of students learn best – that’s part of making any successful program work. The main thing is to ensure that all students we teach are properly certified and have the training to safely and expertly operate the vehicle in combat.” Since the program’s inception in 2009, the training has grown to cover not only driving various types of MRAPs but also safety, rollovers, recovery and maintenance. Initially, the course was intended for U.S. Soldiers only, but when NATO and allied multinational partners requested training JMTC was all too happy to open the program up to them. In the last three years JMTC has evolved into a place where U.S. Soldiers and their coalition counterparts from all over the globe learn how to work together. The MRAP is an armored fighting vehicle outfitted with a sophisticated array of IED countermeasures and safety features. Italian Cpl. Fabiana Gatta had only praise for the MRAP’s performance on the range – no small flattery from a citizen of a land famously known for its love of highperformance automobiles, renowned champion Formula-1 drivers and gridlocked city squares. “It’s pretty fast. Sitting up so high you sometimes don’t become aware how fast you are going until the instructor tells you to ‘slow it down!’ The steering is a lot smoother than you would imagine. I could even drive this through rush hour time in downtown Naples, no problem!” he adds with a laugh. “After this training I could get through with no dents, you know, that would be a first for me in my town!” In October, JMTC hosted a Full Spectrum Training Exercise (FSTE) with over 5,200 U.S. and multinational troops taking part, one of the largest coalition exercises to take place in Europe since the last REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany) in May of 1993. In 2011 alone, JMTC instructors trained over 22,000 multinational troops from 38 countries. “JMTC is the place for combined U.S. and multinational training and we are exceptionally good at it,” said Col. Curtis J. Carson, JMTC chief of staff. “The conflicts faced today do not allow for a quick, seamless transition to effective partnership except through training. That‘s why we’re building tomorrows coalitions today, right here at JMTC.”
Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle
MRAP MaxxPro Base armored fighting vehicle
Designed with a V-shaped hull that deflects the blast of an IED or land mine away from the vehicle, and suspension floors and seats that reduce injuries caused by an explosive’s shockwaves. The 10-ton MaxxPro’s armored body, like all MRAP vehicles is bolted together instead of welded to the vehicle’s chassis to facilitate quick repairs. MRAPs are equipped with run-flat tires and the driver sits significantly higher than in a conventional vehicle or humvee which allows Soldiers to see more of the surrounding landscape.
Horsepower...................330 at 2,400 rpm Range.......................................420 miles Height.........................Approx 104 inches Width......................................108 inches Length Overall........................233 inches Weight.....................................32,000 lbs Payload Max....................Up to 6,000 lbs Passengers............................................6
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