Operation Helmet - Help Protect Our Heroes

09-30-2007 - Thanks for all of your support in the past. At the present time Operation Helmet has no backlog, so please hold on to your donation unless 1) you know of a specific need and 2) you are agreeable to them sharing any residual funds (once caught up) with other charities with minimal administrative costs we know to be doing a great job helping wounded troops and their families.

Operation Helmet is a nonpartisan, charitable grassroots effort that provides helmet upgrade kits free of charge to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. These helmet upgrade kits consist of shock absorbing pads and a new strap system. After stripping out the old leather headband and neck strap, a new adjustable plastic strap is screwed into the same holes. Velcro strips are included for adding the pads. A new nape strap keeps the helmet from sliding forward, and an enhanced chinstrap provides better comfort and stability.

Operation Helmet depends on tax deductible donations. For $75-$100, depending on the manufacturer, added safety and comfort can be provided for a trooper. But donations of any amount are welcome. The donation can be designated for a specific branch of the military, a particular unit or even an individual trooper.

Why are helmet upgrades needed? Many of today's helmets, particularly those worn by the Marines, Airmen, and Sailors, were designed twenty years ago to protect soldiers from gunfire and flying debris. They are effective, but are uncomfortable and offer little or no protection from concussion causing blasts, which are the biggest killers of U.S. troops in Iraq. The upgrade kits make a good helmet significantly better.

Note: the advanced combat helmet (ACH) and modular integrated communications helmet (MICH) come standard with these newer pads kits.

Some branches of the military, such as the Army and Navy Seabees, do provide for the upgrade kits. But the military does not issue the kits to most troops. Service personnel can purchase their own upgrade kits. But the cost, approximately $100 is prohibitive to most, especially young troopers with families to support.

100% of donations go toward helmet kits.

Send your donations to...

Operation Helmet
74 Greenview Street
Montgomery, Texas 77356

...or go to www.operationhelmet.org and make a donation online.

For more information contact:

Operation Helmet
Dr. Bob Meaders, President
www.operationhelmet.org
936-449-9706

Frequently Asked Questions about Operation Helmet

What is Operation Helmet?

A nonpartisan, charitable grassroots effort that provides helmet upgrade kits free of charge to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
What is a helmet upgrade kit?

A helmet upgrade kit consists of shock absorbing pads and a new strap system. After stripping out the old leather headband and neck strap, a new adjustable plastic strap is screwed into the same holes. Velcro strips are included for adding the pads. A new nape strap keeps the helmet from sliding forward, and an enhanced chinstrap provides better comfort and stability.
How does Operation Helmet work?

We depend on your tax deductible donations. For $75-$100, depending on the manufacturer, you can provide added safety and comfort for a trooper. But donations of any amount are welcome. You can designate the money for a specific branch of the military, a particular unit or an individual trooper.
How can I contribute?

Go to www.operationhelmet.org to contribute or learn more.
Why are helmet upgrades needed?

A: Many of today’s helmets, particularly those worn by the Marines, were designed twenty years ago to protect soldiers from gunfire and flying debris. They are effective, but are uncomfortable and offer little or no protection from concussion causing blasts, which are the biggest killers of U.S. troops in Iraq. The upgrade kits make a good helmet significantly better.
Why doesn’t the U. S. military pay for the upgrade kits?

Some branches of the military, such as the Army and Navy Seabees, do pay for the upgrade kits. But, primarily for budgetary reasons, the U.S. Military does not issue the kits to most troops. Service personnel can purchase their own upgrade kits. But the cost, approximately $100 is prohibitive to most, especially young troopers with families to support.
Does Operation Helmet receive funds from manufacturers of the upgrade kits?

Operation Helmet was founded in 2003 by Robert H. Meaders, MD, a Vietnam veteran and retired Navy Captain, after his Marine Corp grandson requested upgrade kits to make his company’s helmets safer in combat in Iraq. It is not affiliated with any manufacturer of upgrade kits.
How much of my donation goes toward helmet kits?

100% of donations go toward helmet kits. There are no administrative costs deducted and the Operation’s books are available for inspection by anyone who wants to see them.
Has Operation Helmet been a success?

To date, Operation Helmet has sent upgrade kits to 6,000 troopers. Meaders and his wife contribute $500 a month to Operation Helmet, feeling that they can’t ask others to give unless they do as well.

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1827 Ximeno Avenue PMB 122 · Long Beach, California 90815 · 562-833-8035

Last modified: 2008-01-26T18:22:04-0800