Battle-tested MRAP delivered

  • Published
  • By Angela Woolen
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE. Ga. --  If this Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Cougar vehicle could talk, oh, the stories it would tell.

In January 2014, the MRAP was involved in an improvised explosive device incident while being used by Air Force Office of Special Investigations personnel in Afghanistan.

"It saved the lives of its occupants," said Mike Rowland, Museum of Aviation curator. "The vehicle did what it was supposed to," The vehicle was repaired and sent back to work before arriving in Middle Georgia.

The Army's 841st Transportation Battalion delivered the vehicle from Savannah to the museum.

The museum had been offered MRAPs in the past but Rowland wanted one that was used by the Air Force. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center members helped make that happen.

The sustainment and acquisition for the MRAP is done by the AFLCMC here.

"We're the cradle to the grave for this (asset)," said Ed Jones, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Support Equipment and Vehicles Division operations director.

"We bought them, and now we're putting one in a museum," he said. "We continue to sustain them today."

The Air Force is divesting some of the older models - like the MRAP at the museum - and acquiring new ones from other military branches.

There are 810 in service today for the Air Force.

"It's credited with saving thousands of lives," said Jones.

The truck's tires are almost as tall as those on a monster truck. The left rear tire was blown off during the 2014 incident. The tan-colored vehicle's shell is thick, and there are 21 different support equipment pieces on the vehicle.

"It's like an oversized Tonka truck," Rowland said.