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MRAP Field Recovery

Capt Demer and his team completed the BCDS HMMWV Rough Terrain Driving class prior to deploying as Embedded Trainers in Afghanistan. He put those skills to work effecting an emergency recovery of an immobilized MRAP along the Pakistan border.

“…I had hitched a ride with the Army in their MRAPs on a patrol in Khas Kunar, Kunar Province in North Eastern Afghanistan, right along the Pakistan Border. While visiting a local police station (that was buttoning up for the night because of the danger), the MRAP I was in went through a small wooden bridge. The timber from the bridge had shredded all of the air lines to the rear breaks and trailer hook up. We radioed for vehicle recovery, but assistance was 4-8 hours away. We also had this vehicle in the ditch where the bridge used to be. Of course the jacks were next to useless (my team had the really nice Jeep type 4ft jacks), but of course I didn't have my vehicle with me. We had to build successive rock foundations to jack up the vehicle out of the ditch to be able to tow with out causing more damage.

Once we got the vehicle high enough to tow, I realized that with the air lines shredded, the air brakes were locked up. The lines would not build pressure in their condition. I remembered from your classes what to do with hydraulic brakes, so I did the same with the airlines (folding them over and taping/zip-tying). I did this as much as possible, but it still would not build enough pressure to unlock the brakes. This is when I uncaged the brakes … which allowed us to finally tow the vehicle out of the ditch.”

-Capt. Dana Demer, USMC reporting from Kunar Province, Afghanistan

"As Marine ETT, we went through a fantastic driving course prior to arriving in Afghanistan. The course was through Back Country Driving School (BCDS). This was hands down the best driving course I have ever attended, to include the driving package at Fort Bragg... From the terrain I have been on since being in country, the course was one of the most important parts of the PTP we went through. Here in Afghanistan, your vehicle and your ability to operate it in austere off road conditions (particularly out East) is as important as having a clean weapon and working comm gear. The vehicle can save our life in a fire fight or take it through poor operating skills. BCDS has the package that truly has made the difference since these vehicles have truly been put through hell.”
-Sgt Major USMC ANA ETT
“Gentlemen, just wanted you to know that we are putting the skills we learned from you to use on a daily basis. The roads are rough and at times narrow. I cannot stress enough how invaluable your training was and how often we put it to use in the 30+ days we've been here.” -Capt. USMC ANA ETT
“Very professional course. This is exactly what we need (FMTU) for our teams deploying overseas.” -Major, USMC FMTU
“Instructors all demonstrated great knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for what they were teaching. Recommend this course for all military drivers.” -GySgt USMC ANA ETT
“Exceptionally professional instruction w/very knowledgeable staff. All aspects of the class should have tremendous application.” -LtCol USMC IIIMEF ETT
“Most useful driving course we have been thru.” -Sgt USMC SOTG

Marine Corps Times-

“Mountain Viper Marines Push Vehicles to Extremes in Rough Terrain Course”

“Embedded Trainer Teams Sharpen Rough Terrain Driving Skills”

Special Operation Technology-

“Shopping for Special Skills”

“Private Sector Solutions”

“Tangles Over Tires”

Quantico Sentry-

“Mountain Viper Provides Ideal Training Environment”

USMOG

PDF Icon Small “Certificate Of Appreciation”

Undisclosed Source

PDF Icon Small “BCDS Case Study”

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