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Posted on 12/30/2004 6:50:05 PM PST by Salem
Humvee history
There has been much made about the controversy regarding the HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle - or Humvee) and its supposed lack of armor. The HMMWV was introduced into the Army in 1985 and was designed to be a light tactical vehicle and replace several outdated Army vehicles. Among these were the quarter-ton Jeep, M718A1 ambulance and other such vehicles.
There were about 11 variants to the vehicle, but none was designed to be an armored "tank." Later, soldiers used them in ways that the original design didn't take into consideration. The always adaptable soldiers then made "adjustments" to them to meet their specific needs. Armor is a recent adaptation made by the troops. Soldiers are famous for adapting many different military vehicles to meet the changing needs of the battlefield.
To vilify Secretary Rumsfeld and other government officials for not providing the soldiers in the field with everything they require is another example of some people's attempt to discredit exemplary service. This country attends to the welfare of the brave troops serving their country.
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Once again the facts should be checked before making undue accusations and taking unfounded cheap shots.
SY NIELSON
Riverside
I wanted to post it because I have not had a chance to send regular mail to the White House voicing my own still solid support of SoD Rumsfeld. Right after 9/11 he gave a face and voice to American fury and outrage, as well as steely resolve, which I greatly appreciated. He was the right man at the right time on 9/12, and still is today.
LoL!
I saw my first HMMWV back in 1979 at George AFB, CA. I guess they were prototypes going out to Ft. Irwin, but I saw two of them parked near the flightline.
Meanwhile, the Stryker, which was the vehicle supposed to be doing the role the Hummer is pressed into doing, is now being sent to Iraq in ever increasing numbers.
Stryker units returning home are doing so without their vehicles, they are being left there for the replacements, and additional Stryker units (some from as far away as Alaska) are deploying with freshly upgraded vehicles.
Not every unit is trained with this new vehicle, and some field training will be needed.
http://www.army.mil/features/stryker/default.htm
The Humvee seems to be a good, tough vehicle. Still, I'm not sure I'd call the old Jeeps "outdated." I wish a few of them were still in the inventory -- we could probably buy 10 Jeeps for the cost of one Humvee.
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Specialist Robert Stryker, who served with the 1st Infantry Division, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for saving the life of his fellow soldiers near Loc Ninh, Vietnam |
They were newly introduced to my division in 1985. The ones in my unit were not properly hand receipted to us and I had to turn them in "found on post"
From the Soldier:31 Dec 2004:
At the present time my section is living in what we call tent city. We have electricity in the tents the voltage is 220. We just got to Iraq about a month ago. When we first started out we were trying to get homemade armour for our vehicles for the 4 day convoy up to Iraq. we were successful but kinda distrought tha ther was not sufficient armour for our soldiers. My unit is an Airborne Signal Brigade based out of Fort Bragg NC. My soldiers are in need of a various things. Snacks are a big help. We don't have any appliances so powdered beverages really come in handy. We are fortunate to have laundry service, but it is not the greastest in the world. We need items like hair clippers, dvd movies, and quick snacks that can be consumed on the go. Soap is really a hot commodity we are always looking for soap. Liquid soap seems to work best in the desert. We would also love some recreational items such as footballs, frisbees, and baseball equipment. Like I mentioned we are an Airborne unit and would gladly write letters and send pictures of Iraq the way we see it. My squad would also send pictures of us to any who would like to see what we look like. I hope this is a big help it will surely be a big help to some deservant soldiers fighting for their country. My section has been supporting the 101st Airborne Division for the past thirty days we have constant rocket attacks and fear the unexpected suicide bombers. Car bombs are all we have encountered alond the deadly Iraqi highways there's thousands of people on the streets and you really can't trust anyone.
FWIW
bttt
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