13 May 2025, Cadillac, Michigan, US: Avon Protection has begun first deliveries of the MITR-M1 Half Mask units to customers, including select military users.
Ahead of deliveries beginning, Casey Galligan, Senior Director, U.S. DoD, Avon Protection, opted to personally put the MITR-M1 through its paces in a controlled Chloroacetophenone (CN) test. CN gas is the active ingredient in riot control/tear gas agents. When released as fine particulate smoke, vapor or liquid spray (aerosol), it causes irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract, posing a threat to tactical operators in fast-evolving environments.
Casey Galligan, Avon Protection’s Senior Director, U.S. DoD, wearing the MITR-M1 during a controlled Chloroacetophenone (CN) test.
“Having spent two decades as a Green Beret, I have personally known many colleagues who have had to deal with the ongoing health consequences of working in environments where respiratory threats exist, such as the elevated lead blood levels of SOF operators running shoot houses as far back as 2012,” Galligan said. “This experience has been a major driver in my determination to leverage Avon Protection’s expertise to give operators the ability to protect themselves against the unknown, which we have done with the development of the MITR-M1.
“MITR-M1 has undergone rigorous independent testing, and now that we are about to begin deliveries I wanted to confirm the performance of the kit in real-world scenarios for myself, to doubly ensure that this tactical mask provides the level of protection and comfort these operators need – and I can emphatically say that it does.”
“During the test the mask was easy to put on, comfortable to wear and it did not hinder my ability to undertake tactical tasks throughout, while my respiration stayed steady and my oxygen levels remained within normal limits,” Galligan said. “At Avon Protection we take great pride in our products, and this test allowed me to personally ensure the MITR-M1 works and delivers on every design point before we put it into the hands of our end users.”
Avon Protection introduced the MITR-M1 Half Mask in January 2025 as a tactical quick-don respiratory protection solution for tactical and fast-evolving low- to mid-level threat environments. Weighing in at 250g/0.5lb, MITR-M1 was developed to be carried in cargo pockets or gear pouches, and can be worn via head harness or quickly clipped onto the user’s helmet rail in seconds.
The low-profile half mask is designed to meet the specific requirements of tactical operators, with a sleek flush-fitting curved profile that ensures compatibility with other tactical gear and maintains weapons sighting ability while protecting against a variety of respiratory hazards, including very fine dust, fumes, biological agents, and oil- and water-based mists. Later in 2025 the MITR system will grow to include a power-sealed goggle apparatus to allow users to scale their protection as required.
The results of the testing have been released in this video:
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