Starting from a few Special Operations troops in 2001 to Afghanistan, the War on Terror quickly spiraled into massive troop deployments and soon became America’s longest war.  The deployment numbers soon swelled as the focus switched to nation building in Afghanistan and then the Iraq War in 2003.  American personnel were not well-equipped in the beginning: although advanced (for the time) uniforms and gear like MOLLE was standard issue on paper, production was not able to meet the demand for deploying units.  Many had to scrounge for gear, including old surplus ALICE gear and off the shelf commercial products, to fill the gap.  This led to an explosion in the commercial tactical gear industry as many small shops nationwide hungrily gobbled up contracts and tailored gear to each unit’s specific needs. 

This Blackhawk SOF rucksack was one of these private purchase commercial items.  Like its namesake indicates, the “SOF” was intended for Special Forces to carry all the items they would need far behind enemy lines but made from more durable 1000D Cordura and with much greater carrying capacity than the standard issue (at the time) ALICE pack.  It uses the metal ALICE pack frame (NOT included, but easy to source).  This massive backpack  boasts a total carrying capacity of 6000 cubic inches (approximately 95L), with 3220 cubic inches in the main compartment alone, more than enough to carry all your gear.  It also features a very retro tan colorway with black buckles, a high-contrast aesthetic common in the early gears of the GWOT since that was mostly what was available at the time.  The rucksack has also been issued and used as seen by the numerous scuffs on the outside as well as the names and skull-and-crossbones trench art on the top of the lid.   

The Blackhawk SOF backpack would make an excellent addition to a modern militaria collection, or could easily be used for your next outdoors adventure hunting, hiking, or for airsoft or paintball. 

The War on Terror ended up becoming America’s longest war and is receiving increased attention from collectors and historians for the way it fundamentally changed American society.  Early GWOT gear is getting hard to find, even though it was used in recent living memory.  Buy now to own a piece of modern American history!  Please see my other listings for more awesome militaria items.  If you buy or win multiple items from me, please message me about combined shipping.