Woodland Patterns in Desert Environments

This is a deal that's been bothering me for a while. In the Gulf War, early Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other operations in the Middle East, I've seen pictures of American soldiers wearing woodland-patterned body armor/pouches with their desert uniforms.

For example:


And also in The Hurt Locker, James is always seen wearing woodland body armor:


Why is that? Did we not manufacture tan/desert colored body armor and gear back then?? Just a little thing that I've been dying to know.

Mainly I'm wondering because I'm considering doing a US Army Gulf War loadout in the future and I was considering a woodland plate carrier because they look pretty good. When it comes right down to it I might just copy James' loadout...

Second question: Where can I find a plate carrier like the one James wears (see picture)? VFC makes this but it doesn't have PALS webbing .

yes, it was due to the small amount of desert colored body armor, also it was personal choice.

could this be what you are looking for? http://airsoftbb4u.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_2_7&products_id=345

Oooh that would work! I'd leave the arm, groin, and neck protection off though. Thanks

im pretty sure it should all come off. no problem man anytime

"Watch your language" straight, NN2H. Think of it this way. Before Desert Storm, the US was ready to fight Ivan on the rolling plains of Europe, not the sandy shitlands of Iraq, so they had waaaay more woodland in stock than desert. When the troops got deployed to the Big F**k, some of them were still wearing their greens. You've got to remember, military supply isn't exactly renowned for being on time.

Drummer, my loadout is '03 US Marine Infantry, PM me if you need help. BTW, James' plate carrier is an IBA w/o the balls pro, neck pro, and arm pro. Also, James' loadout is kinda outta whack

Haha thanks for the info

Don't mention it! Glad to have been a help.