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50-610: The MICH was originally part of a series of combat helmets designed for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command as a replacement for the PASGT helmet and the various non-ballistic skateboard, bicycle, and whitewater "bump" helmets solely within those units. Development was done from 1997 before it was released in January 2001 by the United States Army Soldier Systems Center. The main reason for

100-700: A Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED) detachment, a HUMINT and GEOINT detachment, and conducts the Special Warfare SIGINT Course; and an additional PED detachment at Fort Eisenhower . On order, it deploys and conducts intelligence operations as part of a Special Operations Joint Task Force (SOJTF). The [REDACTED] U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC), activated on 25 March 2011, organizes, mans, trains, resources and equips Army special operations aviation units to provide responsive, special operations aviation support to Special Operations Forces (SOF) and

150-402: A continuous basis. Soldiers assigned to 112th are taught to operate and maintain a vast array of unique equipment not normally used by their conventional counterparts. To meet the needs of ARSOF, the 112th deploys communications packages that are rapidly deployable on a moment's notice. Soldiers assigned to 112th are airborne qualified. The [REDACTED] 389th Military Intelligence Battalion

200-413: A future operations detachment, a commodity managers detachment, and an ARSOF support operations element. The [REDACTED] 528th Support Battalion provides rapidly deployable combat service support and health service support to ARSOF and consists of a headquarters company with an organic rigger detachment, a special operations medical detachment with four Austere Resuscitative Surgical Teams (ARSTs),

250-581: A host nation. Their low profile and command structure allow them to solidify key relationships and processes, to address root causes of instability that adversely affect the strategic interests of the United States. The [REDACTED] 528th Sustainment Brigade (SO) (A) is responsible for providing logistical, medical, signal, and intelligence support for Army special operations forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and war fighting commanders. Headquartered at Fort Liberty, North Carolina,

300-485: A pair of "cat eyes"—patches, some purely reflective and some also slightly luminous, on the back intended to prevent friendly fire incidents. The MICH is also slightly smaller than the PASGT, providing 8% less coverage; this is primarily in the elimination of the brow and raising of the sides to the point that the lower brim behind the temple is "flat", compared to the "curved" profile of the PASGT. This accounts for some of

350-463: A pair of straps on the rear to keep protective eyewear in place, as well as cloth helmet covers in varying camouflage patterns including M81 Woodland , three-color desert, USMC MARPAT , U.S. Army UCP , Crye MultiCam , and solid black for use with SWAT teams, among numerous other patterns available commercially. As with its PASGT predecessor, the MICH is often worn with a band around it which features

400-404: A prone position, this is rectified in the MICH with its reduced profile and four-point chinstrap. The baseline "full cut" helmet, which has a four-point chin strap and seven pads worn inside. The second cut known as "high cut", which removes all ear protection allowing for more headset options at the cost of all side protection. The third cut known "gunfighter cut", which raises the area around

450-666: A viable military option for a variety of operational taskings that are inappropriate or infeasible for conventional forces, making it the U.S. military's premier unconventional warfare force. Today, there are seven special forces groups, each one is primarily responsible for operations within a specific area of responsibility : The mission of the 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) and 8th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), a.k.a. PSYOP units, are to provide fully capable strategic influence forces to Combatant Commanders, U.S. Ambassadors, and other agencies to synchronize plans and execute inform and influence activities across

500-635: Is a division-level special operation forces command within the US Army Special Operations Command. The command was established on 30 September 2014, grouping together the Army special forces, psychological operations , civil affairs, and other support troops into a single organization operating out of its new headquarters building at Fort Liberty, NC. Established in 1952, the Special Forces Groups, also known as

550-491: Is at Joint Base Lewis–McChord . The [REDACTED] 75th Ranger Regiment , also known as the Rangers , is an airborne light-infantry special operations unit. The regiment is headquartered at Fort Moore , Georgia and is composed of a regimental airborne special troops battalion , a regimental airborne military intelligence battalion, and three airborne light-infantry battalions. The [REDACTED] 1st Ranger Battalion

