New wheeled footlocker issued for deployments - Marine Corps News, news from Iraq - Marine Corps Times

New wheeled footlocker issued for deployments

Say goodbye to sea bag drag.

Initial distribution of the Corps’ new Deployment Bag, a 10-pound footlocker on wheels, began in September and will continue for the next year, according to Marine Corps Systems Command. Manufactured by California-based ForceProtector Gear, the new bag can haul up to 75 pounds and is a significant upgrade from the service’s standard green duffel, which has remained largely unchanged for the past 25 years, officials said.

Its wheels are housed inside a stainless steel covering, offering better wear-and-tear protection than common commercial luggage. There is a document sleeve, and four mesh pockets located on the inside flap can be used for toiletries, or to store a cell phone or iPod. Plus, the bag’s foam walls allow it to fold down for easier storage.

“The greatest advantage of the Deployment Bag is that it allows Marines an easier method of transportation and provides greater accessibility to their [gear] while deployed,” officials said.

The Corps agreed to pay Atlantic Diving Supply, the bag’s distributor, $18 million for about 60,000 bags, according to SysCom.

The first 12,000 bags will be issued to I Marine Expeditionary Force, followed by another 12,000 to II MEF.

Units in Okinawa and Hawaii will get 4,000 and 2,000 respectively. The remaining 30,000 will be distributed as necessary.

A Deployment Bag will be issued to Marines deploying as part of a Marine expeditionary unit, or in support of military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa, officials said. However, you can’t keep them. The bags must be returned to the Special Training Allowance Pool at the end of each deployment.

Meanwhile, the old sea bag will live on.

All Marine recruits will still be issued two, which they can keep. Marines will have the option of deploying with one of their sea bags and the wheeled Deployment Bag, officials said.