By Becky Coffield, HUSC Historian 2021-2022
“Pacific Victors” Tank: M-47 Patton Tank II with 90MM Gun. In service from 1951-1960. Serves a crew of five: commander, driver, assistant driver, loader and gunner. Weighs 48.5 Tons. The tank belongs to the Patton family of tanks, named after General George S. Patton, commander of the US Third Army during World War II and one of the earliest American advocates for the use of tanks in battle. It was a further development of the M46 Patton tank. Production of the M-47 began at the Detroit Tank Arsenal and American Locomotive Company in June 1951 but arrived too late to see combat actions in the Korean War - the very war that brought about the tank’s construction. Delays in the M12 optical rangefinders for the 90MM main guns played a role in the tank missing the war and were not delivered to the region until August of 1958.
“Geronimo” Tank (Adams Gate): M-60 Patton Tank with 105MM Gun. In service from 1959-1997. Serves a crew of four: commander, driver, loader, and gunner. Weighs 52 tons. The M-60 is a second-generation main battle tank developed after the M-48 Patton. Although it was never officially christened as a Patton tank, it is considered a “product-improved descendant” of the Patton tank design. The M-60 tank series was the main battle tank during the Cold War.
M997 HMMWV Maxi-Ambulance (Outside of 65thMedical Brigade): The M997, M997A1, and M997A2 HMMWVs were the Maxi-Ambulance configuration of the HMMWV family since 1985. The vehicles were equipped with basic armor and used to transport casualties from the battlefield to the medical aid stations. The M997 types were 4-litter ambulances with basic armor protection and air conditioning for crew and patients. The M997 series of ambulances were capable of transporting up to 4 litter patients, 8 ambulatory patients, or a combination of litter and ambulatory patients. Additionally, medical personnel, equipment, and a driver could be accommodated in the vehicle.
Grumman OV-1 Mohawk aircraft (CPX Gate): In service 1959-1996. The Grumman OV-1 Mohawk is an armed military observation and attack aircraft that was designed for battlefield surveillance and light strike capabilities. It has a twin turboprop configuration and carries two crew members in side-by-side seating. The Mohawk was intended to operate from short, unimproved runways in support of US Army maneuver forces. Side looking airborne radar (SLAR)-equipped Mohawks began operational missions in 1963 patrolling the Korean Demilitarized Zone. The Mohawk's mission would include observation, artillery spotting, air control, emergency resupply, naval target spotting, liaison, and radiological monitoring
Bell AH-1 Cobra (Outside 2CAB HQ): In service from 1967-2001. The AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake. The AH-1 was a single engine dedicated attack helicopter, featuring a tandem cockpit, stub wings for weapons, and a chin-mounted gun turret. The first examples of the type entered service with the US Army during 1967; other branches of the US military also opted to acquire the type, particularly the US Marine Corps, while export sales were made to numerous overseas countries, including Israel, Japan, and Turkey. It was developed using the engine, transmission, and rotor system of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, which had proven it to be a capable platform during the Vietnam War.
MH-6/AH-6 Little Bird (Outside 2CAB HQ): In service 1980-Present. The Boeing MH-6M Little Bird (nicknamed the Killer Egg) and its attack variant, the AH-6, are light helicopters used for special operations in the US Army.
Bibliography
“Bell AH-1 Cobra.” (aerocorner.com/aircraft/bell-ah-1-cobra/). October 17, 2021.
“Bell AH-1F Cobra.” (airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/bell-ah-1f-cobra/nasm_A20060591000). October 17, 2021.
“Grumman OV-1 Mohawk.” (military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Grumman_OV-1_Mohawk). October 17, 2021.
“Grumman OV-1 Mohawk.” (www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=269). October 17, 2021.
“M47 Patton.” (www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m47.htm). October 17, 2021.
“M60 Patton.” (military-history.fandom.com/wiki/M47_Patton). October 17, 2021.
“M997 HMMWV Max-Ambulance.” (www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m997.htm). October 17, 2021.
“MH-6 Little Bird.” (www.military.com/equipment/mh-6-little-bird). October 17, 2021.
“Tank Park.” (www.fdmuseum.org/exhibit/m47-patton-tank/). October 17, 2021.