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600-523: Is enlarged by 60 percent. The enlargement was made in order to extend the effectiveness of the camouflage pattern to as close to 350 meters as possible These changes reflected a shift in the tactical focus of the United States military from fighting an extremely close-range war such as the one in South Vietnam to a longer-range one such as on the fields of Europe. Near InfraRed compliance Many old M81 Woodland BDUs are made with Nyco. It

650-400: Is not labeled as NIR compliant however testing done on the material and dyes used in the creation process found it to be effective in camouflaging under InfraRed light. Coloring The US Woodland pattern was printed slightly darker than ERDL for two key reasons. First, the chosen colors complemented the pattern sizing, creating a monotone appearance at greater distances and enhancing

700-838: Is one of the Army's premier education institutions, managing and resourcing professional growth for soldiers in the Army's three distinct special-operations branches: Special Forces, Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations. The soldiers educated through SWCS programs are using cultural expertise and unconventional techniques to serve their country in far-flung areas across the globe. More than anything, these soldiers bring integrity, adaptability and regional expertise to their assignments. On any given day, approximately 3,100 students are enrolled in SWCS training programs. Courses range from entry-level training to advanced warfighter skills for seasoned officers and NCOs. The [REDACTED] 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) qualifies soldiers to enter

750-774: Is set to replace LWH in use by the United States Marine Corps and the ACH and MICH 2000 helmets of the U.S Army, Air Force, and Navy. The ECH itself is in the process of being replaced by the Integrated Head Protection System helmet in US Army service. United States Army Special Operations Command Operation Uphold Democracy War on Terror The United States Army Special Operations Command (Airborne) ( USASOC ( / ˈ j uː s ə ˌ s ɒ k / YOO -sə-sok ))

800-716: Is stationed at Hunter Army Airfield , [REDACTED] 2nd Ranger Battalion at Joint Base Lewis–McChord , and [REDACTED] 3rd Ranger Battalion is at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning ) along with the special troops battalion, the military intelligence battalion, and regimental headquarters. Within the US special operations community, the 75th Ranger Regiment is unique with its ability to attack heavily defended targets of interest. The regiment specializes in air assault , direct action raids , seizure of key terrain (such as airfields ), destroying strategic facilities, and capturing or killing high-profile individuals. Each battalion of

850-1044: Is the USASOC aviation staff proponent. Today, USASOAC consists of five distinct units: the [REDACTED] 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) , the USASOC Flight Company (UFC), the Special Operations Training Battalion (SOATB), the Technology Applications Program Office (TAPO), and the Systems Integration Management Office (SIMO). The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), newly subordinate to ARSOAC, provides aviation support to special operations forces. Known as "Night Stalkers," these soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations striking undetected during

900-696: Is the command charged with overseeing the various special operations forces of the United States Army . Headquartered at Fort Liberty , North Carolina , it is the largest component of the United States Special Operations Command . It is an Army Service Component Command . Its mission is to organize, train, educate, man, equip, fund, administer, mobilize, deploy and sustain Army special operations forces to successfully conduct worldwide special operations. The [REDACTED] 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne)

950-828: Is to convince enemy, neutral, and friendly nations and forces to take action favorable to the United States and its allies. The ranks of the PSYOP include regional experts and linguists who understand political, cultural, ethnic, and religious subtleties and use persuasion to influence perceptions and encourage desired behavior. With functional experts in all aspects of tactical communications, PSYOP offers joint force commanders unmatched abilities to influence target audiences as well as strategic influence capabilities to U.S. diplomacy. In addition to supporting commanders, PSYOP units provide interagency strategic influence capabilities to other U.S. government agencies. In operations ranging from humanitarian assistance to drug interdiction, PSYOP enhances

