Irish Desert DPM's?

[Docman]

A simple question.....

What do Irish troops wear as DPM's in the desert? I know that in Somalia in 1993, they were wearing US "Chocolate chip" DPM but has that changed or are they wearing something else

http://www.military.ie/pr/photo_gallery_overseas_unisom.htm

Maybe the new US Desert uniform or French?

[yellowjacket]

Concerns were expressed after the Somalia mission about using the same unifom as the US for fear of getting mixed up with them.

The Americans have also discarded the "choc-chip" pattern used at the time because it wasn't very effective.

A desert toned version of the current DPM pattern, like the UK desert pattern, would probably work quite well.

[sledger]

1 TPT in Somalia wore the US desert DPM, while the 2 TPT wore the standard green combats.

[Erwin]

Standard dress for overseas missions regardless of AO is the DPM shirt with light DPM slacks & desert boots/Boots operational!This topic came up before i remember!

[Fianóglach]

I reference to the overseas chocolate chip uniforms worn in Somalia, I served with No 1 Transport Coy In Somalia (93- 94) we did wear the US style chocolate chip uniform if only for the first 5 to 6 weeks. Things were getting a bit “hot” and as was stated earlier the locals for US troops mistook us when we were in Mogadishu. So a French style of uniform was shipped out to the company. We still wore the chocolate chip uniform in Biadoa where we were based, as it was a far better uniform for the conditions there. Before we left for Somalia each soldier was issued with 6 of the chocolate chip uniforms. I still have one that I never wore in the attic somewhere and another I presented to an MP Sergeant in the Curragh who collects uniforms and puts them on display in various barracks around the country. As for the present overseas uniform for hot conditions, this is the normal DPM but in a light weight material.

[yellowjacket]

Would the decision to wear "greenish" DPM on overseas missions change depending on the role?

For traditional peacekeeping, camoflauge may not be a priority, in fact being visible might be considered a good thing.

On the other hand, in peace-enforcement, where combat might be on the cards, presumably any tactical advantage gained from appropriate uniform colour would be viewed as beneficial?

[T.I.M.]

Originally posted by yellowjacket
Would the decision to wear "greenish" DPM on overseas missions change depending on the role?

Sort of, it would depend on the terrain the troops would be operating, and what uniform were available (I.E. Troops wouldnt wear Artic DPM for the desert conditions....)

For traditional peacekeeping, camoflauge may not be a priority, in fact being visible might be considered a good thing.

Thats why on peace keeping missions we wear a big BLUE HELMET's

On the other hand, in peace-enforcement, where combat might be on the cards, presumably any tactical advantage gained from appropriate uniform colour would be viewed as beneficial?

Correct!

[Groundhog]

If the Leb counts as a desert (it's very hot) they just wore the ordinary DPMs with the brown desert boots...


Lebanon has no desert area. It is very hot. In the summer. The winters are f*****g freezing and extremely wet so desert boots were out too. For most of the Lebanon period the dress was bush greens in summer and combats in winter. Some battalion commanders insisted on black boots all year round. DPMs were only introduced for the last two or three battalions.

[Erwin]

And some other Bn OC's insisted on helmets & flakkers on the checkpoint,in summer even if the situation didn't necessitate it!!!Oh the thoughts of that shite again!!

[Fianóglach]

This photograph was taken in Mogadishu Sea port in late 1993. It shows the replacement uniform for the "US chocolate chip DPM". The Acmat trucks were used as gunships and provided protection for the weekly convoys to Mogadishu. As well as the .5 HMG, there was also 2 GPMG mounted on the sides and the co-driver also had a mount on the bonnet for another GPMG. A great vehicle for the conditions with plenty of firepower!. The truck in the rear is the good old reliable MAN Diesel 4x4 the work horse on No 1 Transport Coy.

[Fianóglach]

This photograph was taken in Camp Shannon, Biadoa in September 1993 and shows the “chocolate chip DPM”. The legionnaire in the middle was Irish and he was serving with the 13th Regt D.B.L.E. French Foreign Legion who were deployed in the Biadoa area at the time.

[yellowjacket]

Ok, taking the colour pattern from Brit desert DPM, and photoshopping it onto Irish gives:

[T.I.M.]

You REALLY have too much time on your hands YJ.... WAY too much!

[andy]

intresting stuff there Y.J but thats still too many colours, any chance of seeing a 2 tone one? or something like the new USMC one?

[yellowjacket]

Ok.