Description
Physical description
Two-piece protective vest that covers the torso and is joined at the shoulder and sides by panels of Velcro. Two large zipper pockets (one to the chest and one to the back) contain protective trauma plates. The vest is faced with two-colour desert DPM nylon and all sides feature a series of tan coloured lacing (Pouch Attachment Ladder System). Attached by Velcro and metal press-stud fittings is a padded neck collar and a triple magazine pouch is attached to the chest. A smaller ammunition pouch is attached to the lower right side.
On the inside of two of the triple pouches are written a series of four figure grid references, indicating that the original wearer used these as improvised memo pads.
Within one of the triple pouches (right) is secured a rubber housed luminous reflector, and the centre one contains a green mesh anti-mosquito veil. Within the small ammunition pouch is a Trauma Wound Dressing (unopened) and an olive-green plastic container, once used for housing morphine. Threaded through the chest lacing is a metal caribeener, a red bodied torch, and Cyalume safety night stick. A detachable rank badge (Corporal) is attached to the left, chest, made of desert DPM cloth. Threaded through the lacing at the lower left is a green Cyalume night stick and a green webbing casualty evacuation strap (the strap is hooked under the casualty's arms and he is dragged by two comrades, each grasping and end of the strap).
History note
Issued to British personnel serving on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2006, the Osprey Body Armour was a greatly improved version of its predecessor. The vest accomodates two trauma plates, held in position in the two zipper pockets, front and rear. Laced front, rear and to the sides with strips of tan-coloured webbing, these were intended to accomodate a wide range of holsters, magazine & radio pouches as appropriate, and known as the Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS), adopted from the US Army.
This set was worn by a Corporal of 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's Own), when deployed on active service to Iraq during Operation Telic 12 (May-October 2008).
Normally equipped with variants of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) family of vehicles, the Regiment's task was that of reconnaissance. Composed of four squadrons, three were 'Sabre Squadrons', and the fourth had a supporting role. Centred on the Contingency Operations Base at Basra, the Regiment worked closely with the Iraqi Army and offered protection to Basra's major port at Umm Qasr as well as conducting covert surveillance operations and boat patrols in the marshes.
Corporal Pook of A Squadron was a Crew Commander and qualified Armoured Fighting Vehicle Gunnery Instructor, and was deployed to Iraq with 9/12L element of the Brigade Reconnaissance & Surveillance Company. Leading a succession of four-day rural patrols close to the border of Iran, Cpl Pook's men were instrumental in stopping weapons and ordnance smuggling intended for the benefit of insurgent strikes within Iraq and in observing those intending to plant roadside bombs.
The men who carryied out these patrols were unsupported for many days and therefore individual loads weighing in excess of 30 kilos were common, including 180 rounds of rifle ammunition in magazines and a further 150 in bandoliers. Each soldier consumed 8-10 litres of water per day, and this, like their operational requirements, was carried on the person. All further re-supply of water, rations, and ammunition were delivered by helicopter in the field.