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The "official" VCDL MRAP

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Loneviking

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Apr 11, 2008
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Carson City, Nevada, USA
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Great story and the Talib's sure picked a great spot for an IED ambush. Interesting about those new Cougars---guess they don't hold up as well as advertised?! Any 'Water Buffalo's' in country?
 
deepdiver

deepdiver

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Southeast, Missouri, USA
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Loneviking wrote:
Great story and the Talib's sure picked a great spot for an IED ambush. Interesting about those new Cougars---guess they don't hold up as well as advertised?! Any 'Water Buffalo's' in country?
Click to expand...
I don't know about that. They aren't supposed to be impervious to IED attacks, but rather survivable from what I understand. As Reverend said, "In total, there were 3 WIA, with no KIA" which would mean the Cougars did their job. Sacrifice the vehicle but save the life, just like with crumple zones in a car.
 
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rlh2005

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Jun 16, 2006
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Spotsylvania County, Virginia, USA
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deepdiver wrote:
Loneviking wrote:
Great story and the Talib's sure picked a great spot for an IED ambush. Interesting about those new Cougars---guess they don't hold up as well as advertised?! Any 'Water Buffalo's' in country?
Click to expand...
I don't know about that. They aren't supposed to be impervious to IED attacks, but rather survivable from what I understand. As Reverend said, "In total, there were 3 WIA, with no KIA" which would mean the Cougars did their job. Sacrifice the vehicle but save the life, just like with crumple zones in a car.
Click to expand...
And now, the enemy will use more explosives in the IEDs.
 
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LdoMaj_Ammo

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Apr 27, 2008
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Spotsylvania County, Virginia, USA
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The MRAPs/Cougars/Buffaloes/Max/RG31's and RG33's (can't remember them all))do an "excellent job" at protectingour war fighters. The vehicle isn't intended to survive an IED, they are intended to protect the human cargo. Armor was significant to defeat one RPG hit below the window (the one with the expended copper jet).

Rev, very happy you're okay... keep up the heat. s/f Fred





Loneviking wrote:

Great story and the Talib's sure picked a great spot for an IED ambush. Interesting about those new Cougars---guess they don't hold up as well as advertised?! Any 'Water Buffalo's' in country?
Click to expand...
 
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rchjr

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Joined
May 25, 2006
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57
Location
Powhatan, Virginia, USA
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You do our country proud!!! Tell all your fellow warriors that the MAJORITY of the country supports your sacrifices. the rest are the sheep and they have no say except BAA!
Stay safe, our prayers are with you.
 
F

Fozzy_Bear

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Mar 6, 2008
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Suffolk, Virginia, USA
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Reverend73 wrote:
...
-bring enough gun. The M4 and SAW were at the limits of their effective range during this firefight (~600yds)
...
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If you consider 600 yds to still be even close to effective range of an M4... at night... under fire... You sir, truly are one BAMF.

And indication of enemy casualties too? Wow. just wow.

I've tried a few shots with one at half that range. - Not something I'd wanna trust my life to... (not bashing the M4 mind you... it's just not the right tool for THAT job... As you indicated by your comment)


Wow again.


Please let me know when you're home so I can buy you a beverage of your choice.
 
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Reverend73

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Jul 22, 2006
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Gainesville, VA
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Fozzy_Bear wrote:
Reverend73 wrote:
...
-bring enough gun. The M4 and SAW were at the limits of their effective range during this firefight (~600yds)
...
Click to expand...
If you consider 600 yds to still be even close to effective range of an M4... at night... under fire... You sir, truly are one BAMF.

And indication of enemy casualties too? Wow. just wow.

I've tried a few shots with one at half that range. - Not something I'd wanna trust my life to... (not bashing the M4 mind you... it's just not the right tool for THAT job... As you indicated by your comment)


Wow again.


Please let me know when you're home so I can buy you a beverage of your choice.
Click to expand...
Well, 600yds is the max effective range as listed in the manual--and we had the high ground. All I really did was see the flashes where the fire was coming from, and used my tracers to make adjustments. Then just lay it on as fast as I could. The positions they fired from offered no cover, so I'm not surprised they got hit. Our position was well protected from direct fire. Indirect, not so much. Good for us they weren't very good shots.
 
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Tomahawk

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Joined
Oct 1, 2006
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4 hours south of HankT, ,
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M16A2 documented range is 550m for point targets, and 800m for area targets, so I assume your stated M4's 600m must be the area target range? Which means if you throw enough rounds out there you will get lucky and hit something, and suppress them in the meantime. IIRC the SAW reaches out about 1000yds ar so.

I know I'll probably restart the old debate, but I have to question the military's shift in emphasis towards shorter-barreled rifles in the last 5-10 years. I know it's better for getting in and out of vehicles, and moving around built-up areas, and such, but I read so many reports from fights in Af. and Iraq in which our troops are exchanging fire with the enemy in open country at long ranges, and neither the AK-47 nor the M4 are very effective.

As I age my fondness for the M14 (or even the M1) grows stronger. At 600 yds it owns.
 
A

AbNo

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Joined
Jun 8, 2007
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Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
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Wait, doesn't the x39 cartridge only have an effective range of about 400m or so?

That's.... 437yards, I think?

Serves those dumb bastards right, for multiple reasons.

Still glad glad you're ok. :)
 
Dutch Uncle

Dutch Uncle

Campaign Veteran
Joined
May 11, 2006
Messages
1,715
Location
Virginia, USA
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Rev,
I missed this thread when it came out 'cos I was out of town. Really glad to hear you dodged the bullet this time too, and I hope your WIA's recover OK.

I'll be putting together another package for you and your guys soon.

Stay well, stay safe and don't let the Talibastards grind you down. We're all looking forward to your safe return, and are proud of you and your important work.

Dutch
 
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Reverend73

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Jul 22, 2006
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549
Location
Gainesville, VA
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I do not think they were using AKs, I am fairly certain they were using PKM belt fed machine guns, in addition to the mortars and chinese made rockets.

Had it been daylight, I would have given anything to have my '44 M1 Garand.
 
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