The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 3 of 4)

6. Stryker: Although I believe that the Armored Gun System (AGS a small tank that was CXL'd just prior to production by then COS Rimmer) is a much better system than the Stryker, the criticisms leveled by Mr. Babbin are inaccurate. The primary aircraft the Stryker will deploy in is the C-17 and the C-5 not the C-130. C-17 and C-5 are Strategic Lift (they fly over Oceans) the C-130 are Tactical Lift (they fly short hops in theater). Stripping a vehicle to go in a C-130 is NORMAL!! You strip a HUMMER to go in a C-130; it is a small aircraft. I agree that the Stryker cannot fire on the move. That is because it is not a stabilized system. Because of this and because of several other cost/weight saving measures you have a less capable system than say a M1a2 Tank. But that was the idea from the start. The system performs as designed. I have talked to the people who fight them and have taken them to the National Training Center. They love them. Do I have concerns? Certainly I do. Like I said in the beginning, the Stryker would not be my choice; however, there is no reason to condemn the vehicle and make it sound screwed up when it has performed exactly as advertised. You get what you pay for and this time we wanted to go cheap. This is no secret and no conspiracy to kill American soldiers. This is a developing system that, to date, has performed to Specs. You cannot ask for more.

7. The Marines and the Navy both have the M240G machine gun not the M60. This is the best medium MG in the world.

p>All in all, Mr. Babbin needs to take a chill pill and use the Internet more. br> -- Hilary H. Evers III , LTC br> USA Deputy, MLT Moldova /p>

Good reporting about V-22 and Lav3stryker deathtraps!

However, most of the Army and Mc use the M240B 7.62mm medium machine (FN MAG in NATO parlance) and have retired the M60.

My experience with M60 was its weak belt pulling action causing jams. Tell the SEALs they can get M240Bs or if they are stuck with M60s to get plastic ammo boxes to hold up belts to help the gun feed right:

p>Airborne! br> -- Mike Sparks /p>

topics:
NATO