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Marine Gunners Safer, See Better With New Turrets
Defend America News ^ | Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva

Posted on 05/22/2006 4:33:15 PM PDT by SandRat

Photo, caption below.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Trevor A. Chapman makes sure his M-2 .50-caliber machine gun is mounted correctly in the new Marine Corps Armored Turret System. The new turret offers gunners greater protection and visibility with ballistic glass shielding. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva
Marine Gunners Safer, See Better With New Turrets
The new armored turret systems are being installed on seven-ton trucks, the first in an
upgrade to give gunners greater visibility and beefed-up protection for convoy operations.

By U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva
Regimental Combat Team 5

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, May 22, 2006 — Duty in the turret of Regimental Combat Team 5’s seven-ton trucks just got clearer with new ballistic-glass and steel encased firing positions.

The new turrets, called Marine Corps Armored Turret Systems, are being installed on seven-ton trucks, the first in an upgrade to give gunners greater visibility and beefed-up protection for convoy operations.

“The advantage of these turrets is the protection it provides the gunner,” said U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Adam Lyttle, motor transport chief for the regiment. “The most noticeable change is the ballistic glass. They also have higher turrets and they traverse a lot easier.”

Ballistic shields replaced steel plates in front of the gunner’s position and side ballistic glass allows Marines to scan from side to side without having to expose themselves to fire. It’s an important feature. Until now, Marines had to crouch down behind their guns.

“The gunner can stay higher on the guns now,” Lyttle explained. “Their field of view is a whole lot better. The gunner plays a major part on all convoys.”

Higher blast protection and windows that will deflect gunfire and shrapnel now allows gunners to perform duties with a greater degree of confidence. Marines aren’t just gripping .50-caliber machine guns behind the ballistic shields. They’re on the lookout for improvised explosive devices – or roadside bombs.

“The gunner can stay higher on the guns now. Their field of view is a whole lot better. The gunner plays a major part on all convoys.”

U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Adam Lyttle

“I feel a lot safer,” said U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jose M. Ramirez, from Lemoore, Calif., assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5’s motor transport platoon. “Before I was afraid of standing up. Now, there’s no fear to get up and peek at something suspicious.”

Ramirez is one of the few gunners in the regiment’s motor transport platoon who has already conducted several missions riding in the new turret. He said it has a lot more room, space to keep his rifle and other tools handy and best of all, better protection.

“It’s a blessing from the gods to get these here,” Ramirez said. “They’re a lot better. This is a big improvement. Everybody likes these.”

Lyttle said the turrets are being added as fast as they arrive in theater, with help from 1st Marine Logistics Group’s, Combat Logistics Battalion-5. It’s not just the regimental headquarters getting the new turrets. Each battalion is getting outfitted as well.

“The hope is before the month is out, we’ll have new turrets on every truck,” Lyttle said.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Trevor A. Chapman makes sure his M-2 .50-caliber machine gun is mounted correctly in the new Marine Corps Armored Turret System. The new turret offers gunners greater protection and visibility with ballistic glass shielding. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Trevor A Chapman, from Norwich, Conn., has also ridden a couple of missions in the new turret and said Marines have a lot in which to look forward.

“I figured it would be good with having the windows on each side,” said Chapman, assigned to the team's motor transport platoon. “I felt a lot safer. The armor goes all the way around.”

Chapman explained the old turrets had gaps that left him feeling exposed to hazards. Now, he’s completely encased in a turret system that allows him to see more and move quicker.

“It’s a lot easier to use,” Chapman explained. “You don’t have to swivel as far because of the windows. That makes the gunner’s job easier because he can react faster.”

Lyttle witnessed the change the Marine Corps has made over the past several years with armoring. Initially, gunners were exposed with nothing protecting them but helmets and flak vests. Then barrel-style turrets were installed and now, the angular turret with ballistic glass has taken force protection to a new level.

“The Marines are pretty pleased,” he said. “They were excited about getting them. The Marines are eager to ride in anything, but you see these big improvements … it built their confidence up, big time.”



TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: better; gunners; marine; safer; turrets

1 posted on 05/22/2006 4:33:16 PM PDT by SandRat
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To: 91B; HiJinx; Spiff; MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; clintonh8r; TEXOKIE; windchime; Grampa Dave; ...

A safer Top Gunner for the Marine Transporters on the Ground


2 posted on 05/22/2006 4:34:01 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat

Great inovation!


3 posted on 05/22/2006 4:36:59 PM PDT by DawinIsDead
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To: SandRat

I should have been a marine instead of a bubblehead!


4 posted on 05/22/2006 4:37:12 PM PDT by montomike (If you didn't find this funny and were offended...have a riot.)
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To: SandRat


5 posted on 05/22/2006 4:39:36 PM PDT by prognostigaator
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To: SandRat

Awesome find


6 posted on 05/22/2006 4:56:28 PM PDT by ibheath (Born again and grateful to God.)
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To: SandRat
“I feel a lot safer,” said U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jose M. Ramirez, from Lemoore, Calif., assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5’s motor transport platoon. “Before I was afraid of standing up. Now, there’s no fear to get up and peek at something suspicious.”

Local lad bump!
7 posted on 05/22/2006 5:11:46 PM PDT by tongue-tied (Democrats matter like baby kangaroo poop. Not at all, unless they are in your pouch.)
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To: SandRat

Glad to see we are making it easier for our soldiers to see and kill those pieces of sh*t terrorists. Hopefully we will soon hand over security to the Iraqi's that will have more leeway in hunting down the turds of Mohammad and kill them in ways we aren't permitted to do.


8 posted on 05/22/2006 5:45:24 PM PDT by MAD-AS-HELL (Put a mirror to the face of the republican party and all you'll see is a Donkey.)
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To: SandRat

ping for later


9 posted on 05/22/2006 5:50:17 PM PDT by DarthVader (Conservatives aren't always right , but Liberals are almost always wrong.)
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To: DarthVader

Good engineering job , they should mount aircraft turrets with good ballistic glass and armor to make it an even more viable system !!!


10 posted on 05/22/2006 6:07:13 PM PDT by Stoli Strafemeister (Why is the vodka gone ?)
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To: SandRat

Our guys need the best ....BUMP!


11 posted on 05/22/2006 10:15:59 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (History is soon Forgotten,)
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