Troops Try Out the 'Super Army Machine'

Soldiers from the 177th Armor Brigade operations department try out the “Super Army Machine.” The machine was designed by a local Mississippi inventor, Sam Albritton, from Lumberton, Miss. The SAM is a high powered razor wire dispenser and distributer and is proven to get the job done quicker, easier, and safer than manual operation. The soldiers seemed impressed with the machine and feels that the machine would be valuable to the mission overseas for specific military units involving handling of concertina wire. (Photographer: Staff Sgt. Raheem Lay, First Army Public Affairs.)

Focus on Defense:

CAMP SHELBY, Miss., Dec. 2, 2008 -- The slogan, work smarter not harder, has been the catchphrase for our society over the past decade. Clearly there is no reason why the United States Military should be an exception to the rule. Soldiers from the 177th Armored Brigade had the opportunity to observe the Super Army Machine, also known as SAM. Statistically, the SAM can lay down 700ft of concertina wire in three minutes. During Hurricane Katrina, the SAM distributed over 60 miles of wire in only nineteen days. And this week, the soldiers got to see if the statistics were true.

“We were able to load sixteen bundles of concertina wire onto the SAM,” said Sgt. 1st Class Chris Schroyer, operations non-commissioning officer. “My soldiers were amazed as to how easy it was to load and distribute, without getting so much as a cut or scrape, which happens often when distributing the wire manually.” The soldiers demonstrated how easy it is to utilize the machine. They first connected the SAM to the front of an up amour humvee, prior to loading the machine with sixteen bundles of wire. The humvee driver adjusts the SAM by lowering its arms, allowing the wire to distribute easily. Soldiers are positioned on the right and left side of the SAM ensuring that the wire does not tangle up, and to lay picket stake using a picket pounder.

The SAM is also capable of policing up the wire after its use with out the aggravation of manual hauling, accidents, and time consumption. “I like the SAM,” said Spc. Dewey Sanders, another operation soldier. “I can see where this machine can benefit the army especially now at a time of war. Spc. Sanders is a combat engineer who has had his share of painful and frustrated run-ins with concertina wire. “Overseas, I think the SAM can be valuable, especially with those soldiers in combat engineer and military police units.”

One of the most important features about the SAM is its durability. “The machine is very low maintenance,” said Mr. Sam Albritton from Lumberton, Miss., and the inventor of the machine. “The filter should be changed annually ... everything else is pretty much welded together making for a reliable low maintenance piece of equipment for the army.” Mr. Albritton has invented several other machines however this machine is especially important to him. “I appreciate what our men and women in the United States Army are doing for our country. I am honored to share with these soldiers who are greatly appreciated for their courage; this piece of equipment that I hope one day soon will be beneficial to the mission overseas and here at home.”

(Report by Staff Sgt. Raheem Lay, 177th Armored Brigade.)

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