ARMS CAPTURED FROM DESERT STORM ON DISPLAY AT SEMO DISTRICT FAIR

A display of captured Iraqi weapons and equipment from Operation Desert Storm is on display this week at the Missouri Army National Guard tent at the Southeast Missouri District Fair.

The exhibit, situated near the Missouri Department of Conservation pavilion, is sponsored by the 135th Combat Engineer Group, based at the Cape Girardeau national guard armory.

"All of the weapons and equipment were brought back to Missouri by one of our National Guard Rear Area Operations Service (RAOS) units that were activated and sent to the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm," explained Capt. John T. Harmon, spokesman for the 135th Engineer Group.

The Iraqi weapons include a Chinese-manufactured 7.62 MM electronic-operated machine gun that can be mounted on a jeep or armored personnel carrier. Harmon noted the machine gun is different from most American automatic weapons which are now fired with a trigger located underneath the weapon.

There is also an Iraqi-manufactured, 40 MM RPG-rocket launcher that fires an armor piercing rocket at tanks or other armored and non-armored vehicles. "The only problem with this rocket launcher is that it didn't do anything to our tanks except make them (tank commanders) mad," said Harmon. "This type of weapon was most useful against other Middle Eastern countries with less sophisticated armor."

Another captured weapon is a 40 MM, light-weight mortar that does not give any indication of the country of origin.

The display also includes an Iraqi steel pot helmet that looks similar to the old World War Two G.I. helmet, which was replaced by a much lighter and stronger helmet.

Harmon said a captured field pack - designed to be worn on the backs of Iraqi soldiers - is about three times as heavy as what today's American soldier wears into combat. "When you look at some of this stuff, it does make you think back to the equipment we used during World War II," he said.

An Iraqi gas mask in the display is much smaller and less protective than those used by American soldiers, Harmon said.

"It's quite a bit different from the gas masks we used in Desert Storm. Our masks give the soldier the ability to drink water without taking the mask off, this one does not. With the high temperatures in the desert over there, I don't see how an Iraqi soldier could wear one of these for very long," Harmon noted.

In addition to the captured Iraqi arms and equipment, Harmon said the National Guard also is displaying a variety of American military equipment, including MRE's (meals-ready-to-eat) and other field rations, and a protective chemical warfare suit.

"Come on out and take a look at the exhibit and look over the military vehicles we have on display," said Harmon.

The public can view the exhibit between noon and 10 p.m.