New combat turret design named for fallen Airman

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Scott McNabb
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Sometimes a tragedy inspires others to strive for excellence. That's what happened here for two Air Force units near Baghdad as they worked together to bring in some good for fellow Airmen.

Airman 1st Class LeeBernard Emmanuel Chavis was killed while patrolling the streets of Baghdad Oct. 14 in the turret of his armored humvee. His death motivated a team of vehicle maintenance Airmen to design and build a new protective turret to avoid similar deaths.

"This is a story about Airmen helping Airmen. We're trying to help the people who go outside the wire by giving them the best equipment they can have," said Col. Gregory Marston, 447th Air Expeditionary Group commander. "Our vehicle maintenance had already done repairs on a lot of the vehicles from Det. 7, and this just goes one step further. Our Tiger Team is committed to this fight and wants to support its fellow Airmen."

The original, custom-made turret has been dubbed the "Chavis Turret" to honor Airman Chavis. The initial prototype was made from scrounged materials using pieces cannibalized from junked vehicles and old parts. The design was a combined effort by Airmen of Detachment 7, 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's vehicle maintenance shop.

Colonel Marston said he approached the 732nd ESFS leadership after the Airman Chavis memorial service to form a partnership to conceive a new turret design to help alleviate some of the problems with the current models.

"We believe this new turret design solves many or all of the vulnerabilities that earlier designs have missed," the commander said. "Right now, there's no standardization in terms of up-armored humvee turret designs."

Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Rossi, 447th ELRS vehicle maintenance superintendent, challenged Staff Sgt. Derrick Bowman and Senior Airmen John Adams and Richard Gil to man the Tiger Team tasked with redesigning the turret.

Airman Gil said his initial reaction to being selected to work on the turret was total surprise.

"After the shock wore off, I was honored to take part in such a project," he said. "I feel like this has been the most important and highest impact part of my military career."

Airman Gil said he's never depended on his own creativity and talents for the sole purpose of saving someone's life.

"If I was a gunner - the safer I feel in my station, the more I can concentrate on my duties, even down to taking better shots when and if the time comes to do that. With that comes better protection for the entire fire team," he said.

"The first thing we did was ask the troops who actually use the turret what they would like to see," said Airman Adams. "From there, we went into researching what parts would go where and what would be most beneficial to the actual cause."

Colonel Marston was impressed with how the Tiger Team members donated so much of their off time in an environment where off time is rare.

"It's a great story because three young Airmen are using their off time to scrape up spare parts and cannibalize all the pieces they need to design this prototype. It's a really good prototype," said the colonel. "We've had a lot of really positive comments from Det. 7 and the Army personnel."

Sergeant Bowman said the turret allows the gunner to remain protected from multiple threats in all directions.

"One big benefit is the increased protection from improvised explosive devices. That was one of the biggest things the Det. 7 guys we talked to were worried about," Sergeant Bowman said." We also added a removable wire cutter to the front of the shield to protect the lead truck from choke wires strung under overpasses."

Lt. Col. Michael Cannon, 447th ELRS commander, said he feels like he's been blessed with a squadron full of outstanding Airmen.

"The efforts of these three have been phenomenal," said Colonel Cannon. "They worked on this design at every available opportunity, including their down time, to try and get this right. They solicited feedback and continued to tweak and rework the design to eliminate areas of vulnerability. Their drive has been to use their talents and skills to protect other Airmen, and the results are awesome.

"Regardless of the outcome of this effort, I am proud to have been associated with this project, even in an indirect role," Colonel Cannon said. "I'll be telling this story and showing pictures of my Airmen and their turret to my grandchildren."

Colonel Marston said the turret will be tested in-house before going out to those other units. The 447th ESFS Airmen will put it through its paces and make necessary modifications.

"We want to make sure this is ready for prime time," said Colonel Marston. "It's like an airplane or any other type of design. You've got to try it at a slower pace to make sure it won't let you down when you really need it. We're also going to continue production of these because we think this design is going to bear fruit."

"These Airmen should be proud of their dedication and accomplishments," Colonel Marston said. "If this turret can save even one life, then this team's effort, ingenuity and dogged determination will be worth it."

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