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Kudos to Coramoor for cracking the code. Improvised "armor" is highly suspect at best as to its effectiveness and very often acts against those who are relying on it. Logistic vehicles are not designed to operate carrying an extra load of weight that slows them down substantially, changes their center of gravity, and provides a false sense of security which dissolves when a round or a bit of shrapnel punches through a quarter inch or half inch plate of non-armor grade metal. This results in additional bits of frag flying around the confined space of the so-called armored vehicle. HUMVEES, CUCVEES, 2 and 1/2 ton trucks, five ton trucks, wreckers, etc, etc were not designed to operate with all sorts of added weight. S&Ps (stake and platform semi-trailer trucks) were surely not designed for this sort of window dressing. The Army learned that lesson in Viet Nam. The improvised gun-trucks which the Army used to escort supply convoys were OK on main roads but had no mobility off roads and in situations requiring fast pick up or sustained speed. The cargo and logistic vehicles were much better off without add ons that actually impeded performance and put the drivers more at risk. If you are going to get hit by a command detonated device it is most likely going to take you out no matter what sort of improvised armor you have. If it is a smaller non-command detonated random device you need to learn to smell out the likely detonators. One favorite is a tin can in the road. You roll over it, crush the can, and it closes the detonating circuit. Bang, you are dead. There are many such devices and our people are learning how to spot and avoid them. In addition to my own experience I have spoken and corresponded with many friends from the Army who tell me that the best way to deal with this issue is to keep a sharp lookout for likely detonators, don't talk about the types we have learned about (except for the obvious "classic" ones) so as not to tip off the murderers that we are on to them, and be prepared to react instantly when an incident occurs. If it is a command detonated device the bastards will almost always be in direct line of sight to the target. We need to be able to spot them and nail them. Sometimes however, you can't respond immediately and that becomes one of those times you earn your pay the hard way. Remember, this is a war, it is dangerous, and it is going to be a lot more expensive in terms of casualties before it gets better. We have a 100% volunteer army and the downside risk of military service is that you can get hurt or even killed when doing your job. In case anyone wants to mutter about armchair quarterbacking, please remember that I was there at the start and among my keepsakes from that deployment is a purple ribbon with white edges.
Historically, we have never gone to war with a perfectly equipped Army. We go to war "with the Army we have", learn how best to deal with what we face, and respond accordingly. Let's not loose sight that war is dangerous and every time we engage an armed enemy someone is always calling for magic solutions to make it safe. War is not safe and there are no magic shields to protect us from harm. Its a hard, dangerous business and we need to fight with our eyes open and keenly aware of our surroundings and get over this business of looking for deus ex machina solutions.
dekeguy
Captain, USAR
been there, ready to go again
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