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    JLTV contributes to successful USAR Best Warrior/Squad Competition

    FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

    05.27.2021

    Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hernandez 

    Exercise News Day

    FORT MCCOY, Wis. -- An array of innovations have been incorporated into this year's iteration of the U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition, May 19-28. First and foremost, the Best Squad concept of five-person teams from each representative division made its debut, resulting in the biggest ever BWC and foreshadowing the new framework for future competitions. However, another milestone has been achieved within this duration: the integration of Oshkosh Defense's Joint Land Tactical Vehicles in the competition.

    For the first time ever for any Best Warrior Competition at any hierarchy, approximately 80 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers competing in the event have set their eyes upon the advent of the all-terrain vehicle. Conceived and designed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the JLTV has been making its way into myriad training exercises and real-world exercises throughout the Army.

    "We coordinated the use of JLTVs into these scenarios so that we can have the latest and greatest equipment that the Army is currently using for our competition," said Master Sgt. Derek Fontaine, the operations noncommissioned officer of the U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior/Best Squad Competition. "It was a surprise to the competitors and from the conversations [we had] with them, they were extremely excited to be able to get in and out of the vehicles. They were thrilled to be able to finally get inside the JLTVs."

    Hailed as the successor to both the ubiquitous High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) and the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected, All-Terrain Vehicle (MAT-V), the JLTV program was originated by Oshkosh Defense to address the shortcomings and lessons learned from the aforementioned vehicles.

    "The JLTV program was initated in 2005 as a response to capability gaps in our light tactical vehicle fleet," said Maj. David Stowell, JLTV Operations Officer from the 84th Training Division. "A lot of the testing was completed in 2015, and it was approved for full-rate production in 2019."

    To facilitate the fielding of operational units to all branches of the U.S. military, the 84th TD has been implementing and conducting familiarization training for future JLTV drivers.

    "We received 60 JLTVs in order to conduct training for units that are going to be fielded them beginning next year," Stowell said. "That way, units can hit the ground running once they start receiving their vehicles, they know how to operate it and they have their Master Driver's training in place. Our training program is a force multiplier for the units who will eventually receive the vehicles."

    In terms of overall performance, the JLTV has proven to be far more agile, protective and off-road capable than its predecessors.

    "What the JLTV brings to the table is a balance between what's known as the iron triangle of protection, payload and performance," Stowell said. "It increases the protection of the Soldier, but also at the same time, increased payload and performance capabilities."

    The "iron triangle" concept is actualized in the JTLV's sheer technological horsepower.

    "It has a Banks 6.6-liter diesel engine with an Allison transmission and TAK-4i independent suspension system that runs off of nitrogen," said Sgt. 1st Class Kelsi Anderson, JLTV Master Driver for the 84th Training Division. "The suspension system makes it so that the axles operate independently from each other. When you're going over any bump, it's extremely smooth because they operate independently. It's kinda like the faster you go, the smoother it is type of extent."

    Not only does the JLTV boast technological brawn, but technological brains as well.

    "There's two touch screens in each vehicle - the Driver's Smart Display Unit and the Commander's Smart Display Unit," Anderson said. "The driver's SDU is where the operator can can drive the heights and suspensions of the vehicle, see their fuel levels on a digital side, check the fluid levels, temperatures, and pretty much diagnose anything in the vehicle. If the vehicle senses anything, it will give you a warning symbol and tell you exactly what that fault is."

    Initial testimonials of the JLTVs from BWC/BSC competitors this year have been overwhelmingly positive.

    "The JLTV is definitely better than all of the other all-terrain vehicles that I have rode in," said Spc. Everado Gutierrez, a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier and BWC/BSC competitor from the 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). "For one, the air conditioning actually works and kept us pretty cool during our training events."

    Furthermore, the JLTV boasts one standout characteristic that has plagued its forebears: the amount of space in its interior hull.

    "I'm 6-foot-5-inches tall, and I've never been able to fit in any seat of a Humvee," said Sgt. David Blackmer, a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier and BWC/BSC competitor from the 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). "This is actually my first time riding inside a JLTV, and I was able to fit inside [without] hitting my head and knees."

    Overall, both the cadre and the competitors have been greatly appreciative of the 84th TD's involvement in this year's BWC/BSC.

    "We appreciate the fact that the JLTV instructors here at Fort McCoy were able to assist us in the implementation of the vehicles," Fontaine said. "It is always great to see Soldiers who are willing to sacrifice their time for the benefit of the competitors and for the United States Army Reserve."

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.27.2021
    Date Posted: 06.02.2021 22:16
    Story ID: 397793
    Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US

    Web Views: 192
    Downloads: 0

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