Thursday, April 23, 2009

4th ID to get new body armor, lightweight gear

The Army will begin fielding new, lighter body armor and other lightweight equipment next month, starting with 4th Infantry Division troops headed into Afghanistan, the Army Vice Chief of Staff told lawmakers on Wednesday.

Members of the division's 4th Brigade Combat Team, currently training at Fort Carson, Colo., will receive the new Modular Body Armor Vests starting May 11. Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli said they'll finish training with the new vests in hand before heading overseas at the start of the summer, reports the Stars and Stripes.

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