1000-699: The [REDACTED] 197th Special Troops Support Company from the Texas Army National Guard , and 1/528th Forward Support Company from the West Virginia Army National Guard . The [REDACTED] 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion specializes in communication, employing innovative telecommunications technologies to provide Special Operations Joint Task Force (SOJTF) commanders with secure and nonsecure voice, data and video services. The 112th's signals expertise allows ARSOF to "shoot, move and communicate" on

1050-487: The 24th Special Tactics Squadron , perform the most highly complex and dangerous missions in the U.S. military. These units are also often referred to as "Tier One" and "special mission units" by the U.S. government. M81 Woodland The U.S. Woodland is a camouflage pattern that was used as the default camouflage pattern issued to the United States Armed Forces from 1981, with the issue of

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1100-498: The Battle Dress Uniform , until its replacement in the mid to late 2000s. It is a four color, high contrast disruptive pattern with irregular markings in green, brown, sand and black. It is also known unofficially by its colloquial moniker of " M81 " after the Battle Dress Uniform it was first used on, though this term was not officially used by the U.S. military. Although completely phased out of frontline use in

1150-577: The Green Berets , was established as a special operations force of the United States Army designed to deploy and execute nine doctrinal missions: unconventional warfare , foreign internal defense , direct action , counter-insurgency , special reconnaissance , counter-terrorism , information operations , counterproliferation of weapon of mass destruction , and security force assistance . These missions make special forces unique in

1200-501: The Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) as Task Force Green, is an elite special mission unit of the United States Army , under the organization of USASOC, but controlled by JSOC. It is used for hostage rescue and counterterrorism, as well as direct action and reconnaissance against high-value targets . 1st SFOD-D and its U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force counterparts, DEVGRU, "SEAL Team 6" , and

1250-481: The MH-6 Little Bird helicopters, and MQ-1C Gray Eagles via four battalions, two Extended-Range Multi-Purpose (ERMP) companies, a headquarters company, and a training company. The [REDACTED] 1st Battalion, [REDACTED] 2nd Battalion, the regiment, and its ERMP companies are stationed at Fort Campbell , [REDACTED] 3rd Battalion is at Hunter Army Airfield , and [REDACTED] 4th Battalion

1300-709: The United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command in 2011 and was also worn by MARSOC forces in the War in Afghanistan. The Air Force phased out the woodland pattern battle dress uniform in 2011 when they went to the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) which used a pixelated version of the tiger stripe pattern. It was in turn replaced by the Army's OCP by 2021. The Civil Air Patrol ,

1350-591: The 528th Sustainment Brigade (SO) (A) sets the operational level logistics conditions to enable Army Special Operation Forces (ARSOF) using multiple Support Operations teams and three battalions. The Support Operations teams embed each regional theaters' staff to support planning and coordination with theater Army, U.S. Special Operations Command and U.S. Army Special Operations Command to ensure support during operations and training. Support Operations consists of four detachments: current operations, which manages five geographically aligned ARSOF Liaison Elements (ALEs),

1400-544: The Army's entire special operations force through the [REDACTED] Special Forces Warrant Officer Institute and the [REDACTED] David K. Thuma Noncommissioned Officer Academy. While most courses are conducted at Fort Liberty, SWCS enhances its training by maintaining facilities and relationships with outside institutions across the country. The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), commonly referred to as Delta Force, Combat Applications Group (CAG), "The Unit", Army Compartmented Element, or within

1450-622: The MICH during its own search for a PASGT replacement, but chose to adopt a helmet that retains the profile of the PASGT but is lighter, known as the Lightweight Helmet , which incorporates improvements in the MICH such as the liner and retention system. The MICH ranges in weight from about 3 lb (1.36 kg) (size medium) to just over 3.6 lb (1.63 kg) (extra large). It uses a new, more advanced type of Kevlar and provides increased protection against handgun rounds. A pad system and four-point retention system, similar to

