FM 12 Respirator : RAN Clearance Diving Team 3

Avon FM 12 black rubber respirator with polycarbonate eye pieces. The mask features a circular central valve (the 'Primary Speech Module') which has an exhaust valve on the right cheek and a threaded inlet valve to accept the disposable canister on the left. The numeral '2' (indicating size) is raised in the rubber on the left cheek, with a manufacturer's marking in a corresponding position on the right. Six moulded tabs around the edge of the mask anchor the adjustable elastic and nylon mesh head straps. The screw-in canister fitted to the mask is of black plastic, with white printed markings on the reverse reading 'MADE IN UK B:91 6:91 11 PS 10.'

Issued to a member of Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Team Three. AUSCDT THREE was deployed in support of Operation Falconer in February 2003. In early March, they took up residence at the Kuwait Naval Base on the coast not far from Kuwait city, where they engaged in equipment preparation and training, and on the morning of 24 March, they crossed the border into Iraq. Headquarters and accommodation were established at the old port of Umm Qasr where AUSCDT THREE divers quickly located a sunken minelayer with four live mines onboard. The team also participated in the clearing of ordinance from within the town itself. Umm Qasr was declared open on 9 April, and AUSCDT THREE immediately moved twenty kilometres further north, to the port of Khawr Az Zubayr. This port was also cleared in conjunction with other coalition dive teams, and explosive ordnance disposal patrols on the Al Faw peninsula were undertaken.

• Canvas Respirator case : RAN Clearance Diving Team 3