New MRAPs roll into Baghdad

[unhappycamper]

The first shipments of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles arrived at Camp Liberty in western Baghdad and are being fielded to units who operate in areas with the highest threat levels. These are the first of an estimated 7,000 MRAP vehicles expected in theater by early summer.


New MRAPs roll into Baghdad
By Gina Cavallaro - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Nov 2, 2007 19:25:47 EDT

Soldiers assigned to Multi-National Division-Baghdad became the first in Iraq to put their hands on the steering wheels of the new mine resistant ambush protected — MRAP — vehicles.

The first shipment recently arrived at Camp Liberty southwest of Baghdad, where a driver training course has been established. These are the first of an estimated 7,000 MRAPs expected in theater by early summer.

The new combat vehicle, with its V-shaped hull and higher suspension, is designed to better protect troops from roadside bombs and is set to replace Humvees being used on patrols in Iraq.

“I’m really impressed by the vehicle, mainly because of the height, and the fact that it can drive about 20 to 30 degrees on its side without rolling over,” Spc. Marquis Dawkins, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, said of the MRAP in an Army news release. “It is also much more comfortable.”

The MRAPs received by Multi-National Division-Baghdad came in two categories: one design holds up to six soldiers and will replace the Humvee, the other is a longer version, which can hold a crew of 10 soldiers, according to the press release.

Before the vehicles can be handed over to the units for day-to-day use, the soldiers are being trained on how to operate, drive and maintain the vehicles. This training also introduces soldiers to some new luxuries the Humvee lacked, like pneumatic doors and suspended seats.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/army_mrapsarrive_071102w/



uhc comment: Of course the article does not mention that the MRAP is too big to fit on ships and we are shipping these $1,000,000 vehicles to Iraq on aircraft.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=4849
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=5882

Nor does it mention that the Marines aren't sure what to do with them.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=5547

[gateley]

1. Joe Biden led the fight for these vehicles - and it WAS a fight. He's been

to Iraq 8 times and has seen first hand the poor equipment our troops are forced to use.

I'm so grateful he got this approved and they're arriving at their destination.

[DemReadingDU]

2. $1,000,000, Who is getting rich?

If our vehicles are getting blown up driving down the road, wouldn't the common sense thing to do would be...don't go down that road, maybe take a different route?

If we bring the troops home, then there wouldn't be any people in those vehicles anyway.

So somebody is becoming very wealthy. I think it's called war profiteering.

[unhappycamper]

3. Navistar International, BAE Systems and Force Protection

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=5514

[DemReadingDU]

4. Thanks, I've been reading your past threads on MRAPs

The amount of money for the MRAPs is obscene, but so is everything else about this war. It's no wonder, some people want this war to continue forever.

[demommom]

5. The fact of the matter is...

These are the vehicles that the commanders in the field asked for because they will save the lives of our troops and keep them from being maimed by roadside bombs. My senator, Joe Biden, put his career on the line to vote for funds for these vehicles after leading a very long fight for them.. If we had had these vehicles earlier 2/3 of the deaths by roadside bombs would have been saved and those that came home maimed and mutilated would be whole. Who gives a damn about the costs at this point in time, the fact is the troops ARE there and we need to protect them. Whatever it takes, oil, money whatever, get it there and shut the hell up about it. What price do you put on over 3000 lives?

Joe Biden has been to Iraq 8 times, he knows what it is like over there and what they need and that is his motive. His own son will be going there the first of 2008, you think he would endanger him for Oil?

[DemReadingDU]

6. Yes, I understand. If the troops are there, they need to be safe.

My spouse was in Vietnam with the Marines in 1968. There were many roads/paths they knew were unsafe to travel or they would get ambushed. So the Marines found alternate routes. I'm just saying, in Iraq, if there are roads being hit with IEDs, then why can't alternate routes be used?

Col Jack Jacobs has said the same thing a few months ago.
"When I was in combat in Vietnam, my unit walked into ambushes from time to time…but never on a road. Early in his training, every soldier learns that you never travel a road or a trail until it has been secured in all directions to the maximum effective range of your weapons. Well, if it’s a violation of such a basic principle, why are we still doing it?"
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19028599/

Edit to add: I do like Biden. He, more than most of the candidates, understands Iraq. He often has mentioned about partioning Iraq into 3 regions as a resolution.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12572371/

[rakeeb]

10. Why can't alternate routes be used?

I'm sure it seems that simple, but it isn't just a few routes that have all the IED's. When they target troops, there are a coupple of factors involved:

1. There are only so many ways to enter or leave an FOB or Air Base, anywhere from 3 to 8, depending on size, it's not hard to target some or all of them, requiring clearing teams to constantly work those routes.

2. Going through a city or town, if a unit uses the same route twice, it will get targeted in anticipation fo that third time.

3. a VBIED can wait anywhere in town, get a call about a convoy and head towards it, pull up near it and detonate.

4. An IED with a short timer can be dropped from a vehicle driving in front of a convoy.

[Think82]

12. Biden's the most supportive of the troops. He lead the fight ot have these made.

Biden might get like 90% of the vote in the general. I dunno how the repubs even make a dent.

[CrispyQ]

7. I agree completely.

I want this war to end as much as anyone, but as long as we have troops over there we need to protect them with the best equipment we can.

[gateley]

8. It's NOT all just Either/Or - There ARE people in congress who truly have a

concern and feel a sense of responsibility about our troops that goes beyond money and politics.

I keep having to point out that Biden is the second "poorest" Senator in DC, his net worth is about $175,000, and his meager campaign fund certainly doesn't reflect an infusion of money some seem to assume.

Rumsfeld sent us into this war with our troops shamefully supplied, and Biden is committed to do what he can for their safety -- and you talk about the COST?

How Republican.

[rakeeb]

9. If it can fit inside an aircraft, and an aircraft is much smaller than

a ship, how is it that it won't fit on a ship that is much larger than the aircraft it fits in? The larger, (and heavier) Stryker vehicles had to come over by ship because they failed to meet the aircraft load requirement that was specified in that original contract.

[jillan]

11. What the heck is wrong with you????

This is what a humvee looks like when it's been hit by an ied:


and this is what a MRAP looks like when it's been hit:
http://www.mainandcentral.org/http:/home.mainand_public/mrap.jpg

So tell me which one you would rather be in?