Soldier develops, implements safer tow-bar rack

JOINT BASE BALAD, IRAQ

10.01.2011

Courtesy Story

77th Sustainment Brigade

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – One soldier at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, has embarked on a safety-oriented mission to address a very real problem for units engaged in combat-zone vehicle recovery.

The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles used during convoy security missions have issues regarding safety due to their sheer size and weight. One of these issues is a soldier’s ability to safely recover the vehicle. The tow bar used in this vehicle’s recovery not only weighs more than 200 pounds, it is located approximately five feet off the ground and on the front of the vehicle.

To address this lingering problem, Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Love, a water treatment specialist with the 127th Quartermaster Company, 352nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 77th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, quickly began drawing blueprints for a possible solution that he named the Removable Adjustable Equipment Stowing System.

“Civilian contractors working for units like the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade have been working on a design in Afghanistan for six years, but every design resulted in the tow bar rattling and working its way out during operation,” Love said.

He also said that this new design ensures the tow bar wouldn’t go anywhere. The new tow bar rack “provides an alternative from a 5-foot-8-inch height down to about 3 feet” where soldiers can utilize their legs and core muscles to lift and carry the tow bar.

Soldiers have historically been tying down these massive tow bars to the front of the vehicle using straps, which creates a safety hazard and a potentially unavoidable obstacle when a unit or team might need the recovery tool.

Also, because the use of tow bars is often the result of an enemy attack, the need for soldiers to be able to react quickly and efficiently affix the device is paramount.

“This new design is safer and more efficient for recovery operations, while eliminating the obstacle of the Rhino System on the front of the vehicle as well,” Love said.

Many Soldiers of the 127thQM Company have expressed thanks and support to Love, and members of the 402nd AFSB seem to be supportive as well. Love said the project will ultimately be shared with other commands, and hopefully it will prevent future accidents and injuries while simultaneously providing units with more options while using the Army’s MRAP vehicles.

One soldier saw the problem and envisioned a solution. Two months after its inception, the project was complete on display in the motor pool for testing and final adjustments. In retrospect, the project has already proved to be an overall success and could potentially spur a mass-production initiative for other units to improve their MRAP systems and address mission readiness.

• Date Taken: 10.01.2011
• Date Posted: 10.03.2011 06:01
• Story ID: 77916
• Location: JOINT BASE BALAD, IQ