Marty Richard, call sign OPUS, has been an F-15 pilot for 12 years. He flew in the Gulf War and has piloted commercial jets professionally. Now a fighter pilot in the 102nd Fighter Wing, OPUS flies patrol missions out of Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. On the day NOVA visited OPUS he was on alert, meaning that he could be called into the air at a moment's notice.
To find out what OPUS is wearing, click on the labels below.
G suit |
Helmet |
Night Vision Goggles |
Mask |
Exposure suit |
Gloves |
Liner suit |
Boots |
Harness |
Maps |
Flotation device |
Survival vest
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G suit
A pilot's G suit (also called "anti-G suit") is a one-piece jumpsuit that
protects him from feeling discomfort and losing consciousness from the pressure
of G-forces bearing down on him. G-forces are the forces of gravity that smack
into the pilot as his plane speeds through the air; the faster he accelerates or decelerates, or changes direction, the
greater the G-forces. For example, a person on a roller coaster might
experience two or three Gs—two or three times his own body weight—pushing his head and body
backwards during the fastest parts of the ride. A fighter pilot coming out of a
dive can experience up to nine Gs pushing against him, which prevent his blood
from properly circulating around his body. Since a person can lose
consciousness facing such Gs, a fighter pilot must wear a G suit, which is
filled with a continuous flow of air. The air puts pressure on the pilot's
abdomen and legs in order to keep blood from accumulating in those areas and
starving his brain.
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Helmet
A pilot's custom-fitted helmet serves multiple purposes. It provides noise
protection and cushions the head, reducing the pressure of extreme acceleration,
which can cause headaches and swollen sinuses. Its padding and shape force its
wearer's head forward towards the oxygen mask to ensure maximum intake of air.
It helps to identify the pilot, whose call sign is stenciled across it. With
its tinted visor, it shields the pilot's eyes from the sun. Lastly, the helmet
contains radio equipment for communicating with other pilots and
with ground control.
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Night Vision Goggles
Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) allow a fighter pilot to fly in the middle of the
night. By amplifying even the slightest visible light from inside the cockpit,
NVGs illuminate the night in an emerald green and make potential targets
visible. At a cost of $7,000 each, a pair of NVGs is the most
expensive tool a fighter pilot carries. The goggles attach directly to the
pilot's helmet and are used throughout a night flight, including during
take-off and landing.
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Mask
A pilot's oxygen mask is one of his key in-air survival tools. He receives
breathable air through the regulator in his mask while flying. The mask
automatically and continuously delivers air through a so-called "open circuit"
so the pilot does not have to inhale to initiate airflow.
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Exposure suit
In cold weather, a pilot will zip on his rubber-lined exposure suit (also
called a "poopie suit" or "anti-exposure suit") underneath his flight suit. The
exposure suit functions like a diver's dry suit, keeping him warm in the event
that he lands in water following ejection. Exposure suits designed for the
newest fighter jets, like the Boeing F-22, provide additional protection from
chemical and biological agents.
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Gloves
In the air, a fighter pilot wears fire-resistant Nomex gloves, which protect
his hands from extreme heat in the event of fire. The gloves also keep his
hands warm in cold weather.
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Liner suit
Made from cotton and Nomex, a pilot wears this suit closest to his body to keep
him warm, protect him from cold and fire, and absorb moisture. In very cold
weather he might wear cotton and Nomex long underwear beneath his liner
suit.
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Boots
Leather boots provide ankle support and protect the feet.
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Harness
Like a seat belt, a pilot's harness buckles him securely into his ejection seat
(seen here).
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Maps
Fighter pilots carry waterproof maps and flight plans in a leg pouch, which can
be easily reached from a seated position.
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Flotation device
An automatically inflating life preserver unrolls from inside the collar of the
pilot's harness when necessary. Also, a fully inflatable raft is tucked
into the pilot's ejection seat, in case he must spend a prolonged period in the
water.
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Survival Vest
Aptly named, a fighter pilot's survival vest
contains all the components necessary for his survival after ejection and a few
tools used in the cockpit, from the most hi-tech to the most mundane. For
example:
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Radio and beacon
The radio is used for communication after ejection. When a pilot ejects, his sonar beacon
automatically engages, allowing rescuers to pinpoint his position.
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Flare
A downed pilot can send a flare signal up to 1,250 feet in the air. These
military flares are easily seen in daylight or at night.
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Finger lights
These tiny thimble-like tools turn a pilot's fingertips into flashlights,
enabling him to read maps and flight plans inside the cockpit when flying at
night.
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Camouflage paint
What OPUS calls "green lipstick" is used for disguising a pilot's face after
ejection and landing.
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Global Positioning System (GPS)
With GPS, a downed pilot can tune into satellites in order to plot his exact
location. A pilot keeps two sets of batteries for this system in his suit at
all times.
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Matches
Waterproof, strike-anywhere matches come in handy if a downed pilot must keep
warm or boil water.
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Tourniquet
If he is wounded, the pilot can tie this tourniquet around his leg or arm to
stem bleeding.
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Compass
If and when GPS fails, a standard military compass can help a pilot find his
way.
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Fire Starter
Familiar to campers, a single magnesium fire starter can ignite a fire hundreds of
times. Using a sharp knife or a rock, a downed pilot can scrape this strip to
create an extremely hot spark.
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Infrared Tape
In order to amplify his heat signal, a pilot can apply infrared tape to his
flight suit, allowing rescuers to locate him quickly on the ground.
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Strobe Light
Like the flares a pilot carries, this strobe light allows him to send a bright,
easily seen distress signal.
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Relief Bag
Though pilots also carry a supply of plastic bags for collecting drinking water
in case they are downed, this particular bag serves another purpose. Using the
zipper on the front of his uniform, a pilot can urinate into this bag in
mid-air during long hauls. The plastic bag contains highly absorbent
sponges.
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Whistle
This low-tech but useful tool can serve as a signal to rescuers or other allies
on the ground.
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