1500-524: The PASGT helmet warranted organization-wide distribution, and began to release examples to the Army at large as a more cost-effective solution to reequipping the entire Army. To date, the MICH and its derivatives, the Advanced Combat Helmet and Enhanced Combat Helmet have fully replaced the PASGT in active U.S. Army service and is in use with all branches of the U.S. military in at least some capacity. The U.S. Marine Corps evaluated

1550-491: The U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Woodland is still used on some limited level by some branches such as MOPP suits, equipment and vests left over while some modernized uniforms (either BDU or commercial) were worn specifically by special forces such as USMC Forces Special Operations Command and United States Navy SEALs . The woodland pattern is nearly identical to the brown-dominant version of the ERDL pattern , only differing in that it

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1600-490: The U.S. military because they are employed throughout the three stages of the operational continuum: peacetime, conflict, and war. Often SF units are required to perform additional, or collateral, activities outside their primary missions. These collateral activities are coalition warfare/support, combat search and rescue, security assistance, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, humanitarian de-mining, and counter-drug operations. Their unconventional warfare capabilities provide

1650-657: The Woodland pattern. Most of the Navy has transitioned to the Navy Working Uniform , which uses digital patterns in either a woodland colorway (NWU Type III) or, for some deployed tactical units only, a desert version (Type II). The Woodland Pattern BDU was phased out by the Marine Corps with the introduction of the digital MARPAT Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform in 2002, although it was reintroduced for

1700-495: The cushions and straps found on the aforementioned skate, bicycle, and water helmets, replaces the nylon cord suspension system, sweatband and chinstrap found on the PASGT helmet. The change provides greater impact protection and comfort for the wearer. It can be fitted with a mounting bracket for a night vision device on the front, such as the AN/PVS-14 or AN/PVS-15, similar to that on the PASGT helmet. It can also be fitted with

1750-467: The development of the MICH was due to the protective but heavy PASGT being supplanted by these bump helmets by special forces operators due to them being lighter, more comfortable, closer-fitting, and made of plastic making them easier to mount accessories onto, especially night vision devices and communications headsets. The lighter weight and non-ballistic nature of these helmets allowed the fitting of additional accessories without putting undue strain on

1800-491: The ears by about 1/2", allowing for a wider range of headsets to be used and roughly meeting the profile of the skateboard and whitewater helmets previously used by special forces. The Advanced Combat Helmet is derived from the MICH in terms of design, but offers superior protection. The Enhanced Combat Helmet is identical in shape to the Advanced Combat Helmet but thicker and made with lighter materials. It

1850-410: The effectiveness of the pattern. Second, there was a strategic consideration for large-scale production, where fabrics tend to be lighter than intended due to the production process. By starting with slightly darker colors, the eventual fading of the fabric through use, and washing would result in colors moving closer to the desired target, thereby prolonging the garment's useful life. In the U.S. Army,

1900-535: The hours of darkness and are recognized as the pioneers of the US Army's nighttime flying techniques. Today, Night Stalkers continue developing and employing new technology and tactics, techniques and procedures for the battlefield. They employ highly modified heavy assault versions of the MH-47 Chinook , medium assault and attack versions of the MH-60 Black Hawk , light assault and attack versions of

1950-778: The impact of those agencies' actions. Their activities can be used to spread information about ongoing programs and to gain support from the local populace. The [REDACTED] 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) enables military commanders and U.S. Ambassadors to improve relationships with various stakeholders in a local area to meet the objectives of the U.S. government. 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne) teams work with U.S. Department of State country teams, government and nongovernmental organizations at all levels and with local populations in peaceful, contingency and hostile environments. 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne) units can rapidly deploy to remote areas with small villages and larger population centers around

2000-473: The neck or requiring the drilling of holes through Kevlar to affix night vision mounting brackets, compromising the Kevlar helmet's protective ability if not done precisely. Inevitably, operators suffered injury and deaths due to taking their wholly unsuited plastic helmets into the unforgiving environment of close-quarters warfare, especially the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu where at least one Delta Force operator

