The Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle which arrived at the George T. Baker Aviation School belongs to the Miami Garden Police Department which has acquired the vehicle from the U.S. Govt. for US$2,000.00 and brought it to the school for certain modifications
Shown on the vehicle identification U.S. Government label is the "per unit price" which the U.S. Government paid US$658,000.00 worth of our hard tax dollars paid to Uncle Sam
The MRAP is equipped with pneumatic assisted rear crew boarding door. Shown here is the rear door while opening up and going through its operation cycle
Not a strange to military vehicles and hardware shown is Benny F. Benitez, Founder of the 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consultant Group sitting inside of the crew / passenger seat
The MRAP has a high body frame, which is a key factor toward land mine protection. The out skin of the vehicle as many segmented section of new age body armor which once done by the school students the desert paint scheme, shall be fully flat black in color
A Cumming diesel engine that powers this behemoth is ringed with protective, ballistic plates providing ample protection. Despite its size and weight, driving the MRAP in handling its steering control has a feather touch which could be compared the common yellow school bus or the everyday delivery truck
Shown is what an MRAP vehicle is capable of withstanding in an extreme condition. We do not anticipate this level of protection shall be required by the Miami Gardens Police Department, but should thing in Miami Garden get to such a point, the Police Department shall be capable to within what ever may be thrown at them
U.S. Department of Defense 1033 Program
The Militarization of Local / Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies
Miami, Florida 2nd October 2013: With the draw down of U.S. forces and operation in such places as Iraq and Afghanistan our proud and distinguished veterans are returning home. But not only are large number of personnel coming back home, but a vast array of military hardware as well.
Aircraft, ground vehicles and support equipment which have serve our troops are being transferred back to the States and into the hands of many local / civilian law enforcement departments under the U.S. Department of Defense 1033 program, the militarization of civilian law enforcement.
The MRAP shown above was purchased as surplus equipment by the Miami-Gardens Police Department under the U.S. DoD 1033 program for a price of about US$2,000.00 according to department officials. With the exception of the its defensive weapons and radio / communication equipment this MRAP is fully combat functional to operate within our civilian population.
The Miami Gardens Police Department has brought their newly acquired MRAP to the George T. Baker Aviation School for certain modifications suitable for 'Urban Operation". The school shall re-paint the MRAP in a flat black, tactical paint scheme, remove a few of the external radio antenna mounting and re-configure the interior seating configuration. All this being done by the highly motivated students at the school.
Under the leadership of the instructors who led our U.S. Coast Guard HU-16 Albatross, nose section cosmetic restoration are at it again. The turn time is tight, as the Miami Garden Police Department requested a 30 day turn time so as to place their new MRAP into operational use within their jurisdiction.
This is a good example of our tax dollars still at work and benefiting our Nation, as far too often such equipment is scrapped, or left within their theaters of operation and donated to the host Nation.
But one has to ponder the query are things within Miami Garden that serious that a combat vehicle is required or is it a question of boys showing off their toys to other local law enforcement agencies. We shall follow this story and report with further updates and project completion.
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