Hello!

I have a Dragon's M1A1 AIM and I intend to build it to the OIF campaign.

However, I have a problem: I like the PE BRE supplied in kit (which, AFAIK, was used exclusively by Desert Rogues) and also like the NATO scheme.

The question is: Does the Desert Rogues used tanks painted in three tone?

Thanks !

Marco

Marco, I am aware of at least one or two tanks (I am guessing all in that platoon or maybe even the company) from 3-69 AR that were natoflage. However, they would not be in 2nd brigade and therefore would not have used the extended bustle rack.

Another unit attached to the 101st in Najaf was 2-70 AR and they were in nato 3 color. 2-70 also had a company of tanks fly in on C-17s up north during OIF1.

That is all I am aware of for Army tanks that were other than tan in color, but none would have the extended bustle racks and jerrycan holders.

Bob

Thanks a lot Bob!

So, or I build a tan Abrams or I do this without BRE.

Cheers !

Marco

Hi Marco

I can send you some pics showing OIF Army M1A1s in NATO camo fitted with the USMC-style BRE (not included in the AIM kit) if need be...

HTH

H.P.

Hi HP !

Please, send me the pics. You allways save our lives here.

I like to mix NATOflage and sand itens. And during Iraq and A'tan campaigns we can see many vehicles in this way.

Thanks a lot HP!

Marco

Marco

The pics are ready to be sent. Just PM me your email adress

H.P.

PM sended

Thanks a lot H.P. !

Marco

Bob,
Those tanks in North, with 173rd ABCT were from 1-77 Armor out of Germany, not 2-70. You are correct with 2-70(-)'s support to the 101st in Najaf.

Also, I would like to see any references/pictures that you have showing TF 3-69 tanks in NATO-flage.

JC

hi
hope this link works.
these are 3-69 arm B cpy tanks attached to 2-7 inf
this unit relieved 3-15 inf during the 2nd thunder run.
1 tank in nato. B23 was its callsign

http://photojournalismstock.com/Iraq%20Photography/2-7IN/photos/view.php?pic=03Iraq0372.JPG

i think this is maj coffey who was injured on the change over at obj curley

http://photojournalismstock.com/Iraq%20Photography/2-7IN/photos/view.php?pic=03Iraq0372.JPG

some good pics on this site
mark

Thanks Mark,
There sure is a NATO-Flage 3-69 tank with a roller adapter plate in the 2-7 Album. I saw some familiar faces that I recognized from my misspent youth.

John

Hi John. Thanks for correcting me on the guys up north. Here are the photos I have of 3-69.

Thanks Bob,
I had not seen the B/3-69 tanks before. They will make a great addition to my collection. I have a couple pics of the 1-77 tanks with the 173rd someplace on my HD. I also had a picture of one of the 2-70 tanks that was upside down in a hole. Unfortunately, I lost it in Kuwait in 2003 when my HD crashed... As fate would have it, the CFLCC Combat Camera (who was working for me at the time) storage drive also crashed around the same time, so my attempt to recollect all of the armor pictures that were floating around was for naught or very limited...

John

It would be nice to see them...

Rob, any info on how/where/why Bco 3-69AR got them?
Did they replace tanks that had maintenance issues?

Well I found the ONE picture that I had and turns out the unit was 2-63 Armor, not 1-77 Armor.

JC

Tony, no I don't have any info on that.

John are you going to post pic. Would be good subject.

Hey guys, the tank unit that was flown into northern Iraq was part of TF 1-63AR from the 3rd BDE, 1st ID out of Vilseck Germany.
They were the USAREUR IRTF (Immediate Ready Task Force) at that time, USAREUR units rotated through IRTF duty, in January 2003 the 1st ID took over when 1st AD was alerted for deployment to Iraq.
There were vehicles for the IRTF pre-positioned at Rhine Ordnance Barracks, just down the road from Ramstein Airforce Base. TF 1-63AR would have deployed with these vehicles (it is also possible that a few may have come from their home station).

The IRTF consisted of a Heavy Reaction Company (HRC) with Abrams and Bradleys, and a Medium Reaction Company (MRC) with M113's. And of course the various logistics and CSS slices.

With regards to tanks, I think there were 5 total M1A1's there.

TF 1-63AR

HHC 1-63AR (-)
SCT/1-63 AR
3/554 MP CO (-)
MTR/ 1-63 AR
DET/HHC/201 FSB

TM B/2-2 IN (-) MRC (Medium Reaction Company)
1/B/2-2 IN (M113)
3/B/2-2 IN (M113)

TM C/1-63 AR (-) HRC (Heavy Reaction Company)
2/B/2-2 IN (M2)
3/C/1-63 AR (M1)


History of the 173rd AB ops in northern Iraq, to include TF 1-63AR, starts on page 222
http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/download/csipubs/OnPointI.pdf

Good article on the movement and logistics of TF 1-63AR
http://www.riley.army.mil/documents/2BCT_1_63Documents/080801155044.pdf

Stars & Stripes article
http://www.stripes.com/news/1st-id-task-force-s-tanks-deployed-to-northern-iraq-1.4187

personal conversations with friends that were there.