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Thurman
05-17-07, 06:05 PM
Seabee Monster Garage Turns Marine Force Protection Idea into Reality
Story Number: NNS070515-16
Release Date: 5/15/2007 3:14:00 PM


By Senior Chief Engineering Aide Jay Buermann, 30th Naval Construction Regiment Public Affairs

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (NNS) -- The Seabees of 30th Naval Construction Regiment (NCR) provided the 2nd Marine Tank Battalion with an armor upgrade May 1 to help keep the gunners safe during their operations in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.

On a tank crew, the loader feeds ammunition into the machine gun and is often exposed to small arms fire from opposing forces. To stay safe, the loader has to close to the tank’s access hatch. But if he does that, he can no longer do his job.

“[The new armor] lets us leave the hatch open,” said Marine Staff Sgt. Ceasare Williams, of the 2nd Marine Tank Battalion. “This allows the loader to stay in the fight.”

“It will also help [protect us against] IED (Improvised Explosive Device) shrapnel,” added Marine Sgt. Brad Nevitt, also of the 2nd Marine Tank Battalion, as he referred to IED often placed in the road by insurgent forces.

The Marines of 2nd Marine Tank Battalion realized this risk to the loader was a critical issue when they arrived in country more than a month ago. The battalion held a series of brainstorming sessions and eventually settled on an idea they thought would provide some protection to the loader.

The Seabees’ heavy machine shop, more commonly referred to as the “Monster Garage,” took the battalion’s idea of a protective shield, fine-tuned it and built four prototypes for installation.

“We took their base premise, the hinged windows, and had to find a way to put rectangular windows on a round frame,” explained Steelworker 2nd Class Philip Moran, who led the project for the Monster Garage. “We wanted it to be simple but effective and meet the tank battalion’s goals.”

It was important that no modifications be made to the tanks themselves, as military regulations generally discourage permanent changes to expensive equipment. Instead, the new shield, composed primarily of ballistic-grade glass and steel, is designed to fasten through existing bolt holes in the tank.

The Marines were appreciative of the Seabees’ work and quick completion of the upgrade.

“I am amazed at the ingenuity and work ethic of your Sailors,” wrote Marine Capt. Timothy Doran, commanding officer of 2nd Marine Tank Battalion, in a letter to 30 NCR. “I honestly can not find an expression of our gratitude that can equal the effort put forth by those folks.”

The tanks have already completed several missions since the upgrade, and they have not received any fire or encountered any IEDs. While the Marines hope this trend continues, the crew can react with more confidence and increased protection.

There are nearly 1,100 Sailors and Marines supporting critical construction efforts in the Al Anbar province of Iraq as a part of 30 NCR.