First MRAPs Reach 'Task Force Marne'

[unhappycamper]

First MRAPs Reach 'Task Force Marne'
Army News Service | Sgt. Michael Connors | November 29, 2007

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq -- Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, recently became the first in Task Force Marne to receive the Army's new mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, known as MRAPs.

They completed MRAP drivers training here Nov. 8 and will be returning to their respective bases with about 20 MRAPs. MRAP fielding will continue steadily, with a goal of having the entire task force outfitted by February, said Army Sgt. 1st Class Jabari Williams, the 2nd BCT's noncommissioned officer in charge of MRAP fielding.

MRAPs come in two categories. Category 1 holds up to six soldiers and will replace the Humvee. Category 2 is a longer version, which can hold a crew of 10 soldiers.

"It's a good opportunity for us," said Army Sgt. David Ipock. "Any time we get a new vehicle with more protection, it's a good thing."

Prior to the vehicles being handed over to the units for day-to-day use, the soldiers got five days of training on how to operate, drive and maintain the vehicles. The training included classroom instruction and on- and off-road driving. This training also introduced the soldiers to some new features the Humvee lacked, such as a pneumatic rear ramp and a shock-absorbing seating system with four-point seat belts.

"The bomb protection with the seats - I think that might help a lot," said Ipock. "Everything's just more advanced - the switches and gauges, things like that."


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,157238,00.html

[smheart78]

1. WOW! That thng looks awesome!!!

This is something that Biden can be proud of by pushing for this and it's funding while all the other candidates decided against this.
Hopefully, this will put a lot of mothers and fathers back home at ease.