M-65 Field Jacket from Operation EAGLE CLAW

[Korgs130]

Cool video with former Delta Force operator Sgt Major Phil Hanson. A veteran of Operation EAGLE CLAW, he reviews the modified M-65 Field Jacket he wore on the mission. Among other unique features it has pouches to store 10 spare magazines for the suppressed M-3A1 Grease Gun he carried on the mission. Col Charlie Beckwith had everyone turn in their jackets when they got back to Ft Bragg, but Sgt Maj Hansen turned in the spare jacket he had and kept the jacket he actually wore.

I read Col Beckwith’s book “The Delta Force” in the mid 80’s and remember his description of the jackets they wore. Awesome to finally see one.

https://youtu.be/HSqnG5l9wiM


In the second video Sgt Maj Hanson reviews the rest of the gear he wore and gives an in-depth description of how he customized his Grease Gun.


https://youtu.be/sbfRoKWEkQA

[chuckman]

That's very cool and thanks for sharing.

Just goes to show sometimes the best way isn't some high-tech, high-cost thing.

[mildot]

Cool video with former Delta Force operator Sgt Major Phil Hanson. A veteran of Operation EAGLE CLAW, he reviews the modified M-65 Field Jacket he wore on the mission. Among other unique features it has pouches to store 10 spare magazines for the suppressed M-3A1 Grease Gun he carried on the mission. Col Charlie Beckwith had everyone turn in their jackets when they got back to Ft Bragg, but Sgt Maj Hansen turned in the spare jacket he had and kept the jacket he actually wore.

I read Col Beckwith’s book “The Delta Force” in the mid 80’s and remember his description of the jackets they wore. Awesome to finally see one.

https://youtu.be/HSqnG5l9wiM


In the second video Sgt Maj Hanson reviews the rest of the gear he wore and gives an in-depth description of how he customized his Grease Gun.


https://youtu.be/sbfRoKWEkQA

That was a really good watch, I'm just amazed at the improvisation. Do any pics exist of the suppressed grease gun? as an armourer that would be awesome to see.

[Endur]

Always cool to see the ingenuity of past warriors, and to see the lineage in of it in modern kit.

[SteyrAUG]

That's very cool and thanks for sharing.

Just goes to show sometimes the best way isn't some high-tech, high-cost thing.

Yep, SOG did the same thing back in VN. Took what they had and modified it locally. If you read Plasters books on the group he discusses uniform modifications and how they repurposed M-14 magazine pouches for grenades and things like that.

And this is really what drove the creation of Blackhawk gear, former military guys who decided to make the stuff they wish they had.

[jsbhike]

I thought for sure the boots were going to be Browning kangaroo leather. Never would have guessed from Kmart.

[Korgs130]

That was a really good watch, I'm just amazed at the improvisation. Do any pics exist of the suppressed grease gun? as an armourer that would be awesome to see.

There are a few photos of the Unit in Egypt en-route to Masirah for the operation. If you zoom in guy I circled appears to be holding an suppressed M-3 with a light underneath the suppressor in his left hand.

[chuckman]

Yep, SOG did the same thing back in VN. Took what they had and modified it locally. If you read Plasters books on the group he discusses uniform modifications and how they repurposed M-14 magazine pouches for grenades and things like that.

And this is really what drove the creation of Blackhawk gear, former military guys who decided to make the stuff they wish they had.

I had taken a large ALICE ruck to a local company to make a sleeve near the radio pouch for a 3 liter hydration system. Then I had a couple modifications with the pockets and the kidney pad on the frame. I thought I was onto something, something new. Low and behold, about a week after I got this done someone sent me the catalog from Blackhawk lol. Just goes to show there's no such thing as an original idea.

[SteyrAUG]

I had taken a large ALICE ruck to a local company to make a sleeve near the radio pouch for a 3 liter hydration system. Then I had a couple modifications with the pockets and the kidney pad on the frame. I thought I was onto something, something new. Low and behold, about a week after I got this done someone sent me the catalog from Blackhawk lol. Just goes to show there's no such thing as an original idea.

You guys just figured out the same solutions at different times. Only thing really good I can say about ALICE gear is it's very open to mods and updates. The stuff I've seen over the years blew my mind. It's amazing what you can do with ALICE straps, paracord and 100 mph tape.

[jsbhike]

I had taken a large ALICE ruck to a local company to make a sleeve near the radio pouch for a 3 liter hydration system. Then I had a couple modifications with the pockets and the kidney pad on the frame. I thought I was onto something, something new. Low and behold, about a week after I got this done someone sent me the catalog from Blackhawk lol. Just goes to show there's no such thing as an original idea.

I was watching the M-65 video wondering if the Swiss magazine parka played a role or not.