Secretary Gates tours Army contractor

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WLUK) - Fresh off the reward of five defense contracts, Oshkosh Corporation got a visit from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

He thanked those that work on U.S. military vehicles and said they provide better protection against roadside bombs.

"It saves lives and it saves limbs,” said Gates. “There is no vehicle that provides perfect protection and we know that going in."

Oshkosh just received a new $438 million contract for 1000 trucks. The Military All Terrain Vehicle, or M-ATV , is better suited for Afghanistan than Iraq, and are 2,500 pounds lighter than the Iraq version of the truck. Gates says M-ATVs are needed because of the difference in terrain between the two countries.

"It's a different situation than Iraq,” said Gates. “It's a different vehicle and I think this clearly will meet the need."

"We needed a vehicle that had off road capability in addition to the survivability characteristics," said Brig. Gen. Mike Brogan.

Steven Binder was the man with the keys to the truck for a demonstration to the Defense Secretary.

"I felt that it was a huge honor for us as a corporation and myself as well, I said to be able to do this for him and the troops that are out there," said Binder.

Binder says company morale was up because of Gates' visit. Oshkosh president Charles Szews says he thinks the employees see their work as helping the nation.

"People working hard to build these vehicles and I would stop and talk to them and explain what the mission was and they would clap and say, 'we got it, we understand,’" said Szews.

The question on the minds of many was one that Gates did not have the answer for. When asked about sending more troops to the region, Gates was brief.

"That's up to the president," he said.

He didn't leave without making sure to thank the workers at Oshkosh Corporation.

"With every vehicle you complete you are saving American lives and give our troops the tools they need to come home safely," he stated.