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    Tanks rumble, roar across Besmaya Range Complex

    Tanks rumble, roar across Besmaya Range Complex

    Photo By Pfc. Evan Loyd | Staff Maj. Gen. Jassem Nazal Qassim, commanding general of the 9th Iraqi Army...... read more read more

    FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IRAQ

    10.04.2008

    Story by Pfc. Evan Loyd 

    2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

    By Pfc. Evan Loyd
    2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

    FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER – M1A1 Abrams Main Battle tanks from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division and Iraqi T-72 tanks have been on opposite sides of the firing line since they first saw each other in Operation Desert Storm.

    Recently, leaders from the 2nd BCT, 1st Armd. Div. and Iraqi security forces brought the two tanks together and fired in the same direction on the Iraqi's Besmaya Range Complex for a live-fire demonstration, Oct. 31, 2008, at Forward Operating Base Hammer.

    Both tanks fired rounds from a defensive position and the Abrams demonstrated its ability to fire on the move during the demonstration.

    Master Sgt. Wilmer Morales, a master gunner for the Iron Brigade, facilitated a class on the M1A1 and answered the Iraqi leader's questions.

    Both groups of leaders then had a hands-on tour of the M1A1 and the T-72.

    "This is the closest I've ever been to a working T-72," said Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Rinehart, a non-commissioned officer in 2nd BCT, 1st Armd. Div.'s Command Security Detail. "Only time I've seen them before this is down a gunsite or in a museum."

    After the first live-fire demonstration, both groups leaders were invited to fire the others tanks.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.04.2008
    Date Posted: 11.04.2008 13:47
    Story ID: 25909
    Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IQ

    Web Views: 202
    Downloads: 132

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