Our Warriors Need Your Help
Both those in or deploying soon to
Afghanistan as well as Iraq.
Please remember and honor them every day.
With your help, we've sent
63,450
helmet pad upgrade kits to our Heroes
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Our Warriors Need Your Help |
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US Navy Stories:
Congratulations to the SEAL team that rescued our merchant seaman. Forceful
action beats pleading any day. For NSW, San Diego: Glad we could help. Thanks for the letter and
challenge
coin.
Have a video or youtube comment on the
pads? Let us know: ophelm at operation-helmet.org January, 2010: Here we go again.
How that all services have scrapped the PASGT helmet in favor of the Army-style
ACH helmets, we're getting complaints about the discomfort and poor fit of
helmets that utilize the 'new' GI helmet pads. While all 'approved' helmet pads
protect from impact equally, the military only purchases the hard-as-a-rock but
cheaper Team Wendy and MSA pads, choosing to forget lessons learned with the use
of the more pliable and equally protective Oregon Aero pads used for the first
500,000-700,000 ACH helmets used by Army and our Special Ops troops. Cheaper is not always better when troops take their helmets off to relieve
pressure points and are suddenly confronted with IED's, RPG's, and other forms
of deadly ambush. Aside from the personal tragedy of combat injuries and deaths,
the financial cost is staggering, passing $2,500,000 for the lifetime care of a
brain-damaged warrior. Cheaper? I don't think so. Seabees are back in the fray, now in Afghanistan, and asking for our help
in replacing the painful pads they are issued with those that have stood the
test of time. We'd appreciate help in keeping our shipmates performing their dangerous
and sometimes deadly missions with more comfort as well as better protection.
Make a
Donation All
donations are used for the helmet pads, as we're a 100% volunteer organization
with no salaries or admin fees.
6 Nov 2011: Duties: Hospital Corpsman.
Current Pads: NSN. Comments: They give me a headache. they don't completely
cover the velcro so it presses into my forehead. HMC, USN.
20 Oct 2011: Hometown: OCEANSIDE, CA. Heard
About us: INTERNET ARTICLE. Duties: RECONSTRUCTION. Current Pads: NONE.
Comments: N/A. LTJG, USN.
12 Oct 2011: Heard About us: OTHER EOD
TECHNICIANS. Duties: EOD. Current Pads: SKYDEX. Comments: WEARING HELMETS FOR
EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME, PADS ARE THIN AND OFFER LITTLE PADDING WHICH CAUSE
DISCOMFORT. LTJG, USN.
5 Oct 2011: Duties: Builder. Current Pads:
Skydex. Comments: I am constently in My Battle rattle as an crewserve
instructor, and now that i am preparing to go back down range my pads are in
need of replacing. I went to our supply and they offered me old worn down pads
and kit. The tension that this kits creates on my cranium is painfull and it
feels like i have been hit in the head with a hammer after wearing it. PO2, USN.
28 Sep 2011: Heard About us: I purchased one
of your kits when I was in Iraq. Duties: Battalion Chaplain- traveling to 20+
posts providing chaplain services. Current Pads: NSN 8470-01-546-9415. Comments:
It's a very "hard fit", in less than an hour an its creating discomfort, and
headaches. LCDR, USN (FMF)
5 Aug 2011: Heard About us: Friend. Duties:
Supply operations support to Afghan National Police. Current Pads: Mine Safety
Appliance Co. Comments: Current pads hurt my head. I usually have a killer
headache within an hour of wearing my ACH. LT, USN.
