I have been watching a lot of news and checking out some pics on the internet and haven't seen either of these deployed in the gulf for the upcoming war. Do we not have many of them in service yet or is there another reason I am not seeing many of them?

Everyone is more likely to pay attention to the people on the news and not the machines lately.I have seen some M2A3s on CBS a few times.

Most of the equipment you see is either Pre-Po (pre-positioned) Afloat or Pre-Po Ground (Kuwait stuff). This stuff tends to be the older equipment. 4ID most likely has their M1A2/M2A3 on the boats off the coast of Turkey. 3ID most likely fell on the Pre-Po that was at Doha, Kuwait and some of the afloat stuff from Diego Garcia.

Rob is correct. 4ID does have the M2A3's. I was in Ft. Hood on my anuall 2 week training when they where fielding them.

I will do my best to send here if i can photo or can find any in newspapers for M1A2 or A3 Abrams in Turkey.

The 4ID stuff is sitting on boats, ready to hop off in Turkey, if they let us, so soon, you all should be seeing news clips from the north side showing M1A2's, M1A1D, and plain M1A1's, along with M2A2's, M2A3's, and the M3A3's from 1-10 Cavalry. Add to that the new BFIST, the Bradley FistV, replacing the FISTV, along with some other new vehicles. Once 1st Cavalry Division gets over there, sooner or later(looking later and later each day), you will see the same bunch in the southern side, also.

Jed Sargent, 1-12 Cavalry, 1CD

I'm sure most of that stuff is deployed forward where they don't let the reporters go. I'll bet a lot of it is also still on the RO-RO's. I know if I was the 2 over there I sure wouldn't want pictures floating around CNN so Saddam knows where he can pop one of those mass destruction weapons he insists he doesn't have

Hi Sabot .................... give our President "a nudge " and tell him to
" let them boy's get on with it ! "

OK...I'm a dope! What is the VISUAL diiference between a M2A2 and the A3?? The M1 variants I can do, the later M2s I don't know!
THANKS!

There is a commander's independent sight in a housing on the right front top of the turret. I believe that is the biggest visual difference. Also on the A2s, the swim barriers were eventually removed but the A3s did not have them installed from the get go. Lots of digitization and upgrades to the fire control and communications.

Yes, the Linebacker may make its combat debut with ADA forces from the 4th Infantry Division and 1st Cavarly Division. If the ground war begins and they have aircraft to shoot at. The 25mm Bushmaster cannon and M240C 7.62mm coax can still be used against ground targets too.