Pair of Stryker vehicles come under fire in Iraq

[Newsjock]

This appears to be different incidents than the Saturday morning convoy attack.
http://www.tribnet.com/news/story/4688859p-4641404c.html

Pair of Stryker vehicles come under fire in Iraq
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune

MOSUL, Iraq - The Army's new Stryker vehicle had its first combat encounter with a rocket-propelled grenade Friday.

The round struck the front of the vehicle above its slat armor cage, cutting a hose inside the engine compartment. The vehicle commander suffered a superficial cut near his nose, officials said. ... Battalion officials gave these details:

* A few minutes before the Stryker was hit at 8:30 a.m., gunmen attacked the same vehicle with small-arms fire and an RPG from about 750 feet away. The round fell short.

* About 7:30 a.m., in a neighborhood in northeast Mosul, insurgents fired an RPG at a Stryker parked near where soldiers had discovered a weapons cache. The attackers got away.

* Attackers tried to hit the same vehicle just before 3 p.m. as it was parked along the eastern shore of the Tigris River, near where dive and boat teams were looking for one of two soldiers missing in the river since Sunday.

more

[pinniped]

1. And a Kiowa helo went down looking for the boat crew too.

Front page SF Examiner, FR.

[IndianaGreen]

2. Looks like the Stryker is not as vaunted as DOD said it was

The RPG should not have caused the damage that it did!

U.S. questions Stryker armor by German firm

By Rowan Scarborough
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

The Army has been forced to conduct a new round of live-fire tests on its Stryker infantry vehicle headed for Iraq, after learning a German company had delivered armor plating not previously approved.

The tests against rounds from heavy machine guns began Labor Day weekend at the Aberdeen, Md., Proving Ground. At least one sample ceramic tile — which makes up the Stryker's exterior armor to protect soldiers inside — failed, Army officials said.

The problem arose last winter when the Germany firm I.B.D., which makes the ceramic armor called Mexus 2, changed the way it manufactured the tiles, but did not tell the Army. The change meant the company was sending different types of tiles that had not been certified as bullet-resistant by the Army.

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030908-121524-2253r.htm

[BiggJawn]

5. That's the reason for that "slat" armour...

The Stryker is weak. The Army knows it, so they developed this bailing-wire-and-bubble-gum "Cage" around the thing which is supposed to detonate the incoming before it touches Stryker's delicate skin.

Sort of like "Anti-Torpedo Nets" hung around battleships.....

But not to worry, the manufacturer's CEO got paid, and paid his "Pioneer" dues...

[The Stranger]

7. Does the Defense Department misspell its name intentionally?

Or is a "stryker" something I didn't know about?

[jmowreader]

8. It's named after two Medal of Honor recipients

PFC Stuart Stryker's Medal of Honor citation:

He was a platoon runner, when the unit assembled near Wesel, Germany after a descent east of the Rhine. Attacking along a railroad, Company E reached a point about 250 yards from a large building used as an enemy headquarters and manned by a powerful force of Germans with rifles, machineguns, and 4 field pieces. One platoon made a frontal assault but was pinned down by intense fire from the house after advancing only 50 yards. So badly stricken that it could not return the raking fire, the platoon was at the mercy of German machine gunners when Pfc. Stryker voluntarily left a place of comparative safety, and, armed with a carbine, ran to the head of the unit. In full view of the enemy and under constant fire, he exhorted the men to get to their feet and follow him. Inspired by his fearlessness, they rushed after him in a desperate charge through an increased hail of bullets. Twenty-five yards from the objective the heroic soldier was killed by the enemy fusillades. His gallant and wholly voluntary action in the face of overwhelming firepower, however, so encouraged his comrades and diverted the enemy's attention that other elements of the company were able to surround the house, capturing more than 200 hostile soldiers and much equipment, besides freeing 3 members of an American bomber crew held prisoner there. The intrepidity and unhesitating self-sacrifice of Pfc. Stryker were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

SP4 Robert Stryker's Medal of Honor citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. SP4 Stryker, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving with Company C. SP4 Stryker was serving as a grenadier in a multicompany reconnaissance in force near Loc Ninh. As his unit moved through the dense underbrush, it was suddenly met with a hail of rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire from enemy forces concealed in fortified bunkers and in the surrounding trees. Reacting quickly, SP4 Stryker fired into the enemy positions with his grenade launcher. During the devastating exchange of fire, SP4 Stryker detected enemy elements attempting to encircle his company and isolate it from the main body of the friendly force. Undaunted by the enemy machinegun and small-arms fire, SP4 Stryker repeatedly fired grenades into the trees, killing enemy snipers and enabling his comrades to sever the attempted encirclement. As the battle continued, SP4 Stryker observed several wounded members of his squad in the killing zone of an enemy claymore mine. With complete disregard for his safety, he threw himself upon the mine as it was detonated. He was mortally wounded as his body absorbed the blast and shielded his comrades from the explosion. His unselfish actions were responsible for saving the lives of at least 6 of his fellow soldiers. SP4 Stryker's great personal bravery was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

The two Strykers aren't related.

[trogdor]

9. deleted for irrelevance.

sorry about that.

[The Stranger]

10. Over Macho Grande?

No, I don't think I'll ever get over Macho Grande. Those wounds run . . . pretty deep.

[ChewToy]

6. To be fair

it's only a light armored personnel carrier, not a main battle tank. These things aren't bulletproof against an RPG round.

[Judi Lynn]

3. After seeing your post, I had to locate a photo of a Stryker vehicle

to feel more informed. Found this in google, among many other Stryker photos:



Thanks for posting the article.

[Lost4words]

4. Thanks Judilyn, I was wondering as well.

Who did the tire contract go to?

Looks like it would be easy to tip or roll over. OMG its an 8 wheeled SUV!!! Coming to a dealer near you.

Dont take crap from those uppity H2 Hummers, be the star at any soccer match. win every parking space competition.