Archive for category: Nomex Flight Suit BLOG

 

Nomex is the chosen material employed by the US Military and its air force pilots. The material offers a much more unique experience than that of traditional flight suits worn by pilots during the wars of the 20th Century. It is because of this that the flight suits are used by the US Military, as the benefits are worlds ahead of the suits of the past.

 

Flame Resistant

 

Nomex fiber is flame resistant, something that is beneficial during missions and exercises where anything can happen. Taking measures to understand the dangers of these missions is essential to the design of flight suits.

 

While cockpit fires are rare, this does not mean that they will not happen. In military jets, with an array of wiring and other instruments, the potential for fire is even greater. Having a suit that will protect the pilot from fire will save lives should the worst happen.

 

Safety First

 

Considering that these flight suits are used during often-dangerous missions, manufacturers need to ensure that they are safe for use. The flame resistant material covers much of the dangers associated, but there are also factors such as its temperature-resistant abilities. The Nomex flight suit can withstand temperatures of up to 5720℉ (300℃) and do not suffer molecular changes when exposed to such temperatures, such as melting or brittleness.

 

These kinds of properties make NOMEX the ideal material when considering how to outfit military personnel. It is no surprise that the US armed forces have elected to use Nomex exclusively in their uniforms.

 

Comfort is Key

 

Being in an enclosed area, things can get quite claustrophobic, because of this, it is essential that the suits provided to the pilots are comfortable and lightweight. Previous suits were traditionally bulky and heavy which, while ensuring the pilot remains warm, can quickly cause discomfort. The NOMEX suit weighs just 4.5 lbs, helping to provide a lightweight solution while still ensuring protection.

 

Additionally, built-in insulation provides the wearer with comfort when reaching higher altitudes, but can still prevent overheating. Its glove-like fit along with adjustable waist belt gives the opportunity to fit pilots of all shapes and sizes, meaning that no matter who you are you will feel comfortable and secure when wearing your flight suit. There is also a single zipper for quick removal and six pockets to store any necessary equipment

 

Quality Check

 

The Nomex flight suit is created with a sturdy material that reduces rips or tears through its rip-top fabric design. This is especially useful when in the cockpit or even moving to and from such tight areas as there is little chance of catching on hooks, latches and other protruding instruments.

 

Furthermore, the suits are solution dyed to prevent fading and discoloration. This ensures a professional appearance throughout the rank and promotes a sense of camaraderie. Everyone is working towards the same goal together as a team.

 

The NOMEX flight suit has proven highly effective in protecting pilots. The material offers a degree of safety, comfort, and quality that is not found in other suits on the market.

 

 

 

The US military has seen many changes since its inception. During the Revolutionary War, and Civil Wars, the soldiers wore uniforms made of wool with little protective gear for themselves, let alone from the elements. Men froze to death or suffered from frostbite during the winter of the Revolutionary War because they did not have adequate supplies. On the other hand, soldiers were overheated and suffered from heat stroke while they fought in the Civil War because their uniforms did not shield them from the scorching summer heat.

For many years, the military uniform and military gear remained unchanged until the early twentieth century. But it wasn’t until the last fifty to seventy-five years that significant changes have been made, not only to the uniform but the military gear as well.

According to the website, http://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/5-ways-us-military-combat-uniforms-have-changed-since-vietnam, US combat uniforms have gone through several updates.
In doing so, they have helped to protect our servicemen and women while encountering enemy forces.

Two significant changes that the military included in the combat uniform was the pockets in the uniform and the material to coincide with the location where our soldiers are fighting. Manufacturers added slanted chest pockets on the shirts and the cargo pockets to the military pants. Six pockets were attached to the pants in the 1980’s, and a vertical Velcro pocket replaced the slanted pocket in the combat shirts. Then, after 9/11, the military added ankle pockets to the combat pants and wrist pockets to the combat blouse. These additional pockets made tools, weapons, and other items readily accessible to our military personnel.

During the Korean and Vietnam Wars, polyester and cotton were the materials used to create the uniforms. Unfortunately, this combination did not allow the skin to breathe and made it extremely hot for the soldiers. As US military forces fought in more humid climates, like Afghanistan, the military made necessary adjustments to the material and implemented a blend of nylon and cotton. Then, again, after the 9/11 attacks, the military began using the Nomex flight suits as an option for many of those defending the US. The Nomex material is more comfortable, lighter, and more durable than its predecessors. It is also flame-retardant, which protects personnel on the front lines and patrol, should they hit a roadside bomb.

Military gear was also updated throughout the years. During the Korean and Vietnam Era, many members of the armed forces wore heavy equipment, and their weapons were out in the open, usually in a holster. It was common to see them carry rifles on their backs. While the intent was to give them easy access to their weapons, it also gave the enemy easy access as well, especially during hand-to-hand combat situations. Today, the gun holster is secured to the inner holster with Velcro which holds the holster in place while allowing movement. The inside holster has a low-visibility feature, as well as the capacity to carry ammunition, water, and first aid necessities allowing immediate access. The new material that is used today is made of light-weight nylon fibers. It also protects the weapons from weather damage, in addition to chemical warfare.

