The Combat Identification Panel, also known as the 'Coalition Identification Panel' or simply 'CIP', is a device mounted on military ground vehicles to distinguish them from the enemy during battle. They were developed after the first Gulf War to reduce friendly fire

Friendly fire

Friendly fire is inadvertent firing towards one's own or otherwise friendly forces while attempting to engage enemy forces, particularly where this results in injury or death. A death resulting from a negligent discharge is not considered friendly fire...

 incidents among allied ground forces. These panels are designed so as to produce a distinct and easily identifiable infrared

Infrared

Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...

 signature when seen through thermal imaging systems. CIP panels first saw widespread use in Operation Iraqi Freedom where nearly all coalition

Multinational force in Iraq

The Multi-National Force – Iraq was a military command, led by the United States, which was responsible for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Multi-National Force – Iraq replaced the previous force, Combined Joint Task Force 7, on 15 May 2004, and was later itself reorganized into its successor, United...

 vehicles were equipped with these devices, usually mounted on the sides and rear of the body and/or turret. Some were even mounted on the driver and front passenger doors of Humvees

High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle

The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle , better known as the Humvee, is a military 4WD motor vehicle created by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles formerly served by smaller Jeeps such as the M151 MUTT, the M561 "Gama Goat", their M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, the CUCV,...

with a special cutout so the door handle could still be accessed through the panel, as well as on the hood between the windshield and the top grille.