US 3-Day Assault Packs (1990s – 2000’s)

Camouflage, Commercial Items, London Bridge Trading, Modern (1990 - Present), Packs, United States, War on Terror, War on Terror (2001 - 2021), Webbing

More historical information about 3-day assault packs can be seen here: https://soldiersystems.net/2020/05/16/a-lost-history-30-years-of-the-eagle-a-iii/.

Sample 1: 3-Color Desert Patriot Performance Materials

Made by Patriot Performance Materials in three-color desert (DCU) camo.  Design is a copy of the Eagle Industries IIIA pack (Sample 2). 

Buckles:

Inside:

Named to a physician attached to Shock Trauma Platoon 2 in Iraq in 2004 (Article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18189183).

Top:

Bottom:

Has similar loops as Eagle bag on the bottom, maybe for tying sleeping bag/tent roll.

Sample 2: Black Eagle Industries

Called the “Ninja Bag” (source: http://soldiersystems.net/2016/05/04/warrior-west-lbt-brings-back-the-original-3-day-pack/, https://soldiersystems.net/2020/05/16/a-lost-history-30-years-of-the-eagle-a-iii/).

Buckles:

Made by Eagle Industries after 2002 (according to buckle date code). 

Bottom:

Has similar loops on bottom, like Sample 1.

Tag:

Zippers:

Sternum Strap:

Has elastic in the middle.

Sample 3: LBT-1547D

This type of jumpable pack was used in Iraq and Afghanistan until approximately 2009 (source: https://www.facebook.com/GearRef/photos/a.390820164705053/390820871371649/?type=3&theater).  

Made by London Bridge Trading in Virginia Beach, VA. 

Buckles and Tag:

Likely from late 1990s – early 2000s time period (757 area code gold label with 1999 buckles here: https://warriors.militaryblog.jp/e729562.html;  Similar buckle markings on 2003 dated example here: https://www.instagram.com/p/1QPXA0FrPN/).

Back:

1000D cordura body with 500D shoulder straps.  Very similar to LBT 1547A pack intended for US Army Rangers except with pouches for carrying specialized radio equipment such as antennas and “X” made from Mil-W-4088K webbing on back:

Bottom:

Bottom has webbing compatible with ALICE clips meant for tying objects to the pack to be carried.

Sternum Strap:

Sternum strap has elastic in the middle.

Zipper:

Plastic zipper with YKK metal pulls:

Side Pouches:

Side pouches sewed to backpack.

Inside:

Has velcro “hatches” by top handle.  

Inside has tie-down straps (?) for securing gear while jumping. 

Ad:

From https://books.google.com/books?id=nQHwAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA146&lpg=RA1-PA146#v=onepage&q&f=false

Usage Photos:

March 4, 2002: Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), scan the ridgeline for enemy forces during Operation Anaconda (U.S. Army photo/Spc. David Marck Jr., from https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9/operation-anaconda).
March 15, 2003: A Combat Controller (CCT) pulls security while his team starts to establish the departure end of a runway during a training mission (to establish and assess an airfield) at an undisclosed location in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. CCT is a team of Air Force personnel organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support Special Operations under clandestine, covert, or low visibility conditions. These teams establish and control air assault zones; assist aircraft by verbal control, positioning and operating navigation aids; conduct limited offensive, direct action and special reconnaissance operations and assist in the insertion and extraction of Special Operations Forces (U.S. Air Force Photograph by Staff Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock, from https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196569/warrior-airmen/).

Sample 4: Black Blackhawk

Same design as Eagle Industries version (Sample 2 on this page). This example was found without a waist belt.

Bottom:

Metal Strap D-rings:

Inside:

Top Hole:

  • Inside.

Grommet at top under elastic piece under drag handle likely for a hydration bladder hose or antenna.

Zippers:

Heavily corroded due to maritime usage. Zipper pulls are covered by rubber to minimize noise.

Lower Buckles:

ITW Nexus lower buckles dated to February 1996. This is the only date indicator on the backpack.

Tag:

Tape:

One external tie down strap secured with tape.