US Army Special Forces Transformation 2

Operator with a wild mix of privately procured equipment. Simple tactical vests are visible (presumably BHI) as well as other rigs.

Like all other units of the US Armed Forces, the equipment of the Army Special Forces (SF) ODA's has changed over the past 10 years. Here is the second part of the overview of gear development in the Special Forces - written by Oxymoron, thank you very much! - provides the following overview.

Gear Mix
Like any other special unit, the SF's in the Army also combined gear in adventurous ways to meet various missions. Particularly in many reconnaissance and PsyOps missions in the Afghan hinterland, individualization was common. Noticeably, many operators often did not wear any body armor. Many privately procured systems from various well-known manufacturers were used. Vests and rigs from companies like Eagle, BHI, LBT, and later Paraclete were used. The RAV, which quickly gained many "fans," is just one example. Exotic systems like the PBPV-Body Armor (which is now rare) were also sometimes procured by entire ODA's in a decentralized manner.
For example, the 10th SFG was the first SF unit to be equipped with the CIRAS in 2004 due to a supply contract with Eagle Industries. The 20th SFG had a contract with Sotech, so the entire Group used their products for a long time.

An ODA of the 20th SFG with Sotech Callahan and Hellcat systems (2003-2005)

SFLCS/ACU Era
In 2005, the SPEAR system was gradually replaced after it was found that the system was not to everyone's liking. The disadvantage lay in the insufficient modularity, even though the ELCS had set standards in this regard. Some operators found the ability to attach MOLLE pouches only vertically (BALCS) and diagonally (ELCS) to be restrictive compared to the horizontal standard.
The kit was ultimately replaced by the now well-known Special Forces Load Carrying System (SFLCS). It is manufactured by Eagle and also includes parts from Allied Industries. The basic color of the system, a compromise between OD and Tan, was named by Eagle as "Matt Johnson Khaki" (MJK) in honor of the designer/engineer with the same name. Over the years and depending on the manufacturer, there have been noticeable variations in color. The kit consists of 42 parts, many of which are included multiple times. There are four carrier systems to choose from (Mar CIRAS, PC/w. Cb or MBAV, Rhodesian Recon Vest, and Ranger H-Harness), as well as the Concealable BALCS Carrier designed specifically for use with the Rhodesian and H-Harness, although this is almost never done in practice. Additionally, there is a wide variety of pouches and other parts to equip and customize the systems. Eagle has thought of almost everything, from simple mag pouches to small modular assault packs and pouches for various common explosives, as well as the breacher pouch.

SF Operator in 2010 in Afghanistan. The ACU in Multicam (referred to as OCP - Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern in Army jargon) and the SFLCS Kit with CIRAS and various pouches are visible. His gear includes trekking shoes, Mechanix gloves, and a Suunto watch, which are typical. In this case, the 5th SFG operator is carrying a Glock 19 as a replacement for the M9 in a BHI SERPA holster on a MOLLE platform.

In addition, at the end of 2005, the new ACU (Army Combat Uniform) was introduced as a replacement for the Woodland BDU and Desert BDU. However, the UCP camouflage pattern has not been very successful. All units (including the SF) in operational areas are now equipped with ACUs in Multicam (or in Army jargon, "OCP - Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern"). Prior to this, it was not uncommon for the SFs to use Multicam products. The reappearance of (modified) Woodland BDUs has also been observed. Additionally, a small number of new night vision optics have been introduced, such as the adapted from aviation AN/VIS 6 and 9. The M4A1 Carbine is still in use, mostly with KAC RIS and SOPMOD I and II components, and often with M203 launchers in SF operations. The MICH TC-2000 helmet is also still widely used. Due to the capabilities of the SFLCS, individualized gear is less common, with the exception of some "civilian" shoes and gloves being used.

Another, somewhat atypically equipped operator (7th SFG) during a competition in 2011. He is wearing a modified Woodland BDU with an MBAV, equipped with an improvised holder for a breacher tool and a G19 in a G-Code SOC holster. His gloves are Camelbak Vents. He is wearing a TC2001 helmet with an AN/AVS mount adapter on the NVG plate. His headset is a Peltor Comtac 2. He is carrying an M4A1 10.5" with a LaRue 7" RIS, an EoTech 553, and an M3X Light.

HERE is the link to the first part of the article.

HERE is the link to the troop review "US SOF - Yesterday and today"

Special Thanks to Oxymoron!