We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2007 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:05:25 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2008 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification When John did his Photo Post last week, the pic of the GI "preflighting" his new MRAP Army Pfc. Jeremy Shelton from Monticello, Ga., kicks the tire of his brand new mine-resistant , ambush-protected vehicle during preventive maintenance checks and services at drivers training at Camp Liberty Nov. 11. Shelton is with Company B, 1-30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. This is the first fielding of the MRAP in the division. "> caught my eye. Not because I thought it was a particularly impressive example of the breed, but because of the caption -- it's one... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:14:03 -0600 You'll be happy to know that us lowly...contractors are also getting improved transportation in the form of the MPAP...Mostly Paint And Plastic. Unfortunately, contractors aren't the only ones. The ANA and ANP drive into battle in pickups that may well be older and more poorly maintained than your contractor carpool. If they're going to take over responsibility for their own national security, at some point they're going to need better kit than that.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68471 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68471 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:49:11 -0600 And, Trias is back... where you been, boyo? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68452 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68452 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:21:11 -0600 I think your walking distance to a bar could cover quite an area, particularly if the beer is cold. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68449 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68449 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 07:12:32 -0600 Actually, "homelike" means anything that doesn't flood much in a monsoon and with enough snakes in the surroundings to keep the rats down but not enough to be a nuisance. Oh, yeah -- and within walking distance of a bar. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68424 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68424 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:56:24 -0600 Carb... for Bill, "homelike" means putting up with KtLW. *shudder* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68422 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68422 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:17:41 -0600 Speaking of decals, would you mind taking the target one off the roof? It's not funny even if I'm the only one who can see it. Here's an idea -- why don't you stay in the nice safe base? With a little effort you could make that bunker quite comfy and homelike. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68415 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68415 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:41:10 -0600 Soft and chewy man Inside the dragon-beast rides Jihadi teeth grind http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68412 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68412 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:18:04 -0600 If I were you, I'd hold out for flame decals around the wheel wells and a flame thrower for top. I've heard nothing but praise for the Cougar. Too bad it's not more widely available to all of our folks over there- especially to our favorite contractor. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68409 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68409 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:42:47 -0600 Translation of above: Right. Looks more like "Being accompaniment sublime as peach tree sap for Chicken Lips of General Cho" to me... ...that weathered and leathery hide of yours renders you invincible just like Superman. More like a water buff than Superman. The part of my gut covered by the kevlar insert is bulletproof, but only from the front... ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68407 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68407 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 07:59:21 -0600 Bill, Mmmmm.....the JERRV (we never called it the Cougar, though)! All other MRAPs are a pale imitation. We all loved that truck. Don't laugh at the NTVs though, they do have their purpose: working out aggression/frustration on the MadMax centerline road at our FOB mostly, but I'm sure that others had less noble uses for them. TINS: One of the NTVs at our FOB had spinners installed! Well, only three, because either a 555 speed bump or a pothole ate the fourth one. Never did figure out who "owned" it, but it was always parked at DMAIN when I had to visit that blackhole. r/ Chris http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68406 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68406 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 07:43:07 -0600 Well Bill that weathered and leathery hide of yours renders you invincible just like Superman. You don't need no steenkin MRAP! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68404 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68404 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 07:09:21 -0600 I'm sure much is lost in translation from the original Hunan But seriously, during my travels through Colombian Indian Country, I found out that good rosary beads wrapped around the rear-view mirrors of many a Pickup Truck, provide excellent anti-ballistic protection. I place the good old Virgin between an N.I.J. Level IIIa and Level IV. ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68403 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68403 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 06:57:49 -0600 电磁流量计]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68401 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/the_wheel_deal.html#comment-68401 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 02:50:47 -0600