Maintenance crews upgrade humvee gunner protection

Courtesy Photo | CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq -- Multi-National Forces Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Mellinger, left, talks with Soldiers Nov. 4 from 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry about their experiences while on patrol in Iraq. During this visit, 1-87th Soldiers showed Mellinger some of the modifications, designed to keep gunners safe, made to the turret by the battalion maintenance section. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Nathan Carr, 1-87 UPAR)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.21.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Capt. Douglas Herrmann and Spc. Carlos Caro
1/10th Mountain Division PAO

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq " Chief Warrant Officer Mark Swanson of 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment is certain of his goals for this Iraq deployment.

"I want to put the medics out of business in 1/87," Swanson said.

He's certainly taken steps in the right direction. Swanson and his crew in the maintenance section have been upgrading turret protection to the battalion's fleet of M114 armored humvees. By making simple modifications to the humvees using readily-available parts, Swanson and his crew have already saved the lives of at least three Soldiers. This additional turret protection applies to every threat a gunner might face.

Spc. John Tri, a welder with 1/87, is a key player in Swanson's goal. By putting in long and hard hours in the motor pool, his skills have become invaluable in keeping the men of 1/87 safe. His work is often overlooked by those who rely on his creations, at least until they save a life.

This additional armor has already attracted considerable attention from 1-87's Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hibbs; the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division's Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Carlson; and Multi-National Forces Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Mellinger. The three senior noncommissioned officers all recently met to see the improvements made by the maintenance team. Several 1/87 Inf. gunners were also present.

"I've seen add-on armor break-through," Mellinger said. "But this here, this is the right idea."

"This is pushed bottom-up, too," Carlson said. "That's where all great ideas come from. Their rapid implementation comes top-down, after some squared-away private first class or specialist comes up with a great idea and somebody listens to him."

Mellinger said he considered it a very practical design, one that could be manufactured both cheaply and quickly. However, cost is not the issue.

"I do this math for people all the time," he said. "Someone always says, "How much will it cost?" I say, "This isn't about cost.""

Hibbs said acquiring superior equipment to outfit troops is a high priority for him.

"1-87 has really gone all out for the Soldier. It's night and day compared to my last time in Iraq," he said. "I see every day how proud my men are of their unit and how confident they are in their equipment.

"I really thank you for your hard work and initiative," Hibbs added, turning to the maintenance team.

All three of the senior leaders challenged the Soldiers present to continue to improve their efforts. Mellinger asked Pfc. Matt Johnson to climb into the turret of the modified vehicle, then asked him, "What would you change if your life depended on it?"

The two were soon discussing many ideas to improve the gunner's ability to see threats.

Swanson was first approached with the idea of additional armor by 1st Lt. Craig Broyles, the executive officer for B Company, 1/87. Broyles said he's happy the concept has proved to be successful.

"The survivability has gone up," he said. "This has already proven itself at least three times."

"One time, we were hit by an improvised explosive device and it barely did anything to the vehicle," said Spc. Jeffery Neubauer, of B Co. "Our gunner was hit with some shrapnel and was barely scratched."

Pfc. Matt Johnson, a C Co. gunner, believes Swanson's modified armor saved his life and "at least one other guy's life."

"It's the best thing they could have put up there," he said. "It gives you greater visibility in every direction and helps you feel safer. I say every vehicle should have it."

Good gear alone is not good Soldiering, Mellinger reminded the Soldiers. "First-line supervisors are the ones who must make corrections on seatbelts, speed, helmets and gunners riding at name tape defilade," he said. "Every leader needs to make life-saving spot corrections."

Swanson is grateful for the Soldiers" feedback and for their anecdotal evidence that his work has paid off.

"(With) the late hours we put in on thisâ?¦one guy smiling at me when he should have (been wounded), that makes it worth it," he said.

• Date Taken: 11.21.2005
• Date Posted: 11.21.2005 16:09
• Story ID: 3824
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