OK, I have to admit that my headline is sensational. Additionally, this story is not about Marines now being killed in Humvees, no Marine, as it occurs, died to make this story. In fact, quite the opposite is true in this case as this story is about a new generation of vehicles being introduced into the turmoil in Iraq that is saving the lives of our Marines.
Called a MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles), these new vehicles are designed to deflect IED bombings and protect soldiers from the full force of such ambush attacks.
So why the headline? Because it is sure that we will NOT see this story ballyhooed too much in the MSM, that’s why. No US soldiers are dieing, and lives are being saved through innovation and American ingenuity.
To the MSM, success in Iraq is always a non story.
USA Today gives us a first discussion of this new vehicle outside of Defense industry news sources.
New vehicles protect Marines in 300 attacks
In more than 300 attacks since last year, no Marines have died while riding in new fortified armored vehicles the Pentagon hopes to rush to Iraq in greater numbers this year, a top Marine commander in Anbar province said.
Brig. Gen. John Allen, deputy commander of coalition forces in Anbar province, said the Marines have tracked attacks on the vehicles since January 2006. The vehicles’ raised, V-shaped hulls deflect the force of blasts from homemade bombs buried in roadways.
There’s been an average of less than one injured Marine per attack on the vehicles, Allen said. There have been 1,100 attacks on coalition vehicles during the period in Anbar province, the heart of the Sunni Muslim insurgency.
Attacks on other vehicles caused more than two casualties per attack, including deaths, Allen said.
This is fantastic news. Will the MSM bring this forcefully to our attention like they constantly did in the badly armored Humvee stories they delighted in bringing us so often?
More likely, this is the last time you will see the story.
As general Allen said, “It’s a great vehicle in term of protecting troops.”
Just don’t expect the MSM to let us know that the US military realized the danger and took steps to protect our troops. But, you can be sure you’ll hear any negative news out of Iraq.
It’s a shame you did not attribute the MRAP to the correct vehicle and manufacture.
All of the MRAP’s currently in theater are Cougars and Buffalo made by Force Protection Inc. Force protection has been delivering these life saving vehicles to the Marines and Army for a couple years. The Cougars have over 2,000,000 combat hours on them and have encountered over 2,000 IED blasts without a single fatality.
The Marines are in the process of procuring 8,000 more MRAP’s which should be on order the first part of May.
Go to http://www.forceprotectioninc.com and read a little about the company and their vehicles. What an awesome story.
Mr. Zippy
That is great news for our troops!
However, fewer troops dieing is bad news for the Liberals & MSM.
Thanks for the info. – you’re right, haven’t heard word one about it anywhere else.
Sir: recommend you go to http://www.forceprotection.net, look for media links, view the abc news and nightline video reports. Presumably you can get their thru ABC news, too.
Good catch on this story! You should absolutely submit this story to Milibloggers. Short, factual but right on target!!
Mr. Zippy,
I didn’t “attribute” it to ANYONE. I am talking about the program in general. I did NOT specify anything, my friend.