Marine Assault Vehicles Key To Afghan Strategy (Assault Breacher Vehicle)

The Los Angeles Times ^ | January 31, 2010 | Tony Perry

[DogByte6RER]

Marine assault vehicles key to Afghan strategy

As U.S. and Afghan troops prepare for an offensive in Helmand province, the Assault Breacher Vehicle - a cross between a tank and a bulldozer - is intended to conquer the terrain and roadside bombs.

By Tony Perry

January 31, 2010

Reporting from Camp Pendleton

Weighing 70 tons, traveling up to 45 mph and possessed of a smash-mouth name, the Assault Breacher Vehicle is the Marine Corps' latest answer to a perennial problem of offensive warfare: how to push through the barriers and booby traps of an enemy's outer defenses.

Over the decades, Marines have used various strategies to breach defenses, involving heavy vehicles or, in some cases, sending Marine engineers into minefields to set, by hand, line charges loaded with explosives.

"Breaching is always the hardest part of an assault," said Sgt. Carl Hewett, a breacher operator stationed here.

In the 1990s, the U.S. Army decided it could not afford to continue developing such a complicated, maintenance-heavy vehicle. But the Marine Corps persisted -- funding the development and testing from its own discretionary budget funds.

In December, the 42-foot-long assault breacher was used in combat for the first time, as Marines pushed into a Taliban stronghold called Now Zad in Afghanistan's Helmand province. The brass were pleased with its performance.

Now, as the Marines plan a much larger and more complex assault in the same province, the vehicles, which cost $3.75 million each, are being touted as part of a strategy for routing Taliban fighters.

The top Marine general in Afghanistan, Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, has made it no secret that he plans a massive assault against the Taliban-held community of Marja, where hundreds, maybe thousands, of Taliban took refuge last summer when battalions of Marines swept into Helmand.

[Recon Dad]

Don't like the Marine “propaganda machine”, how about the North Koreans,

Do not attack the First
Marine Division. Leave the yellowlegs alone. Strike the American Army.
Orders given to Communist troops in the Korean War;
shortly afterward, the Marines were ordered
to not wear their khaki leggings.

[Travis McGee]

“Knock knock!”

[ansel12]

the Marine Corps' latest answer to a perennial problem of offensive warfare: how to push through the barriers and booby traps of an enemy's outer defenses.

I've been doing that since I discovered girls.

[SoldierDad]

Yes, after all, the Taliban did elect to receive upon winning the coin toss.

[concentric circles]

Some good video of the breacher in action:

Breacher Assaults Oceanside Beach

To keep things in perspective, the same issue of the newspaper that carried this story included an obituary for a young Marine mechanic who was crushed by the tank he was working on:

Lance Cpl. Omar G. Roebuck; 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division.

Omar had four great loves: His family, his boxing, his stunt bikes and serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Roebuck, 23, of Moreno Valley, died Dec.22 in an accident in Afghanistan. He had dreamed of becoming a CHP helicopter pilot.

A diesel mechanic, he was crushed while working on a new assault tank.

John Roebuck said he raised Omar and his sister as a single parent for the last 11 years. The three were exceptionally close, especially father and son, who rode street bikes together since Omar was four. Omar called him, "Pops." His sister Eboni, 27, of Barstow, jokingly called Omar "Fat Boy" because he was in excellent shape.

"My son continues to shine even in death," John Roebuck said. "His battalion commander told me he was a great soldier."

"I don't have the words to say how proud I am of him," his father said.

"I spoke with Omar every day at work prior to his joining the Marine Corp. I had never seen anyone so dedicated to his course, so vibrate with his calling. He believed in America and he felt it was his duty to honor those who paid for his freedom and ours with their sweat and blood. I had the honor of attending his boot camp graduation and meeting with his family then, all of whom I would like to pass along my deepest sympathies. In the short time I knew him he became my dearest friend. My life is richer for having known so wonderful a person, and I will cherish his memory within my heart for the remainder of my life. Thank you Omar for your sacrafice. America will forever be in your debt."
Kimberly Dunning

"Roebuck and I went to boot camp together. We spent three long months together and though we didn't graduate together, I will forever remember him as the always optimistic, always enthusiastic friend who could be counted on for anything. Many times, I would go to him for advice, and many a time he would help without even being asked. He was a great spiritual leader as well, and I know from what I have seen, that he is in a better place. My condolences to the family--I cannot imagine your pain."
LCPL John DeHaan Jr.

"I met Omar last year during his stay on Ft.Knox. For a few months I saw him almost daily. He was always bright and cheerful no matter what time of the day. The one thing that stayed with me to this day was the self confidence he had. He truely belived in what he was doing and was proud of it. To his family I would like to express my heart felt sorrow over his passing. I can not even begin to understand the pain you are suffering from your great loss. He made the ultimate sacrafice. For that he will always be remembered."
Petra Kline
Ft.Knox Ky

[upstanding]

More “news” from the USMC propaganda machine.

Let me guess... you're a zoomie.

[oneolcop]

OK, so we know you've been to the USMC brainwashing center.

Seriously, why can't marines refrain from telling the world how bitchin they are?

[oneolcop]

!st Cavalry Division 1966-1067 RVN. What’s a zoomie?

[PapaBear3625]

What’s a zoomie?

Fighter pilot who likes going Zoom!

[Recon Dad]

I'm not the Marine my son is (look at my tagline)

The Marines don't need a big PR machine all they have to do is take the quotes of others.

Why in hell can't the Army do it if the Marines can. They are the same kind of men; why can't they be like Marines.
Gen. John J. “Black Jack” Pershing, USA; 12 February 1918

The Marine Corps has just been called by the New York Times, ‘The elite of this country.’ I think it is the elite of the world.
Admiral William Halsey, U.S. Navy

Just screwing with you!

[oneolcop]

Speaking of quotes: “The Marines win battles, the Army wins wars.” Gen. James L. Jones, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

[Recon Dad]

Guess who the bastard is working for now. He might not be the best source for a quote just based on his judgment.

[oneolcop]

Once a marine, always a marine...

[A.A. Cunningham]

You sound like a snot nosed, whiney, nonhacker who needs her diaper changed.

[oneolcop]

You sound like a brainwashed, slack jawed drooling jarhead who isn't bright enough to consider another military service as being worth a damn.

Oooh ooh, look at me! I'm a maroon, I'm a maroon!

[tlb]

Interesting dozer design but for IEDs I’d have thought the the more useful general design would be the 1944 model flail tank with the iron balls on chains. Why reinvent the wheel, particularly 7 years into the war.