Rolling with the Heavies

     Here in Iraq the M1 Abrams tank is the apex predator, even at rest its sleek lines convey a sense of lethal menace.  The M1 isn’t so much a vehicle as a rolling battleship, it’s massive belts of armor were designed to absorb or deflect direct hits from the main guns of enemy tanks.  There must be some parallel between the ballistic laws governing deflection and the laws of aerodynamics, because the M1’s low profile mirrors the shapely lines of an exotic sports car.     

     Being an light infantry officer doesn’t afford you many opportunities to work in conjunction with these mountains of steel, so when I had the opportunity to jump onboard an M1 heading out on patrol I seized the opportunity.  As the driver spools up the engine there is a low whistling whine and then a soft growling hum that seems to course through the tank.  You don’t really hear it as much as feel it, when the turbine is running you can literally feel the tank shiver with horsepower.   That is the first thing that surprises you about an M1, when the engine is running the Abrams practically bleeds power.  That sense of coiled intensity is no illusion, when the driver lurched the vehicle forward I was thrown against the rear of the hatch by the hard wave of acceleration.      

      There are two hatches on the top of an M1, one for the TC (tank commander) and one for the loader.  Since we would be patrolling with hatches open that meant we would spend the mission standing on our respective seats.. When you stand in that position your chest is about level with the thick armor roof of the Abrams, and your upper body is free to use the machine guns that festoon the turret.   As we loaded the weapons I felt like we were loading toy guns.  The machine guns weren’t any different from the weapons that adorn our HMMWVs, but next to the menacing profile of the main gun they looked like little more then an afterthought.      

     As the Abrams slipped into traffic the engine was finally free to unload its staggering might and the tank accelerated forward like a shot.  In a few seconds I could feel a stiff breeze cooling my face, and a few seconds later I noticed the Abrams was catching up to the civilian traffic.  The driver eased off the throttle and we continued forward at a steady trot, the vehicles ahead of us gunning their engines to avoid the ominous figure in their rear view mirror.  The second thing that surprises you about riding in an M1 is the butter smooth suspension.  When our HMMWVs drive down the roads the journey is usually a jarring, kidney rattling affair.  But in the Abrams all you feel is the steady throb of the engine curl up through your feet, the suspension just absorbs the uneven roads as if you were riding a polished piece of ice.      

    

We spent most of the morning patrolling one of most fearsome roads in sector without hearing a single shot.  For a few hours that contested piece of road was as quiet and still as a mountain lake, the insurgents knew that tangling with the Abrams was a sure path to the next life.  Standing there in the turret, surrounded by tons of thick armor I could understand why so many tankers are loathe to dismount their vehicles.  Inside those overpowered fortresses you don’t protect terrain – you dominate it.  The M1 leaves the insurgents utterly impotent; all they can do is crawl into a corner and wait for you to leave.  And that is the essence of power – defeating the enemy without ever firing a shot.

Comments

[Jim Williams]

Thunder 6, You did a great job of describing the life in an Abrams thanks. I hope you have the opportunity to enlighten some of our light brethren as not much is said about the Abrams and how it has performed its mission in Iraq as this is politically incorrect in the Army today. Keep your head down and be safe. Jim Williams

[Kevin D.]

Your description was eye opening. I wonder why you don't hear about all the positive things that are happening over in Iraq, only the negative things on the nightly news. Thank you for your service and my family will continue to pray for everybody over there for a swift and safe return...

[Kevin D.]

Your daily descriptions are eye opening. I wonder why you don't hear about all the positive things that are happening over in Iraq, we hear only the negative things on the nightly news. Thank you for your service and my family will continue to pray for everybody over there for a swift and safe return...

[Kat in GA]

As always, an awesome post. Thank you so much. You remain in our prayers and thoughts always.

[Fourputtinski]

God bless you. Thank you for your service. Great blog! Subscribed.

