December
29, 2006: For the last two years, the U.S. Army has been testing a new Winter
clothing ensemble. The troops are enthusiastic about what is now, officially,
generation III of the extended cold-weather system or Gen III ECWCS. The new
wardrobe handles temperatures from minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit to above
freezing (45 degrees). The wardrobe consists of an interchangeable twelve-piece
clothing system that can be worn in layers depending on the weather and the
mission. The layers are lightweight and use modern fibers that allow sweat to
escape while keeping body heat in. All the clothing is commercially available
for Winter sports and activities. The army is making bulk purchases. Only the
items likely to be worn on the outside have to be given some kind of
camouflage pattern.
The
new Gen III ECWCS is actually lighter, and less bulky, than the older Winter
clothing (Gen II ECWCS). The GEN III stuff is also quieter. The older gear
tended to "swish" at times, which at night would let the enemy know you were in
the area. The GEN III gear consists of two long sleeve undershirts, an outer
shirt and thermal pants, a fleece jacket, a water and wind resistant jacket and
pants, a waterproof windbreaker, a waterproof cold weather jacket and pants, a
neck gaiter, a face mask, and gloves designed to allow easy use of weapons and
a cold weather parka and pants. The GEN III gear is lightweight, commercial
grade stuff. The army basically went to see what was available for Winter
sports (especially camping and mountain climbing), and adapted it to combat
use. This meant making sure the clothing was compatible with body armor and
other combat equipment troops would have to wear. Actually, the army was
following the experience of SOCOM (Special Operations Command), which has a
budget for experiments in using civilian gear. SOCOM operators have been using
civilian cold weather gear for years. Most troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have
been issued the new gear over the past two years, as part of the field testing
program. Now everyone will get it.
It
actually gets pretty cold and nasty in Iraq during the Winter. Even down south,
after the sun goes down in January and February, the temperature often drops to
below freezing. Up north, in the mountains, it gets much colder.
