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United States Department of Defense
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No. 992-03
IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 30, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco, 28, of Texas, was killed on Dec. 28, in Qaryat Ash Shababi, Iraq. Blanco was conducting a support mission when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle. Blanco was assigned to 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg, N.C.

This incident is under investigation.

GROUND TRUTH FROM IRAQ:

Forwarded Message:
Subj: Tragedy
Date: 12/30/2003 1:02:29 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear all,

I am writing now from Kuwait, awaiting the final orders whether to proceed home or back to Iraq. I am tentatively escorting home the body of my XXXXXXXXXXXXX friend, Captain Ernesto Blanco, who was killed before my eyes in XXXXXXXXXXXX, Iraq, on Sunday, 28 December 2003 at 1245 HRS, approximately 3 hours after my last email to you.

We were returning from a "routine" vehicle recovery mission when an IED went off right next to his Humvee. He took the force of the blast in his face. He had lost so much blood there was nothing we could do, though we sped as quickly as possible to the Medical Detachment at the nearest base camp. He was still hanging on, but soon thereafter the docs were performing CPR. After about 30 minutes, it was over.

What makes me angry is we saw the little Haji bastards who did it; they couldn't have been older than 10. They were 400 meters away and running right to left at an oblique, and so they escaped. Our rounds missed them. Old enough to pull the trigger, old enough to pay the price, I say, but they got away to do it again some other day.

Ernie Blanco was an upstanding Christian man, one of the best officers I have ever had the privelidge of working with. He was a friend I could confide in "off line." He will be sorely missed.

His roommate, CPT XXXXXXX, is also enroute to Kuwait, possibly to take over for me and so I would then return to FOB XXXXXXX. I am praying that I would still be given the honor and privelidge of taking him home. God's Will Be Done.

XXXXXXXX

Subj: Re: Preventing Future Tragedies
Date: 12/30/2003 9:21:34 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
To: XXXXXXXXXXX
Sent from the Internet (Details)

We have contracted for steel hardening of the HMMWVs. CPT Blanco was hit in the face, above the armor plating. The rest of his body was unscathed. There is only so much one can do. We are still trying to contract for the LMTV armor, but it is in the works. Depending on how long I am home, I'll give you a call.

---

The real tragedy in all this is we don't have to be driving and making desperation mods to HMMWVs at all--thousands of M113 Gavin light tracked AFVs are sitting in storage with 1.5" thich hulls, metal road wheels and steel tracks with rubber pads.

I had worked with briefly on arming his trucks before he left for Iraq months ago and we had not done enough to get his vehicles ready and save his life when the hour of need came. We must not ever let this happen again.

Now its time to get ready immediately.

Caveat: Soldiers should at the very minimum be in 11-ton M113 Gavin light tracked AFVs with 1.5 to 1.75 inch thick metal armored hulls, heads out behind gunshields NOT wheeled trucks. The preponderance of armor should be carried by the ground vehicle not the body. But if you can't ride in the right combat vehicle and you must ride in wheels thanks to an uncaring and corrupt Army, then you need to stop worrying about how you look and obtain every inch of protection possible that you can acquire because its a body-carried item below the budgetary "radar screen".

We're in a bad situation in Iraq. Its up to individual Soldiers and units to buy the following items to gain face, neck and eye protection ASAP.

Proposed 4-Layer Face, Neck, Eye Protection System

Layer 1 Small Goggle on face (2.0mm protection)

Layer 2 Large Goggle over small goggle; stored on helmet until needed (2.8mm protection) with camouflage cover

Layer 3 Helmet ballistic clear (2.5mm protection)

Layer 4 Gunshield (25mm ceramic on end of weapon)

TOTAL PROTECTION: 7.3mm of clear ballistic protection; 25mm opaque ballistic protection for a total of 32.3mm or about 1.5" of armor protection

Layer 1: Small goggles/eye glasses

Its too late to protect your eyes after an explosion.

