Frag Out! Magazine

Due to the vast scope of this topic, the material presented below constitutes only a draft – almost every matter dis- cussed here could be treated as an issue for an individual article. If readers of FRAG OUT! show interest in such arti- cles, we will try to satisfy their request. operations in mountainous areas Areas that might be described as "mountainous" constitute 38% of our globe – they can be found on every continent and in every climate zone. The history of armed conflicts includes many examples of situation in which fights in the mountains were to establish control over strategical valleys and passes. Areas of high mountains, meaning relative heights higher than 900 meters above sea level, are one of the most difficult terrains within which war operations are conducted, e.g. the Indian and Pakistani conflict related to Kashmir that has lasted, with some pauses, since 1947. The conflict has been conducted in the shad- ow of the Himalayas. It is the first situation in human history in which fights are conducted at heights exceeding 4,500 meters above sea level. Great heights, fluctuations in temperatures during the day, or frequently changing weather conditions require the soldiers who stay in the mountains to have proper physical and mental predis- positions, training, as well as equipment that allows survival and efficient actions under such extreme conditions. The very topography itself might greatly limit usage of vehicles, while capricious weather has a great influence on helicopter transport. That is why most activities are conducted on foot. In spring and summer, transport is still available, but when it comes to winter season, due to heavy snowfalls, transport is practically unavailable and limited to the existing road network, provid- ed that they are still passable, while the units operating in the mountains must function on their own for a longer time. the compromise As it has been already mentioned in the introduction, in order to conduct operations under such terrain conditions, it is necessary to have properly selected clothing, convenient and capacious backpacks that allow carrying a large amount of personal or team equipment and ammunition at long ranges, ballistic protection, sleeping bags and camping equipment, which allow recovery after operating at low temperatures. In the field of personal equipment, there is a need for finding a compromise between www.fragoutmag.com

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