1st Battalion 22nd Infantry IOTV

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Regulars receive Army's newest equipment

March 2008

Better Late Than Never, ‘Regulars’ Soldiers receive the Army’s newest equipment

1st Lt. Allen Parrish

1-22 Infantry Regiment

1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

FORT HOOD, Texas – On the eve of an upcoming deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom,
Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
are receiving mission essential equipment along with some of the Army’s newest gear.

M4 carbine rifles and M68 scopes, Improved Outer Tactical Vests and Advanced Combat Helmets,
Army Combat Uniform rucksacks and duffle bags; are just some of the items that the Soldiers are receiving
as they prepare to leave for their third deployment in the Global War on Terror.

“The new gear is providing more protection, and even better, is more convenient to pack,” said 1st Lt. Brian Stanfield,
a platoon leader assigned to Forward Support Company E, 1-22 Inf. Regt., 1st BCT.

The combat support Soldiers acknowledge that there are significant changes and improvements in the new equipment,
recently modified to better protect Soldiers on today’s battlefield.

Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV)

FORT HOOD, Texas – The 1st Raider Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fielded new mission essential equipment
including the new Improved Outer Tactical Vest and Army Combat Uniform rucksacks and duffle bags
as they prepare for deployment operations in the Global War on Terror.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Hodge, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.)

“The new IOTV is great!” said Spc. Obed Verdugo, petroleum supply specialist, FSC E, 1-22 Inf. Regt.
“It fits closer to the body and feels less awkward than the old (Improved Ballistic Armor System),
but I’m not looking forward to piecing it back together.”

The new IOTV has a quick draw string that allows Soldiers to shed the body armor quickly for quick evacuation, said Verdugo.

The process for reassembling the body armor is complex and time consuming, he explained.

The new rucksack and duffle have more space and easier accessibility, said 1st Lt. Brian Kallaher, platoon leader, FSC E, 1-22 Inf. Regt.

The new equipment allows Soldiers to attach different pouches to the outside, he said.

“This is a nice feature because it gives you access to all of the much needed items in a timely fashion,” Kallaher added.
“It it’s definitely better than having to dump out everything in your duffle bag in order to find that one item you’re looking for.”

Staff Sgt. Jason Kincheloe, the supply noncommissioned officer for FSC E, said he takes pride in his work,
despite the added stress and long hours of the last minute detail, because unit’s morale is on the rise.

“Soldiers have been wearing out their equipment from previous deployments and extensive training over the last year,
and are happy to receive the new stuff,” he said.

Tactical gloves with added knuckle protection, Joint Service-Light Integrated Suit Technology, ACU Gortex jackets
and metal detecting wands might take a little getting used to, but in the end it will be a force multiplier for the Soldiers, said Kincheloe.

“It also lets them know that the chain of command is looking out for them, and (receiving new equipment) builds their confidence,” he said.

Army Combat Uniform Duffle Bag

FORT HOOD, Texas – Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
received Army Combat Uniform duffle bags and other mission essential equipment before deploying in March
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09. “The new gear is providing more protection, and even better,
is more convenient to pack,” said 1st Lt. Brian Stanfield, platoon leader, Forward Support Company E,
1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st BCT.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Hodge, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.)

BACK