{"product_id":"original-u-s-vietnam-war-counter-insurgency-support-office-ciso-special-forces-indigenous-rucksack-rare-1","title":"Original U.S. Vietnam War Counter Insurgency Support Office (CISO) Special Forces Indigenous Rucksack - Rare","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. The Counterinsurgency Support Office was established on Okinawa in 1963 to supply clothing, weapons and equipment to Special Forces operating in Vietnam. Principally run by Ben Baker, the office issued standard and untraceable (sterile) gear as well as locally developed items such as the bolo knife, the indigenous rucksack, tiger stripe fatigues and Viet Cong style black pajamas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a rare new\/old stock CISO produced Indigenous Rucksack. Conrad 'Ben' Baker of the Counterinsurgency Support Office (CISO) designed the indigenous rucksack based on a VC\/NVA design on request of the Special Forces in Vietnam. The bag was intended to be used by CIDG troops hence the name, over 350,000 were produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rucksack was made from rubberized cotton canvas that was water resistant, the CISO pack had a thin waist strap (often cut off as in the case of this rucksack) and featured three outside front pockets and a back map pocket inside the flap. Though designed for indigenous personnel and their advisors, the rucksack was also popular with SOG Recon teams before the Tropical Rucksack became a more common item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese would have come under the auspices of Ben Baker, Deputy Chief of the U.S. Counterinsurgency Support Office (CISO) and have been part of the various sterile unform and equipment items produced in Japan to support SOG.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are no markings as is correct, and the straps are well-retained with working buckles. There is heavy creasing in some of the material. This example is green while the other example we had was khaki-colored.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the second example we have ever offered. Ready for further research and display.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45371040792645,"sku":"ONJR25RJAN162","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25RJAN162__01.jpg?v=1784299567","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-vietnam-war-counter-insurgency-support-office-ciso-special-forces-indigenous-rucksack-rare-1","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}