Alabama Activates Tank Unit

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer & Military.com ^

[BlownChevelle]

Alabama Activates Tank Unit

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

July 18, 2002 A day after President Bush's release of a homeland defense strategy calling for the possible domestic use of U.S. military forces, Alabama activated a 300-soldier Army National Guard tank battalion as part of a homeland defense force. In a statement released Wednesday, Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman said the Ozark, Ala.-based 1st Battalion, 131st Armor "is equipped with modern battle tanks, the M1A1 Abrams" and "will serve in the homeland defense role within the United States."

Siegelman, commander-in-chief of the state's national guard, did not say what role the tank battalion would serve in homeland defense. In addition to the tank battalion, 200 guardsmen from Special Forces units based in Auburn and Huntsville were activated and "will conduct post- mobilization training and then deploy to undisclosed locations in support of the war on terrorism," Siegelman said. Siegelman's office forwarded questions about Wednesday's activation to the Alabama National Guard. Asked if the armored battalion was deploying with its tanks and, if so, what role they would play in a domestic role, Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Robert Horton said: "That can't be discussed. It all will depend on the mission." Though he said he could not provide specifics, Horton said the activation was not linked to Bush's quest for use of U.S. military forces on the home front. The deployment will last one to two years, Horton said.

Copyright 2002 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[spetznaz]

Army Tank Unit activated for 'Home Defense' purposes PING.

[Almondjoy]

I didn't say it was probable... but that is 10 times more likely than activating the military simply because of the "idea" of homeland defense.. you know that's as bogus as saying the earth is the center of the universe.

[Almondjoy]

Hmm.. maybe we are sending them to the border to play target practice with Minivan's loaded with drugs!

[aristeides]

One to two years is extremely lengthy for a conus activation.

Probably says something about the contemplated duration of operations in Iraq.

[Chemist_Geek]

Go 'Bama, Roll Tide!

Is that right?

[PsyOp]

Bustin' speeders with Sabot?

[PsyOp]

"I think the SF units were in addition to the tank units- not under them or organic to the armor units.

Correct. SF is a sepparate command.

[Campion]

Colonel! Colonel Chamberlain! They're comin' again! They're comin'!

[xzins]

good thought

[DugwayDuke]

"After returning to active duty, I saw the Louisiana Guard unit (151st Infantry?) go AWOL from Ft. Hood during Desert Shield, and the Georgia Guard's 48th Infantry have to be rotated back through NTC 'cause they couldn't pass after the first two months of train-up."

That's something I'd like to know more about. I've heard different versions of those stories. Care to share more?

I heard the unit at Hood was screwed over pretty good and got fed up. I know that sounds like no big deal to some active duty types but guard units can be picky about such things.

I also heard that it was pre-ordained that the La unit was going to fail their rotation.

You may remember that the Pentagon was rather insistent that no roundout units would deploy to the gulf. Congress had to pass a law even to get them called up. I also remember reading prior to the gulf, an article in Army essentially saying that the Army would fight all wars in the future without the guard.

I could expand on the above but I'd like to hear your opinion.

[2Trievers]

And I might know someone who is behind this revolutionary secession. &;-)

[2Trievers]

I'll get my undercover guy right on it and find out what REALLY is going on. &;-)

[Inge_CAV]

"And I might know someone who is behind this revolutionary secession."

Secession.......Wahr! A New Army!!!

Say, the Army always needs horses, maybe I can unload my nags, ur, I mean fine equine specimens to the Cavalry. They are guarenteed to charge, just not sure of the direction though........ : )

[2Trievers]

Your patriotism brings tears to my eyes! LOL &;-)

[Inge_CAV]

It's a tough job, supplying the army with tools of it's trade but somebody has to do it. : )

[2Trievers]

Do you carry a saber? That'd be kinda kewl! &;-)

[Inge_CAV]

Well, I used to have one fastened to the saddle in it's scabbard. Unfortunately, the horse decided to roll in the dust one day with the saddle on........

Now the scabbard has a curve to match the horse's side and the saber won't come out. : (

To add insult to injury, then I got the horse laugh.......

[PsyOp]

Sounds to me like the Boys From Bama are going to be doing some desert training in Iraq. DOD often call troops up on one pretense or another and then sends them elsewhere.

I got on a Chinook one time thinking I was going to train with some Rangers in Georgia. When we got there, the Rangers were in Granada and our new orders were to stand by for further deployment.

I got real nervous. Not because I was worried about going in harm way, but because we thought we were going on a training exercise, myself and others left some of our combat gear behind in favor of comfort items. Last time I ever went anywhere without everything I might need - just in case!

As it turned out, the marines and Rangers had everything well in hand and we spent two weeks camping at fort Hunter-Ligget and seeing if Dominoes could deliver to a 10-digit grid coordinate in 30 minutes or less.

[2Trievers]

"To add insult to injury, then I got the horse laugh......."

That must have been funny! &;-)

[2Trievers]

" myself and others left some of our combat gear behind in favor of comfort items"

I can't imagine how you must have felt! &;-)

Thanks for serving, BTW &;-)