There have been many improvements to the US military combat uniform and military equipment in the last fifteen to twenty years. As the servicemen and women’s needs arise and adaptations to the uniforms and gear are needed, the US government will do everything to keep our men and women who serve our country as safe as possible. For further information about the upgrades in military gear, please visit http://www.businessinsider.com/8-big-changes-that-have-improved-load-bearing-combat-gear-2015-7.

World War I began in 1914 and involved not only the US, but Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Bulgaria, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Italy. Only about 15-20 years earlier the airplane was invented which drastically changed warfare. Fighters and pilots during this time courageously faced enemy forces, and many lost their lives for their beloved country. Unfortunately, it was against the law for Negros, or African Americans to serve as a pilot in the US military. However, one such man defied the law and became a decorated veteran for the French. His name was Eugene James (Jacques) Bullard.

Eugene was born in Columbus, Georgia in 1895. He was of “mixed” race because he was part negro and part Creek Indian. As a youngster, he witnessed a horrid sight; his father was almost lynched. This experience changed the boy, he left home when he was a teenager and sailed to Europe. Mr. Bullard settled in Paris and became a boxer. He enlisted in the French military when Germany attacked France at the beginning of WWI. Eugene was assigned to the French Foreign Legion and was a machine gunner. He served in Picardy, Artois, and Champagne. Air combat was brutal for his squadron, and many were shot down.

So, in 1915, Mr. Bullard was transferred to the 170th Infantry Regiment. He fought valiantly in the Battle of Verdun but was wounded and needed to recover from his injuries. As soon as he was able, he enrolled in the French Air Service and was back in the air. He quickly learned and mastered flight maneuvers that baffled the enemy and caught them by surprise. Eugene has a high reputation and encountered twenty combat missions and shot down at least two German planes. Unfortunately, this cannot be confirmed. It is because of his tenacious spirit that he was given the nickname “Black Swallow of Death.” The US entered WWI in April 1917, and Eugene requested to be transferred to the US Flying Corps. The website, MilitaryHistoryNow.com, says that Mr. Bullard was denied because the US did not permit negros to serve in the military. This didn’t stop Eugene; he continued to fly with the 170th regiment until the US government forbade him to serve in the French Air Service.

Mr. Bullard fought for the Allies in WWI bravely and defended his country honorably. While the US didn’t accept him as an airman, France did. The French military rewarded Eugene for his with the following military honors and awards, such as the Croix de Guerre, the Legion d’honneur, and Medaille Militaire.

After the close of WWI, Eugene worked in a nightclub and opened his own club in the early 1920’s. He married and had two children. With the onset of WWII, Mr. Bullard became a part of the French counterintelligence network to spy on the Germans who invaded France. Many of these enemy soldiers came to his tavern, and he’d overhear their conversations. Little did the German soldiers know that he was fluent in three languages, English, French, and German.

WWII was in full action, and Eugene proudly served in France’s Armed Forces. He fought and defended the city of Orleans but was severely wounded. He later moved back to the US and settled in NY with his daughters.

Once the second world war ended, the French government offered compensation to Mr. Bullard because he lost his business in the war. Eugene died in 1961 but never received proper recognition from the US government until his biography was released in 1972. In 1994, the United States Air Force promoted him to honorary 2nd Lieutenant.

The Nomex Flight Suit is an essential uniform that protects hundreds of thousands of servicemen and women in the US military. DuPont developed the fibers for the Nomex material in the early 1960’s. The fibers consist of para-aramid and meta-aramid fibers. The combination of these durable, flame-retardant fibers is found in bullet-proof vests, firefighter uniforms, flight suits for pilots and crewmembers, as well as a variety of other forms of body armor and safety gear.

The word aramid is derived from two words, “aromatic” and “polyamide.” Aramid material is synthetic and has many molecules that are linked together and form “chains.” You have heard the quote, “there is strength in numbers.” Well, the same applies here. Aramid fibers consist of chains that have many molecules within in the chain. The strand of molecules provides remarkable strength to the aramid fabric.

Three primary companies manufacture this material around the world. These companies include DuPont, which is here in the US, Teijin, a Japanese corporation, and Kolon Industries in South Korea. The most familiar brands that are common in America are Kevlar and Nomex. Unfortunately, there are conflicting dates about when Kevlar and Nomex materials were discovered. However, what we do know is that Aramid did not dissolve quickly in liquid. DuPont wanted to make this material more useful for the public, and a DuPont research scientist named Stephanie Kwolek is responsible for discovering the lyotropic liquid crystalline aramid material. She and Mr. Paul Morgan incorporated ways to dissolve the amines and acids in different liquids. They used very low temperatures during their experiments. Once the aramid material was finalized, Ms. Kwolek invented a unique spinning process that kept the material light-weight, as well as durable. This para-aramid composition of substances became known as Kevlar.

