US Special Operations adopts new half-mask and goggles

U.S. Special Operations forces will adopt a new face and breathing protection system after the Pentagon and Avon Protection announced a contract on Oct. 9.

The MITR half-mask and goggle system is designed to protect wearers from dangerous chemicals and toxic substances in the atmosphere, including lead powder from gunfire, ballistics and poisonous substances like fentanyl.

Casey Galligan, Avon’s senior director for the U.S. Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, told Defense News that fentanyl and chemicals found in drug labs are now part of a wide array of hazards that special warfare operators must guard against, in addition to biological weapons and other breathing hazards.

“Precursor drug chemicals now are a huge issue that are just as dangerous as a chemical hazard,” Galligan said. “As an operator, every day you’re doing something quasi-dangerous, particularly those at the frontline doing maneuver. This is not meant to replace a full-face respirator. A split system gives you options.”

The half-mask system walks the line between an N-95 disposable mask and a heavy, full-face respirator. The goggles and half-mask can be worn linked together or separated, giving operators a lightweight option that will give them eye and breathing protection as needed without requiring them to carry heavy full-face respirator masks.

The MITR features positive pressure-sealed goggles to stop hazardous chemicals from getting in around its edges. The system features sweat drainage outlets inside the goggles and blows cool air into them from both sides, preventing lens fogging.

A former U.S. Army Green Beret, Galligan said the system provides safety against toxic materials while allowing wearers to breathe easier — literally.

“If you don’t always want to be wearing a full-face respirator, and you’re worried about different levels of threats, this is a half-pound and easy to put on. You can wear it with a head harness or with helmet attachments,” he explained.

Half-mask systems are not new, but the MITR system has evolved constantly to incorporate new evolutions in technology to reach its current capabilities.

“We’ve been going through iterations and continuing to improve it,” said Galligan, adding that the U.S. is joining Canada and another FVEY nation in purchasing the system.

Elite warfare units of U.S. Special Operations are already wearing the new half-mask and goggles in the field, he disclosed.

“We’ve fielded it to units already. Some are en route right now, being delivered,” Galligan said. “The feedback I get talking with end users is pretty amazing.”

The Defense Department’s decision to equip SOCOM operators with improved breathing equipment follows a November 2025 report, called the SOF Cancer Study, which revealed that SOF operators face an 18% higher risk of cancer than non-SOF personnel due to hazardous materials in their environments that they are exposed to constantly in the line of duty.

Shifting to a half-mask system could mark the dawn of a new era in how military service members approach facial protection overall.

“When you see the tip of the spear using it, it’s going to make it a lot more acceptable,” Galligan said.

Zita Ballinger Fletcher previously served as editor of Military History Quarterly and Vietnam magazines and as the historian of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. She holds an M.A. with distinction in military history.

10 月 9 日，五角大楼和 Avon Protection 宣布签订合同后，美国特种作战部队将采用一种新的面部和呼吸防护系统。

MITR 半面罩和护目镜系统旨在保护佩戴者免受大气中危险化学品和有毒物质的侵害，包括枪击、弹道产生的铅粉以及芬太尼等有毒物质。

艾文公司美国国土安全和国防部高级主管凯西·加利根告诉《防务新闻》，除了生物武器和其他呼吸危害外，芬太尼和在毒品实验室中发现的化学品现在也属于特种作战人员必须防范的各种危险之中。

“前体药物化学品现在是一个巨大的问题，其危险性不亚于化学危害，”加利根说。“作为一名操作人员，你每天都在做一些近乎危险的事情，尤其是在前线进行操作的人员。这并非旨在取代全面罩式呼吸器。分体式系统为你提供了更多选择。”

这种半面罩系统兼具N95一次性口罩和笨重的全面罩呼吸器的优点。护目镜和半面罩可以组合佩戴，也可以分开佩戴，为操作人员提供了一种轻便的选择，可以根据需要提供眼部和呼吸防护，而无需携带笨重的全面罩呼吸器。

MITR护目镜采用正压密封设计，可防止有害化学物质从边缘渗入。该系统在护目镜内部设有排汗口，并从两侧吹入冷空气，防止镜片起雾。

曾是美国陆军特种部队成员的加利根表示，该系统能够有效防止有毒物质的侵害，同时让佩戴者呼吸更顺畅——字面意义上的顺畅。

“如果你不想一直佩戴全面罩式呼吸器，而且担心不同级别的威胁，这款呼吸器只有半磅重，佩戴方便。你可以用头带佩戴，也可以用头盔附件佩戴，”他解释说。

半面罩系统并非新生事物，但MITR系统不断发展，融合了新技术，才达到目前的水平。

“我们一直在不断迭代改进，”加利根说，并补充说，美国将与加拿大和另一个五国集团（FVEY）国家一起购买该系统。

他透露，美国特种作战部队的精锐作战单位已经在战场上佩戴这种新型半面罩和护目镜。

“我们已经向一些单位交付了产品。有些产品现在正在运送途中，”加利根说。“我从最终用户那里得到的反馈非常棒。”

国防部决定为特种作战司令部 (SOCOM) 作战人员配备改进的呼吸设备，此前，2025 年 11 月发布的一份名为《特种作战部队癌症研究》的报告显示，由于特种作战部队人员在执行任务时不断接触环境中的有害物质，他们患癌症的风险比非特种作战部队人员高出 18%。

改用半面罩系统可能标志着军人面部防护方式新时代的到来。

“当你看到先锋部队使用它时，它就更容易被人们接受了，”加利根说。

齐塔·巴林格·弗莱彻曾任《军事史季刊》和《越南》杂志的编辑，以及美国缉毒署的历史学家。她拥有军事史硕士学位（成绩优异）。