Posted on 05/26/2016 2:23:44 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
...The troops will be dropping with about 10 of their MRZR all-terrain vehicles made by Minnesota-based Polaris Defense. (MRZR is not an acronym but simply a designator, said a Polaris spokeswoman.)
The four-seat MRZRs were still a "pilot program" for the 82nd but were intended to give the paratroopers more mobility once they hit the ground. "It's a little more robust" than commercial ATVs, Tuley said.
"These vehicles significantly enhance what would otherwise be foot mobility," Brig. Gen. Brian Winski, deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne, told Bloomberg News. "They change the dynamic and turn what would have been a three-mile per hour operation into a 50-mile per hour operation."
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
“I could use one of those here in Vegas(outside).”
That looks like the type of equipment you could find parked outside at Battlefield Vegas.
All true, but we did look so cool ...
It looks great; looks like a little more fun than driving a tractor.
When I was in the 82d, it was called the Mule. Basically a John Deere lawn tractor with a cargo pallet. They rarely left the motor pool.
Good to know it didn't stand for the Traitor-in-Chief, MRZeRo.
Centurion,
Nice little ditty about the late, and as far as I am concerned, unlamented, Gamma Goat. However, I take one issue with it. I never hear of a Gamma Goat running on mogas, only on modiesel. ;-)
I will admit that I have bought Tamayia’s model of it to build for my collection, with a hooch on trailer to represent our jump FDC vehicle we used for split battery operations in 2-27FA in Germany in the 1970s. The battalion had six and later eight M-109A1s per battery.
You will understand that the briefing was a PFC, who had not briefed on the difference from MoGas and Diesel. This, of course, was a problem in units that had a mixture of gas burners and diesel burners in the 70’s. The only good thing was that the Russkies had bigger problems.
But stop the Jeep and let me rip off a few rounds with the M60 and all was forgiven. The only thing better was a Ma Deuce.
You missed my ;) indicating I was pulling your leg. But yes, I recall once when a new drive put diesel into a jeep.....
You mean that you guys saw Goats that actually ran?
I thought that was about like finding a Sasquatch.
I was only 17 at the time, and it was still all a great adventure. I had yet to learn the reality of what I signed up for.
Rockpile,
Heck yes, we had Gamma Goats that actually ran. And my driver kept the drain plugs secure and even had the bracing struts in case one of the center wheels was lost.
We built a hooch using 2x4s and 2x6s as the frame work. 3/4 inch plywood sides and top. We painted the plywood OD to seal it and then covered it with a tarp for water proofing. Had two radio antennas mounted on the front corners. In side were two VCR 46 radios, a chart board and a fold down table for the computer, i.e. the 13E who converted the range and deflection in to quadrant and firing instructions to the guns. And interior M-577 lights for night operations.
Excellent. Am glad there were useful ones.
Imagine the impact of an MRZR platoon of paratroops at Benghazi...
We were in Hoenfels when our Gamma Goats arrived. We drove them off the railcars, that was called NET. They were terrific for a few months.
I too was in the 82nd in the 60’s. Any of you old paratroopers remember the Airborne Mule?
Basically they have recreated the Jeep. Open, unarmored light duty vehicles that go anywhere and cost nothing to operate. The Hummer and it’s kind have left the military without anything like a Jeep. Good thing the private sector is there to replace it.’
About damn time.
Regarding the mule. I saw one (and only one) in operation in Viet Nam. It may have worked in the forest of Europe, but in the jungle it would seem they were next to worthless.
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