[Huntress]

Wow, talk about being right there along with you... By the way- you are now a star in Canada... You've been quoted in the National Post,in an article about Canadian milbloggers,which ended up also talking about American milbloggers. Canadian milbloggers are now under the same scrutiny as American milbloggers.....anyway..they referenced the WIRED article and of all the Milblogs mentioned, a passage from one of your more recent posts, was quoted! I am SOOOOO negotiating your book deal!!

[A Military Mom]

Thanks for that description of the Abrams. My son drives one, in Iraq, and he always tells me mom don't worry about me, I have one of the safest jobs in Iraq. No one messes with an Abrams. We take care of it and it takes care of us. He loves his tank.

[GodBlessOURtroops]

fcuking awesome. Stay safe, kick sss.

[john speed]

13b sp109a2 155all the way.loved your blog! keep your head down some of us are proud of the hard job yall do.Tkx john blueridge Tx.

[R2D2]

You are a fantastic writer! I heard about your site this morning while listening to KQUED radio in San Francisco. The host read a part of your post today. I was intrigued, so I cam here to take a look. I really like this site a lot. Keep up the good work and stay safe. We need you back.

[devildog6771]

Great descriptions Thunder. You really do put us right there don't you? just keep a sfarp eye sir. And, thank you, your family, and your men for all the sacrifices you make every day. God Bless you all!

[Derek]

When you absolutely have to blow an Insurgent off their ass accept no substitues. Glad to here you and the men are safe

[Opforsoldier]

Big tank go BOOM! LOL! Having spent all that time on a Sheridan I would have traded my chocolate and/or maple nut cake and 3 cheeses for an M1. Glad you got to spend some time seeing how the other half lives.

[Rob S]

Yes indeed. I'm a former officer with 2-68/1-35 Armor with 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division in Germany. The M1 tank is a marvel of engineering and I feel privileged to have had the experience of commanding those tanks. I was never involved in combat, but there is no doubt in my mind that the M1 is the mightest force on the ground. And as if the main gun and coax firepower isn't enough, you've got the trusty .50 cal above the TC's turret.

[Jinxy]

Great post. Never had much experience with tankers as an 11H but you put me right there.

[Dan]

I have but one thing to say. Death Before Dismount! That was my motto.

[Lil Toni]

Oops! Great blog, btw. :)

[Lil Toni]

AWESOME sights and sounds of an M1 in ACTION. http://www.aapavatar.net/armorgeddon.htm

[olga]

Awesome!!

[Paul5388]

CPT, I never had the opportunity to make the transition from 19E to 19K, but certainly would have welcomed the change! On the M60 series you just kinda rattled around like a BB in a boxcar and it was sort of hard on the rib cage when you were in the loader's hatch. My #1 son was a TC on an M1 in a PSG slot, but I spent most of my time in a M577. Either way, as I'm sure you found out, it sure beats walking!

[maR]

Hi! i found this blog this morning when i was surfing the net. It seems a lot of interesting for me, I read and see the photo (REALLY interesting). I added to my "favorites". I´m sorry for my english, I´m learning it :)) , I´m from Spain. Many thanks for this blog!!!

[David]

Welcome to the world of Armor brother. What you didn't get to feel was the awesome lethality of its simple smoothbore gun. It's not much that can match the destructive power of that weapon head on. And you are right...Armor does not protect terrain it dominates it. The first time I had the opportunity years ago as a young PFC to climb on board one and fill out the crew for a gunnery range, the sense of power overwhelmed me. The loud concussion of the main gun firing and the gentle swaying of the vehicle as it settled back into its position left a lasting impression. It was a rare occurance for a scout to up staff a tank crew but one that was never passed up.

[membrain]

Thanks for that Thunder6. I've always wonered what the ride in an M1 would be like.

[Wendy Smith]

Wow! I actually felt the rumbling while I was reading this. What an opportunity to to feel this on a first hand level. Thanks for the insight! (the pictures are awesome!)

[PrimoDonna]

I've always wanted to know what it was like to ride in an M1. Thanks for the glimpse. God be with you.