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Mind the blast...

By The Armorer on October 5, 2009 | | Comments (14)
D-oh!  Can we do another one?  My camera wasn't ready...

U.S. Marines create a back blast as they conduct a live-fire exercise with the AT-4 rocket launcher on Camp Atterbury, Ind., Sept. 28, 2009. The Marines are assigned to Force Reconnaissance, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Andrew J. Carlson

U.S. Marines create a back blast as they conduct a live-fire exercise with the AT-4 rocket launcher on Camp Atterbury, Ind., Sept. 28, 2009. The Marines are assigned to Force Reconnaissance, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Andrew J. Carlson

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14 Comments

By AFSister on October 5, 2009 7:41 AM
I go by Atterbury a few times a year... but I never get to see the fun stuff like this!
 
By AW1 Tim on October 5, 2009 9:12 AM

 Umm... soo... can someone explain to me why these Devil Dogs are wearing flight suits?

  Enquiring minds want to know...  :)
 
By Slinky on October 5, 2009 10:25 AM
My guess would be that they are a RECON/TRAP team assigned to a Marine Airwing.

You can see what may be a HABD Bottle in the closest marine's vest and thier helmets appear to have provisions for ICS.

Then again when I've never seen MAW guys carrying anything heavier than a 40mm Grenade Launcher (Unless you count the .50s mounted on thier Helos)
 
By Will S on October 5, 2009 2:22 PM

Many Marines, not just flight crew, but 0311 types too, wore that suit in Anbar because it is a better flame retardant than their normal BDU.  It is one last barrier between them and getting burned by an IED.

 
By Grimmy on October 5, 2009 3:32 PM
AW1 Tim:

Force Recon. The USMC's version of the SEALs. Force Recon is a theater level asset. Those particular Marines are part of the SOC (special ops capable) element of 24th MEU.

They wear the flight suits, iirc, for one of two reasons.
1. Flight suits are sign of "high speed, low drag" outfit belongage. Ref: see FAST.
2. They do a lot of flight suit oriented work, like HALO insertion and such.
 
By Will S on October 5, 2009 7:57 PM
www.arcent.army.mil/.../jul25_28/26_03.jpg

This was taken in July of 2007.  This Marine is with 1/11. 

 
By Will S on October 5, 2009 8:16 PM
Dang, user error, the link is bad.  Do a google search of Marines on patrol in 2007 and there will be multiple photos of Marines on patrol in uniform like those above.  Sorry.
 
By Rivrdog on October 6, 2009 2:54 AM
Is there a method to their madness of it it just coincidence that the one troop wearing appreciable back-strapped gear is sustaining the backblast to his equipment?

No experience with such weaponry, but it would stand to reason that weapon operator present a clean (and fireproof!) rear to the backblast.
 
By Attila on October 6, 2009 3:40 AM
Flight suits are just cool. Even the Corps thinks so. Heh. Ooorah...and Heh again.

Heh. -Attila 
 
By BillT on October 6, 2009 5:40 AM
...it would stand to reason that weapon operator present a clean (and fireproof!) rear to the backblast.

Extra insulation from the whoosh.

But then, your appeal to reason is misplaced. They *are* Marines, yanno...

 
By Mike Miller on October 8, 2009 4:17 AM
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Somethin' about this picture is wrong. Glaring blast/flash on the far side of the launcher tube but not on the near side of the tube. Me thinks PhotoShop. Have the  forger executed, ... his head on a pike.



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By John of Argghhh! on October 8, 2009 7:04 AM
Mike - I think not.  It's an official photo, and the flash reflection appears in the appropriate places on the backs of the Marines.  I think the photographer (and it's possible it's a still from a video) just caught it at the moment of ignition, before the round started moving.  There's no sign of flinch on the Marines, either, which, of course, actually supports *both* theories.
 
By MIKE MILLER on October 9, 2009 4:05 AM
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I'll wager two days grog, there are other Leathernecks with rocket launchers not visible down a line of shooters at the range. That explains the flash/blast apparently going around the exhaust tube on the right (far)side and not on the easily seen near or left side.

Yes,.....nitpicky..........sorry.




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By MIKE MILLER on October 9, 2009 1:02 PM
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I've noticed the blurb about the unprepared camera above the photo. The camera is  facing the correct direction to take a shot  of another launcher down the line from the one in the foreground.

Just somethin' I noticed....





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