| Place | Middle East: Iraq, Al Asad |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL35804 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Helmet |
| Physical description | Compressed fibre, Cotton webbing, Leather, Plaster |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | Unknown |
| Conflict |
Iraq, 2003-2013 |
Iraqi M80 Helmet: Al Asad Airbase, Iraq
Description
Plastic-coated compressed fibre helmet with faded green chin strap attached by a pair of metal swivel mounts. The chin strap has a pair of metal attachments at the ends for wearing the chin strap under the chin, one of which is broken. The faded green webbing and tan leather head band has several hand written Arabic words in both blue and black pen around it. A triangular Iraqi military marking in faded black ink is on the middle of the fabric liner. 'S20' is hand etched inside the crown. The outside of the helmet is dark green and is extensively covered in small scratches. Nine semi-recessed rivets go around the helmet liner. These are used to mount the internal headband. On either side of the helmet liner are three triangularly arranged semi-recessed rivets for mounting the chin strap to the helmet liner.
History / Summary
This helmet was found during a 'sensitive site exploitation' of Al Asad Airbase, Iraq which was captured by Australian forces in April 2003. Arabic script is written on the helmet's liner and may be the name of the wearer.
The Iraqi M80 helmet was used by the Iraqi armed forces from the early 1980s onwards, including during the Iran–Iraq War, First Gulf War, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Based on the US M1 helmet, they were manufactured in South Korea though Iraqi-made examples were also produced.