But, even less is known about Charlie Co, 2-70 AR. A company minus was flown from the south on April 2/3 to H1 in northwest Iraq after the Rangers captured it on March 28.
This is one of the tanks that flew into H1 and supported the Rangers, and later hurried to Haditha Dam to assist them when the Iraqis counterattacked.
This tank has it all going on. Three missing roadwheels on one side. A roller attachment. A damaged gun tube shroud from striking a wall - the crew used hundred mile an hour tape (duct tape) to protect it from vapors escaping and allowing uneven cooling. The crew knew they would be sent to the rear if this was discovered, and so not only did they duct tape their thermal shroud, so did the rest of the platoon. The same impact damaged the turret lock, which stabilizes the turret when the tank is moving or else it would just spin. To prevent this the gunner had to keep the "cadillacs" engaged which also brakes the turret.
Of further interest, since the airspace was not in complete control over H1 the tanks deplaned in an assault style - the tank turned its engine on during the descent, the aircrew removed the chains at this time, and after landing and while still moving, the ramp was down and the tank rolled off. Brad Pitt stuff right there!
This tank later rolled into Baghdad just after 1-64 AR took the city, and sat at the crossed sabres with 1-64 for a few days.
