A New Age in Troop Protection

The new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle gets taken out for a spin during a training course at Camp Liberty in western Baghdad, Nov. 1. The 40-hour course is designed to teach Soldiers how to operate, maintain and drive the new MRAP vehicles. Photo by Sgt. Mark Matthews, 27th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP LIBERTY — Towering high overhead and aligned one after the other in a seemingly endless row, the next generation of combat vehicles roll into Iraq.

The new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle is currently being fielded here for the first time anywhere, and Soldiers are getting their first hands-on look at the latest development in troop protection.

“I’m really impressed by the vehicle, mainly because of the height, and the fact that it can drive about 20 to 30 degrees on its side without rolling over,” said Brooklyn, N.Y., native, Spc. Marquis Dawkins, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. “It is also much more comfortable. The makers of the MRAP were definitely thinking about the Soldiers.”

Read more here:mnf-iraq.com