Stryker drivers: The backbone of the Stryker Brigade

MOSUL, IRAQ

09.22.2004

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

By Sgt. Fred Minnick

MOSUL, Iraq -- After 10 months of intense driving in a combat zone, the Stryker drivers have developed a knack for steering the massive eight-wheeled beast through Iraq's narrow alleyways, congested streets and dangerous overpasses. As the first Soldiers to use the Stryker, members of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division have seen the Stryker endure rocket propelled grenades, roadside bombs and small arms fire.

Since crossing the Iraqi border in November, the Stryker has bolstered the Army's combat power and given battle planners a vital tool in winning the fight in Iraq. On several occasions, because of the vehicle's combat power and mobility, top generals from Multi-National Forces Iraq have called upon the Stryker Brigade to move outside of its area of operations in northern Iraq to conduct operations in Al Kut, Balad and Baghdad. However, the true success story of the multi-million dollar vehicle can be found sitting in the driver seats, said 1st Lt. John Hicks, from Birmingham, Ala., the executive officer for Company B, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment.

"We ask a lot out of our drivers. They sit in the hottest spot in the vehicle and literally are in charge of everybody's life in the vehicle," he said. "Without them, the Stryker is nothing but a 22,000-pound paperweight."

According to those who sit behind the steering wheel, the Stryker is just a car, "except it's wider and weighs about 20 times more," said Spc. John Beaver Makawao, Alaska, a driver with the 5-20. "Being a Stryker driver is incredibly important and a good driver is patient. We are the backbone of this brigade."Drivers perform thorough maintenance checks on the Stryker before and after every mission. They conduct map reconnaissance of the route and try to determine the size of each road they will travel.

"Drivers must know exactly how much room the vehicle has on each side, because the width of the Iraqi streets is inconsistent," Beaver said. "You have to know how to operate everything in the vehicle and must be able to make decisive decisions about the routes and turns you take. After time, it becomes second nature."

In addition to instinct, drivers depend on vehicle commanders to help them through the tight spots."We work as a team," said Sgt. Justin Bliven from St. George, Utah, a vehicle commander for the 5-20. "I'm out of the hatch, so I can see what's ahead and the drivers have a great understanding of where the Stryker can and can't go, so we're constantly communicating."

Bliven recalls a time when his driver just stopped for no apparent reason. "It was at night and my driver said if we continued in the direction, we would hit a ditch. In the heat of the moment, he made the call to switch the route," he said. "We rely on the Stryker's stealth and quietness to sneak up on the enemy during missions. Most of the time, they never hear us coming because our drivers are so good at taking the right routes."

The U.S. Army plans to field five additional Stryker Brigades, one of which -- 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division -- is fully operational and scheduled to replace 3-2. In addition, foreign armies, including Israel, have expressed an interest in integrating the vehicle into their army. Hicks said the first Stryker drivers set the standard for rest of the world on how to use the vehicle in a combat zone.

"When I look back, I can say I was one of the first to drive the Stryker," Beaver said.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2004
• Date Posted: 09.22.2004 15:22
• Story ID: 395
• Location: MOSUL, IQ