Posted on 01/25/2007 1:45:30 PM PST by kronos77
Here are photos of Serbian-made M-21 5,56mm assault rifle used in Iraq:
(can someone identify this unit? Some are saying they are Macedonians?)
I plead guilty, though we preferred the term Eleven Educated, from the Tanker's 11E10/20/30 MOS designation. [my first tour, 1966-70] was enlisted] That was during the old M48A3/M60A1 days, though I spent some unhappy time around the M551 as well. And even M41s, M24 Chafees, and M47s, even running M4A3 Shermans and Rooshian T-34 scaups a couple of times.
I branch transferred from Infantry to Armor in the reserves. Had just enough time to do the Advanced Course at Fort Knox and get qualified on the M1 out in Idaho before the Clinton RIF hit me. Damn him.
I went civilian during the Reagan days, first spending a year in '79 after college on the GI Bill and some interesting vacation time abroad, as a Dept of the Army civilian ordnance technician/design consultant, then going to the NAVY as the JSSAAP program came online. I saw what was coming and went into the civilian contractor side just as soon as I could make myself indespensible and had a good list of where the project managers had buried the bodies.
In 1991 I went [as a civilian newspaperman] off on an interesting all-expense paid trip to Sarajevo and engaged in my arcane hobby of keeping lists of serial numbers, thence to return to find a national newswriting award for my Desert Shield/Storm/Sabre coverage awaiting me, which close attention I'd have rather not have had at the time. And then I hid from my several friends and several more enemies by putting on a USAF bluesuit, which worked great until I got tasked with commo responsibilities during the 1992 Mississippi flooding in and around St Louis, after which some beancounter found out I'd been signed for some six and a half million dollars worth of radios and they hung a direct commission on me, hard to do with all my kicking and screaming. I figured it'd be a minimal nuisance, but then along came 09/11, and I had the opportunity to go back where I was comfortable, not always have been able to remember those Navy and Marine terms for the latrine....
I'm really getting too old for the doorkicking end of things, but I can generally keep things that go bang going bang, though I was supposed to be a mobilization and training command S3. And a couple of my news stories have really annoyed people I figured deserved it.
I don't think they'd dare to call me back active again. But just in passing, I hear that the president wants to add the warm body personnel for something like five more divisions.
These kind of resemble that remark as well. From Croatia.
I'm not aware on any official uniforms that include K-Mart brand running shows either (see feet in first pic).
I'm not aware on any official uniforms that include K-Mart brand running shows either (see feet in first pic).
Since the *Mogadishu Mile* incident during the TF Ranger *Blackhawk Down* effort in Somalia, a lot of troopies, SF and Ranger included, are taking their running more seriously. Do it with GI issue boots and you risk stress fractures. The Ranger entry test requires a 2 mile run in running shoes in 15:12 minutes or less, but you'd better be able to hack it in 13; Marines PT runs and fitness tests use a 3-mile distance and I don't know what sort of time limit. But I bet they're wearing running shoes and not boots for most of the practice runs, at least.
And guess what: tossed into your ruck, a pair of running shoes fits nicely, [and serves as hooch slippers, shower shoes and for nighttime outdoor latrine visits] while a second pair of GI 'cruit boots eats up space and adds unneeded weight. For admin basecamp visits and a quick sit-down at the messhall either will do, but the lightweights are quicker to get on and off, in those units far enough from the rear to be bothered by REMF officers and NCOs too worried about why the running shoes aren't all alike, nor shined.
The smart boys have been using them where suitable since the Rhodesian Fireforce airborne started making combat static line jumps with equipment from drop heights of 1,000 to 500 feet and on some instances from as low as 300 feet, wearing rubber and canvas *takkies* rather than the usual infantry 3/4 height *vellies* [Veldskoens] Likewise armoured vehicle crews have found out that lighter shoes cut down on both fatigue and foot injury during mine and IED blasts, and offer more certain footing when pulling maintenance aboard vehicle back decks or atop turrets. And pilots/aircrew are likely to wear about anything.
K-mart versions as *official*, or at least tolerated? I doubt it too, and reckon the troopie so fitted out is a contractor or spook who can get away with whatever he likes [making his choice of rifle similarly interesting] and, at $500-$600 per day, can afford. But I wouldn't be at all certain that those habits aren't shared by some troops in some units.
The bottom pic is of Americans. The woman 2nd from left looks exactly like the daughter of a FReeper (can't recall who, off-hand) who has posted at least a couple of her daughter's photo sets,
Ah, yes.... I referred to you above, but couldn't recall your screen name.
I see that the famous "Orange Cone" is still alive in this pic.... ;-)
Agreed on the 'trainers' in second pic. Regular issue combat boots are a waste of time in that terrain. We wore 'desert boots' (rough suede, rubber-soled, ankle height - '60s 'chukka boot') in Dhofar/Oman. Terrain was mostly reg desert, like in the photo background.
No 2 pic of the Scot is also wearing Brit aircrew cape leather gloves, and new ones at that. Very fine leather giving good feel through them, but they don't last long....Interestingly, the pale colour was swapped for OG in about mid-70's for combat aircrew. Didn't know they still made the pale ones.
Hockey helmet and 'pink' overall is interesting. Never seen that b4. Probly contracters.
UK Special Forces liked pink for their vehicles in the desert.
Ooops.... mean first pic re the trainers.
Yet again...
Closer look both pics 1 and 2 are wearing Brit Aircrew overalls - for desert use. Must be new issue, in my day they were all OG. Pic 2 shows flap to cover pencil pocket on left upper arm, dinghy knife stowage in LH crotch, velcro cuff closures, front calf zippers, empty enclosure for pexiglass scratchpad on RH knee/thigh below First Aid pouch pocket and, if you know where to look, 'pockets' to contain leg restraint garters for bang seats.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Only joined the forum now. Interesting that the M-21 is linked to the Galil. I know that the Serbs intercepted a shipment of South African R4 during the war period. It would make more sense that they used these examples and not the Galil when designing the M-21. Of course the Galil is itself a licensed copy of the Galil, but it has the plastic forestock parts (Galil is wood)... Stock is also slightly longer (apparently average South Africa was taller than average Israeli soldier).
Welcome to FR. Stick around, we have a lot of good firearms threads.
Wellcome.
I belive that Serbian and Israely designers went the same path, eventualy reaching the same result.
Here’s a nice pic of the latest m21 whit a grenade launcher and integrated picatinny rail enjoy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Zastava_M-21.jpg
The cat is out of the bag....
Photo #1 and photo #3 are Op Piper, He is one of 4 Expatriates working with 17 TCNs in Al Anbar, on a convoy team for the US DOD.
Photo #2 is Op Hotspur, An UN job and are task was to provide a complete security package for the 18 demographic departments for the Iraqi Referendum and National Elections.
I know..... becouse I was on the ground.
Hope this helps you all.
Know the truth, and the truth will set you free
We have prepared for that possibility....
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