Yep thats a wire.

I thought that was a name tag in white but no maker would but their name on the handle.

That might be tape to give comfort to his hand.

Also he has a hydration bladder and its coming out the right side attached to the shoulder strap.



The guy the in the ealier pic that is hunching down appears to have a different hat on( dosent look black)

And it appears this is after the blast