Most Soldiers don't need to wear magnification eye glasses. Those that do are issued cheapo weak brown plastic prescription glasses ("Birth Control Glasses" or BCGs) which offer only marginal protection and cannot be worn under the field protective mask. On top of this, we have 134,000 Soldiers/marines riding around in 10,000 HMMWV trucks in Iraq with vulnerable windshields, windows and doors. This must all change immediately.

If the FPM is donned, there are two options that have to be worked out ahead of time. If you need prescription magnification and want to wear your Wiley-Xs underneath your mask you need to be wearing the strap and NOT the rigid temples. If you want optical inserts then you need to remove your Wiley-Xs from your face if you are using temples or if you are using the head strap, you can whip them off your head or drop them down around your neck. In either case vital seconds will be spent so whichever option you choose as personal SOP, you should train on it continually to save time.

Wiley-Xs can be worn when using Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) and worn tight against the face using the head strap keeps out wind, dust and sand. Clear lens should be worn 99% of the time with shaded lens that could be popped in to act as sunglasses but wearing these and talking to Iraqis really infuriates them.

Details:

www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/level4c.tam?M5COPY.ctx=24172&M5.ctx=3188

Wiley X® Ballistic Eyegear has provided the ultimate in shatterproof eye protection for over 15 years. Now standard issue for the Navy SEALs, USMC Explosive Ordnance Disposal Teams, Special Forces, Border Patrol, FBI, DEA, C.I.D., I.N.S., E.O.D., Amphib Recon and the USA Shooting Team. In Special Ops tests, 12 gauge 00 buckshot was fired at a distance of 7 meters. No pellets penetrated the glasses! In a similar test with #9 shot, there was no penetration even at 5 meters.

COMPARE THE WILEY X EXTREME QUALITIES

• Strength - The strongest die cut Selenite polycarbonate lenses with maximum density and thickness
• Safety - Shatterproof, exceeding safety standards for ANSI Z87.1 and Z80.3 as well as MIL-STD-662 fragmentation protection standard for the U.S. Army
• Clarity - Distortion free for optically correct vision
• Tints - scientifically developed X-Vision™ technology improves and enhances contrast as well as visual acuity for a competitive advantage by using a precise amount of dyes in the manufacturing process to control the amount of glare that is able to reach the pupil and distort your field of vision
• Style - Nearly indestructible Triloid nylon frames with smart styling, and safety protection that many ‘’decorative’’ sunglasses fail to provide
• Protection - UV 400nm for protection from the sun's eye damaging rays

WILEY X® SG-1 SUNGLASS/TACTICAL GOGGLE

** Now used by the U.S. Army Ranger Battalions! ** Cutting edge eyewear that converts from a sunglass into a fully functional, anti-fog goggle with just a push of a button. This “all purpose” eyewear is designed for military use, tactical team wear, bike/motor enforcement as well as the motorcyclist. Helps to eliminate possible eye injuries during confrontations or driving/riding. The SG-1 features a triloid nylon frame system that is fully interchangeable. Wrap-back design offers better peripheral vision than a standard goggle, eliminating tunnel vision. Prescriptionable.

Soft “Ultra-Foam” 2.0 mm polycarbonate ballistic lens assembly provides extra comfort and cups the eye orbits, offering the ultimate sun, wind, and dust protection. Prong technology makes the changing of lenses hassle-free. Quick Connect straight temples disengage with just a push of a button to allow attachment of the tactical headband. The SG-1 comes equipped with two sets of anti-fog lenses - Smoke Green and Clear as Crystal - pull away temples, tactical adjustable elastic headband and a soft microfiber case with an extra pocket for storage included. Click the Product Review button for the Prescription Order Form. Shipping Weight: 0.25 lb / 0.11 kg

Description - Item No. Retail Our Price Stock Qty

WILEY X SG-1 SUNGLASS GOGGLES - PO5301 $99.95 $84.99

GETTING PRESCRIPTION BALLISTIC LENS FOR WILEY-X

www.sportsrx.com

Sports RX
7283 Engineer RD Suite E
San Diego, Ca 92111

OPTION A

You buy your own Wiley-X glasses/goggles the send the clear/dark lens to Sports RX:

$150 + 7.95 S/H

OPTION B

Buy Wiley-X SG-1 and prescription from Sports-RX:

$200 for whole package plus prescription polycarbonate one lens
$260 for the second set of prescription lens

+ $7.95 S/H

NEWS!!!!

