File: 970903_oct1_0047.txt
Page: 0047
Total Pages: 106

NBC Defense

Corps AR-5 Aircraft Protective Mask. Diagrams of the M17A2, MC-U2/P, M25, and
M24 are provided in Appendix F-4. Personnel surveyed stated a high degree of
confidence that their issued mask would perform well if needed (see Appendix E- 1 2).

(S) Operationally, a major source of ftustration for all Marines was the inability
of the Ml 7A2's to rapidly replace contan-dnated filter elements without mask removal.
This was not a problem with Navy MCU-2/P, standard issue to the Naval Construction
Regiment under the MEF. The MCU-2/P has a screw on filter canister sirrdlar to and
compatible with NATO mask canisters used by the British and others in SWA. All NBC
office-S were ve-y concerned that a newer protective mask was not fielded in time for
use in SWA. Unconfirmed rumors that the Army had fielded the new M40 series mask,
with sc.-ew on filter car@s[ers, angered many.

(S) Another operational concern of all front-line Marines was vision restriction
encountered when wearing the M17A2. The vision restriction and mask lens geometry
coupled together causes problems with weapon sighting systems on the TOW, SAW, and
armored vehicles. This is partly the fault of weapons designers, as weapon sights must
be beire- designed to accommodate protective masks. Many medical personnel asked
why they couldn't have used the Navy standard MCU-2/P's as the full-view faceshield
would have facilitated working on casualties.

(S) Armored vehicle crewmen had special problems with masks concerning
communication, vision, cumbersome air hoses, drinking capability, and serious mask
shortages. The M25 tankers mask was not designed with a drinking tube capability.
With ampufled desert temperatures in armored vehicles a drffiking capability was a
must for vehicle crewmen, in M60 tanks, Light Armored vehicles (L&Vs) and Assault
Amphibian Vehicles (AA\rs). This was nor a problem in the MIAI tank which had a
collective protection systems. Crewmen found it necessary to keep an M17A2, in
addition to the M25, in their vel-dcle for use outside the vehicle and to provide a
drinking capability. innovative Marines went a step ftu-ther and cut the microphones
out of their issued M25 masks, which were in critically short supply and no longer in
production. These microphones were then taped to the M17A2 to provide a single
mask with conununicadon hook-up arxd drink capabihry (see photograph, Appendix
G-1 0).51 Their only complaint with this modification was with difficulty in weapon
sighting. Ln fact, they were happy to be rid of au the hose attachments of the M25
mask. Because of the great amount of time spent riding open-hatch and with ingress
and egress of infantry, LAV and AAV unit NBC Officers suggested a new mask be
obtained with a fuu-face sweld, communication adapter, drinking rube, and easy

5@MCCLS tape #886
400ow
38