John Simpson in Iraq
Water remains vital as Army experiments with cooling vests
By J.M. Simpson
Here on the outskirts of Baghdad during the summer months, it’s hot. Temperatures of 115 degrees and more are common from May through September.
The Iraqis call this time of the year, “The Days of Fire.”
No understatement there.
As Fort Lewis soldiers spend another blistering hot summer in Iraq, the Army is examining new garments to help address the problem of wearing the gear soldiers carry in the extreme heat.
Cooler soldiers are much more mission capable than and less likely to make mistakes because they are more mentally alert said Walter Teal. He is an engineer at an Army in laboratory in Natick, Mass., where ideas to keep soldiers cooler are designed and tested.
The engineer’s work is premised on a simple concept: vests that keep soldiers cool while at the same time not add more weight to what they already carry.
The most commonly known cooling system is the Interceptor Ventilator Vest. It was first sent to the Marines last year, and about 30,000 are in use. The vest is comprised of aerated honeycomb fabric that creates a gap between a soldier’s body armor and his body. This construction allows air to move around the soldier’s torso and back in order to evaporate perspiration.
Natick’s next step … called the Body Ventilation System … takes the Interceptor vest a step ahead.
It involves a battery-powered air blower attached to a soldier’s body to circulate air under his body armor.
The Army ordered 2,500 of the blower vests, and tried them out last year in Baghdad. Response to the vest was mixed.
Some soldier said they thought the amount of cooling did not justify the extra weight of the blower, which weighs four pounds.
Another problem discovered was that the blower’s battery was not compatible with the Army’s other equipment.
While work continues to build a lighter blower system, some of Fort Lewis’ Stryker drivers are using a vest – they call it the “air conditioned vest, or ACV – to beat the heat.
“It gets really hot in the driver’s area,” said PV2 Preston Williams. He drives the Medical Evacuation Vehicle, or MEV, for Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and he is a combat medic. “And as you know, the driver sits next to the engine,” he added.
The lightweight vest is pulled on over one’s head and fastened at the side by Velcro straps. The soldier then plugs it into the Stryker’s battery system and selects the degree of coolness he wants.
But does it work?
“Oh yeah, this is a good thing,” continued Williams. “Sometimes it can even get a bit too cool,” he added with a smile.
But Williams was also quick to point out that drinking water – lot of water - is the best way for soldiers to beat the effects of the heat.
“Drink as much water as possible; you can’t drink enough of it,” said Williams. “And pray the AC on the Stryker works,” he added.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
As the proud Mom of a Stryker driver, I'm glad this type equipment is available to give you a bit of relief from the heat! I pray you all return safely!! And soon!!!
Posted by: Kim - Mom to SPC Matt Strong | 24 August 2007 at 17:42
My son just got the vest. He said he had a huge smile and freaked out over it. Amazed at how cool it got. "I had a huge smile".
from his email: "Having the vest really made me happy and I needed it. It wasn't so much just getting the vest that made me so happy it was just because finally something besides bad things were happening. "
Posted by: Debra | 24 August 2007 at 22:36