Photo By Staff Sgt. Kevin Williams | An Air Commando dons a Viking Suit with the help of an aircrew flight equipment...... read more read more
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CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. – The Steadfast Line continues to adapt for relevancy, most recently with the U-28A Draco fleet adopting new aircrew flight equipment (AFE) in the near future at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.
The M69 Joint Service Aircrew Mask (JSAM) replaces the Mask Breath Unit-19P Aircrew Eye and Respiratory Protection assembly and is designed to provide ocular and respiratory protection from Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear hazards.
“This new mask allows improved mobility and enhanced protection,” said an AFE specialist assigned to the 27th Special Operation Wing. “The reliability of this new equipment will be critical for our U-28A crews if they find themselves operating in a contested environment.”
The JSAM is already in service on other non-ejection seat, fixed-wing aircraft, including the MC-130J Commando II and AC-130J Ghostrider fleets at Cannon AFB. Once approved for use on the U-28A, the JSAM will join the growing ensemble of next-generation AFE available to the Draco community. This includes the Viking Suit, which improves survivability of aircrew members if they ever are forced to egress in maritime environments, and the Skull Mounting System, which aligns headgear with night vision goggles and other accessories.
“This new protective equipment will enable our U-28 crews to be prepared for tomorrow, adapting for relevancy,” said Col. Robert Johnston, 27th Special Operations Wing commander. “We must maintain our competitive advantage, and this new mask is one more way we are staying ready.”
Air Commandos lead the way in delivering innovation – it’s in our DNA. Click here to learn about more new capabilities coming to the Steadfast Line.
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2025 09:40 |
| Story ID: | 495177 |
| Location: | CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 47 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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