Photo By Sgt. Casey Collier | The 97th Military Police Battalion, rolls out of Camp Nathan Smith, Kandahar City,...... read more read more
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CAMP NATHAN SMITH, Afghanistan - For the last few weeks, members of the 97th Military Police Battalion have been attending training courses at Kandahar Air Field in anticipation of being issued new vehicles.
The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected- All Terrain Vehicles have already started arriving at CNS, and will continue to arrive through this week. The M-ATVs will be replacing the armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee).
The M-ATV bears the same "V"-shaped hull as an MRAP, designed to deflect mines and improvised explosive device blasts. With more agility for mountainous terrain and a lighter body, the M-ATV offers the protection of an MRAP but with similar steering, shock absorption, and speed of a Humvee.
"It's like a Humvee on steroids," said Sgt. James Lawrence, HHD, 97th MP Battalion, based out of Fort Riley, Kan.
Until recently, the MRAP has been the preferred method of troop transport in Afghanistan, owing to the security it provides. It has served well during Operation Enduring Freedom, and was used in Operation Iraqi Freedom where it proved a formidable alternative to the armored Humvees that were predominantly used before and during most of OIF.
The first two M-ATVs arrived in Afghanistan Sept. 29, 2009, with the first training classes on the vehicles beginning Nov 2nd 2009.
The 97th MPs have been in Afghanistan for 10 months, and until this week have been utilizing MRAPs and Humvees to patrol Kandahar City.
Soldiers who had previously attended a week-long MRAP course were offered the opportunity to take M-ATV training.
"It's a two-day course," said Lawrence, "We trained on specifications in the classroom, then we immediately went outside to the vehicles. We had three people per instructor. The instructors went over: warnings, cautions, how the vehicle operates, roll-over drills, and what the vehicle can do."
The training also contains a rigorous driving course, where both vehicle and operator are put through their paces, testing the vehicle's anti-lock-break system and maneuverability at high speeds.
"We got to drive it as fast as we could, through soft sand and bumps, and didn't get stuck or anything. It does what it says it'll do," said Staff Sgt. Kristen Arnold, HHD, 97th MP BN, "It handles a lot better than the MRAP."
Lawrence said that although several elements of the 97th MPs are receiving M-ATVs, they will still hold on to their MRAPs, using them as secondary vehicles.
As the MRAP is replaced by the faster, smoother alternative, it will still serve its purpose for as long as it is needed. But as far as the 97th MPs are concerned, the results are in.
Sgt. Jason Heitmann, 97th MP BN, a native of St. Joseph, Mo., was candid about his opinion of the new vehicles.
"It is awesome to drive the M-ATV. It handles well, doesn't ride rough, and is fast. It's got a lot of 'get up and go'," said Heitmann, "When you step on the gas pedal, it goes. It's not slow to pick up, like a Humvee or MRAP. It's a good truck, and I'm glad we've got them."
| Date Taken: | 05.09.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.09.2010 10:41 |
| Story ID: | 49360 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR CITY, AF |
| Web Views: | 1,229 |
| Downloads: | 650 |
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