AFRS: wheels of freedom screeches through bases.

Seven years ago, two car buffs Army Captain Troy Postin and professional driver Kim Crumb cement ed a friendship at a Porsche 928 race event. Since then, a mutual appreciation and respect for the world of motor-sports has kept them in contact, and even created a new program helping troops stationed around the country.

In 2003, as the war in Iraq continued to escalate, Captain Postin was reactivated and shipped out to serve his country again. While in the Middle East, Postin and Crumb continued to correspond. For Crumb, the communications were an introspective and accurate view of the war. For Postin, these letters represented brief glimpses of home, and a respite from the stress of duty that talk of cars, motorsports and its personalities provided.

During one such communication Postin mentioned how much his fellow soldiers would appreciate seeing Crumb in his 928, tearing down the airstrip and sliding to a stop, signing autographs for applauding fans who loved cars as much as he did.

The idea for Operation Wheels of Freedom began to grow.

The men agreed that American metal and muscle had to be featured, and that the program would be bigger than the cars themselves, focusing on troop morale, car safety and providing a clear expression of the fact that people back home cared.

Dave Muyres, an automotive designer, motorsports enthusiast and longtime friend of Crumb's, was at his desk at Johnson Controls when he got a call from Crumb pitching the idea. He immediately jumped onboard and was ready for the next steps.

After convincing Dutch Mandel, editor of AutoWeek magazine to sign on, the team embraced the challenge. The vision of a program that featured brand new and expensive American muscle cars that nobody yet owned; a program that had to be designed, developed and logistically implemented rather quickly, and knowing that he had to help enlist support from a host of big businesses--including securing expensive vehicles from each of the "Big 3"--didn't seem to matter to Mandel. He said, "It seemed like the right thing to do."

Soon, Operation Wheels of Freedom (OWOF) swelled its ranks with logisticians, engineers, drivers, videographers, directors, writers and producers, and secured the financial and vehicular support of each of the "Big 3," in addition to the support of numerous other corporate sponsors.

The idea was to provide a program that is fun, entertaining, and offers a respite from the tension of everyday military life. As importantly, the program delivers key messages and driving skills that help keep soldiers safe on the streets.

Second Marine Expeditionary Force Commander, Lt Gen James F. Amos, used his Labor Day address to drive home the message that, "automobile and motorcycle accidents continue to be the greatest source of mishaps resulting in death or serious injury within II MEF. Not a week goes by when our ranks are not diminished by senseless and preventable injuries or deaths."

The sad truth: The problem is common to all service branches.

From the hands-on performance driving experiences for service personnel to the "Drive smarter, not harder" message, OWOF provided a thrilling, winning program that will be long remembered by the soldiers who attended.

For more information including a 2007 tour schedule, visit the Web site www.operationwheelsoffreedom.com.