Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/929822
Equipment carried in ALICE: six 30-rounds magazines, e-tool, cup and 1qt canteen. Complete set up of ALICE Fighting Load (early variant) Early OG106 LC-1 Small Arms Ammunition Case Small Arms Ammunition Case manufactured until 1991 had internal magazine separating bands which were usually removed by soldiers. The ALICE Fighting Load included: belt in sizes Medium and Large, suspenders, two magazine pouches for three 30-round M16 magazines and two grenades each, canteen cover, e-tool carrier, dressing/compass case. The ALICE system also included the Existence Load discussed in the previous article: Medium Field Pack, Large Field Pack, Frame, Shelf, Cargo. It must be clearly pointed out that the ALICE never included any elements carried inside (while nowadays even canteens or e-tools are called ALICE). The ALICE also did not include the 2qt water canteen, M16 rifle cleaning kit case, nylon buttpack, nylon IFAK, or (more likely) the nylon medical bag. All the elements were developed separately at Natick Labs and each has its own history. Production versions of Fighting Load components Belt, Individual Equipment The ALICE belts were produced in nine versions with different buckles, length adjustment system and color. All were produced in two sizes. Medium belt was de- signed for people with waist under 30" (76 cm), while Large – for people with wider waist. The actual size of the belt took into consideration the fact that it would be worn with winter clothes or over PASGT vest. That is the reason why the Medium belt is slightly longer than written on tag as it can be adjusted to a person with waist of approx. 90 cm if worn directly over the BDU. The ALICE belts did not have the inconvenient method of step adjustment with a third, central row of metal eyelets and hooks known from M1956 or LLCE. Thanks to the new buckles, the belt was fully adjustable. On each side, the belts also had two slides/eyelets that locked the length-adjusting buckle on one side and the fastening buckle on the other. In practice, the buckles used for length adjustment could not be clasped over eyelets and the eyeletes could not collide with the belt buckle – the adjustment was slightly smoother, yet still troublesome, bearing in mind the stiff web- bing of the belt. All belts were made of 2.25" wide nylon webbing impregnated with resin. www.fragoutmag.com