Did U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators assigned to carriers serving in the Atlantic and Mediterranean areas wear the SV-1 or SV-2 series survival vest on a regular basis during the Vietnam War era timeframe of 1966 - 1973? Or was the issuance and wearing of the survival vest primarily for use in the Southeast Asia theatre and CTF 77 during this time frame?

 

If anyone has photos of a squadron or individual aviators wearing the vests anywhere other than SEA during this time frame, please post them!

 

 

Hi,

To answer your question, the SV1 is available in the September 1958 H Allowance list FSN R8415-300-5431-FL50. All VA VF VS and HS pilots and crews are equipped with it.

During the fall of 1965 and spring of 1966, NAVAIRSysCom carried out a study in 64 squadrons engaged in Vietnam to evaluate the performance of life jackets. The study revealed that the average weight of the equipment was 33 lbs, and that the accumulation of additions to the SV1 vest and harness resulted in increased fatigue under load.
Based on the experience gained with the SV1 vest and the results of the study, a new, more suitable model was evaluated during the summer of 1966. Tests were completed in September 1966, and the second model, the Vest Survival Nylon Equipment Type SV2 MIL-V-81523(AS), was adopted on March 13, 1967, and distributed during the summer, entering service in October 1967. The VA 25, for example, was introduced in July 1967. It will be distributed to all USN units.

 

I haven't found any written record of priority being given to units deployed in WestPac for distribution, but it's quite possible that this was the case for the GS/FRP1 nomex gloves, the first 6,000 pairs of which were sent in priority to units operating in Vietnam by the NavAirSysCom, with distribution completed in June 1967.

 

The second version Vest Survival Nylon Type SV2A MIL-V-81523A(AS) was introduced on January 17, 1969.

 

Illustrations of the use of these effects can be found in the aircraft carrier cruisebooks, which are widely available online today. You will see a lot exemples of SV2 used during Med cruises.

https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/index.html

 

One final observation: it wasn't just Pacific Fleet units that were deployed to Vietnam. Units of the Atlantic fleet were also involved (USS Forrestal, USS America...), which puts into perspective the prioritization of distribution to certain units only.

 

Best, Croc

 

I enclose you the two models : SV2and SV2A

 

Thanks for the information!