WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2007 – The Defense Department is expected to top its year-end goal of delivering 1,500 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles to Iraq as soon as tomorrow, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters today.

Morrell’s announcement came as DoD announced the award of just under $2.66 billion to purchase an additional 3,126 of the heavily armored, V-hulled vehicles by July 31. Story | Video

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2007 – In the largest single shipment to date, more than 200 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles were loaded onto USNS Pililaau, a large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ship operated by Military Sealift Command yesterday in Charleston, S.C.

These MRAPs, designed to protect occupants against armor-piercing roadside bombs, are destined for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Story

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2007 – The Army has not made a formal proposal to cut the number of mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles the service will buy, but officials are looking at the service’s long-term need, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today. Story

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., Nov. 30, 2007 – A commercial cargo ship carrying more than 100 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles for troops in Iraq set sail this week from Naval Weapons Station Charleston, S.C.

The vehicles, known as MRAPS, are designed to protect occupants against armor-piercing roadside bombs, knows as “explosively formed penetrators.” The shipment marks the largest shipment at one time to date of these life-saving vehicles to America's warfighers in Iraq and the expansion of MRAP transportation to include both airlift and sealift, a major milestone for the program, officials said. Story

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq, Nov. 26, 2007 – Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, recently became the first in Task Force Marne to receive the Army’s new mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, known as MRAPs.

They completed MRAP drivers training here Nov. 8 and will be returning to their respective bases with about 20 MRAPs. MRAP fielding will continue steadily, with a goal of having the entire task force outfitted by February, said Army Sgt. 1st Class Jabari Williams, the 2nd BCT’s noncommissioned officer in charge of MRAP fielding. Story

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2007 – The Defense Department has let contracts for an additional 2,400 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, bringing the total number of the vehicles ordered to 8,800. “We’re going to do everything we can to get as many vehicles in theater as fast as we can,” a senior Pentagon official, speaking on background, said yesterday. Story

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., Aug. 24, 2007 – A team of test operators and mechanics here gave members of the media and other visitors a firsthand look today at the mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, or MRAP, which is currently being tested on its automotive quality and ability to protect servicemembers’ lives. Story | Photo Essay

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2007 – U.S. troops serving in Iraq will have a little more protection soon, as two of the military’s newest armored vehicles are on their way to the theater.

Two Buffalo Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, known as “MRAPs,” were loaded onto C-5 Galaxy aircraft last night at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., to be shipped to Iraq.
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CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, July 23, 2007 – Marines with Regimental Combat Team 6 recently got their hands on the Marine Corps’ newest counter to attacks by terrorist forces in Anbar Province.

The Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicle, or JERRV, is the latest melding of technology and combat firepower to find its way onto the battlefield in Iraq. Like any new weapon fielded to Marines, instructors are needed to certify potential operators in its use.

One of the JERRV operator instructors for the regiment is Cpl. Miarco T. McMillian, a motor transportation operator with Headquarters Company. He is one of a handful of instructors responsible for training the Marines who will be driving the trucks on combat and logistics patrols throughout Al Anbar Province. Story

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2007 –The Defense Department is marshalling all resources possible to speed up the delivery of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to deployed troops as quickly as possible, defense officials told Congress yesterday.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates established the MRAP task force to push his highest-priority program and is overseeing its work closely, John Young, task force chairman, told a joint hearing of the House Armed Services Committee’s Seapower and Expeditionary and Air and Land Forces subcommittees.

Gates asked Congress earlier this week for approval to shift an additional $1.2 billion from other defense programs to the MRAP effort. This would bring the department’s MRAP budget for 2007 to $5.4 billion and enable it to increase its total MRAP order to 6,415 vehicles. An estimated 3,500 vehicles are expected to be in Iraq by Dec. 31. Story

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2007 – Even as the Defense Department hurries to get as many Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles as possible to Iraq, it’s busy working to improve on the heavily armored vehicles to make them more survivable and easier to maintain.

The department is on the fast track to get the V-hulled vehicles that provide increased protection against underbelly blasts as quickly as they roll off the assembly line. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates asked Congress for approval to transfer an additional $1.2 billion to the MRAP program. If approved, the department will be able to increase its total MRAP order to 6,415 vehicles. An estimated 3,500 vehicles are expected to be delivered to Iraq by Dec. 31.

“We are always looking for improvement,” said Marine Brig. Gen. Michael Brogan, commander of Marine Corps Systems Command, who serves on the Defense Department’s MRAP task force. “We want to get better. We want to go faster.” Story