Basically i need to know if the M981 Fist-V has served in Iraq during the course the war.

The answer is yes. I believe the only units with BFIST (Bradley Fires Integration Support Team) vehicles are 3ID (definetely have), 1CAV and 4ID (I think they both have them). 1st Armored still has M981 FIST-Vs and they are/were in Iraq. I am sure on this since we just had a BDE from Ft Riley, 1AD out at NTC, and they still had and were deploying with M981s. The BDE from 2 ID may still ahve M981s as well. Planning a M981 in Iraq, remember, 1AD was not in the initial invasion, it was an all 3ID (Mainly) show. It would need to be on later, patrol and observation type duty. Also, if it was from 1AD in Germany, it would be 3-color NATO camo, from 1AD at Ft Riley, 4-1 FA, it would be sand color. Also, some of the NG units there now have M981s as well, don't know unit designations though.

Good luck.

Yes. Spotted at least one picture in one of the Concord Spec Ops book on the war in Iraq.

Paul

Yup, the POS is still in service in both regular army and NG units.

I was a FIST in the late 70's. Part of the Divisions cross training program...takea manuver officer and stick him with the Arty for 6 months. We ran the 113's with 4 radios. Really liked those Arty folks, but when I transfered back to my regular unit, they wre going to be re-deployed to the other side of Germany, I was short so I was given the option of going to Chicken -Lickin or stateside and release.....guess what i took (my Mama didn't raise no fools)

Thanks for the information, would anyone know the unit markings fo the 1st armoured and the OIF camo scheme.
Thanks

Vertigo,
Take a look at my above post again. Dependng on which Bn you want to do, can either be Sand or NATO camo. 4-1 FA, stationed at Ft Riley, KS has Sand painted vehicles. 2-3 FA, stationed out of Ger has NATO camo. Both were/are in Iraq, bumper numbers would be 1^ 4-1 FA, or 1^ 2-3 FA on left side (^ represents a triangle), and HQ XX (XX being #s) on right side, usually in 70, 80, and 90 number series.

[quote]I was a FIST in the late 70's. Part of the Divisions cross training program...takea manuver officer and stick him with the Arty for 6 months. We ran the 113's with 4 radios.

I did the other side of that. They sent me from 1/2 FA, to 1/68 ARM for a couple of weeks. At that point I believe there was "dedicated" tank set aside at each company for the FO to use. They figured we'd better know how to "fight" it. The TO&E vehicle provide for each "FO" from the Arty Battalion was an M151 jeep with one VRC 46 radio and and a second vehicle mount for the PRC 77 which could be removed for dismounted operations.

I guess they must have listened to our constant complaining about having to use a jeep with only two radios to provide fire support for an tank/mech company. Having a tracked vehicle dedicated for the FSO is a must for a tracked unit.

Tom