt. Keary Miller, pararescueman from 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, won silver star before the award upgraded to Air Force Cross for his actions in the Battle of Roberts Ridge (Takur Ghar, Afghanistan). This equipment set up displayed here at GWOT museum is based on equipment Miller worn in the battle. The equipment originally worn by Miller is displayed at Warrior Airman exhibit at National Museum of the United States Air Force.

(From left to right) Tech. Sgt. Keary Miller, Senior Airman Jason Cunningham and Staff Sgt. Gabe Brown about three weeks before the battle. Behind them is a MH-47E, the same type of helicopter that took them to Takur Ghar. (U.S. Air Force photo)

US. Navy VBSS

Navy, VBSS
Uniform and equipment from early GWOT.

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)

Ronnie Raikes- ODA 574

Special Forces, Veteran Stories

SSG Ronnie Raikes. ODA 574, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group.

Other ODA (Operational Detachment Alpha) teams from the 5th Special Forces Group were being inserted into North Afghanistan, meeting with Northern Alliance fighters. On other hand, ODA 574 had critical mission in South Afghanistan. The United States faced the greater challenge in south due to the majority of population was of Pashtun ethnic group; Taliban’s root ethnicity. The exiled Afghan politician, Hamid Karzai was United States’ key to winning Pashtun tribes’ hearts and minds and have them join the cause against the Talibans and Al Qaeda.

Karzai supported and funded Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet Union’s occupation of Afghanistan. After Taliban came to power, he outspoke against Talibans, and refused to accept the position within Afghanistan’s Taliban government, then he was forced to exile. Karzai continued to work against Talibans in exile. He is well-respected and recognized by Afghan people. The United States recognized Karzai’s qualities and invited him to assist the United States’ efforts in war on terror.

On November 14, 2001, The ODA 574 escorted Karzai and infiltrated into South Afghanistan. They successfully infiltrated, engaged with local tribes, formed new allies and Karzai built a militia consisted of Pashtun fighters to revolt against Taliban regime. Then tragedy struck: JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) bomb dropped on the ODA team and Karazi’s fighters by mistake. It was costly one: Three ODA team members and twenty of Karzai’s fighters were killed. Ronnie Raikes and rest of the team were wounded, including Karazi. Right after the incident, Karzai was selected to be chairman of Afghanistan interim government committees. He eventually would become a president of Afghanistan.

The three KIAs were Master Sgt. Jefferson Donald “JD” Davis, Staff Sgt. Brian Cody Prosser, and SFC Daniel H. Petithory.

Ronnie Raikes was back in United States recovering from his injuries he sustained from the JDAM incident. Raikes and two other ODA 574 team members were invited to President Bush’s State of Union speech, where Karzai personally thanked them. Raikes sat with the First Lady Laura Bush and Hamid Karzai during the speech.

Ronnie Raikes and ODA 574’s story was told in book The Only Thing Worth Dying by Eric Blehm.

Raikes with First Lady and Karzai during State of Union speech. (Gettyimages)
ODA 574 and Karzai.
(Image from open source online)

Lt. Gen. Philip Kensinger

75th Ranger Regiment, Special Operations Command

Lt. Gen. Philip Kensinger was the commanding general of US. Army Special Operations Command from 2002 to 2005.

US. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) oversees US. Army’s special operation units including Delta Force, 160th Special Operation Aviation Regiment, 75th Ranger Regiment, Special Forces, and various of supporting companies and battalions such as Psychological Operations (PSYOP), Civil Affairs, Military Intelligence.

USASOC is Army’s compartment in the Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

1/15 Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division

173rd Airborne Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division

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.

173rd Airborne Brigade- Afghanistan 2005-06

173rd Airborne Brigade

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.

173rd Airborne Brigade NCO with Tactical Tailor MAV chest rig.

Image source: http://www.173rdairborne.net/AF-1.htm
Tactical Tailor MAV.
173rd Airborne Brigade soldiers in their modified uniforms. Note the Tactical Tailor MALICE tuck hanging on side of Humvee.

Image source: http://www.173rdairborne.net/AF-1.htm
MSA Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) or also known as MICH by veterans. It has a Night Vision Goggles (NVG Mount).
Close-up of pocket on sleeve modification. The black Velcro is for infrared or glint square (To identify friendly/foe while Night Vision Goggles is in use). The insignia is of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

Also note the hand drawn Red Cross on a pouch to indicate this pouch holds Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK).

CSM Masson- RSTB & AWG

75th Ranger Regiment, Asymmetric Warfare Group

Command Major Sergeant Michael Masson was in the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment for most of his career, he became Command Major Sergeant (CSM) of Ranger Special Troops Battalion, then eventually assigned to Asymmetrical Warfare Group (AWG) to be CSM of Able Squadron.

RSTB scroll with Ranger tab. The tab is earned upon completion of Ranger School.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Masson, Asymmetric Warfare Group ABLE Squadron command sergeant major and former Regimental Special Troops Battalion command sergeant major; and Sgt. Maj. Harry Ferguson, 1st Joint Communications Squadron Joint Communication Support Element (Airborne) and former Regimental Signal sergeant major, during the 2015 DHMOR ceremony at US Army Fort Benning, 23 June.

Image and subtitle source: The 75th Ranger Regiment Facebook page

US. Army formed Asymmetrical Warfare Group (AWG) in 2005 in response to challenges conventional Army units faced in Iraq and Afghanistan. AWG is consisted mainly of operators from various Special Operations units. In Masson’s case, he brings in valuable experience and expertise from his career in the 75th Ranger Regiment. The AWG’s mission is to provide the support to conventional army units by attaching to them on their operations, observing and analyzing their foe’s threat and tactics, then advising and developing solutions and trainings for a unit to enhance their combat capabilities.

AWG operators were issued unique uniform set made by Paraclete for field wear. It has many features differs from standard ACU set such as Velcro style, pockets placements. AWG seldomly worn unit shoulder sleeve Insignia on operations.

AWG operators wearing their Paraclete uniforms. Photo source: Open Source.

Author’s note: The general information gathered on CSM Masson and units for this article has been published online by US. Army so no OPSEC has been violated.