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From the Field... December, 2005 August 5, 2003 June 1, 2003 Greeetings: My name is Lt.Col. Paul C. Barnhill, USMCR. I'm currently underway aboard amphibious shipping, returning home from Operation Iraqi Freedom. I purchased the EMR & Scout systems from Kifaru last year. I carried that system through my deployment here. We were given an individual equipment / clothing list, that was extensive, yet we were only permitted one seabag (what the army calls a "duffle") and one pack to carry it all in. That's where the EMR became very helpful. The list of required gear was so extensive, that most Marines were tying stuff on to the pack exteriors with bits & pieces of 550 cord & rigger's tape. It was sad. Using the extension sleeve, I was able to carry all I was required to carry, and more, with space left over. When we arrived in-theatre, we faced a constant SCUD missile threat, with the possibility of those missiles armed with chem-bio warheads. We were therefore required to carry our protective suits, complete with gloves & overboots with us, whereever we went. Using the Scout pack, I was able to carry all of my protective gear comfortably and easily, keeping it protected form the elements until needed, but at the same time it was never more than two minutes away at any given time. During combat operations, we wore the suits constantly for about three weeks. The EMR provided a "comfortable" way to carry heavy loads. I put that in quotes, because a heavy pack is a heavy pack. There isn't really any "comfort" associated with it. But it sure beat the hell out of an ALICE pack. My only negative issue came as I was preparing to re-embark aboard amphibious shipping to return home. As I was buckling the quick-release buckle on the left pack strap, the female end broke at the base, just as I was putting the pack on to go aboard the LCU for the boat ride to the ship. I had to tie it to the strap. Once back aboard, I used the quick release buckle from the cargo shelf to replace the pack strap buckle, and jerry-rigged a buckle for the cargo shelf. When coming ashore back in Norfolk, I intend to use the cargo shelf, and lash my seabag to it, and carry it on my shoulders, as I also have to drag a parachute bag full of other peoples' gear who had to go home early for one reason or another. It will be a murderously heavy load, but I'm confident that the pack will be able to sustain it. Wheterh I will be able to carry it remains to be seen. Respectfully, Lt.Col. Paul C. Barnhill, US Marine Corps Task Force Tarawa, 2D Marine Expeditionary Brigade I Marine Expeditionary Force USS Saipan, LHA-2 May 10, 2003 May 17, 2003 Jan. 21, 2003 May 12, 2003 I own, regularly use and test some of the best packs on the market. After loading your pack with 35 lbs of gear, I found it felt unusually light as compared to other packs. The pressure usually felt on the shoulders and arms now rest on my waste belt and legs. I wanted to see how the pack could handle a full load of 60 to 70 lbs, so I added on other 15 pounds to the cargo area and strapped one 6 lb surveillance tripod and one 10 lb precision rifle onto each side. With each additional weight increase, I was surprised how little it effected the total comfort and manageability. In fact for each ten pounds I added, it seemed like only half of the actual weight. I borrowed one of your Cargo Chairs from Jaret Owens and had him climb onto it to see how practical it would be to carry out an injured person. While I would not want to carry around a 175 lb man all day, it did work by its design and I could easily carry someone for an extended distance. If this was necessary this would be the preferred way to transport someone. Last week, I used the same chair attached to the Pointman as an emergency shelter and sleeping rest during a field exercise on a relatively cold night (ground and air temp. was in the 40‘s). I didn’t bring a sleeping bag, insulated ground pad or tent and needed to get several hours sleep off of the ground. Lying on the ground in cool temperatures without an insulated ground pad (while just wearing layered fleece, watch cap and jacket) always results in my core temperature dropping severely in a short period of time. While using a poncho overtop of me and your pack, I reclined back, I slept solid for three hours and awoke well rested and warm. This would not have been possible without your pack and Cargo Chair attachment. In the rain this setup would have worked just as well. Jaret and I have had many discussions about our recent experiences with your packing systems and are convinced that they are the best packs currently available. Thanks for taking the time and commitment to develop this system. Sincerely, |
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