Army testing new camouflage

Army testing new camouflage
By Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Sunday, December 20, 2009

GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — Soldiers heading to Afghanistan could soon be issued new combat uniforms that would offer better camouflage based on their operating environments.

Two 4th Infantry Division battalions are wear-testing new uniforms in eastern Afghanistan right now, according to Col. Bill Cole, a project manager for soldier protection and individual equipment at Project Executive Office Soldier. And a decision could be made by early February to field new uniforms to all soldiers heading downrange.

Soldiers who have served in Afghanistan had identified the need for camouflage uniforms that better conceal troops operating there, according to Col. Scott Mills, of the Army’s Logistics Directorate.

And the issue caught the attention of the House Armed Services Committee after congressmen visited Army leaders at U.S. bases.

The current uniforms do more to “put our soldiers in harm’s way than to protect them,” lawmakers said in a letter sent to the Pentagon.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=66778