Mine Roller Offers Protection for Troops

Defend America News ^ | Jan 12, 2005 | Pfc. Vincent Fusco

[SandRat]

The mine roller offers soldiers protection against improvised explosive devices. It was built by mechanics from 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment at Forward Operating Base Lagman, Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Vincent Fusco
Mine Roller Offers Protection for Troops
With some old-fashioned ingenuity, unwanted equipment and creative minds, the U.S. soldiers created a unique machine to combat improvised explosive devices.
By U.S. Army Pfc. Vincent Fusco 20th Public Affairs Detachment FORWARD OPERATING BASE LAGMAN, Afghanistan, Jan. 12, 2006 — A trailer pushed by a Humvee may look strange, but there's a reason why this cart is put before the horse. "We were tired of seeing our fellow soldiers get injured and killed by (improvised explosive devices). This device came from the need to defeat pressure-plate IEDs." U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Waltman This odd device is called a "mine roller," so dubbed by its creators, the mechanics of 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. "We were tired of seeing our fellow soldiers get injured and killed by (improvised explosive devices)," said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Waltman, the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment maintenance officer and native of Colorado Springs, Colo. "This device came from the need to defeat pressure-plate IEDs." The mine roller was built with parts from nonservicable equipment, such as the front end of a Humvee, a generator trailer and pieces of a maintenance Gator. Over a period of four months, the maintenance soldiers of 2-503rd put their heads and the salvaged equipment together in a process of creating and improving the design. The central idea of the design was for it to be modular, towable and able to achieve speeds of 25 mph on paved roads, Waltman said. The mine roller is attached to the Humvee by connecting the hitch, headlamp wires and steering column. The roller is "driven" from the passenger side of the Humvee. It requires a small degree of skill and coordination with the other driver to work, said U.S. Army Pfc. Jeremiah Peterson, a 2-503rd mechanic from Hammond, Ind. "We've had the (explosive ordnance disposal) team here make some (simulated) pressure plate IEDs for us to run over and test," Waltman said. The wheelbase of the roller is the same as a Humvee, and each tire weighs about 130 pounds. Two 50-pound Gator tires, filled with water, roll in the center. "We thought (anti-Coalition militia) might decide to put IEDs in the middle of the road, so we put those center wheels in," said U.S. Army Cpl. Eugenio Gonzales, a 2-503rd mechanic and driver, a native of Hartford, Conn.	U.S. Army Cpl. Eugenio Gonzales, right, drives a humvee as Pfc. Jeremiah Peterson steers the mine roller during a test run on Forward Operating Base Lagman, Afghanistan. Gonzales and Peterson are assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Vincent Fusco As a safety measure, if the roller triggers an explosion, a cable to the Humvee frame becomes taut and keeps it from flipping over and crushing the drivers inside. In addition, the front end of the Humvee is up-armored over existing armor. "Three years ago ... we were the first unit to up-armor our own vehicles ourselves," Waltman said. With some old-fashioned ingenuity, unwanted equipment and creative minds, the maintainence soldiers of 2-503rd have created a unique machine to combat the ever-present and unpredictable threat of IEDs. "I couldn't be prouder of the guys," Waltman said. "They put a lot of work into it, even on their off-time." Waltman said he sees the mine roller as a good addition to route clearance packages that survey the area. "I feel pretty confident that it'll save lives here," Peterson said. Waltman added, "If it saves one life, it'll all be worth it."

[SandRat]

Just like their Grandpa's who defeated the hedge-rows of France in WWII.

[sheik yerbouty]

It cou;d be referred to as "the Ayatollah Roller".

[geezerwheezer]

Or could you call it a "holy roller"?

[Roses0508]

Smart guys!

[sheik yerbouty]

"Holy Shi'te Roller"?

[csvset]

bttt

[skinkinthegrass]

BTTT :))

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[geezerwheezer]

This one I like a lot! :0 )

[LibKill]

Wonderful.

American ingenuity at its best. Americans will never be satisfied with things as they are. We will always figure out a way to make things better.

[SandRat]

Gives a whole new meaning to "They PIMPED MY RIDE!"

[wildbill]

I thought most of the IEDs were NOT pressure detonated but were remotely detonated by electronic signals, often using cell phones as the electronic trigger.