What are the main differences between an M1A1 and an M1A2 that you can see with your eye ?
What division does in IRaq have the M1a2? the 4th Infantry?
Why was the 3ID in OIF not equipped qith the M1A2 ?

The main differences that are visible to the naked eye on the exterior are that the M1A2 has the CITV and a different Commanders Weapon Station. The CWS on the M1A1 uses a M2HB with M-10 charger and a mount which enables it to be fired from within the tank, whereas the A2 uses an M2HB Flex machine gun which must be fired from outside the tank.

The units which utilize the A2 are the 3rd Armored Cav and 1st Cav. 4th ID has M1A2 SEP tanks. 1st Armored has a mix of M1A1C and M1A1D tanks depending where the unit was deployed from. And finally 3rd ID has the M1A1C.

As far as why us in the 3rd ID don't have A2's is a puzzle to us. But hey we took the equipment that we had and pushed the tanks farther than they were expected to last.

Hope this rambling helped.

Stephen Magee