By Spc. Steven J. Schneider
LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Balad, Iraq - Soldiers from LSA Anaconda picked up new Convoy Protection Platform M1114 Humvees at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Nov. 12.
The CPP will help Soldiers escort critical supply convoys in a safer, more fully armored vehicle. Each Humvee came with a .50 Caliber Machine Gun, Mark 19 Grenade Launcher or a M240B Machine Gun to go along with its fully armored chassis and shell, improved armor for the turret system, air conditioning, communications headsets, and Movement Tracking Systems. The MTS constantly updates the Humvees location.
The Soldiers from the 7th Transportation Battalion, 512th Maintenance Company and 3625th Maintenance Company were happy to get their hands on some new equipment. After picking up the new vehicles, Soldiers conducted Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services on their individual vehicles and prepared MTSs.
"It's completely armored and provides a level of protection unseen in any other Humvee," said Capt. Gavin McCulley, 7th Trans. Bn. S4. The Humvees weigh about 12,000 lbs. with extra steel and ballistic windows that will protect from 7.62 mm small arms fire, 155 mm artillery airburst overhead and improved anti-tank mine protection.
The four-speed automatic M1114 is built with a 6.5 liter diesel supercharged engine made to handle the extra weight, giving it an advantage over other uparmored Humvees, McCulley said. The M1114 Humvee's speed exeeds 75 miles per hour, makes the trip from zero to 30 in less than seven seconds and from zero to 50 in just under 18 seconds.
"The great thing about these vehicles is the improved communications and speed," said Sgt. James Bonnette, 644th Transportation Company. After mounting their new weapon systems for the first time and taking a short break for lunch, the Soldiers were able to test out their new vehicles both on and off road on a two-hour convoy back to Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
Other than a few transmission issues, the new vehicles performed brilliantly, according to 2nd Lt. Jason G. Crow, 644th Trans. Company, 1st Platoon leader.
"I like these new vehicles," Crow said. "They're stout, and they handle great." Crow, whose company picked up several vehicles, was pleased with the new weapon systems as well. His company received their first M240Bs.
"You can always use more crew served weapons," he said.
The new vehicles give them much needed security, McCulley said.
"The new armored vehicles provide increased survivability, the ability to maneuver better under fire and increased lethality when engaging the enemy," McCulley said.
The fielding of these new vehicles is just a small step in a new way of thinking for the Army, McCulley said.
"The fielding of the M1114 Humvees marks a shift in conventional thinking. The Army realizes that transporters are no longer behind the lines," he said.
Editors Note: Spc. Schneider is a member of the 28th Public Affairs Detachment from Fort Lewis, Wash. He is currently deployed to Iraq in support of the 13th Corps Support Command at LSA Anaconda.