Photo By Sgt. Jason Greaves | The mechanics assigned to the 385th Military Police Battalion inspect under the hood...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga – The 385th Military Police Battalion conducted training with Mine Resistant
Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicles at Fort Stewart, Feb. 3-7.
The MATV training included two 40 hour courses, one for the unit master drivers and a separate course
for the wheeled vehicle mechanics.
The 5-day course included vehicle preventive maintenance checks and services along with night and day
vehicle operations for the master drivers.
“The training was beneficial because it shows that the Army is progressing towards providing safer
vehicles,” said Sgt. Jasmine Davis, a master driver assigned to the 293rd Military Police Company.
“We had Humvees before, but I feel more comfortable with the MATVs, because they are a combination
of all the vehicle we have used,” said Davis.
Davis said the vehicles have better driving capabilities through terrains such as ice, mud, sand and other
extreme conditions.
The mechanics trained on maintenance procedures as well as diagnostics and troubleshooting.
“The first couple of days, we reviewed the vehicle operation in a classrooms setting,” said Pfc. Alexander
Utley, a mechanic assigned to the 293 rd MP Co. “After that, we worked on the vehicle and learned about
how heavy the plates on the vehicle were.”
In the latter part of the course, the mechanics removed parts and learned the intricacies of a MATV.
“The MATVs are different from the other vehicles I’ve worked on because they are taller, heavier, and
more complex when servicing them,” said Utley.
The vehicles have been used before, but they are new to the 385th and are fully mission capable.
“The MATVs add to our capabilities as a unit,” said Sgt. Reed Webb, a master driver assigned to the
546th Military Police Company. “All the armor that they have underneath the vehicle makes it better for
our safety if an improvised explosive device hits us.”
The implementation of the driver's vision enhancer system, which allows drivers to see at night, is
among the improved safety features on the vehicles.
“The DVE system is absolutely beneficial because, as a master driver, we have to conduct nighttime
driving when we’re doing driver’s training,” said Webb. “It’s a way better system and helps us become
more combat capable at night.”
Both mechanics and drivers took something away from the 5-day course
“As a mechanic, working on these vehicles was not only something new, but exciting,” said Utley. It was
a challenge taking the armored plates off of the vehicle, but it was an overall good experience.”
The MATVs were selected as one of the Army’s enduring requirement vehicles.
“I think the Army is doing a great thing by implementing these vehicles and the rest of the MATVs that
have the improved capabilities on them,” said Webb.
The battalion will be conducting an exercise with the vehicles to test the weapons systems beginning
near the end of February through the beginning of March.
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 02.11.2020 13:04 |
| Story ID: | 362572 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 239 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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