Courtesy Photo | Members of the 3rd Battalion 346th Regiment, 177th Armored Brigade, Camp Shelby Joint...... read more read more
CAMP SHELBY, Miss. – Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion 346th Regiment, 177th Armored Brigade, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Camp Shelby, Miss., were handed what seemed to be an impossible task in 2008. Take four Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles on loan from the Marine Corps, and develop a driver training program that will meet the Army’s needs overseas. They have more than exceeded that task.
Since the beginning, the training has grown to cover not only driving various types of MRAPs to include the MAXXPRO and Multipurpose All-Terrain Vehicle; but also safety, rollovers and maintenance of the vehicles. The 3-346th Regiment fleet has gone from four vehicles to 37.
In 2008, when the first soldiers entered the drivers training lane, there were 10 learning objectives covered in 32 hours, with the maximum number of 20 students per class. Currently there are 15 learning objectives, 48 hours of class and 36 students. In addition, Soldiers now receive 32 hours of hands on maintenance instruction. Even with these increases, the 3-346th Regiment has the capability of training 144 Soldiers in a seven day period.
Most recently, the MRAP driver training mission has grown significantly based on the needs of the latest unit mobilizing and training at Camp Shelby – the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team from Idaho, Montana and Oregon.
The 116th will conduct convoy security missions in Iraq and MRAP driving will be the centerpiece of that effort. In response, 177th Armored Brigade and 3-346th have doubled the number of training slots available to the unit. Over 1,000 116th soldiers will learn to drive MRAPs at Camp Shelby before they depart for their combat mission in Iraq this fall.
“The training on this lane has changed a lot,” said Sgt. 1st Class Tim Barnes, 3-346th Regiment. “When we first started driver’s training our main objective was to teach soldiers to operate the MRAP on primary and secondary roads with improved and unimproved surfaces. With only having four loaned vehicles, they didn’t get much driving time.”
Barnes went on to explain that soldiers are now taught how to operate vehicles on different terrain under conditions they will see overseas.
“They have to learn to safely maneuver MRAPs on roads with civilian traffic and be able to get through small towns and villages. We also have a lot more vehicles so soldiers get more drive time, which makes a big difference,” said Barnes.
Before soldiers drive the MRAP they spend time in the MRAP simulator. This simulator is a 3-dimensional virtual training environment that allows them to feel how the vehicle reacts in a variety of conditions. In addition, it teaches the proper startup procedures and familiarizes Soldiers with dashboard controls.
The simulator can be set to run different scenarios based on various road, traffic and weather conditions or mechanical malfunctions and is reducing the number of accidents caused by driver error, according to a news release issued by the US Army in July 2009.
Pvt. Jerome Broussard, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, Idaho National Guard enjoyed the simulator.
“It was great, made me a bit woozy though.” said Broussard “After that, I am looking forward to driving the real MRAP, I figure the more time I can spend driving, the better prepared I will be if something goes wrong.”
After the simulator, soldiers move to the driver training area known as the skill pad. For many, this is their first time ever being in an MRAP.
While driving, an instructor rides with them to ensure they are safely operating the vehicle through the course, which involves backing, three point turns and the serpentine. They also drive the “Sparks truck” a MAXXPRO with the Self-protection Adaptive Roller Kit attached to the front. The roller attachment is designed to set off explosive devices as well as land mines, without damage to the truck or injury to the crew.
Pfc. Clifford Auvil, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, Idaho National Guard, was surprised after his first time driving the vehicles.
“Amazing; the MAXXPRO is just amazing,” said Auvil. “It handles better than you think it will. I was nervous about turning, but I didn’t have a problem with that or backing it up. I was really surprised by how fast it gets up to speed.”
After learning how to drive the vehicles, soldiers need to know how to maintain them. In the maintenance portion of the class, Soldiers are taught the skills necessary to safely conduct field level maintenance on the MRAP vehicle. Not only must the soldiers be familiar with how to use the diagnostic testing equipment and special tools used on the MRAPs they must also know how to conduct scheduled maintenance. This portion of the class is hands on and gives soldiers the opportunity to ask questions about the MRAP systems.
“I don’t know is never an acceptable answer on our lane” said Sgt. 1st Class Todd Shoultz 3-346th Regiment. “Soldiers are smart and they want to know why or how something on the MRAP works, if we don’t know we find out.”
Shoults went on to say that if answers are not in the manual that they call MRAP-U at Red River Army Depot. MRAP-U provides advanced operator and field maintenance training for all MRAP vehicles.
“No one will leave our lane with a question that was not answered,” said Shoults.
The 3-346th Regiment has consistently set the benchmark for current and relevant training for mobilizing units. They are literally the driving force of the 177th Armored Brigade.
| Date Taken: | 10.20.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2010 10:36 |
| Story ID: | 58484 |
| Location: | CAMP SHELBY, MS, US |
| Web Views: | 490 |
| Downloads: | 6 |
This work, The Driving Force of the 177th AR Brigade, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT