III Marine Expeditionary Force receives new heavy hauler, MKR18

Photo By Cpl. Thomas Provost | Kathy Marsh, a training specialist from the Oshkosh Corporation, gives a quick class June 11, to motor transportation mechanic Marines who were selected by their commands to attend the operator/maintenance course. The Marines got their operators licenses and learned how to do maintenance on the new Logistic Vehicle System Replacement MK18 vehicles.  

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

06.19.2009

Story by Lance Cpl. Thomas Provost 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan - The new Logistics Vehicle System Replacement MKR18, developed by the Oshkosh Corporation for the Marine Corps, recently cruised their way into the III Marine Expeditionary Force fleet.

Over the next three to four years, the new vehicles will eventually replace the aging LVS MK48, often referred to by Marine logisticians as the "Dragon Wagon."

To become prepared for the newly arrived logistics vehicles, 11 operators and 15 motor transportation mechanics from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Marine Corps Base, Hawaii, and Marine Camps on Okinawa gathered at Camp Hansen for a two week operator/maintenance familiarization course that began June 1 and is scheduled to end today.

The Marines were selected by their commands to participate in the training and become familiar with the vehicles so they can prepare their Marines for the implementation of the MKR18.

"I want to make sure that my Marines know what to expect if one of these vehicles pulls up," said Sgt. Lowell E. Bentley, the tool non-commissioned officer, motor transportation maintenance section, Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and a native of Salt Lake City.

According to the company's web site, at www.oshkoshdefense.com, the MKR18 features several improvements over its aged predecessor with a 22 and a half ton on- road payload and a 13 and a half ton off-road payload.

The vehicle bolsters a 600 horse power engine that enables it to move heavy cargo over a range of 300 miles quicker than the MK48.

Additionally, it offers improved survivability with factory-installed armor integrated into the vehicle's design. The LVSR can also accept additional add-on armor enhancing crew safety.

The vehicle also features command zone technology built into the vehicle. The technology can show the operator on a liquid crystal display screen exactly where on the vehicle there is a problem and what the problem is.

"The truck will tell you where it hurts," said Jim Arrants, a training specialist from the Oshkosh Corporation.

The new vehicle also sports a third rear axle for a total of ten wheels for improved load-bearing and weight-distribution support.

With the new LVSR MKR18, the Marines of III MEF will be hauling heavy loads faster and better for decades to come.

• Date Taken: 06.19.2009
• Date Posted: 06.21.2009 20:18
• Story ID: 35429
• Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP