Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Valentine | Christopher Lynch, an instructor with DynCorp, from Sulphur Springs, Texas, shows...... read more read more
Subscribe
BAGHDAD, Iraq — It is one mean machine: four-wheel drive, 375 horsepower, turbo inter-cooled, direct electronic injection, full airbrakes with traction control and, best of all, it weighs more than 53,000 pounds.
Sound like a commercial for the latest sport utility vehicle?
Well, maybe not. It's the MaxxPro, one of many Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles fielded by the U.S. military, and one of the vehicles Soldiers assigned to Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division, U.S. Division—Center, were trained on at Camp Liberty, Feb. 27.
The MRAP driver's course, conducted at the MRAP fielding and sustainment yard, included instruction on MRAP familiarization, safety procedures, preventative maintenance checks and the real deal: the chance to drive two variants, the RG-33 and the MaxxPro plus.
Christopher Lynch, instructor, lead operations for MRAP instruction with DynCorp, and a Sulphur Springs, Texas, native, said the purpose of the training was to familiarize Soldiers with the vehicles and teach them the positive and negative aspects of each.
"Training is important; I am a big believer in it," said Lynch. "Proper planning and training lessens the chances for accidents and leads to mission accomplishment."
It is important to know all the aspects of a vehicle, said Lynch, even the shortcomings, so operators can be prepared for most mishaps.
While the instructors emphasized the importance of the training, they kept it light and reassuring.
"It made learning a lot easier with low stress," said Pfc. John Dothage, Company B, DSTB, 1st Armd. Div., U.S. Division —Center. "These guys have been great; this has been the best training I've had here."
Dothage, a Springfield, Mo., native, said he now feels comfortable driving an MRAP if the need arose.
Private 1st Class Christina Brandt, assigned to 501st Military Police Company, DTSB, 1st Armd. Div., also enjoyed the training. She has received instruction and driven MRAPs in the past but admitted this class has been beneficial for future missions with MRAPs.
"This training is a lot more in-depth compared to the last time," said Brandt.
After talking to others in her unit who had deployed in the past without MRAPs, Brandt expressed how grateful she is to have these vehicles in theater. She said she couldn't imagine what it was like before the MRAP.
Even though a feeling of ease surrounded the class, the size and power of the vehicle stayed on the students' minds. The amount of armor on the outside and the personnel safety equipment inside reinforced that, whether conducting missions outside the wire or just driving out of the motor pool, the vehicle requires that drivers give it the utmost respect.
Lynch said that was the intent of the training; to ensure Soldiers go back home safely and without injury.
| Date Taken: | 02.27.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2010 05:25 |
| Story ID: | 46025 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 194 |
| Downloads: | 141 |
This work, 'Not your daddy's pickup' 1AD Soldiers receive driver training on the MRAP, by SFC Phillip Valentine, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
