US Navy Stories

GO NAVY! Congratulations to the Navy for recognizing a problem, researching the best way to correct it, and taking positive steps to provide an important extra measure of protection and comfort to their "We build. We fight"  men and women in the Seabees providing convoy driving/security in Iraq. The Navy has purchased helmet upgrades, storing them both in Biloxi and Pt Hueneme for distribution to 'bees pre-deployment. Reserve units that are unfamiliar with the Navy's effort to protect them should contact their Supply department to obtain the helmet upgrades.

We recently received a request from the Seabees in Djibouti asking for 700 kits to better protect them and allow for more attention to duty rather than headache! The team they replaced had gotten the helmet upgrades, but none available for the 'new guys'. (May 15, '06)

Preventable head injury and brain damage should be a priority for all services, shipmates.

18 Dec 06 - Good afternoon Dr. Meaders,

I am dumbfounded, speechless, and thankful all at once! I cannot believe that you were able to turn around my order so quickly. From everyone here at DCMA Balad, THANK YOU!  Sincerely, xxxxx, U.S. Navy, LSA Anaconda, Balad Iraq

(Note: Request made 17 Dec; 5 kits shipped on 18 Dec)

22 Nov 06 - I love the way the system works. I have many people inquire on where I ordered mine from, and now I'm working with my supply dept. to order enough for my entire unit. Though I have used this in battle, but I'm sure it will do just great.  PO1 R

The pads are very hot in the summer, but in the winter they are very nice. The chin straps don't stay tight. They tend to stretch when wet and come loose easily. It's a great system though. The comfort is amazing and so is the fit. Thank you so much. I have a few marines that I believe were kept from having worse injuries due to the pads. So thanks again.  HM2 J (note: chin strap in the LWH is the factory standard)

21 Nov 06 - The system is great! I have already had several test to the helmet. (IED's) However the pads don't breath all that well and have a tendency to get hot with any kind activity. Even though that is the case think sometime you have to take the good with the bad.  HM2 MS

19 Nov 06 - The Oregon Aero pad upgrade has made the Marine Lightweight Helmet considerably more comfortable. I can't thank you enough for the generosity in sending out the kits. LT JS

7 Oct 06 - Dr. Bob, I'm stationed over here and you sent me a helmet several months ago.  It's been wonderful, hope someone else can also benefit!  Cdr PT. [note: he sent a donation]

17 Sep 06 - This program is a Godsend! It is bad enough conditions that we are in, and the situations that we are facing. That ANY comfort item, that makes our equipment bearable is a morale booster. It helps me take care of our guys. V/R HM2 Charlotte

4 Sep 06 - I wanted to take the time to thank you for what you are doing to support the troops here on the front line. I am a member of Naval Costal Warfare Squadron 34 stationed in Kuwait. My unit, Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 114, contacted you about providing at least 100 liners for our unit members. These liners have been installed and I have noticed that there are fewer complaints on how uncomfortable the helmets are.  As you know, this will allow more protection for the troops since the longer the helmet stays on their head, the more protection it provides.

Thanks again for providing a valuable requirement that our troops need. Thanks to people like yourself, our troops have the best equipment available.  MS, NCWRON 34, MIUWU-114

03 Sep 2006 - We heard about your site, and we really would appreciate anything you can do to help us. Most of these guys are young, fresh Marines, but they needed a Sailor on this trip. If you could send some helmet pads, it would surely help them feel a little safer out in the middle of nowhere. Twelve pads would help, and twenty would be awesome! Thank you in advance.  CT1 I, Iraq.

... My husband is serving in Iraq as we speak and his unit was humbled by the precious gift of these liners. Not only did it give them more comfort, protect them much better but gave them a sense that people care about them. Republican or Democrat...support the war or don't...they are still husbands, brothers, son's and Fathers...human beings. They are part of history, be it good or bad. They are part of something bigger than us all.

I want to share something with you all that is forever burned in my memory. My daughter and I went to California to say our goodbyes before my husbands deployment. He had just dropped us off at the airport and drove away. My daughter was standing there with tears flowing. She looked at me and said "Mommy, I just want to be normal like all the other kids!" I wanted to fall apart right then. But somehow I managed to look at her and say "Shelby, you are more normal than you will ever know. You at 11 have a love for country and the ones who protect it more than most adults. You have a daddy who loves us so much he is willing to die for us. So you stop feeling sorry for yourself...put your head up high and beam with pride." I realized right then that I never wanted her to feel sad or bad about what her daddy does. And I would spend every breathing moment I have in this life supporting our men and women. That it does not matter if it's "right" or "wrong" but the fact they are there ... doing what most will not.  I have a saying "There are those who serve and those who are glad they do so they don't have to!"

God Bless our Troops

Tina M, July 1, 2006

To: Operation Helmet

I am a researcher in blast injuries and kinetics modeling.  I am developing extremity body armor with the Naval Research Lab and Office of Naval Research. I like this product and it was MARCORSYSCOM that initially pointed me in the direction of Oregon Aero.  I am using my experience in combat to develop new technologies that will protect our combatants.  My second tour in Iraq will be of great benefit in the knowledge gained leading to further development.  For the first time in my 23+ years in the Navy, I truly feel I can make a difference for the men and women who give so much for us. 

As I head back over seas for my second tour in the combat zone with my Shock-Trauma platoon of Navy medics, I find myself extremely thankful for all that we have in this country.  This is truly a season to rejoice and thank God for all we have.  Please pray for our men and women in combat around the globe. 

I wanted you to know that this is a great thing that you and your organization are doing.  I have distributed the BLSS kits to the enlisted men and women. These kids, and I can say that now as I turn 42 in 3 days with almost 24 years in the navy, cannot usually afford this protective gear.  I am proud to serve with them; they give so much and ask for so little.  I have been astounded at how much they are willing to sacrifice so they can take care of their men, women, and civilians in country.  They truly represent the heart and soul of this great country.

Once again, thanks for caring and your service to our country.

Very Respectfully, Dr T,  Medical Corps,  USN

To Whom it May Concern,
I will be deploying to Iraq with NMCB 3 (Seabees) in about 2 weeks and would like to request a BLSS system for my very uncomfortable Kevlar helmet. I have heard from fellow Seabees that this system is a "must have". Thank you very much for helping supply our troops with quality gear since a lot of the issued gear is below par. I have personally spent over $400 for needed gear and still have about $400 more to purchase. Organizations like this are indispensable in helping out all of us who are going forward. Thanks very much. T...C...

Hello I am a navy seabee and heard about this web site buy word of
mouth and was wondering if I could get one. I am going over seas to Iraq very soon and I was told on short notice so I don't have the money. Plus I also have a wife and kids that I have to provide for so I was wondering if you could send me one my address is 1078 b XXX port hueneme ca. thank you and have a good day.
 

"I am writing to thank you for your fantastic ballistic helmet liner system.  I deployed with the 24th MEU that saw duty all over the globe including combat operations in Iraq. Your helmet liner system was incredible. It was almost a joy to wear the normally uncomfortable Kevlar helmet. Your product made it so unbelievably comfortable. I can't say enough about this great product. Many of my friends now have it also. I let all who ask me about it know how great it is. Once they try it on, they are hooked."  HMC J.P., USN