Caiman maintenance training

Courtesy Photo | (From left to right) Spc. David Arias, a Red Oak, Texas native, Sgt. Anthony Fowlkes, a native of Baltimore, Martin Rose, who works for Force Protection, and Charles Burrell, who works for Force Protection, learn how the Maintenance Support Device works. Standing is the instructor for the course, Robert Laduke, who works for BAE Systems, makers of the Caiman Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle.  

TAJI, IRAQ

06.18.2009

Courtesy Story

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Two Soldiers of Foxtrot Company, 949th Convoy Security Company, 419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, were given the opportunity to take a Caiman Field Level Maintenance — New Equipment Training course with the Caiman Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle offered by civilians working for BAE Systems.

The course was five consecutive days and held in the main maintenance bay for all the MRAP vehicles.

It was classroom training as well as hands-on training. The classroom portion consisted of the overall operability of the Caiman MRAP. During this portion, the Soldiers were given the knowledge on how to maintain and troubleshoot the vehicle. The hands-on training consisted of an actual "tour" of the vehicle, its many systems, and how the systems work together to operate the vehicle. Soldiers had to actually get up, in and under the Caiman in order to not only see, but touch the various parts to know where they are located and what they look like.

In order to troubleshoot the vehicle, the main emphasis for this class, Soldiers and civilians were taught how to operate the Maintenance Support Device. Basically — a computer that can diagnose the vehicle's problem via attachment to the main Vehicle Data Computer.

The Soldiers and civilians took a hands-on test to find and fix any and all faults on the vehicle. Most of the breakdowns with this vehicle, that has an unprecedented seven computers to maintain functionality, are caused by electrical faults, either through disconnected or loose wiring. The final exam also consisted of a 35-question written test on the various specifications of the vehicle and what to do under certain conditions to make the vehicle operable again, if the Caiman was brought into the maintenance bay.

• Date Taken: 06.18.2009
• Date Posted: 06.18.2009 04:33
• Story ID: 35274
• Location: TAJI, IQ