Story by Sgt. W. Watson Martin
Scimitar Staff
INTERNATIONAL ZONE, BAGHDAD, Iraq " A security escort's three Humvees were hit by an improvised explosive device while returning here after providing an early morning escort May 15.
The Forward Support Company Soldiers of the 176th Field Artillery Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division escorted four semi-trailers and a non-tactical vehicle along a 60-mile stretch to Scania with three M114s and one M1025 " Class I and II armored Humvees.
"On the way back, I noticed what appeared to a burlap bag approximately three feet long and rather bulky on the left side of the road," said Staff Sgt. Jay Wheeler, point man in the lead vehicle. The lead vehicle then swerved right and called back to the other Humvees.
The second Humvee moved 50 feet to the side but caught the main blast. Oil and steam blew up and over the windshield, covered the turret's shield and soaked the crew-served weapon, an M249 squad automatic weapon. "I had just ducked down after going through an underpass," said Pfc. Brandon Simmons, "and then boom, it went off."
Another M114 and the M1025 received minor damage to their windshields and engine covers.
They were able to move out of the kill zone to a safe rally point where a mechanic assisted in hooking up a tow bar before heading back to camp.
Once back at in the IZ at Camp Honor, they discovered there were no injuries, however the Soldiers were visibly shaken by the incident, but not as bad as the last time, said Sgt. 1st Class Tony Robinson, the motor sergeant of the FSC. This had been the second attack on the same route.
The incapacitated vehicle turned out to have a pierced oil cooler and some damage to the driver's door. The next day on a test run, however, the mechanics discovered the engine had been run too far without oil, so it was replaced.
"All the trucks will be mission-capable by tomorrow morning," Robinson said. "These properly armored vehicles saved lives today and will continue to roll."
Recently, the Department of Defense released a letter to commanders that only Class I and Class II Humvees are allowed to travel in the Red Zone, Robinson said. Class I includes factory armored M114 Humvees, and Class II includes the M1025 with added armor.
In order for the M998 Humvee to meet the Class II level, it must have the specially designed and manufactured add-on armor kit along with additional armor bolted to the undercarriage and the roof of the vehicle.
Soldiers should not travel out in the Red Zone without proper protection, Robinson said.
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2005 08:37 |
| Story ID: | 1998 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 90 |
| Downloads: | 12 |
This work, IED hits 3 armored HUMVEES, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
