Putting MRAPs in good hands

[unhappycamper]

An MRAP vehicle crosses the newly finished bridge in Iraq earlier this year.


Putting MRAPs in good hands
By Bryan Mitchell - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Dec 15, 2008 8:13:26 EST

Marines driving the 24-ton answer to the roadside bomb are set to receive additional training.

Following reports of rollover issues and other problems with the highly touted mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle, the Corps is enhancing the training Marines must complete to earn an upgraded MRAP license.

Marine MRAP drivers are now required to drive an additional 95 miles during their training in addition to the 30 miles required since October 2007, according to Lt. Col. Kristi Phelps, Combat Service Support section head at Training and Education Command.

While a lot of required military training is measured in hours, new MRAP drivers must accumulate training miles — 125 to be exact. The new training will focus on the different types of driving MRAP operators are likely to encounter while deployed, be it a traditional daytime highway cruise from Fallujah to Ramadi or the 3 a.m. raid in which the crew is outfitted with night-vision goggles. It’s designed to improve MRAP safety, especially in off-road conditions with a greater potential for rollover accidents.

Most training will take place in the vehicles, but simulators may be used for mission-specific training requirements involving foul weather and mountainous terrain, according to Marine Administrative message 657/08.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/12/marine_MRAP_121508w/%2e