Brigade Quartermasters' Wiley glasses/goggles saves a Soldier's life!

"My name is 1LT Aaron Southard, I have been deployed to Iraq for some time now. Before I deployed I purchased a set of X-1s from Brigade. I have loved these glasses, their performance has been unmatched. But recently I came to respect the safety of these glasses. Two months ago, my convoy was attacked with a roadside bomb, three members of my team were killed, and another seriously wounded. I sustained injuries to my left hand and arm, I was evacuated out of theater for recovery. I recently returned to "finish my job". While I was a home, my unit shipped my X-1's back to me. I noticed a pencil eraser sized hole in the left lens. More than likely that lens saved my eye sight and possibly my life. I just wanted to take the time to personnally thank you for a piece of equipment that more than likely saved my life. I will forever continue to use these glasses for the rest of my military career, thank you."

1LT Aaron Southard
2-3FA/1BDE/1AD

Layer 2: Large Goggle

The Wiley-X is a very small goggle/eyeglass and does not cover a large facial area. If you are going into expected enemy contact, place large ballistic goggles over your Wiley-Xs to cover more facial area from their perch on your helmet after withdrawing your camouflage cover. This renders a second ballistic layer. If you need prescription magnification you can wrap the large goggle around your Wiley-Xs. However, it is an option to get large goggles with optical inserts in them, but this means you have to remove or drop your prescription Wiley-Xs down around your neck so you don't get double magnification. Like the FPM you have to decide beforehand if you will embed your prescription into your large goggles or to take care of corrected magnification solely through your Wiley-X glasses/goggles.

www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/level4c.tam?M5COPY.ctx=25932&M5.ctx=3575

ESS® SPECIAL FORCES PROFILE NVG GOGGLE

Low profile frame design was created with direction from elite U.S. Special Forces groups. The Profile NVG is the only compact military/tactical goggle system with no compromises. Profile has all the advantages of a low-profile, night vision compatible frame shape, without sacrifices in dust filtration, field of view, impact protection, or anti-fog performance. Ballistic 2.8mm polycarbonate lens provides higher impact resistance than any tactical goggles from Bollé, Cébé, Oakley, Paulson, Scott. Fully filtered frame with maximum airflow. Permanent anti- fog coating on the inside with anti-scratch on the outside. Soft frame material conforms to any face and is easy to clean and maintain. 40mm strap system.

Profile NVG Specifications:

• Low profile design for improved weapons sighting and universal helmet and night vision compatibility.
• Soft, conforming frame has a comfortable, sealed fit on all face shapes, and the smooth interface is easy to clean - it will not become contaminated by face paint.
• Fully-filtered, high airflow vents surround the entire lens to minimize fogging while repelling particles and smoke.
• Extra-thick 2.8mm high impact polycarbonate lenses with superior Clear Zone anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings.
• Unobstructed, extra wide field of view.
• High impact resistance.
• Meets all ANSI Z87.1 / OSHA requirements
• Meets the rigorous MIL-V-43511C .22 caliber ballistic impact test.
• 100% UVA/UVB protection and distortion-free optics.
• Heavy duty nylon carrying case.• Made in USA by Eye Safety Systems

Each Profile NVG Goggle comes with Two Ballistic Lenses: • Clear and • Smoke Gray • Tear-Off Lens Accessory Item# MGS226 Shipping Weight: 0.31 lb / 0.14 kg

Description - Item No. Retail Our Price Stock Qty

ESS PROFILE NVG 2.8 GOGGLE,OD - MGS2202 $79.99 $69.99
ESS PROFILE NVG 2.8 GOGGLE,BLK - MGS2203 $79.99 $69.99
ESS PROFILE NVG 2.8 GOGGLE,TAN - MGS2206 $79.99 $69.99

www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/level4c.tam?M5COPY.ctx=26326&M5.ctx=3575

ESS® PROFILE NVG GOGGLE Rx LENS CARRIER INSERT

Order this item if you prefer to have your eye prescription specially ground and installed in the goggle for added comfort. This accessory lens holder comes with the jig for the Optical Dispensary to grind the perfect fit.

