Toy Truck Saves Lives of 6 U.S. Soldiers in Afghanistan

[The Straight Story]

Toy Truck Saves Lives of 6 U.S. Soldiers in Afghanistan

For only $500, soldiers in Afghanistan came up with an ingenious way to help detect roadside bombs and reduce the threat of casualties.

The money was spent on a remote-controlled toy truck (Traxxis Stampede) that a soldier’s brother, Ernie Fessenden, shipped over from Rochester, Minnesota…but not before adding a wireless video camera. The soldiers connected the camera to a video monitor attached to a rifle. With the truck out on point, half a dozen troops were able to watch for booby traps while remaining a safe distance behind. The toy exposed a tripwire leading to 500 pounds of explosives which went off, but none of the men was injured.

Fessenden is now trying to raise money to send over another truck.

http://www.allgov.com/Unusual_News/ViewNews/Toy_Truck_Saves_Lives_of_6_US_Soldiers_in_Afghanistan_110806

[Little Star]

1. The military budget can't afford things like this?

[notadmblnd]

3. No, they too busy spending 1000.00 a day to pay mercenaries

Maybe they could strap a camera and a rifle on them?

[Journeyman]

4. Earlier in the IraqAttaq, soldiers found that "Silly String" helped them see trip wires. . .

but, if I remember correctly, the military wouldn't spring for a few cases of the toy to save lives.

A soldier's Mom had to mount a campaign to get this effective "counter-offensive weapon" into the hands of the soldiers.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/06/iraq/main2234543.shtml

I certainly hope the military has begun to change its priorities.

[Logical]

2. No, but after this story I am sure they will find a military vendor to sell them one for $5000!

[Electric Monk]

5. Made in Taiwan, fwiw

http://traxxas.com/forums/showthread.php?433382-Traxxas-Vehicles-are-made-in-Taiwan

[Zoigal]

6. toy trucks

Does Fessenden have an address/email or post office? If he is on the up and up
i wouldn't mind sending a contribution....Sounds like a great cause and it would take
the military ages to get through all the approvals to get it funded IMO.....z

[roamer65]

7. I know how to save thousands of soldiers lives in Afghanistan.

Fucking leave. now.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. +1,000,000

[Bozita]

9. !

[GSLevel9]

10. brilliant. Will you run in the PRIMARY? nt