CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will officially receive 23 new High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), commonly called as “Humvee” ambulances in a blessing and turnover ceremony that will be held here on Monday (January 26).
The AFP Chief of Staff, General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. will formally receive the Humvee ambulances that were acquired by the AFP through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) transaction.
The Secretary of National Defense, Voltaire T. Gazmin will attend as the ceremony’s Guest of Honor and Speaker along with personnel from the Department of National Defense (DND), AFP General Headquarters, and Joint U.S. Military Action Group (JUSMAG) Philippines.
These 23 Humvees will be issued to the Philippine Army as part of its Forward Health Service Support System Requirement under the Philippine Defense Reform Program. The units were delivered in three batches; ten units on October 17; eight on November 24; and five on December 18, all in 2014. Seven more units are expected to be delivered on February 2015.
On July 22, 2014 the AFP approved and accepted the amended Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the procurement of 30 more units of M1152 HMMWV ambulances that will add up to the previous acquisition in 2011.
In November 2011, the AFP accepted 23 Humvee ambulances; 19 of which were distributed to the Philippine Army while four were given to the Philippine Marines. Overall, the acquisition project amounted to a total of US$18,993,629.00.
Efforts on the acquisition of these ambulances started in 2007.
Capability
The Humvee ambulance is designed to conduct medical assistance to troops conducting security operations in the field, particularly in the province and far-flung areas. It is capable of traversing all types of road as well as cross-country terrain typical in conflict-affected areas.
Each ambulance is equipped with an ambulance shelter and medical equipment set that includes one oxygen tank, a first aid kit and two stretchers. This allows for immediate medical response to wounded soldiers before being transported to the nearest hospital or other medical facilities.
The M1152 HMMWV Expanded Capacity Cargo/Troop Carrier has a GEP V8 engine with 6.5L turbocharged diesel and a horsepower of 3,400 RPM. It weighs about 11.5 thousand pounds and has a maximum speed of 113 kilometers per hour.
The vehicles were enhanced with dual parallel air-condition condensers; heavy duty variable rate springs; reinforced front body mounts; quick release seat belts; gunner’s restraint; and automatic fire extinguishing system.
The vehicles were inspected by the Office of the Chief of Staff for Logistics, J4, AFP and Office for Defense Reform, DND at the Supply Unit (P), General Headquarters and Headquarters Support Command (GHQ & HSC) compound in Camp Aguinaldo on December 12, 2014. The units are currently parked in said area for safekeeping.
(AFP)
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