Soldiers die when we are forced to use ancient equipment .
In fact the restrictions are such that it's shocking we still use the MLVW.
- MLVW will not be used for troop lift
- MLVW will not be used for ammunition transportation
- MLVW are not to be used on highways
- the fleet is restricted to a maximum speed of 60 km/hr
- MLVW will not be used for ammunition transportation
- MLVW are not to be used on highways
- the fleet is restricted to a maximum speed of 60 km/hr
 |
| Medium Logistic Vehicle Wheeled (MLVW) 1950's design built in 1982 |
A reservist soldier based in Ottawa is dead and four others are in serious condition after a training accident at CFB Petawawa Saturday morning.
 |
| Recently transferred to 30th Field Regiment in Ottawa, where she was attending Carleton University, Gnr Keyes-Oliver had served the bulk of her short military career with 11 Fd Regt. The 19-year-old gunner was remembered by friends and family as a thoughtful, dedicated and confident soldier. |
Around 10:30 a.m. local time, a vehicle carrying 10 soldiers flipped during a military exercise. Gunner Arielle Keyes-Oliver, a member of the 30th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, was killed.
“The (unit’s) commanding officer is busy trying to pull his folks back together again,” said Lt.-Col. Bill Moore, base commander at CFB Petawawa, late Saturday night.
“The unit’s just having to recover from the immediate shock of this.”
.jpg) |
| The old standby MLVW (Medium Logistics Vehicle Wheeled) 6X6 based on the US M35 is the backbone of Canadian land forces. Although a 1950s design, they were introduced in 1982 and some 2700 were built by Bombardier |
Members of the 30th Regiment were brought onto the base for a hot meal after the accident, and are being supported by their commanding officer and the base chaplain, Moore said.
He said about 50 soldiers from the regiment were at CFB Petawawa for field craft and artillery training this weekend.
The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is investigating the incident and military officials would say little about the accident or Keyes-Oliver.
It was raining at the time of the rollover, but Moore would not comment on any road or equipment conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Gunner Keyes-Oliver,” Moore said. “Our concern is for the other four injured and their families, as well.”
When reached at her home in Waterloo, Ont., Keyes-Oliver’s mother said she was too distraught by her daughter’s death to comment.
The reservists, who frequently train on weekends, were not preparing for deployment to Afghanistan, Moore said.
Base information officer Capt. Andrew Hennessy said the accident involved a Medium Logistics Vehicle Wheeled, or MLVW, the army’s standard truck.
He added that it doesn’t appear any other vehicles were involved in the accident on the sprawling military base 170 kilometres west of Ottawa.
CFB Petawawa Fire Department, Military Police and Renfrew County paramedics all responded to the accident.
The MLVW itself is one of the workhorses of the Canadian military and the foundation of the logistical support fleet.
It can carry troops, equipment or spare parts.
“Wherever the Army is deployed, you will find an MLVW close by,” according to the Department of National Defence website.
The vehicle, which weighs around seven tonnes, is used for missions involving domestic defence or emergencies and overseas operations.
According to the website, 2,769 MLVWs were acquired by the military in 1982.
The aging vehicles have been plagued with problems, and a 2003 Defence Department report warned that the vehicles could soon be hit by a catastrophic failure at any time because of poor brakes and steering systems.
Although training fatalities on Canadian bases are rare, the exercises can be dangerous as they often involve heavy vehicles and live ammunition.
He said about 50 soldiers from the regiment were at CFB Petawawa for field craft and artillery training this weekend.
The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is investigating the incident and military officials would say little about the accident or Keyes-Oliver.
It was raining at the time of the rollover, but Moore would not comment on any road or equipment conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Gunner Keyes-Oliver,” Moore said. “Our concern is for the other four injured and their families, as well.”
When reached at her home in Waterloo, Ont., Keyes-Oliver’s mother said she was too distraught by her daughter’s death to comment.
The reservists, who frequently train on weekends, were not preparing for deployment to Afghanistan, Moore said.
Base information officer Capt. Andrew Hennessy said the accident involved a Medium Logistics Vehicle Wheeled, or MLVW, the army’s standard truck.
He added that it doesn’t appear any other vehicles were involved in the accident on the sprawling military base 170 kilometres west of Ottawa.
CFB Petawawa Fire Department, Military Police and Renfrew County paramedics all responded to the accident.
The MLVW itself is one of the workhorses of the Canadian military and the foundation of the logistical support fleet.
It can carry troops, equipment or spare parts.
“Wherever the Army is deployed, you will find an MLVW close by,” according to the Department of National Defence website.
The vehicle, which weighs around seven tonnes, is used for missions involving domestic defence or emergencies and overseas operations.
According to the website, 2,769 MLVWs were acquired by the military in 1982.
The aging vehicles have been plagued with problems, and a 2003 Defence Department report warned that the vehicles could soon be hit by a catastrophic failure at any time because of poor brakes and steering systems.
Although training fatalities on Canadian bases are rare, the exercises can be dangerous as they often involve heavy vehicles and live ammunition.
Private Patrick Dessureault, of Alma, Que., was killed during a tactical night-training exercise at the Training Centre Wainwright in Alberta when the light-armoured vehicle he was travelling in rolled into the Battle River in September 2005.
Mariebeth Short, a “sapper,” or soldier with engineering training, was killed on a training area of CFB Petawawa in 2002 after the light-armoured vehicle she was riding in flipped.
In 1999, soldiers from CFB Petawawa were conducting a training exercise in Beachburg, Ont., when Master-Cpl. Don Lasante erected a communications antenna which touched a hydro wire, electrocuting him instantly.
Ottawa Citizen
Mariebeth Short, a “sapper,” or soldier with engineering training, was killed on a training area of CFB Petawawa in 2002 after the light-armoured vehicle she was riding in flipped.
In 1999, soldiers from CFB Petawawa were conducting a training exercise in Beachburg, Ont., when Master-Cpl. Don Lasante erected a communications antenna which touched a hydro wire, electrocuting him instantly.
Ottawa Citizen
© (c) CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc.
Hello Paul,
ReplyDeleteI found your page while searching for information about Canadian Military Vehicles. I recently uploaded a video on YouTube of a Military train being off-loaded in Pembroke, ON. Any info you have about the vehicles seen on this train would be appreaciated . Link to the video: http://youtu.be/8L7nXkMTBEA