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EXCURSIONS

Bringing the Frontline to the Homefront

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this page will be updated frequently with pictures of the

56 Stryker Brigade Combat Team / HHC 1-111

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HHC 1-111 is currently deployed overseas

NEW PICTURES AND INFORMATION POSTED

Body Armor (to help protect themselves soldiers wear a specially

designed body armor suit that includes an IBA (intercepting body

armor) Jacket with two bullet-proof plates, shoulders plates, two

side plate protectors (with IBA inserts) and a neck protector. The

entire body armor suit weighs approxiamtely 40 pounds! That's like

putting 20 dictionaries in your school backpack and walking around for 8

hours every day!)

Kevlar Helmet (this helmet is made with a special type of fabric

called kevlar. When kevlar is stacked together and packed really

tight is acts as a bullet proof shield)

Eye Protection (Oakley and Wiley sunglasses provide each

soldier with special eye protection sunglasses that will not shatter

or break even if a bullet is shot directly at them. These glasses

have saved the eyesight of a lot of soldiers)

Camelback (this is a specially designed water hydration system.

A camelback is a small backpack that holds up to 2 quarts of water

and is able to keep water cool in the hot desert sun. Soldiers are

able to carry this on their back and it has a small hose attached to it

that the soldiers can clip to their body armor and drink from).

KEVLAR HELMET

SIDE

PLATES

SHOULDER

PLATES

IBA JACKET

NECK GUARD

PRO

PLATE

SIDE

PLATES

EYE PROTECTION

FIRE PROOF

GLOVES

Combat Load (when soldiers get ready to deploy in defense of America, they are given a lot of special equipment and uniforms which is packed into (from top to bottom) an assault pack, 3 duffel bags and a rucksack. In addition, each soldier also carries a personal footlocker (below) for "personal items" (Cd players, snacks, paper and envelopes, etc.)

The infamous camel spider of Iraq and Afghanistan

CAMEL SPIDER FACTS

Solpugid

Camel spiders are one of the fastest-running arthropods, able to run at up to 10 mph (that is faster than the average human can run at full sprint)! While they have four pairs of legs, they run using only three pairs. The front pair of "legs" are used in a manner similar to the antennae of insects. Because of this, Camel Spiders are not actually spiders at all since they have only 6 legs. Camel spiders are nocturnal predators and feed on scorpions and lizards in the desert environment. Some species kill and feed on lizards and it is speculated that others In desert areas they are often attracted to lights at night in search of food. It is rare to see them during the winter months and they are thought to hide or hibernate during cold periods.

Despite their fearsome appearance (they are about the size of an adult's hand) and their strong bite, they are unlikely to harm humans unless provoked or scared and they do not have a venomous bite. However, many people do not feel the initial bite because solpugids have an anesthetic in their saliva that numbs the sight on contact.

The Camel Spider got its name when the spider-like looking creature was seen catching rides on the humps of Saudi camels as a means of transport.

DROMEDARY CAMELS

The camels native to the areas of Iraq traditionally have one hump and come in every shade of brown, from cream to almost black. Contrary to popular belief, a camel does not store water in its hump. It is in fact a mound of fatty tissue which the animal draws energy from when food is hard to find. They can close their nostrils as protection against flying sand and their ears are lined with fur to protect their ear canal. Their eyes are shielded by a double row of long curly eyelashes that keep out sand and they have thick bushy eyebrows that shield their eyes from the desert sun.