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MACV-SOG Equipment: |
RT New York: One-One Ed Wolcoff: Equipment Breakdown
Our latest photo shoot was inspired and is in tribute to RT New York and this photo is inspired by photos of One-One Ed Wolcoff. Its a composite of a number of photos as on the mission in question he was carrying a CAR-15. 1: The uniform is standard US Jungle Fatigues dyed black. These served two purposes; they were good camouflage in dark triple canopy jungle and they might fool NVA soldiers that wearer is Viet Cong from a distance, giving valuable seconds in a fire fight. 2: On his harness he the AN/PRT 4 and AN/PRR 9 Squad radio, these were used for inter squad communication (we are not suggesting this is what Ed Wolcoff was carrying on this mission) 3: The weapon is a cut down Soviet or Chinese RPD, a modified weapon unique to SOG. Here is what Lee Burkins, One-Zero of RT Vermont, told us about the RPD "I never carried the RPD but Wollcolf (RT Washington)did. He carried drums. I believe he had a hand made pouch he tied onto his gear to carry other drums and additional belts of ammo in his rucksack." 4: RPD belts are carried in canteen covers along with grenades, again we had some feedback from Lee Burkins about how he carried grenades "I used canteen covers to carry baseball grenades (I think I could get four into a pouch??) I carried a total of 10 baseballs, 2 WP grenades" 5: Evidence in photographs show Wolcoff wearing WW2 leggings these were used to protect the lower legs. Only teams in Command & Control Central (CCC) Kontum wore the WW2 Leggings. 6: Photos show Wolcoff carrying an M17 gasmask as opposed to the smaller XM28 Riot gasmask, this was carried on the left hip and secured around the thigh. They were used to protect against CS gas used to break content with the enemy. 7: Shown in the photographs is the CISO manufactured Indigenous Rucksack. This CISO Indigenous rucksack was owned by SOG RT member CPT. Carleton Vencill. Vencill was a member of CCS in 1970. 8: Hanging from the load bearing equipment is the Hanson Rig, this was an early form of extraction device made from an A7A strap. These were used when extraction by helicopter was the only option, if a landing site was unavailable. We have also got a black & white and colour versions of the shoot, as well as full details of the gear carried by each team member. The shoot was held in a Victorian fort that is used by the Royal marines for training and features 3 levels and 14 mils of tunnels that are perfect for room clearing tactics. You can see some pictures of the location here. To top of the days training we stayed in the Senior NCO's mess at Tregantle Fort, which has amazing views of the sea. The boys at Southwest Wargames put on a great event and we cant recommend Gaz, Liam and Mich highly enough. http://southwestwargames.webrok.co.uk/ All photos by Natasha Talarico
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