Kevlar shorts provide added protection

Airman, May, 2005 by Michael Voss

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Airmen at Langley are testing increased protective measures for use in the war zone--Kevlar Tactical Outer Protective Shorts.

Based on data reports and feedback from the field, the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab determined that troops conducting mounted patrols or traveling on convoys, specifically Humvee turret gunners, required increased protection to the lower extremities from improvised explosive device attacks, said Marine Lt. Deborah Packard, Warfighting Lab.

The shorts are designed to minimize fragment damage from the waistline to the knees and provide vital protection to the femoral artery, which passes close to the outer surface of the upper thighs carrying blood from the hip to the heart.

"With the Army being undermanned and overextended, security forces are taking on additional missions, and the shorts are ideal for protecting those servicemembers directly in harm's way," said 2nd Lt. Wendell Morgan, a 1st Security Forces Squadron flight commander.

The 8-pound shorts can be donned in about 90 seconds. They are equipped with load-bearing suspenders for comfort, pockets for items like bullets and radios, and quick release latches which assist with the removal of the shorts in seconds.

The shorts are made from 28 layers of Kevlar and provide level-three protection, making them able to shield against the effects of a 9 mm bullet. They also have Velcro on the sides of the legs for adjustment, helping ensure proper fit.

"Kevlar shorts are part of the natural evolution to provide comprehensive protection to our warfighters," said Lt. Col. Scott Kiser, 1st Contracting Squadron commander.

Officials purchased more than 50 sets of the shorts for security forces and logistics readiness squadrons that include deployed Airmen.

There are 26 security forces Airmen from Langley deployed with the Kevlar shorts. When they return, the product's comfort, fit and practicality for everyday use will be evaluated.

--Staff Sgt. Michael Voss 1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs