polaris atvs help delta force seek out amp destroy alqaida

 Search and destroy missions carried out in the mountains of Afghanistan require Allied Forces' fighting the war on terrorism in Afghanistan to adapt to some of the world's most rugged and unpredictable terrain. With mobility a key factor in the conflict, Allied Forces need alternate means of transportation to replace massive tanks and Humvees. One ground vehicle seeing substantial action is the same vehicle millions of Americans use every day for hunting, farming and weekend trail riding - the all-terrain vehicle (ATV).

"The ATV has taken us off the roads and out of the deserts and enabled us to get into the mountains where the enemy in Afghanistan is hiding," said Special Operations expert and former Airborne Ranger, Gary Linderer of Festus, Mo. "The Army has always looked for ways to enable troops to cover a lot of ground and open terrain. The need for that has never changed."

ATVs are practically tailor-made for navigating the rugged terrain of Afghanistan as American troops pursue Taliban and Al-Qaida forces from cave to cave.

Nearly 100 Polaris ATVs have been shipped overseas for military use since the Sept. 11 attacks. The latest Polaris machine to be tapped by the U.S. military for support in Operation Enduring Freedom is the Sportsman 700 Twin. Each vehicle is outfitted with military gear at a central staging area in the U.S. before being deployed to Afghanistan.

Compared to mules and horses, which are commonly used to climb the narrow, rocky mountain trails of Afghanistan; the Sportsman 700 Twin is a powerhouse, able to cover the harsh terrain with speed and agility. With the largest displacement engine of any 4x4, its suspension and high ground clearance make it an ideal vehicle for the unforgiving topography.

"We've been developing better and stronger ATVs since 1985, and it's good to know our machines are contributing to the war on terrorism," said Bennett Morgan, general manager, ATV division. "Our products have always been ideal for hunters and farmers, but we're very proud to know the military is using them with great success in Afghanistan."

Throughout time, armies have constantly strived to find the best, most versatile vehicles for battlefields, reconnaissance missions and transporting troops and supplies where they're needed.

"The military likes ATVs because of the vehicle's durability and its ability to negotiate rough terrain and get around in narrow areas. The ATV is probably the ultimate step in the military's evolving options for one-man transportation vehicles," Linderer said.

Beyond ATVs, the U.S. government also has used Polaris watercraft and snowmobiles for military training exercises and homeland security initiatives since the Sept. 11 attacks. Based in Medina, Minn., Polaris has a distribution facility in Vermillion, S.D., a sub-production plant in Osceola, Wis., and a production facility in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Another production facility in Roseau, Minn., employs nearly 1,800 of the community's 2,500 residents.