Posted on 02/10/2023 6:47:43 AM PST by logi_cal869
It was in the summer of 1995 when I, an 18 year old recruit, first drove an M1 Abrams tank. Is to continue to support Ukraine with what it needs on the Current Time 0:30 / Duration 1:10 Newsweek U.S. Dismisses Russia's Reaction to Abrams Tanks: 'Heard That Line Before' 0 View on Watch More videos More tanks for Ukraine: Germany, Denmark and The Netherlands make new pledge Euronews/Euronews More tanks for Ukraine: Germany, Denmark and The Netherlands make new pledge 1:02 Ukrainian troops plead for more tanks and munitions in battle for Bakhmut France 24/France 24 Ukrainian troops plead for more tanks and munitions in battle for Bakhmut 2:18 August in Fort Knox, Kentucky, was oppressive to say the least, but I don't recall any of that. I was excited and nervous. I didn't even have a car driver's license yet but here I was about to drive a 60 ton tank around a carefully planned course. I remember that the tank didn't feel at all cumbersome or slow. It jumped at the twist of your wrist, and turned nimbly at the slightest input of the t-bar steering column. The driver's seat is amazingly comfortable. The other seats, not so much, I would find out later. But the view when unbuttoned, which means the tank hatch is open, is very good. What it takes to be a tank gunner I would go on to serve nearly 10 more years on tanks during my time in the U.S. Army, serving in every position; loader, driver, gunner, and briefly, commander.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
I’m very familiar with the battle, but mentioning it in this context makes zero sense. I had to read that paragraph three times. I think the author is just trying to impress the reader with random historical references.
Some parts of it sounded learned and genuine…until I got to the last line and it answered my shock at why Newsweak published it.
But it’s interesting how it conflicts with the administration.
“We are just handing our military secrets to the world.”
Sometimes that’s a good strategy. Like forty years ago when the US DOD deliberately leaked ‘Star Wars’ technology to the Russians. The Russians ended up bankrupting themselves trying to counter a missile defense system WE NEVER BUILT.
The last line was fine, he is an American veteran and expressed support for the side America and our NATO allies are supporting in this Russian invasion.
You should quit sending freepers to MSN though.
“IIRC there are ~4,000 or so just laying around Sierra Army Depot. Were any of those sent or just the upgraded few?”
Judging from the 500+ empty spaces that used to have M-1 tanks on them it’s a safe bet that you’re spot on with your estimate that Sierra Army Depot is the source of the tanks being sent to Ukraine...and obviously the plan is to send more to Europe but not necessarily Ukraine.
As I recall the plan was that NATO members who sent Soviet-era tanks to Ukraine would be able to purchase refurbished M-1 tanks and that seems to be the case.
Unless the were scavenging components for other units. But, that’d be a lot of scavaging. 🤔😁👍
My Mother was one of the designer/engineers for that Tank.
She worked out of TACOM, in Warren, Michigan.
She received a lot of awards and citations for her work.
So a few years ago on her 80th. birthday I started asking her a few questions about the Abrams tank and her work.
She wouldn’t say a thing about it!! 😆😂🤣 She said its all classified and top secret.
I said, “Mom, the tank has been out there now. People use it and other countries have them too.”
My Mother replied: “Well no one told me I can talk about now so I don’t care.”
She wasn’t budging. 😆
My recollection from several decades ago is that Newsweek often has conclusions that are at odds with the facts and reasoning provided. It’s bizarre.
As I recall within the US the M-1A1 is deployed to Guard units and the regular Army and Marines have the M-1A2. I seriously doubt that Biden is equipping Guard units with anything that could be used to secure the border so I’m figuring these other tanks are either going to NATO members or they’re in the process of being refurbished for Ukraine.
I like your mom! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Freeper supporters of Ukraine are not the Freeper Russian war crimes supporters.
Such Freepers are not neo-isolationists that somehow confuse the war in Ukraine with American politics, that consistently insist that support of Ukraine is support of Biden, that are incapable of seeing events occurring beyond their own county lines.
Thanks.
It’s funny because to this day none of us have a clue what my Mother actually worked on with that tank.
We believe weapons systems but that’s only because of her back ground.
Butt, according to branDUHn, classified, shmassified. Guess “classified” isn’t “absolute”.
You couldn’t be more incorrect. Training to work as a group is hard. Driving a sim with it set to easy mode doesn’t compare to reality.
My Mother never brought work home.
Her purse was turned over to the Federal Cops there when she entered.
She went in to her office with nothing and left with nothing.
This was in the 80s. There was a sense of pride working for America.
Reagan was President and the Cold War was raging.
Thank you! So it wasn’t me...
I was trying to decide if my morning meds had worn off early, I was dense, or the author was just babbling gibberish.
Yup. Worked jobs requiring clearances (or did I?) and would never have considered leaving anything unattended or EVER taking anything offsite.
Three points.
1. I won’t be until summer at the earliest that these tanks could get into the field in the Ukraine.
2. Who will be running the tanks?
3. Will these tanks fall into the hands of the Russians should the Ukraine lose the war?
Biden is not giving them tanks. They will not arrive for a year and the war will be over by then.
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