Pat 80 Kit for ISAF/GWOT?

[T. Alcorn]

Hello,
Since there is no modern forum, I'm posting here.

I bought a Bombardier Iltis, want to kit it out for ISAF to honor my Northern Brothers who are fighting the GWOT.


I'm assuming CF already transitioned from the old OGs to the CadPat camouflage.
What about when the Arid CadPats were finally issued? I've got this pic of CF TOW Iltis, crew wearing the standard temperate? CadPats:


What kit was worn over in the 'Stan? Temperate LBVs and a mix of private purchased kit in coyote, khaki, USMC Desert MarPat?

[maple_leaf_eh]

Oh brother, you picked a painful scab! The CF changed from classic green "Combats" to pickle relish "CAD (pause) PAT" about 2002. The project was called Clothe the Soldier, also known as Tease the Soldier. It was a complete layered, unders to outers, temperate/cold/wet/snow/Arctic ensemble, new departure from the past. Even new rank badges across the three services.

The Forces was in the midst of getting every one from Reserves to Air Force into one uniform when the ISAF mission came upon us. There was talk of an Arid CADPAT and pictures of it were on the website and in the publicity etc. Except the industrial base for making several tens of thousands of high quality uniforms isn't very deep in Canada. So the boys went to Afghanistan in CADPAT. Naturally, the government got its axe kicked for putting the troops into harms way improperly coloured. It didn't seem to make much difference to the Taliban.

MARPAT came along after the fact. Canadians are very touchy about wearing another country's uniforms. (I can only think of one modern instance when the troops wore British desert DPM and that was in Kuwait 1991.) The vests are standard issue Velcro, elastic and panels; now they have a cover with many pockets. Private kit has been in and out of fashion and acceptance. At the time, I believe personal equipment was not advisable. After all, the government gave you the best uniforms for the conditions ...

[T. Alcorn]

I won a set of Pattern 82 webbing complete with Nella C7 Bayonet and eating utensils. Just need to find a exc+ condition Pattern 82 Ruck and maybe the OG Combat Vest in XL.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by T. Alcorn

I won a set of Pattern 82 webbing complete with Nella C7 Bayonet and eating utensils. Just need to find a exc+ condition Pattern 82 Ruck and maybe the OG Combat Vest in XL.

The '82 Pattern Rucksack would be inappropriate for guys in Jump Company 3RCR. The welds that connect all the 1/8th" wires together do not withstand lanyard drops for parachuting. Yes, it is a better frame for carrying, but not for jumping.

The standard rigging is to exit with the rucksack hung under the reserve. The jumper, all crunched over like a dog humping a football, stumbles and shuffles to the door. Out he goes on the green light. After opening and drills, he releases the rucksack to drop 15' or 20'. As the ground approaches, he swings the weight with his leg, hoping not to land on the rucksack. It hits hard and then he executes a precise Parachute Landing Fall.

The jumpers never relinquished their 1964 Pattern Rucksacks and frames. What I first learned to call an Arctic Rucksack, became a Jump Ruck'. When the old rubberized bags rotted off, parachute riggers and little gear companies started selling replacement bags made from heavy Cordura. The 1982 Pattern bag will lace onto the '64 frame, but the lower back pad doesn't go back in time.

[SteveF]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Canadians are very touchy about wearing another country's uniforms. (I can only think of one modern instance when the troops wore British desert DPM and that was in Kuwait 1991.)

Actually, the 3PPCLI sniper sections wore British desert DPM on the first deployment. In fact, it had been a tradition within the PPCLI at least, that members of Recce Platoon wore British DPM smocks while in the field until the introduction of Cadpat. 3PPCLI Recce Platoon had acquired several British issue sniper smocks but whether or not they were actually used is unknown to me. As I left the PPCLI in 2003 I can't say what the current situation is.

[T. Alcorn]

Originally Posted by SteveF

Actually, the 3PPCLI sniper sections wore British desert DPM on the first deployment. In fact, it had been a tradition within the PPCLI at least, that members of Recce Platoon wore British DPM smocks while in the field until the introduction of Cadpat. 3PPCLI Recce Platoon had acquired several British issue sniper smocks but whether or not they were actually used is unknown to me. As I left the PPCLI in 2003 I can't say what the current situation is.

Steve,
I assume the subdue tan Canadian flag was worn on both shoulders? Dual shoulder slip-ons in lieu of the chest rank tab?
Thanks!
Tom A in Colo Spgs

[SteveF]

Will have to try to find some photos to answer that question. I didn't think they wore any national identifier but this is just speculation. I know there are some prints of paintings of Canadian snipers on Op Anaconda but I'm not sure how accurate the details are with regards to those types of details.

[maple_leaf_eh]

I think Macleans magazine had some pictures of the sniper det in UK DPM, but no faces or fronts, so not much use for detail.