MRAP School

I mentioned previously that Lisa was going to have to learn on the fly how to work on the MRAP vehicles. But it turns out that she may get to go back to Camp Johnson, NC for a couple weeks of school to come up to speed on the MRAPS. Lisa spent several months at Camp Johnson after Combat Training School last fall and winter. She likes NC and wouldn't mind being stationed there someday. She likes that the people are more laid back.

MRAPs

Mine Resistant, Assault Protected vehicles. Lisa started working in a new shop today. The shop specializes in working on the new MRAP class of vehicles. This class of vehicles was developed to allow combat patrols a higher level of safety from Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's). The armor underneath angles out and is designed to divert the energy from the bomb away from the vehicle.

Lisa told me she helped change a windshield today. A 400 lb. windshield with 6 layers to it. They have a process to seal it so that the troops inside are protected from chemical weapons. She said they have Cougar and Buffalo MRAPS in the shop and that some of them they are working on are destined for Afghanistan.

This is the Cougar. Below is a Cougar hit by an IED. The engine wound up 100 yards away from the vehicle. Amazingly only minor injuries were suffered by those inside.



Next up is the Buffalo. Appropriately named. This vehicle can also clear mines.





Lisa didn't work on these in school so she is going to be learning on the fly. She is working on a team of three with another Marine and a civilian. She said the civilian is like a mexican version of John who was so helpful to her in her last shop. "Someone who takes you in and gives you old people advice." I think she likes it though. Her and the other marine went to his house where Pablo's wife cooked up menudo. Lisa describes this as "amazing, beef intestines and vegetables with hominy in it. It is good and I get it wherever I can." It was only after she developed a taste for it that someone told her what it was.

A trip to Twentynine Palms Air Ground Combat Center - Part 1

"I had to replace one of those engines, it took forever!" ~Lisa

After a long flight and a short night, Cheryl and I got up at 5am to make the 280 mile drive from Phoenix to Twentynine Palms. The base is located out in the desert and all infantry-designated Marines as well as those deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan pass through here for training. Lisa's job as a Motor-T Mechanic is to repair the vehicles that are used in the live-fire training that takes place on the base.





On the way to the base we passed by the Joshua Tree National Park. It is very desolate and Cheryl best described it as looking like someone backed up a giant dump truck and emptied it across the desert. We saw a desert tortoise in the road at one point. I understand they are an endangered species which is easy to explain since they seem to like to playing on the highway.



After arriving at the base you have to go through the paperwork routine before you are allowed to gain access. Lisa guided us in by phone and after a couple of wrong turns we found her room. Below is the barracks where she lives. It consists of a fairly good sized room with a small bathroom and shower. Lisa has one roommate and they are good friends. More like sisters really. They fight one minute, then are best friends the next.



Besides seeing Lisa, the two things I enjoyed the most were meeting her friends and seeing her work site. One of her friends is a young guy named Tommy, pictured below. He is from Ohio, and Cheryl and Tommy's mom became online friends while Tommy and Lisa were going through recruit training in South Carolina. Lisa and Tommy wound up being stationed at the same base for school in NC and now both are at Twentynine Palms. Tommy went to lunch with us and is a really nice kid. One of the things that really hit home hanging around her barracks is just how young these Marines are. They clown around and play video games like other young people but they are not like other young people. They wouldn't hesitate to step into harm's way on a moment's notice. It has given me an even greater appreciation for their sacrifice.



I really enjoyed visiting Lisa's workshop. She worked it out ahead of time to get us into the shop. They said we could take some photos and I've posted several of those below. They are mostly working on Humvees at this time. The row of Humvees parked outside are what they will start working on this Monday. They are stepping up Marine deployments to Afghanistan and so that means they are stepping up training at Twentynine Palms. Lisa said they found out that they will have to work next weekend in order to make sure they get vehicles the maintenance and repairs that are needed to meet that training schedule.





The newest armor plated version


It takes a lot of power to run all the equipment. It also takes a lot of cooling to keep everything working in harsh conditions. Most cars have a single radiator to cool the engine. The armor plated Humvees have separate cooling systems for the engine, the transmission, the power steering and the rear differential. The 200 amp alternator in the picture above keeps all the electronics operating. These units have stealth technology that can make them "invisible" to the enemy. I didn't figure I should post to any pictures of that.


Lisa and another workmate had to pull the engine of one of these units a while back. I was surprised to see that only half of the engine is accessable under the hood. The rest of the engine extends into the cab area as shown above. I had to double check to confirm that they really took out the whole engine and install a replacement. I was impressed.



John is a retired Marine who has worked in the shop for the last 14 years. He has been a real encouragement to Lisa and she says she has learned more from him then anyone else.


Another Humvee getting suspension replacement parts installed.


A good picture of the whole shop. It is kept VERY clean.


Lisa in a smiley moment.


Lisa, while she will not admit it, is pretty proud of her work even though it is not what she wants to do long term. I thought that pride and determination showed up in this picture.

After some time hanging out in her barracks and meeting several more of her friends, it was time to say goodbye. We made it back to Phoenix about midnight.

A day at the office

Lisa is a motor mechanic. Yep, just like it sounds. She currently works on Humvees and what they refer to as 7-Tons. The latter is basically a 7-ton flatbed used for hauling supplies and equipment to the front lines.

Twentynine Palms, where Lisa is stationed, is the home to the Marine Infantry Training School. While all Marines get at least 5 weeks of combat training upon completion of basic training, Marines in infantry status get much more extensive class and field training at Twentynine Palms. Lisa's unit is one of those responsible for maintaining and repairing the vehicles used to train these Marines. As you can imagine the equipment is used pretty hard and in constant need of repairs.

These pictures are some that Lisa has sent along. Marines pride themselves on organization. That tool chest above is a good example. I know one thing, my tool chest is in no danger of being mistaken for hers.









PS - Tranny fluid hair conditioner in this last picture.