From: Steve Grammont (islander@midmaine.com)
Date: Wed Feb 27 2002 - 19:53:43 PST
Since the list has been following the development of this vehicle on and
off over the years, I thought you all might like to see this official
announcment.
Steve
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Subject: ARMY ANNOUNCES NAME FOR INTERIM ARMORED VEHICLE
Date: 2/27/02 6:02 PM
From: ArmyLINK News Release, armylinknews_sender@DTIC.MIL
To: ARMYLINKRELEASES-L@DTIC.MIL
Today, The Army formally named its new Interim Armored Vehicle the
"Stryker" in a ceremony at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Stryker, the combat
vehicle of choice for the Army's Interim Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs), is
a highly deployable-wheeled armored vehicle that combines firepower,
battlefield mobility, survivability and versatility, with reduced
logistics requirements.
The vehicle was named in honor of two Medal of Honor recipients: Pfc.
Stuart S. Stryker, who served in World War II, and Spc. Robert F.
Stryker, who served in Vietnam. The Stryker will be a primary weapons
platform for the IBCTs. It will assist the IBCT in covering the
near-term capabilities gap between our Legacy Force heavy and light
units. The Stryker-equipped IBCT will provide the joint and
multinational force commander increased operational and tactical
flexibility to execute the fast-paced, distributed, non-contiguous
operations envisioned across the full spectrum of conflict.
"This is a tremendous combat vehicle, and it is totally appropriate that
we name it after two great soldiers who gave their last full measure of
devotion on the battlefield in defense of our nation," said the Army's
top enlisted man, Sergeant Major of the Army Jack L. Tilley, who presided
at the naming ceremony.
Specialist Robert Stryker, who served with the 1st Infantry Division, was
posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for saving the life of his fellow
soldiers near Loc Ninh, Vietnam. Private First Class Stuart Stryker, who
served with the 513th Parachute Infantry, posthumously received the Medal
of Honor for leading an attack near Wesel, Germany that captured more
than 200 enemy soldiers and freed three American pilots.
"These two great soldiers were separated by a generation and fought on
battlefields on opposite sides of the globe, but both made the ultimate
sacrifice for their country and their fellow soldiers," said Tilley.
"Now it's up to all soldiers to honor the Stryker name by making full use
of the enormous capabilities of the Stryker combat vehicle."
"We are proud that the Army is honoring the bravery, heroism and
self-sacrifice of Stuart Stryker," said Ms. Gay L. Stryker of Portland,
Ore. "We hope this new line of vehicles will live up to his traits of
ingenuity and service to the nation."
"My brother bravely gave his life in 1967 while defending his comrades
and his unit during Vietnam," said Mr. Jack Stryker of Auburn, N.Y. "We
know that the name of Stryker is remembered for his valor and that these
new vehicles will serve as a powerful reminder of the courage of American
soldiers and their commitment to defend this nation."
The Army is committed to fielding six IBCTs with more than 300 Strykers
in each. In October 1999, The Army announced its first two IBCTs would
be located at Ft. Lewis, Wash.: 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and
the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. These two brigades are expected
to be equipped and ready for deployment during fiscal years 2003 and
2004, respectively.
The next brigades to transform, in order, are the 172nd Infantry Brigade
(Separate), Fort Richardson, Alaska; the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment
(Light), Fort Polk, La.; the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Light),
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and the 56th Brigade of the 28th Infantry
Division (Mechanized), Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
Stryker is a 19-ton wheeled armored vehicle that will provide The Army a
family of ten different vehicles. The Stryker can be deployed by C-130
aircraft and be combat-capable upon arrival in any contingency area. The
Stryker family includes the Infantry Carrier Vehicle, Mobile Gun System,
Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicle, Mortar Carrier Vehicle, Reconnaissance
Vehicle, Fire Support Vehicle, Engineer Squad Vehicle, Commander's
Vehicle, Medical Evacuation Vehicle, and a Nuclear, Biological and
Chemical (NBC) Reconnaissance Vehicle. The vehicles have robust armor
protection, can sustain speeds of 60 miles-per-hour, have parts
commonality and self-recovery abilities and also have a central tire
inflation system. The Infantry Carrier Vehicle carries a nine-man
infantry squad and a crew of two and has a Remote Weapon Station with an
M2 .50 caliber machine gun or MK19, 40 mm grenade launcher.
The namesakes' Medal of Honor citations and pictures of the Stryker can
For more information, contact the U.S. Army Public Affairs Office at
Link to original news item:
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the joint venture industry Web site at <a
href="http://www.GM-Defense.com">http://www.GM-Defense.com> .
(703) 697-7589 or (703) 697-4314. This document is also available on Army
Link, a World Wide Web Site on the Internet at <a
href="http://www.dtic.mil/armylink/">http://www.dtic.mil/armylink/>
http://www.dtic.mil/armylink/news/Feb2002/r20020227r-02-009.html