News & Blog

19th January, 2026, Cadillac, MI, US: Avon Protection is starting a collaboration with HunterSeven Foundation to raise awareness of the impact that exposure to toxic substances during military service can have on the health of Veterans in later life.

Avon Protection is proud to support the HunterSeven Foundation as they research into military exposures among post-9/11 veterans, and education of the veteran and healthcare population on critical health information relating to their exposures. In addition to research, HunterSeven Foundation helps veterans at heightened risk to access specialist medical care at the earliest stages, before the onset of signs and symptoms; and supports those with a diagnosis, allowing them to focus on themselves and their families, rather than finances.

The link between military personnel and disease related to the respiratory system in the years and decades following military deployment to Middle East theatres is well documented in independent academic and clinical papers. This research has been pivotal in the ongoing development of Avon Protection’s range of respiratory protection products that are widely deployed by military forces worldwide to keep their personnel safe from CBRN threats in the battlefield.

With the understanding that prevention is better than cure, Avon Protection has donated a batch of MITR-M1 Half Masks to the HunterSeven Foundation, as they continue research into how flexible, always-available respiratory protection can lead to better outcomes for military personnel during deployment.

Casey Galligan, Senior Director of US Department of War, Avon Protection, said:

“After 20 years in the US Army and Special Forces, being involved in Avon Protection’s development of MITR-M1 is personally significant to me, as it allows me to help protect those who put themselves at risk to help others.

“HunterSeven’s mission statement resonates with me because I recall testing blood levels of guys in the shoot houses back in 2012 knowing they deserved better and that we could do more to protect them while they do their jobs.

We are now doing that with the MITR System: a simple device that fits in your cargo pocket with a particulate filter that protects your respiratory system. If you are in confined spaces, entering an area that could have unknown substances, the MITR System is a no-brainer device. I like to think if you have any doubts, or are putting on nitryl gloves, you need to wear the MITR System.”

Timothy "Chachi" Pachasa, a 25-year retired US Air Force TACP, JTAC, and Command Chief Master Sergeant who now serves as the Executive Director for the HunterSeven Foundation, said: "Not only are we interested in taking care of our Global War on Terror-era veterans and service members in their fight against cancer, we're also perfectly interested in combining efforts with industry leaders whose products are built on those same health initiatives.

“Working with the tactical and health experts at Avon Protection, as they continue to set the standard for tactical health and operational survival, is perfectly aligned with our efforts to ensure our warriors stay healthy - long after the battles are over.”

The NIOSH-certified MITR-M1 Half Mask is designed to provide users with scalable, flexible respiratory protection for tactical low- to mid-level threat environments. Weighing in at 250g/0.5lb, MITR-M1 can 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 using the helmet attachments, providing always-available protection from dust, fumes, biological agents, and oil- and water-based mists. The scalable system was expanded in 2025 with the launch of the MITR-PG1 Powered Goggle to provide ocular protection against airborne threats, along with additional accessories to further protect the wearer.