Defense Secretary Gates thanks Wis. truck makers

OSHKOSH, Wis. - Defense Secretary Robert Gates commended workers at Oshkosh Corp., telling them Thursday that the military trucks they produce that are being used in Afghanistan are saving soldiers' lives.

The newest trucks, designed to be agile enough to maneuver through the nation's rugged terrain yet strong enough to withstand the blasts of roadside bombs, began landing in Afghanistan last month. They're part of a class called MRAPs, or mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles. Because they can handle all kinds of terrain, they're called M-ATVs.

Although troops are only now beginning to use M-ATVs, the safety of MRAPs in general has drawn the gratitude of countless military members and their families, Gates told hundreds of Oshkosh employees.

"Our troops love them, and commanders sleep better knowing the troops have them," he said during a visit to the company.

When the Defense Department solicited bids for M-ATVs, the Oshkosh, Wis.-based company beat out three other competitors. Its contract calls for more than 6,200 vehicles in deals topping $3.2 billion.

"With every vehicle you complete, you are saving American lives," Gates told the workers, many of whom nodded in response.

The hefty military deals have revived Oshkosh's stock price and created hundreds of jobs. Shares that languished around $5 in the spring closed Thursday near $40. The company, which has about 12,000 employees worldwide, hired more than 650 workers at its two Oshkosh plants and called back more than 725 workers who had been laid off from JLG Industries Inc., a subsidiary based in McConnellsburg, Pa.

Chief Executive Bob Bohn estimated that Oshkosh suppliers have also hired hundreds of employees to deal with the additional orders.

The company is ramping up production, and expects to be producing 50 M-ATVs per day by next month. The military said that manufacturing speed is vital, particularly because of Afghanistan's challenges.

The network of roads in Iraq is fairly mature, so sturdy MRAPs and lighter Humvees were sufficient there, Gates said. But Afghanistan has poor infrastructure, as well as steep hills and deep valleys that make travel difficult for heavier vehicles.

An Oshkosh test driver demonstrating the M-ATV's capabilities drove forward and backward on a 60-degree incline and barreled easily through uneven ground and deep puddles. Each M-ATV seats four soldiers plus a gunner and reaches top speeds of 65 mph.

Brig. Gen. Mike Brogan said the military has known for years about Afghanistan's poor roads, but prioritized the new M-ATVs only recently because roadside bombs have become too sophisticated and dangerous for Humvees.

Bohn said he knew the production schedules were aggressive, but said employees were ready to comply. Many are veterans, he said, and they understand how their jobs affect the war effort.

"You watch them work and you see them double-check everything," he said. "They know this is equipment that could save someone's life, and they just want to make sure soldiers come home unharmed."

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On the Net:

Oshkosh Corp.: http://www.oshkoshcorporation.com

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