‘Thunderhorse’ Soldiers prepare new MRAPs

By Spc. Kandi Huggins 1st Advise and Assist Task Force Public Affairs 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Division-NorthJuly 13, 2011

‘Thunderhorse’ Soldiers prepare new MRAPs
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – “Thunderhorse” Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, turn in Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected Maxx Pro vehicles on Contingency Operating Si... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
‘Thunderhorse’ Soldiers prepare new MRAPs
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – Captain Scott Hastings, Fire Support Officer, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, inventories the inside of a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected Maxx P... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq " Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, added new Maxx Pro Plus armored vehicles to their fleet at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Iraq, June 27.

Maj. Christopher Rozhon, Brigade Logistic Support Team chief, 1st AATF, said “Thunderhorse” Soldiers of 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Regt., turned in their Maxx Pro vehicles and prepared the Maxx Pro Plus after conducting inventory and stripping down what they needed from the older models.

The major difference between the two models, Rozhon said, is that the Maxx Pro Plus provides the best level of force protection available from the Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected family of vehicles.

“The Maxx Pro Plus was designed to offer better protection to the Soldiers,” said Rozhon, a native of Fox River Grove, Ill. “Protecting our Soldiers is our highest priority.”

Having a fleet of the same vehicle will also help ease the maintenance required, said Cpt. Scott Hastings, fire support officer, 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Regt.

“The reason we were tasked to do this job was because we have very capable mechanics that can get the job done quickly and efficiently while continuing our mission here in Kirkuk,” said Hastings, a native of Palmyra, Mo.

Before turning in their old vehicles, Thunderhorse mechanics ensured various systems operated properly and that the vehicles were equally equipped with the equipment necessary to continue protecting Soldiers.

As property manager for the vehicles, Hastings conducted a thorough check of all the vehicles prior to them leaving the yard and being staged in the unit’s motorpool.

“It’s important that the inventories are thorough because (mechanics) account for and track all the items,” said Hastings. “It helps me keep a firm grasp on which items are installed on specific vehicles so there is no lost property as we transfer the equipment to the next unit.”

Although the Thunderhorse still have several more months before redeploying to the U.S., Hastings said it is important to begin the process now to guarantee the Soldiers have enough time to complete the transfer of equipment from the older to the newer models, and to make sure the vehicles are all in top running condition.