2050-401: The plastic bump helmets, it replaced them almost completely in direct action missions where operators are most likely to suffer head injury from fragments, concussive force, or bullets. Initially, it was used almost exclusively by SOCOM and some units with close ties to them; however, the U.S. Army later determined that the improvements presented by the lighter, higher-cut, and brim-less MICH over

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2100-776: The range of military operations via geographically focused PSYOP battalions. [REDACTED] 4th PSYOP Group (A) consists of five battalions: [REDACTED] The 8th PSYOP Group (A) consists of two battalions: Psychological operations are a part of the broad range of U.S. political, military, economic and ideological activities used by the U.S. government to secure national objectives. Used during peacetime, contingencies, and declared war, these activities are not forms of force but are force multipliers that use nonviolent means in often violent environments. Persuading rather than compelling physically, they rely on logic, fear, desire, or other mental factors to promote specific emotions, attitudes or behaviors. The ultimate objective of U.S. PSYOP

2150-472: The reduced weight and allows for both greater situational awareness and less obstruction of the wearer's vision, particularly when combined with Interceptor Body Armor . Previously, soldiers had complained that the high collar of the Interceptor combined with the two-point chinstrap pushed the back of the PASGT helmet forward, in turn moving the helmet brim over their eyes when they attempted to fire from

2200-570: The regiment can deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours' notice. Rangers can conduct squad through regimental-size operations using a variety of insertion techniques including airborne , air assault, and ground infiltration. The regiment is an all-volunteer force with an intensive screening and selection process followed by combat-focused training. Rangers are resourced to maintain exceptional proficiency, experience and readiness. The [REDACTED] U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (SWCS) at Fort Liberty, North Carolina,

2250-552: The special operations community. The [REDACTED] 2nd Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) focuses on teaches special operators advanced tactical skills as they progress through their careers. The Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center, operating under the auspices of the [REDACTED] Special Warfare Medical Group, is the central training facility for the Department of Defense special operations combat medics . Furthermore, SWCS leads efforts to professionalize

2300-575: The woodland-patterned Battle Dress Uniform was replaced by the digital Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) found on the Army Combat Uniform , introduced in 2004. UCP itself was replaced by the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) in 2019. The pattern is still used on MOPP suits and some older models of body armor yet to be retired, such as PASGT vests and Interceptor Body Armor. The U.S. Navy no longer uses

2350-697: The world. They help host nations assess the needs of an area, bring together local and non-local resources to ensure long-term stability, and ultimately degrade and defeat violent extremist organizations and their ideologies. They may be involved in disaster prevention, management, and recovery, and with human and civil infrastructure assistance programs. The 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne) conducts its mission via five geographically focused operational battalions: The soldiers in these units are adept at working in foreign environments and conversing in one of about 20 foreign languages with local stakeholders. Brigade teams may work for months or years in remote areas of

2400-459: Was established in March 2015 and conducts command and control of multi-disciplined intelligence operations in support of the 1st Special Forces Command (A) G2, component subordinate units, and mission partners via three companies: a headquarters company; an Analytical Support Company with a cytological support element and five geographically aligned regional support teams; a Mission Support Company with

2450-399: Was killed by a shot to the head. While no ballistic helmet of the time could protect from small arms fire in close-quarters combat, it inspired the U.S. Army to create a new helmet to better protect special operations forces in direct action missions while providing the weight and modularity they desired that caused them to cease using the PASGT in the first place. An initial stop-gap solution

2500-769: Was provided in the RBR S4 helmet (introduced in 1994), which is difficult to find information on but appears to be derived from the French SPECTRA helmet ; it particularly resembles the Canadian CG634 , which is a derivative. Meanwhile, development was under way of a purpose-built helmet under the SPEAR program, which eventually produced the MICH in the late 1990s and offered in three cuts to allow operator choice in balancing protection and weight to suit their preferences and mission profile. While it did not entirely replace

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