• Made in USA
• Eye Safety Systems Shipping Weight: 0.18 lb / 0.08 kg

Description - Item No. Retail Our Price Stock Qty

ESS RX INSERT PROFILE NVG GOG - MGS22RX $24.99 $23.99

GOGGLE CAMOUFLAGE

You do not want to ruin your helmet camouflage by strapping on a shiny Sun, Wind, Dust Goggle (SWDG). At NTC we as OPFOR could target and kill BlueFor from miles away because of the glint reflection from SWDGs on the helmets of their TCs and Drivers. While the ultimate solution would be a Tennabraez-type glint shield until this is available, a Cover home-made or store-bought will suffice as some of our men have realized in Afghanistan where long-range target acquisition and avoiding it from the enemy is vital.

What's absurd and ridiculous is that our Soldiers in COMBAT against the enemy are having to use socks and cut t-shorts to cover their SWDGs when not in use because the Army "system" will not supply them a cover unless its "perfect" and has been tested to a ridiculous degree. They have never heard the adage and wisdom; "Perfect is the enemy of good enough". So our troops are cutting t-shirts. Others that don't are getting shot at and wounded and killed.

Soldier having to improvide a cover for his SWDGs....

There is available right NOW, "Off-the-shelf" two SWDG covers that will do the job made by Eagle Industries and offered by Brigade Quartermasters that should be bought by the thousands and issued IMMEDIATELY to every Soldier in Afghanistan and who could fight in the desert for "Desert Storm II".

Eagle Industries SWDG Cover UNLINED (Do not buy lined version! Doesn't wrap well around SWDGs!)

Details

Pics:

Protect one of your most valuable pieces of equipment with Eagle's new goggle cover (patent pending). Our goggle cover will keep your lens scratch free and eliminate unwanted shine and reflection. Eagle's unique design and quality gives our goggle cover the versatility to fit a wide variety of sizes. The following features make our goggle cover a must have.

-Constructed with 420 denier water and abrasion resistant pack cloth.
-Cinch down bungee cord with barrel locks allows for an adjustable snug fit.
-Elastic sides allow for direct attachment to goggle adjustment strap.

OR:

Brigade Quartermasters

www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/level4c.tam?M5COPY.ctx=26234&M5.ctx=26234

GOGGLE SOCK™ LENS PROTECTOR AND ANTI-GLARE COVER, REVERSIBLE

Developed by a U.S. marine to extend the life of his protective goggle lens and eliminate glare when they're not in use. Simple but effective Goggle Sock™ fits easily over virtually all goggle styles in minutes and can be deployed or stowed in seconds! Reversible style matches helmet cover so you'll be ready no matter what part of the world you're in. Elastic at each end ensures foolproof fit.

Choose from Woodland/Desert 3-Color and Woodland/Black reversible versions. Made in USA.

Shipping Weight: 0.31 lb / 0.14 kg

Description - Item No. Our Price Stock Qty

GOGGLE GUARD SOCK REV W/L-DES3 - GGS0246 $11.99
GOGGLE GUARD SOCK REV W/L-BLK - GGS0251 $11.99

Layer 3: Helmet Ballistic Shields

This is where we make decisive protection improvements: fit a clear ballistic protective shield to your kevlar PASGT or ACH/MICH helmet. The Paulsen Helmet Shield NSN 4240-01-430-1983 flips up or down and can protect against small .22 sized bullets/fragments and fully covers the eyes, face and neck. I'm convinced that if CPT Blanco was wearing this shield he would be alive today. Yes, it would be "chalant" to wear helmets with full face shields when in open trucks, but its high time we stop trying to look cool and start doing what it takes to STAY ALIVE. BE ADVISED WILEY-Xs WILL LIKELY BE BLOWN OFF THE FACE IN EVENT OF A BLAST. THE PAULSEN HELMET FACE SHIELD IS A MUST.

