Rakkasan Armament Program saves lives in Iraq
By Sgt. Waine D. Haley
July 20, 2006
TIKRIT, Iraq (Army News Service, July 20, 2006) – Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division have added heavy armor to more than 700 Humvees since January through what they’ve dubbed the Rakkasan Armament Program.
The 626th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, created the program to shield Soldiers from the number one killer of U.S. troops in Iraq – the improvised explosive device.
The additional plating nearly doubles the vehicle’s existing armor.
Sgt. James Hartleob, NCOIC in charge of the 626th BSB’s welding shop, credited the additional armor with saving more than 25 lives by July. Hartleob and his staff base the estimate on vehicles’ conditions after attacks.
“I know of three Humvees that were hit but no one was killed,” Hartleob said. “The 320th (Field Artillery Regiment) had a direct hit that took the front end off the vehicle and everyone walked away ... well one limped away; he broke his leg.”
The effort is based on threats specific to the 3rd BCT’s experiences in their own areas of operation, according to Col. Michael Steele, 3rd BCT commander.
"The responsibility of the commander is to figure out what we need to respond to this evolving threat,” he said. “The easiest, the fastest and most appropriate answer is to add additional armor."
When the Rakkasans’ tour in Iraq ends next month, they will pass on the improved vehicles to incoming 25th Infantry Division Soldiers.
(Editor’s note: Sgt. Waine D. Haley writes for the 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)
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