N.C. Marines begin training on new vehicles

[unhappycamper]

Marines with Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, load an Internally Transportable Vehicle into the belly of an Osprey during a live-fire exercise Feb. 11 at Camp Lejeune, N.C.


N.C. Marines begin training on new vehicles
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Feb 11, 2009 21:15:57 EST

While the Corps prepares to deploy a squadron of MV-22 Ospreys to Afghanistan for the first time, Marines are beginning to train on new lightweight vehicles that fit inside.

The Corps is rolling out the Internally Transportable Vehicle and the Expeditionary Fire Support System, open-top vehicles Marine officials see a use for in Afghanistan, said John Garner, program manager for the ITV and EFSS.

“Both systems are in production, and both systems are in the process of being fielded to units at Camp Lejeune, (N.C.),” Garner said.

The EFSS reached Lejeune last month, with Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, beginning a six-week training package on it Jan 5, Garner said. Each system includes two vehicles, with one pulling a 120mm mortar on a trailer and the other pulling a trailer of ammunition.

The ITVs reached Lejeune on Jan. 26, with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, beginning a three-week training cycle on the vehicles, Garner said. The vehicle resembles a Jeep and can carry four Marines and either a .50-caliber machine gun or 40mm Mark 19 machine gun.


Rest of article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/02/marine_ITVs_021109w/%2e



uhc comment: See that pretty little jeep pulling into the MV-22? That particular variation costs over $1 million dollars --> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=23733