Subj: Re: Order more quick clot? Emergency Face Protection
Date: 1/20/2004 4:07:43 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Reply-to: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXX

We are already ordering quik clot. Their answer to face shields is ballistic eye protection, like the Wiley-Xs which blew apart and were laying on the seat of CPT Blanco's HMMWV. Like I keep saying, they have checked the block and that is all they will do until someone else dies and makes another block to check.

I meant to tell you earlier, do not send anything after 1 February; our mail is being shut down on 5 March. After all, it's only morale, and we don't need that between 5 March and 11 April, right?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

If you flip the Paulsen helmet shield down, YOU CANNOT WEAR NVGs. Flip the shield up, you can wear NVGs if you cut out some of the helmet visor attachment lip of the Paulsen shield so the NVG mount can be bolted to the helmet front. Units may decide to utilize their old PASGT kevlar helmets to attach full face shields for driving in exposed vehicles and then switch to their ACH/MICH helmets before getting out to do a raid.

www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/level4c.tam?M5COPY.ctx=26276&M5.ctx=26276

PASGT HELMET FACESHIELD KIT FOR RIOT DUTY - BALLISTIC LEXAN® .250'' V-50 RATED

Hard coated lens with Anti-Fog treatment. Universal fit for all PASGT Kevlar military combat helmet shapes. Full-face shield features a gasket seal to prevent liquids from running into the eyes and face. Clear Lexan® ballistic polycarbonate plastic is .250 thick. Measures 9" x 1" x 6". Natick Approved and in use with US Military Forces. Meets NIJ0104.02 Riot shield standard and MIL-V-43511C fragmentation requirements with V-50 rating. Used by US Military Forces.

The Faceshield features a pivot-and-lock mechanism that mounts to either side of shield allowing left- or right-hand operation. Shield locks up and down, stays in place regardless of rigors of situation. Extra clearance for use over gas mask. Mounts quickly without tools. Fits standard military-style and most police helmets. Deployment kit includes installation instructions. Natick Approved. Used by US Military Forces. Made in USA Meets NIJ0104.02. Riot shield standard and MIL-V-43511C fragmentation requirements. V-50 rated Paulson Manufacturing Model DK5-X.250HM. Shipping Weight: 1.37 lb / 0.62 kg

Description - Item No. Retail Our Price Stock Qty

FACESHIELD KIT,.250" V50 AF/HC - KPF03 $77.99 $73.99

Layer 4 Weapons Gunshield

The final Soldier-level face protection is a gunshield on the end of his weapon as described below:

www.geocities.com/equipmentshop/gunshield.htm

The Army is again criminally negligent for 6 decades after S.L.A. Marshall wrote about the men-against-fire problem not devising small shields to atach to the end of every Soldier's weapon.How many of our men will have to die until we do this?

itsg@hotmail.com

An Army Major writes:

Subject: Some more things that got me torked from Army Times

"Why are Soldiers involved in crowd control not equipped with helmet mounted face shields? Or riot shields? We have SOPs for these things so everyone wouldn't need to be equipped with them if its a money issue. We can issue face shields to mechanics to prevent eye injury when working with batteries. Why not to 11Bs to protect them from rocks, pointed sticks, fingers. At least get them all dust goggles. I noticed that only 2 Soldiers had dust goggles in the picture on pg 20. And they were on top of their helmets, doing no good.

Shields could be kept in a vehicle with the reaction/reenforcment squad out of sight or at the rear rank. If a crowd popped up and started getting edgy then the react force grabs shields moves to the front and becomes the first rank. With riot shields that can be used to persuade people to move vice the "Poke em with the M-4" method. This way their bodies are protected from thrown objects and fist, the protestors arn't inflamed by a gun poking some old guy, no chance of accidental discharge or a civilian snatching a M-4. The show of force is still there since the Soldiers behind the shields have their M-4s ready.

If I was king every unit that went on a snatch raid would have both shields and helmet face shields. At a minimum they should have ballistic goggles. I don't like goggles much because kids that wear glasses can't use them comfortably. They kill peripheral vision.

Its the article on the NG 39th BCT training up at JRTC."