Issueing of sidearms overseas

[Adrian]

Judging by the recent pics from Afghanistan, I noticed that a majority of soldiers were armed with sidearms, Brownings, judging by the leg holsters and ammo pouches.  My question is, what's the SOP for issuing out sidearms/pistols for the guys overseas?

 

[Yeoman]

officers, lav drivers, and section commanders pretty much in the infantry units.
Greg

 

[KevinB]

Officers
Senior NCO's
NCO's in 2i/c postions or other pistion that rate a sidearms (DM, sniper etc)
C6 gunners.


They where tryign to get C9 gunners and mostly everyone else pistols but I think that stalled.

 

[MG34]

If there is a need for one you will get it,then again there are plenty of folks who sit behind a desk all day that are running around with them and more.

 

[ROTP Applicant]

I have heard of instances where pilots get issued a sidearm which is NOT the Browning (i.e. CF-18 pilots in Kosovo getting the Sig Sauer P226 in the year 2000).

 

[bossi]

If there is a need for one you will get it,...

When I was in Kabul, CIMIC and LO's had them, because they had to attend meetings where rifles weren't always practical at the table (e.g. NGO's/IO's, maliks/mayors, schools/schoolchildren).

 

[MG34]

Pilots have been issued several types of handguns from S&W Model 29 revolvers to Sig P225,228 and 226.I have no problem with that as it is hard to pack a C7 or C8 into a survival vest.What gets my goat is the REMF types that sit in camp wearing a 9mm on their hip as a status symbol when the troops on patrol have a real need of them.In Op Athena Roto 0 every member of my Platoon (DFS/AAP) was issued a Browning as well as a C7 or C9,not an ideal solution as the C8 would have been better but that is a different story altogether,but at least the lads could defend themselves while travelling in an TOW Jeep. A pistol is rarely the ideal weapon but it sure beats nothing.

 

[Inch]

I have heard of instances where pilots get issued a sidearm which is NOT the Browning (i.e. CF-18 pilots in Kosovo getting the Sig Sauer P226 in the year 2000).

That's all we use (Sig P226) in the MH community since that's what the navy uses.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Pssssst Inch we use the P225 vice P226.

 

[Inch]

Pssssst Inch we use the P225 vice P226.

My bad, I haven't qual'd on it yet so that's my excuse.  :-[

The last pistol qual I did was on the Browning back in 2000. I'll get my shot at the Sig this summer.

 

[SHELLDRAKE!!]

  In an after action for ROTO 0, we raised the fact that all drivers should be issued side arms. Yes you could argue that a driver should be hands on the wheel but if anyone has spent anytime in downtown Kabul, you will agree 95% of your time is spent stuck in traffic at a stand still. Also the lav 3 gunner should have a pistol in the turret, because the CC has the c-6 and as a gunner, your options are the coax/25mm or having your rifle hanging in the side basket where its a pain in the butt.

  With the amount of side arms sitting in lock ups around Canada, IMHO they should be sent to where they are needed.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Pilots have been issued several types of handguns from S&W Model 29 revolvers to Sig P225,228 and 226

Thats quite the variety. I wonder if there is any situations where one of the above would be issued in lieu of another.

 

[Canadian Sig]

On Roto 0 all us SDS guys (dispatch riders) got sidearms after pleading for a shorter weapon to carry in our SUVs. The sigs who are  currently ramping up for Roto 4 are all taking Brownings with them.