Mobility Airmen deliver first M-ATVs to Afghanistan

A C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster spots the driver of a mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicle, or M-ATV as he drives it off the aircraft at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, on Oct. 1, 2009. The M-ATV's are the first of their kind in Afghanistan and support small-unit combat operations in highly restricted rural, mountainous and urban environments that include mounted patrols, reconnaissance, security, convoy protection, communications, command and control and combat service support. Transporting a load of M-ATVs by U.S. Air Force aircraft can be accomplished in a day, where sealift would require approximately 26 days. An order for more than 6,600 of the M-ATVs are expected to be fielded over the next year. Three M-ATVs were loaded onto a C-17 Globemaster III and four onto a C-5 Galaxy at Air Mobility Command's Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., on Sept. 29 and flown to Afghanistan. The M-ATV is designed to replace the up-armored Humvee in Afghanistan. The M-ATV will carry up to five personnel: four plus a gunner. The C-17 is from McChord Air Force Base, Wash. and was operated by a crew from Charleston AFB, S.C. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Susan Tracy)