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SPAWAR marks integration of 10,000thMRAP armored vehicleBy Susan PiedfortIn a ceremony in August, Space andNaval Warfare Systems Center (SSC)Charleston, now realigned underSSC Atlantic, celebrated the integrationof the 10,000th Mine Resistant AmbushProtected vehicle at its location on NavalWeapons Station, Charleston, S.C.MRAP vehicles are outfitted with afull complement of command, control,communications, computers, intelligence,surveillance and reconnaissance(C4ISR) systems installed by Charlestonemployees.MRAP armored vehicles have beenthe Defense Department’s top acquisitionpriority for months because they areproven lifesavers for warfighters on theground in Iraq and Afghanistan.MRAPs boast a V-shaped hull thatdeflects bomb blasts and protects troopsinside better than other military combatvehicles, especially from the deadly effectsof improvised explosive devices.Four Soldiers, who have used MRAPvehicles in Iraq, spoke to more than 400Charleston employees, industry partnersand leaders from related commandsinvolved in the integration effort. PrivateFirst Class Rusty Davis, Specialists RaymondRodriguez and Richard Montano,and Sgt. Johnny Simmons spoke to theassembled crowd.“It is an honor for us to be here and tomeet you,” Davis said. Because of you,the four of us are able to stand here. Sixmonths ago in Iraq, we had just left toreturn to the [base.] We were six MRAPsheavy and I was driving one. We startedtaking indirect fire … small arms fire,mortars and IEDs. No one was injured;not one of us got as much as a scratch ora bruise.“So many people I have spokento here this morning have called us'heroes,'” Davis continued. “I am just gladto have a chance to stand here and tellyou that you are our heroes.”“Thank you for being here, and thankyou for saving Soldiers’ lives,” addedRodriguez.Capt. Bruce Urbon, who inherited theprogram when he relieved Capt. RedHoover as SSC Charleston commandingofficer in June, noted that Hoover wouldhave been especially happy to see the10,000th integrated MRAP vehicle roll offthe line on Aug. 1.“In the last year, Secretary of DefenseRobert Gates, Secretary of the NavyDonald Winter, Chief of Naval OperationsAdm. Gary Roughead and various congressmen,generals and admirals havevisited the integration facility to viewoperations and to thank the integratorsfor their hard work,” Urbon told the assembledteam.“As the Secretary of the Navy said, thepatriotism and dedication to task he witnessedhere is reminiscent of the effortundertaken just a few miles up the roadat the Naval Shipyard more than 65 yearsago when we fought a different enemy.”The keynote speaker was Paul Mann ofthe Marine Corps Systems Command inQuantico, Va. As joint program managerfor the MRAP vehicles program, Mannleads the team responsible for procurement,fielding and sustainment of theMRAPs. Noting that he just returnedMonday from a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan,Mann stressed the difference thesevehicles are making in theater.“With 7,000 MRAPs in two theaters, Isaw your handiwork all over Iraq. Soldiersare leaving their bases in confidence intheir MRAPs. It is really making a differencein the battle rhythm,” he said.“These MRAPs are a great tool forcommanders and operational plannersto get warfighters where they need to beto fight and win.”SSC Atlantic’s MRAP integrationArmy Private First Class Rusty Davis talks about his experience of riding in an MRAP vehicle with his comradeswhile on dangerous convoy duty in Iraq at the ceremony to celebrate the integration of the C4ISRcommunications suite for the 10,000th Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle. While Davis andthe other Soldiers came under fire none were injured due to the protection of the armored vehicle and itscommunications suite. Specialists Richard Montano and Raymond Rodriguez with Sgt. Johnny Simmonslook on. All photos by Tom Egbert of SSC Atlantic public affairs office.program is a team effort with the MarineCorps Systems Command; the DefenseContract Management Agency; the U.S.Transportation Command, including theArmy Military Surface Deployment andDistribution Command, 841st TransportationBattalion, Charleston Air Force Base,437th and 315th Airlift Wings’ aerial port;Charleston Naval Weapons Station; othersystems center sites in San Diego andNorfolk; industry partners; and otherDoD partners.The MRAP family of vehicles providesoperational forces with multiple missionroleplatforms capable of mitigating IED,underbody mines and small arms firethreats.The MRAP platforms include a suite ofgovernment-furnished equipmentCHIPS October – December 2008 23