The Less Educated in Iraq?

Last year Sen. Kerry (D-MA) who in his words told a joke meant to bash Bush but which in reality back fired completely as he ended up demeaning every service member in uniform, when he said:

"You know, education, if you make the most of it, if you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."

Well, one of those unwashed and uneducated has developed a tool that is saving lives in Iraq. Bill Del Solar, the safety officer for 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) has develped the "Rat Claw."

Because a Soldier’s chances of being in a vehicle roll-over are relatively high, and the odds of making it out relatively low, Del Solar worked, during his last rotation to Iraq in 2004 and 2005, to develop what is known as the Rat Claw.

“We were having trouble with vehicles,” said Del Solar, who is seeing the fruits of his labor on his second deployment to Iraq. “We saw the combat locks, and that Soldiers couldn’t get out.”

Combat locks keep the doors shut in the event of an improvised explosive device detonation, shielding the passengers. But they make the door harder to open – which can be just as deadly.

“The fire chief and I put our heads together to figure out what we could do,” said Del Solar, a native of Erie, Penn. “We realized if you could get your hooks in, you could get the Soldiers out.”

After some experimentation, they developed the Rat Claw, a flat, steel hook that attaches to almost anything – the humvee’s built-in winch or towing hook, a chain set, or aircraft cable. One tug with another vehicle can open the door, or if necessary
pull it completely off.

Hmmmmmmmmmm, so much for that getting stuck in Iraq if you don't study and do well. I'm glad Mr. Del Solar is out there thinking and working on our side.