Ode to Armor

They're not comfortable and they're not much to look at, but the armored vehicles the Marines use can take a punch. The Marines riding in the new M-ATVS, the older MRAPs and the workhorse 7-ton trucks keep walking away from explosions that cripple the vehicles. Some of the Marines suffer concussions and some of those concussions are no laughing matter but if they'd been in a Humvee chances are they'd be dead.

One side note: The M-ATVs are air conditioned and the rear seat a.c. vent is perfectly sized to hold a water bottle. Chilled water, a real patrol luxury.

Not for the Faint of Heart

As you marvel at the nerve of Air Force Tech Sgt. Alex Morgan as he brushes dirt and rocks away from the trigger on a bomb big enough to destroy an armored vehicle ask yourself this question: Where was videographer Rob Curtis standing? And if you listen carefully you may hear me in the background shouting: "Rob, get away from there! That camera isn't insured."