CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The 1st Theater Sustainment Command began transitioning from Maxx-Pro mine resistant ambush protected vehicles to Caiman MRAP vehicles when brigade representatives arrived at Lot 54 to inspect an initial issue of Caimans, March 15.
The exchange is designed to accommodate the needs of commanders in Afghanistan where the Maxx-Pro variant is in high demand because it is better suited to the road and terrain conditions in Afghanistan.
"Like the Maxx-Pro, Caimans meet all U.S. specifications to protect crew members from the effects of improvised explosive devices and they are effective and well-suited for the driving conditions faced by Soldiers of the 1st TSC conducting responsible drawdown operations in Iraq," said Brig. Gen. Nick Tooliatos, deputy commanding general, 1st Theater Sustainment Command.
The 1st TSC will distribute the vehicles to 593rd Sustainment Brigade and 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team over the next few months. Soldiers will transport the Caimans to maintenance facilities in their respective areas where they will take equipment from their Maxx-Pros to install into the Caimans.
The process takes about a week, and when the units return their stripped-down Maxx-Pros, they will receive another issue of Caimans. The cycle will continue until all Caimans and Maxx-Pros are exchanged. The Army Materiel Command in Kuwait will refurbish the Maxx-Pros before they are sent to Afghanistan.
The 593rd SB supports Iraq's responsible drawdown with 24-hour convoy operations. Some of the equipment they haul from Iraq is dropped off at reception centers throughout the country, but most is brought to Kuwait where it is shipped back to the United States or distributed throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, which spans 20 countries throughout Africa and Asia.
The 53rd IBCT, from Florida, is currently transitioning with the 115th Fires Brigade from Wyoming. Once the two National Guard units complete their transition, the 53rd IBCT will be responsible for base security throughout Kuwait and convoy security throughout Iraq and Kuwait.
The 1st TSC supports U.S. Central Command by tailoring the logistical infrastructure in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.
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