US Army and Marine Corps MRAPs Book Review
By Rachel E. Veres
| Date of Review | January 2014 | Title | US Army and Marine Corps MRAPs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Mike Guardia | Publisher | Osprey Publishing |
| Published | 2013 | ISBN | 9781780962559 |
| Format | 48 pages, softbound | MSRP (USD) | $17.95 |
Review
My USAF Iraq pre-deployment training included an opportunity to drive an International Navistar MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.
Sensing obvious nervousness (we just viewed montage videos of MRAPs rolling over!), an Army Sergeant asked what car I normally drive. When I said a Honda Civic, he replied, "Well, this is just like driving your Civic back home." My first thoughts: what Hondas has he been driving – and where can I get one for city traffic?
Subtitled "Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles", Osprey's US Army and Marine Corps MRAPs chronicles a warfare system designed to overcome the challenges of counterinsurgency campaigns. Following a succinct introduction, author Mike Guardia examines MRAPs history, project evolution, service during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and future.
In-theater photographs offer readers a glimpse into how US service-members employed MRAP vehicles. One picture highlights the extensive damage a 300-500lb Improvised Explosive Device (IED) inflicted. All five crewmen emerged unscathed – and returned to duty the next day!
Artwork by Henry Morshead complements each section. A bibliography and index neatly conclude contents.
For similar Osprey titles, check the back cover. And see my Cybermodeller review of Special Operations Patrol Vehicles for a related assessment.
Decidedly recommended.
My sincere thanks to Osprey Publishing for this review sample!