Soldiers in Afghanistan modify area for more protection, firing range

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Soldiers in Afghanistan modify turrets for more protection, firing range


Soldiers in Afghanistan modify area for more protection, firing range
By Les Neuhaus, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, October 18, 2007


JALALABAD, Afghanistan — Three modifications made by soldiers in northeastern Afghanistan are being made throughout a fleet of up-armored Humvees to protect the gunner better and improve firing ability in the turret, U.S. military officials said.

Building up the turret’s protection wall; adding a secondary weapon swing-arm attachment; and creating the ability to point the primary weapon at a steeper angle all are new additions being made to protect soldiers who slog it out every day fighting Taliban and al-Qaida rebels.

“Everybody has known that all of these problems have been an issue, but every turret that comes out still doesn’t have overhead and side protection, or this other modification … to the primary gunner mount,” said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Sean Mager, 34.

“These changes will eventually be the standard for the 173rd.”

Mager, a native of St. Louis, is a member of Company B of the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s support battalion.

The turret has undergone several changes through the Army Materiel Command and the Tank and Automotive Command, both of which normally handle changes to heavy vehicles within the Army, according to military officials. But the particular challenges of fighting in Afghanistan have been known for six years, soldiers said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49574