Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

data for: carrying a large bag down the helicopter, U.S. soldiers

U.S. soldier field equipment too heavy, leading to U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, skeletal muscle strain or multiple aspects of the disease, affect the operational deployment.

“Washington Times” 1 reported that the military stepped up a new generation of lightweight body armor and helmets R & D to meet operational needs.

cause injury

recent U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James Conway visited Quantico military bases, visit the new R & D progress in bulletproof vests and helmets situation.

according to Conway’s words, “We must reduce the soldier’s load.”

U.S. military statistics show that in 2007, triggered by heavy field equipment, leg injury , knee and other injuries was 25.7 million cases in 2006 increased approximately 1 million cases annually.

resulting attrition affect the deployment of troops. Peter Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army with respect, that burden, even if the young soldiers are unbearable, “You can not carrying such heavy equipment, at an altitude of 8000-10000 ft (2438-3048 m) in (Afghanistan ) Mountain duty for 15 months. ”

this stage, a Marine standard field equipment including body armor, rifles and other weapons, ammunition, water, food and communications equipment, with a total weight of about 44-61 kg.

in Afghanistan, U.S. soldiers implementation of three-day mission, carrying the weight of about 59-68 kg.

U.S. military base at Fort Benning officials describe Jim Stone, a group of soldiers like the horse too much weight, “can not stay too long.”

deposit weakness

In fact, U.S. soldiers and equipment for the heavy bullet-proof device, intended to deal with Afghanistan and Iraq powerful roadside bomb attack .

this reduced mobility, but U.S. soldiers, which is particularly evident in the Afghan mountain combat.

“Washington Post” quoted an unnamed U.S. military officer as saying, in Afghanistan, a lot of fighting in the mountains 3,000 meters above sea level started, thin air, dozens of kilograms of equipment, severely limited Soldiers speed.

contrast, the Taliban militants more mobile and flexible, most of them wearing shoes, action faster than the U.S. military.

U.S. troops in Transvaal Aires Abdullah, 34, back injuries while serving in Iraq. He put the blame on carrying heavy combat equipment.

he recalls, during military service, including four wearing his bullet-proof armor units, respectively, to protect the throat, groin and shoulder, in addition to carrying 10 kg of ammunition, rifles, flashlights and so on.

busy response

heavy field equipment to solve problems, in addition to development of lighter, thinner and equipment, the U.S. military has also taken a number of temporary emergency measures.

one of which is targeted to enhance physical strength training soldiers to reduce the risk of injury. At this stage, the U.S. 10th Mountain Division in 德拉姆堡基 to start this exercise. According to Master Sergeant Qiao Mengtuo say, the weight-bearing exercise can reduce the risk of injury 45%.

military also plans to combat units with more therapists to help soldiers reduce the pain.

In addition, U.S. forces stationed in eastern Afghanistan, a formal application has been allotted a lighter body armor, with a total weight of less than 20 kg. Commanders will be based on operational needs, provided the circumstances under which soldiers can use this equipment. (Han Jianjun)