Welders design, build first-ever uparmored IP pick-up

Photo By Bradley Clark | The first ever up-armored Iraqi police pick-up truck is driven off of Forward Operating Base Marez, Iraq, Sept. 22. The truck took five Soldiers from the 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, just over two weeks to design and build.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

10.09.2007

Story by Pfc. Bradley Clark 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

By Pfc. Bradley J. Clark
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq — The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers in Iraq are often faced with unusual and difficult tasks, but the drive of these troops is what allows them to accomplish the mission no matter how challenging.

This was just the case when welders from the 27th Brigade Support Battalion, currently assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, were tasked with creating an uparmored truck for the Iraqi police.

The metal workers tasked with the project believed the hardest part of the project was coming up with a design for the vehicle since it was the first time this was ever done.

"Especially the doors," said Sgt. Jewell Loving, "because we had to make our own hinges and fabricate a lot of stuff for them, but we had all the supplies that we needed. The project took us two and a half weeks from start to finish."

Even though designing the vehicle was difficult, the actual job came natural for the metal workers.

"We did run into some fabricating trouble," said Spc. Joshua Wingo, "but we figured it out as we went along and it turned out great."

One of the things the Soldiers worried about was the added weight as a result of uparmoring the pick-up truck.

"Even though the vehicle isn't intended to chase after insurgents," said Loving "when it was taken on a test drive it had pick up, it wasn't top heavy and it handled well, very well."

The purpose of the truck is to provide security for the Iraqi police's (IP) manning checkpoints.

"I think the IPs will like it and appreciate it a lot," said Wingo. "It provides better protection and more security from small arms fire and shrapnel."

Because the welders did such a good job accomplishing the task put before them, they have been tasked to up-armor four more pick-up trucks.

"The next ones will be less time consuming," said Pfc. David Durham, "because we already have the design and we are in the process of receiving more equipment for them."

Accomplishing a mission as difficult as inventing something that can not only help save lives, but also help secure a nation, made these Soldiers feel great.

"I get a sense of pride by having the ability to do this for the IP," said Durham. "We were able to work with the equipment and materials that we had. On top of all of that, I gained much more job experience due to this project."

• Date Taken: 10.09.2007
• Date Posted: 10.09.2007 10:03
• Story ID: 12787
• Location: MOSUL, IQ