Oddly enough, I am beggining to think that my chances of getting a straight answer here are better than through the chain of command.  I will be heading over to Balad later this year....aircrew.  I am trying to find out if they plan on sticking us with M9's only?  If per chance anyone has been traveling lately over there by way of helicopter, or if there are any aircrew who are/have been there who have a bit of insight....I would appreciate a heads up on what to expect.  No one wants MORE crap to lug around....but the one time you would really need one (if it were to ever happen) would more than make up for carrying one around with you all the time.  Defending myself in the event of a downed aircraft with an M9 DOES NOT sit well with me.  Taking 240's off the aircraft is a great idea IF they are all undamaged and able to be reached.  Not to mention having to grab enough belts of ammo to last for any length of time at all.  
 Just thought I would take a chance and post....I've had many a question answered here without even asking....and found some things out I'm not sure I wanted to know!

A friend of mine spent a year over there as a Blackhawk crew chief with 4ID and all he was issued was an M9.

Thanks for the heads up....ACK!!

You wouldn't by chance be heading to FT Hood first would you? Say in March?

If so we need to hook up. I am with the 131st AVN out of Alabama. Let me know.

And to answer your question, don't bring anything that you would not want to leave over there.  What I have heard is that is is not too hard to get something over, but nearly impossible (Not to mention highly illegal) to bring it back. And also consider ammo while there if you do decide to bring your own. I would stick to 9mm.

I am just going to get myself a good drop leg holster for the M9 and hope for the best.

Either way, good luck and stay safe......

Yes...as a matter of fact I will be heading to Hood first.  I wasn't really considering bringing my own.  Yeah, for sure we should catch up with each other while were there!

Quoted: Yes...as a matter of fact I will be heading to Hood first.  I wasn't really considering bringing my own.  Yeah, for sure we should catch up with each other while were there!

Cool,  I guess we are both part of the same giant Cluster Fuck then huh?
From your sig name I assume you have been in for some time. Or been in then out and back in again?

Lets definetly meet up at Hood, we should have plenty of time there from what they are telling us.

I used to be with 20th SF and alot of those guys took POW's when they went to Afganistan (I didn't go) I assumed that is what you were talking about. I agree that I would much more prefer an M4 to an M9 or just about anything to the M9 for that matter.....

Oh man....cluster is the right term....it's more or less already beggining and that's just with half of a company.  Granted, they stood us up in Oct. and told us to pack in the same month.  And yes, I've been in for a little while...just about to go over 19.  I tell you what...I'm not against the idea of bringing something along...the idea of spending 700-1000 and having to leave it there doesn't bother me in the least....it's hard to put a price on piece of mind.
Damn....20th SF....you should be able to hook me up!!!heavy.gif
Ok..ok..maybe not...just wanted to keep the thought alive!! lol

I know that our pilots tote around M4's, and when I am on DART I carry an M4  and M9, but I am also on Active duty and apart of the 82d Abn Div.  Hopefully they don't stick you with just an M9.  Good Luck over there!  A buddy of mine just came back from Balad and he said it wasn't that bad there.  But then again he is in the AF as a firefighter!

Alot of unit arms rooms in Iraq have extra weapons, tha have not been issued out to any one. Go check other units and have them hand receipt you a M16.

Quoted: Alot of unit arms rooms in Iraq have extra weapons, tha have not been issued out to any one. Go check other units and have them hand receipt you a M16.

+1 - I picked up an M9 for myself as a backup weapon when I was in Iraq.

1) M16
2) AK (confiscated)
3) M9

Stay Safe  

sst7

I'm starting to be cautiously optomistic here.....that there may be atleast a few options.  I had NO idea that other companies arms rooms would even consider signing out weapons to people outside their company??  I had heard that same thing....that our pilots will be issued M4's. Matter of fact...I think they just came in on Friday....the gal who works supply called about having 24 "funny/cute" looking rifles come in.

Quoted: I know that our pilots tote around M4's, and when I am on DART I carry an M4  and M9, but I am also on Active duty and apart of the 82d Abn Div.  Hopefully they don't stick you with just an M9.  Good Luck over there!  A buddy of mine just came back from Balad and he said it wasn't that bad there.  But then again he is in the AF as a firefighter!

Well that is who I fall directly under, we even wear the 18th AVN patch (and beret) even though we are NG. I was dissapointed to hear that we will be mob-ing at Hood instead of Bragg, I was looking forward to running my ol' stompin grounds again.

I have heard talk of M4's too, but I would be happy with even an M16. I can make my own M4 with their lower. I have also been told that we will be getting an M9 as well, but I am one of those wait and see types.

This will be my first deployment with an aviation unit. I have always heard that they go in style, I guess I will soon see exactly what style that is?????

I too am optimistic about this whole thing. I am looking forward to all the training. And eager to get in country and finally get combat experience whatever it may bring.

And Hell, I am even gonna get my E7 while over there too

my dad is a shotgun guy, big sporting clay shooter and ATA shooter etc. i built him a really nice 870 top folder using mostly Wilson parts. he got it there and back in his C-12 no problem. he flew a lot of missions in many different types of airframes and says he always took it with him. then again CW-5s with 15,000hrs, 40yrs time in service and 4 wars dont get questioned about much. for myself i took a police trade-in beretta. dont feel underarmed with the beretta, practice your pistol skills make sure you dont get check-mate mags and have confidence. other than that, just ask the armorer for an M4 when you get to the window. might work out for you.

Quoted: my dad is a shotgun guy, big sporting clay shooter and ATA shooter etc. i built him a really nice 870 top folder using mostly Wilson parts. he got it there and back in his C-12 no problem. he flew a lot of missions in many different types of airframes and says he always took it with him. then again CW-5s with 15,000hrs, 40yrs time in service and 4 wars dont get questioned about much. for myself i took a police trade-in beretta. dont feel underarmed with the beretta, practice your pistol skills make sure you dont get check-mate mags and have confidence. other than that, just ask the armorer for an M4 when you get to the window. might work out for you.

de-cock red dot x 1000. First shot long slow squeeze.  Transition to primary......... I have drilled with an M9 for countless hours and feel confident with it. I still want an M4

But I know what you mean. Now a shot gun? Huh that's an idea.........better yet, I wana be a CW5

Hopefully we will both get M4's and more range time with both the M4 and M9.....

I dont think I've seen one flight crew yet, that has had long rifles in their aircraft.  That includes:  4th ID, 3rd ID and 101st.

Be safe and come back soon.  






_________________________  

 

HueyChief, are you going to Hood in march?  If so, I'll see you there.

ETA: looks like it will be a fiew of us.  Go BLACKJACKS

Everyone in our company carries an M9 on them at all times and we sign out additional weapons and equipment for flights such as M4s, M16s, and M240s.

Hey Nate....what type of a company would that be?  I'm not aware that our arms room will even have additional weapons for issue over and above the norm.  But, hope springs eternal...

Its not that we have additional weapons above MTOE, we just keep them in a central location and sign them out as needed.  It will be up to your chain of command how the weapons will be distributed...

The talk of bringing M16s on flights got me thinking, the A2 is too long to fit in the little bracket on the "broom-closet" by the window. Some people in my company tried stowing them that way in Egypt during Brighstar and it just didnt work. Has anybody modified that barrel holder by maybe moving it up an inch or so? Sheetmetal guys could do it I bet...

Good question....have to look when I go in tomorrow.  I know one thing though...I have PLENTY of room in the back!!

Quoted: I dont think I've seen one flight crew yet, that has had long rifles in their aircraft.  That includes:  4th ID, 3rd ID and 101st.

I finally saw one the other day!

101st bird, had an M4...