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Indiana Military Police Units Gain More Equipment

By Spc. Elizabeth Gorenc, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - Indiana National Guardsmen from the 381st Military Police Company, Plymouth, Ind., fired the Army M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicles-150 at Camp Atterbury March 21.

The MP Company was here for their annual training from March 15 - 29. During that time, they fired M2 .50 caliber machine guns and MK19 40mm machine gun from the ASV's.

"This is a great new piece of equipment that the Soldiers are enjoying learning about and familiarizing themselves with," said Capt. Jeffery Piotrowski, the company commander.

The ASV is a lightly armored, all wheel drive vehicle that provides ballistic protection for the Military Police crew members against various small arms and fragment threats.

The 30,000 lb. vehicle contains v-shaped armor, a turret system and is capable of seating up to four individuals with all of their combat gear.

"The vehicle is kind of cramped with all of the equipment inside, but it's safe," said Piotrowski.

Although this is the first unit in Indiana to get the armored vehicles, the 381st is not the only group that gets to benefit from them.

"We get to take two back to Plymouth with us and 10 vehicles are staying here for other people to train on," said Piotrowski. "I hope as many units as possible will be able to train with these vehicles because with training and preparation on these protective vehicles, MP's as a whole will be able to better carry out their mission and stay safer overseas."