Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1064315
F irst thing first. This uniform was never officially ad- opted and the Mountain MCCUU name was never used officially. It is a common collector's name for this type of uniforms. With increasing involvement of USMC in mountain opera- tions in Afghanistan, it appeared that the standard issue cold weather equipment is not really meant for in Afghani mountains. Advanced researches on new clothing sys- tem were launched to replace regular MCCUU, fleece lay- er and APECS heavyweight cold wet weather parka and pants. The outcome of 2005-2006 R&D program was the Mountain Cold Weather Clothing System (MCWCS) that shared common concept of US Army's ECWCS Gen III. Part of the trials was modified field uniform, now com- monly referred as Mountain MCCUU. It wasn't officially adopted and was only issued on limited basis but in fact it is very interesting example of uniform made for specific conditions. FABRIC All trial sets (number remains unknown) were made by American Power Source under W911QY-06-0008 con- tract from interesting material similar to thin softshell ma- terials used in hiking clothing. The care labels says 50% Nylon and 50% Cotton although in feel it significantly dif- fers from the standard NYCO of regular MCCUU. Perhaps it is a mistake (especially that labels are the same as those in regular cammies). Most probably it is a material made of 98-99% Nylon and 1-2% of elastic Spandex which close to fabrics used in PCU and ECWCS Gen III Level 5 softs- hell layers. It is coated with thin durable water repellent that repels water and force it to bead on top of it. The fabric is well-breathable and definitely wind resistant. It clearly shows it was made for mountain regions. But this type of fabric requires to wear a thermal set underneath it – long sleeve and long johns. Otherwise it will not work as efficient as it is supposed to. Some sources say it is additionally coated with Permethrine insect repellent. www.fragoutmag.com