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Show D ^ Country March 10. 2005 Langley Airmen test Kevlar shorts for protection rt [°s Air Force aims to reduce fragitems iike ment damage from waistline to ^ bullets and radios, and quick release latches which assist with the removal of the shorts in seconds, officials said. They arc made from 28 layers of Kevlar and provide level-three protection, making Ihem able to shield against the effects of a 9 mm bullet. The shorts also have Velcro on the sides of the legs for adjustment, helping ensure proper fit. "Kevlar shorts are part of the natural evolution to provide comprehensive protection to our warfighters," said Lt. Col. Scott Kiser, 1st Contracting Squadron commander. The idea of Kevlar protection has been around since the Vietnam War. but it was not put into production until recently when newer, lightweight materials became available, officials said. knees, protect femoral artery By Staff Sgt. Michael Voss 1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va.— Airmen here are testing Kevlar shorts designed to complement their current vests and helmets. Base officials here are the first in the Air Force to purchase the Kevlar Tactical Outer Protective Shorts. The shorts minimize fragment damage from the waistline to the knees and provide vital protection to the femoral artery, which passes close to the outer surface of the upper thighs carrying blood from the hip to the heart, officials said. The 8-pound shorts can be donned in about 90 seconds. They are equipped with load-bearing suspenders for corn- A contractor designed the shorts for the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory at Quantico, Va., afler deployed Marines asked for additional protection in the lower torso area. "Based on wound data reports and feedback from the operating forces, the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab determined that Marines conducting mounted patrols or traveling on convoys, specifically Humvee turret gunners, required increased protection to the lower extremities from improvised explosive device attacks," said Marine Lt. Deborah Packard of the Warfighting Lab. Officials here purchased more than 50 sets of the shorts for security forces and logistics readiness squadron Airmen now deployed in hostile areas. "With the Army being undermanned and overextended, security forces are taking on additional missions, and the shorts are ideal for protecting those servicemembers directly in harm's way," said 2nd Lt. Landon Morgan, a 1 st Security Forces Squadron flight commander here. There are 26 security forces Airmen from here deployed with the Kevlar shorts added to their armored protection, and when they return they will evaluate the product's comfort, fit and practicality for everyday use, officials said. "'The investment for the shorts is minimal compared to the cost of saving a life," Colonel Kiser said. Air Forco photo by Slafi Sgt. Dawn M. Bole" Second Lt. Wendell Morgan, a flight officer with the 1st Security Forces Squadron at Langley AFB, Va., wears protective Kevlar shorts being tested by the Air Force. Airmen secure perimeter around air base in Iraq By Senior Airman Colleen Wronek 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- To keep Balad Air Base, Iraq safe and secure, the Airmen of Task Force 1041 venture off base daily to take the fight to the enemy. "This is a war against insurgents, and the battlefield is asymmetric," said Lt. Col. Chris Bargery, task force commander. 'The vast majority of attacks against air bases are stand-offs. We can't stay inside the fence and hope the bad guys go away. Hope isn't effective in preventing attacks, so we go out and take action." The unit's mission is to make sure the base stays secure by conducting offensive ground combat operations. "We've been effective," said Colonel Bargery, who is deployed U.S. Air Force plioto by Tech. Sgl. Mike NEAR BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Airmen of Task Force 1041 patrol the local area. The task force is a self-sustaining unit of specialists (who are all trained to be defenders.) rt.Ur... from the Pentagon. "The number of attacks is down, and I believe our work here will have a lasting impact." The unit leaves the base and conducts combat security patrols in local villages to track down terrorists. "The local people are afraid. The terrorists operate (among) them, and we have to win the confidence of the local people," Colonel Bargery said. "If you demonstrate you are a fair and effective alternative to the terrorists, you can sometimes earn the people's support and build lasting relationships." "We go out there and get rid of the threat so the military can continue its mission unhindered," said Capt. Warren Cohn, task force tactical commander deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. "Our goal is to stop indirect fire attacks. That's what were trained and equipped to do." The Airmen try to make the community feel safer by hunting down the enemy. "We go out and try to draw the enemy out," said Staff Sgt. Kyle Luker, a fire team leader also deployed from Moody Air Force Base. "You really never know who you're dealing with," he said. Sergeant Luker has been on more than 60 missions. He said one benefit is helping the Iraqis. "We meet a lot of local people, and we give them food and make sure they are safe," he said. "The only difficulty is the language barrier." The unit falls under the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, but was under the tactical control of the Army's 2nd Brigade Combat team for the majority of the missions. "We've had really great support from Air Force and Army (leaders)," Colonel Bargery said. "It's an opportunity for the Air Force to contribute to the defense of this installation in the best way possible." The unit is self-sustaining and has personnelists, intelligence specialists, information managers, supply Airmen, communications specialists, vehicle maintainers and medics. "The unit isn't just a security forces operation," Captain Cohn said. "No matter what your job is, everyone here is trained to be a defender first." **' •'•" '••"' I NOW IN OGDEN! Are ^u Tired of Drafty Old WindovtflThat are Hard to Clean? FREE CALL NOW & Receive $150 00 Entry Door or Storm Door ; > Gift Certificate to Budget Blinds with any window or exterior replacement •^•W""' • ' ' with any window LeSkmg TA'onvy? 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