Nomex, on the other hand, is made of the meta-aramid fibers. These fibers have an incredible tolerance for heat up to 572˚F or 300˚C. According to the Aramid.eu website, Aramid does not become brittle, or melt when exposed to such temperatures. Another outstanding characteristic of these fibers is that they do not melt and are “self-extinguishing” when in contact with normal oxygen levels. The fibers in the Nomex material are twice as strong as fiberglass or nylon, and it’s five times stronger than steel. The meta-aramid material also resists organic substances. When exposed to high temperatures as mentioned above, Nomex maintains its strength and keeps military personnel and civilian public servants safe.

Some other uses for the aramid fabric are snowboards, sailing cloth, asbestos replacement, fiber-optic cables, and electrical insulation. Aramid fibers are also used for various forms of sporting goods, like hockey sticks, in addition to reeds for wind instruments, and engine enclosures for airliners.

Aramid is a unique combination of fibers that make the Nomex Flight Suit flame-resistant with material that has a high melting point. Another essential quality of this product is that it is lightweight with solid durability. These characteristics of the flight suit are critical for the protection and comfort of the men and women who wear this article of clothing while serving in our armed forces.

The history of medicine dates back thousands of years during the ancient civilizations in China and Egypt. Medicine has progressed significantly throughout the ages and continues to make strides through scientific research. However, it wasn’t until the invention of flight that physicians had the opportunity of tending to the sick who were in different regions of a country.

It seems like people have been obsessed with flight since the dawn of time, but only the brave made many attempts to replicate flight. In fact, some individuals designed “wings” out of various materials, but the inventions always failed. Unfortunately, the inventors either succumbed to their death or were severely injured from their falls. Doctors who treated these men are some of the first doctors to practice “Aerospace Medicine.” During these examinations, physicians determined that their patients often suffered from hypoxia. Hypoxia is when the body does not receive adequate oxygen, which is transported via the bloodstream, to tissues and other organs of the body.

The first hot air balloon took flight in 1783 in Paris. According to GoFlightMedicine.com, the balloon rose 3,000 feet into the air for a total of 25 minutes. Thus, began the history of aviation. In the following year, two doctors, Dr. John Shelton from Great Britain, and Dr. John Jeffries from the US recorded physiologic responses that the pilot had in flight. During this time, another American physician by the name of Dr. Benjamin Rush discovered that one of the first signs of hypoxia is an elevated heart rate.

Two men are recognized as the “Father of Aviation Medicine.” In no significant order, the first was a French physiologist, Paul Bert and the other gentleman was US Brigadier General Theodore Lyster. Mr. Bert conducted hundreds of experiments to determine how flight affected the human body. He also invented the hypobaric chamber which was used to simulate heights of 36,000 feet. He used this device to determine how higher elevations gravely reduced oxygen in the body. Paul strongly advised pilots to use supplemental oxygen when flying. General Lyster was instrumental in establishing a set of standards for selecting US pilots. He came from a physiological standpoint and wanted to ensure that pilots were healthy enough to withstand the physical demands they face in the air. Theodore was the first man to create the idea of a flight surgeon. At that time, during World War I, the primary function of a flight surgeon was to care for the pilot and those in the aircraft. In 1917, General Lyster became the first Chief Surgeon, Aviation Section, for the US Army and later in his career; he founded the Air Service Medical Research Laboratory.

In 1922, Dr. Louis Bauer began the Army of School of Aviation Medicine, and in 1926, he published the textbook, Aviation Medicine. That same year, President Calvin Coolidge signed the Air Commerce Act of 1926 into law. Two years later, Dr. Bauer and a host of other physicians established the Aero Medical Association of the United States. The purpose of this association was to evaluate civilian pilots according to the medical standards that were implemented by the aviation medical examiners. These standards are still being used today to assess pilots.

When a service person was injured during the Vietnam War, it took 45 days to return that soldier to the US and receive proper care. As you can imagine, 75 percent of the wounded soldiers survived, and the US lost many soldiers because of this. Thankfully, there have been outstanding improvements in ensuring that our men and women in enemy territories receive the proper treatment in flight back to the US. Now, the Air Force has a serviceperson in the US within three days, no matter where they are in the world with a survival rate of 98 percent. And unlike the past, when the flight surgeon was primarily looking out for the welfare of the pilot, now planes are staffed with a full medical team, including an intensive care doctor. Most of the physicians wear the flight suit uniform while on this kind of mission, even if they are not a trained pilot. The aircraft are also furnished with proper medical equipment to address physiological changes for safe treatments while the patient is in flight.

As you can see, there is a rich history behind flight doctors. They are an essential part of the military and do everything in their power to ensure that soldiers come home to the US safely so that they can receive proper care upon arrival in the States.