Whatever It Takes

Gotta love this American Can Do approach to getting it done -- better late than never:

PORTSMOUTH — With deadly attacks on supply convoys in Iraq a daily occurrence, the Army is sending local shipyard welders to Texas to help fasten armor plating to military vehicles headed for Iraq.

Ten welders from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard arrived in Sealy, Texas, on Monday to pitch in at the Stewart & Stevenson Tactical Vehicle Systems plant, where the Army has ordered more than 1,000 2½-ton and 5-ton armored supply trucks.

Up to 15 more welders are expected from the shipyard as soon as they can leave.

“We’re working around the clock,” Richard Hammond, vice president of operations for the company, said Tuesday. “The only day we haven’t built a cab is Christmas Day.”