20 Jul 2011: Duties: Chaplain. Current
Pads: Gentex. Comments: Thank you. CDR, USN
20 Jul 2011: Duties: Personal Security for
Roman Catholic Priest. Current Pads: Gentex Corporation. Comments: Hard on the
head. Not very comfortable. RP1, USN (FMF)
18 Mar 2011: 18 Mar 2011: Heard About us: A MARINE IN MY SQUAD. Duties:
CORPSMAN/ COMBAT MEDIC ADVISOR FOR ANP. Current Pads: MSA. Comments: CURRENT
PADS ARE RIDICULOUSLY RIGID. THEY GIVE ME HEADACHES, CREATE PRESSURE SPOTS AFTER
SHORT TIME OF USE DURING TRAING OPS FOR DEPLOYMENT. CAUSE POOR CIRCULATION ABOVE
TEMPLE, WHICH IS VERY PAINFUL EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE TIMES OF READJUSTING. AFTER A
FULL DAY OF WEARING I EXPERIENCE INTENSE THROBBING, PAIN FROM WEAR PADS REST ON
MY HEAD, AND A MIGRAINE THAT DOESN'T GO AWAY. HM, USN (FMF)
11 Mar 2011: Duties: Communicator Current Pads: MSA 3/4 " Comments: Pads make
the helmet feel a little tight no matter how I adjust or configure them. IT1,
USN.
13 Dec 2010: Duties: Forward Observer (FO). Current Pads: None. Comments: Issued
old style Kevlar helmet, no pads. CW3, US Navy.
29 Sep 2010: Duties: Infantry. Current Pads: Don't know.
Comments: Hello Dr. Meaders I hope you remember me, weeks ago you sent me 10
pads for my fellow corpsmen in my company, they received them, and they thank
you. Now my unit is deploying to assit In OEF very soon and almost 100% of them
would benefit greatly from a new set of new pads, and I have spoken to the
supply officer in my unit, he told me that he has close to 100 marines in [opsec]
CO leaving for training soon. I thank you in advance, and thank fortaking care
of us Marines, and Navy. HM3, USN (FMF)
9 Sep 2010: Duties: Fire Support. Current Pads: None. Need
size 4 helmet pads with 4-point chin straps. Our ANGLICO is the only ANGLICO
that is poorly equipped. Comments: Don't have any pads. HM1, USN (FMF)
19 Jul 2010: HOSPITAL CORPSMAN FMF Comments: My Kevlar
does not have any pads, so when I go into the prone shooting position the weight
of the helmet covers my eyes making it impossible to shoot, also gets hard to
use Night Vision Goggles when the helmet keeps moving cause there is no
stabilization. Thanks for your help! HM3, USN(FMF). 11 Jul 2010:
Duties: Navy Corpsman attached to an infantry company Comments: The current
pads are hard and stiff therefore my helmet likes moving around and make it
very difficult while trying to treat a patient, sometimes i end up taking it
off all together to i can see what im doing. Thank you for what your doing
here we are all very grateful. HM2, USN (FMF)
9 Jan 2010:
From Afghanistan: I can't express my appreciation enough for the
padding upgrades you sent. We started to distribute the padding today, first to
our water-well drilling team. We'll be prioritizing the remainder by who will
be performing missions outside the FOB. Our water-well team is slated to be
outside the wire performing shallow and deep well drilling in country. There's
plenty of potential to get clobbered from up above by falling steel. Just
yesterday a 18 foot segment of the drilling pipe slipped out of the sleeve, just
missing one of the operators. That near miss reinforced the need for properly
fitting and padded helmets. The team was very excited to receive the new
padding and wanted me to relay their appreciation as well.
30 Nov 2009 - I am requesting 10 kits to outfit fellow docs and marines,
however, if you would like to send more, I will make sure they get to needed
personnel. I just returned from Iraq 3 months ago and we are headed out in 3
months, so my gear is worn but these kits would have made long patrols more
bearable. Thank You. HM3, Navy FMF. 15 Aug 2009 - 4th LAR is deploying. We are a reserve unit
being activated and I have no idea if or when we are getting updated supplies.
