Charleston officials ship vehicles to support warfighters

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melissa White
  • 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFNS) --  Charleston Air Force Base officials began shipping M1117 armored security vehicles for the Army on board C-17 Globemaster IIIs Oct. 24 here.

Charleston AFB members received 82 ASVs in October and will continue shipping the vehicle as part of a surge to supply the increased manpower of the Army military police corps supporting peacekeeping operations. 

The ASV is an armored, four-wheel-drive vehicle that provides ballistic protection to warfighters who are using them against various threats and is designed to provide them security and safety required in the area of responsibility. 

"The ASV is a one-of-a-kind vehicle," said Robert St. George, Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command Material Fielding Team ASV fielding site manager. "The Army has been using these vehicles for a few years now and other Air Force bases have helped ship them all over the world."

The vehicle also has a turret which can traverse 360 degrees and includes an armament system designed to meet the security mission requirements of the Soldiers. The ASV is equipped with all-wheel independent suspension which provides forces mobility, agility and handling.

"A lot of guys I talked to went through a few ... improvised explosive devices and .50 caliber rounds and did very well with (the ASV) and of course there's damage, but the cargo is safe. So the main objective of this vehicle is the cargo. We can replace the vehicle but we can't replace the cargo -- the main objective is to keep the troops safe inside," said Craig Louque, Textron Marine and Land Systems field service representative for the manufacturers. 

"This is the first load we're sending out, so we've prepared them to be loaded up and shipped out," said Senior Airman Ashley Kelly, a 437th APS aerial port expeditor. "My favorite part about getting vehicles like this ready is being able to drive them. I love driving them because how many people can honestly say they've driven an up-armored vehicle?"

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