Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Aubrey Hanson of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, a wheeled vehicle mechanic, of Company B,...... read more read more
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By 1st Lt. Brian L. Graddy Jr.
CAMP ADDER, Iraq – During a logistics patrol, a mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle receives a substantial amount of internal and external damage given the coarse, dirt roads of southern Iraq.
On patrols lasting up to 10 hours, MRAPs can fall victim to damaged condensers, clogged air conditioners, and a loss of visibility through the windshields.
Gun truck soldiers of Company B, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, brainstormed the idea of developing a custom mud guard to mitigate the amount of road debris, thus limiting the damage to the MRAPs.
They presented the idea to the mechanical maintenance section, where they developed the basic plan to mount the mud guards using existing hardware, making them cost efficient. Also, the mud guards would save the Iron Brigade from having to replace the condensers that were getting damaged.
“We’re always looking for cost efficient ways to achieve our mission,” said Warrant Officer Marqest O’Neil, of Newport News, Va., allied trade maintenance warrant officer, Company B, 64th BSB.
The mechanical maintenance section sketched a rough picture of the design and gave it to the service and recovery section, which specializes in metal-working and fabrication. The metal fabrication team reviewed the draft and finalized a blueprint for a prototype.
“Once we had the blueprint, we figured out what materials we were going to use which was one-eighth inch sheet metal. Once we came up with that solution, we put it together and fitted it on the truck,” said O’Neil.
The service and recovery section fabricated the driver-side and passenger-side mud guard to reduce blockage in the air conditioning condenser fans and to maintain visibility through the windshield.
“This is the best product we’ve done out here,” said Pfc. Aubrey Hanson, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, a wheeled vehicle mechanic, Company B, 64th BSB. “It made us feel like we were contributing to the logistics and support mission.”
The finished product was truly a concerted effort from the entire team and is the first of its kind throughout southern Iraq.
The Soldiers fabricated 46 mud guards for 64th BSB, to include five prototypes for the other battalions within the 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.
“Anything that will help enhance the visibility of our soldiers outside the wire is a success and worth the work,” said O’Neil.
| Date Taken: | 11.12.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2010 07:23 |
| Story ID: | 59987 |
| Location: | CAMP ADDER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 272 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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