Currently I'm still using the helmet with the leather strap. Shooting the s__t
with a marine, he saw my helmet and told me about your upgrade kit. I have a
very old and heavy helmet. It has one button at the chin strap and it's the
oldest design still in use. I believe the boots still use it during boot camp
but here we are using it for training too. Whether or not we get new ones....HM,
Navy
24 Jul 2009 - Medic. We are deploying this year and my standard issue padding is
not comfortable and blocks my eyes when in prone position. also causes
headaches. HM3, Navy
3 Jun 2009 - We are a provincial reconstruction team heading to Farah
Afghanistan to help rebuild that region of the country, multiple convoy's and
meeting with the local leaders outside the wire.
I have several sailors and soldiers that comp of chronic headaches and
pain. LT, USN
30 Apr 2009 - I just receive a brand-new USMC-LW helmet(still in
plastic bag when I got it) in early March and wore it steady for a two week
training exercise in Mississippi; consequently, the center pad is already
flaking up. Also, for those two weeks I had to keep removing my helmet to
relieve the tension headache that it was causing me!
My HM's (medics) and I are going OCONUS in the mid fall of 2009 and I
would like to have all my gear ready prior to avoid any delays at the last
minute. Many thanks to you folks,
and GOD BLESS YOU. LCDR, USN (FMF) 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. Dear Dr. Bob, My son's 2nd deployment to Iraq is coming up in September. He is a FMF
Corpsman who provides medical care to his Marines. He goes where they go! I
ordered 4 kits for my Corpsman and his Corpsman buddies. He will be home in
early August and I will give him the kits. I am now on a mission to get all of
his Marines a kit. I discovered you and your cause yesterday, ordered my kits,
received an email that they are on the way. This morning, I made a few phone
calls to get some donations. 3 calls = $ 300.00 and this is just the beginning.
I was in the grocery store an hour ago and was just talking to this older
gentleman and mentioned your product. He pulled out a $ 20.00 and gave it to me!
I've never met this man in my life. I came home and put in little prayer jar
because I know if I mention this to people, they will give me money for you.
Over the next few weeks, I will tap into every resource I have and then I will
mail you the checks. I will call every person I have bought cookies from,
magazines, wrapping paper. I will approach my local organizations and companies
to make a donation. Being a parent of a solider, I have sent care packages, socks, food,
etc...and as I realize those items make life a little bit easier, they don't
save lives. I want to saves our soldiers lives! I am now a committed donation
raiser. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to really help our troops. Sincerely, Nancy B, Proud mom of Doc Lavi, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Div ... 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
Hello I am a navy seabee and heard about this web site buy word of
First off I would like to say thank you for all your support and hard
work. I am a Navy Seabee currently attached to NMCB-3 and I am deploying to
Iraq very shortly. I heard about "operation Helmet " through some fellow
Seabees and didnt hesitate to look up your site. I have seen some troops
wearing the Harness and have heard nothing but good comments on this
product. I will be doing convoy security in Iraq and will log many miles
sporting my Kevlar Helmet. Replacing my current harness with your upgrade
kit would definitely help to make me a more effective and comfortable
Seabee. Once again thank you for your contributions.
OPERATION HELMET,
"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
8/8/05: Dear Operation Helmet,
My husband will be deploying to Iraq within
the next month. He is currently in training in Port Hueneme. He had heard
of "Operation Helmet" through his fellow servicemen. I began researching
them the moment we received word that he was going to be deployed . Having
a family member preparing to deploy or already deployed imposes unexpected
financial constraints and because my husband is a reservist we have had to
supply quite a bit of required equipment that will not be provided to him.
And I know all to well that I am only one of many that are faced with the
fear of sending their loved one not fully equipped with the safety gear
needed. If funds allow, I am requesting a kit to be sent to my husband at
the following address: XXX (removed for OpSec ) I would also like to thank you for your
support of our troops. I know that you have provided many Soldiers,
Sailors and their
families a sense of peace knowing that they are as best equipped as
possible. Sincerely, Heather V.
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Send mail to ophelm at
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