To mark the Army’s 250th anniversary, thousands of troops and 28 tanks will parade through DC, raising concerns over street damage and costs, despite mitigation efforts and patriotic fanfare.
Aerial images of the United States Army’s build-up of forces could be mistaken for an invading force, as tanks and other armored vehicles began to arrive in the nation’s capital this past weekend. The tanks will be part of this coming Saturday’s massive military parade, which is meant to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Army on June 14. It also happens to be President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
Over two dozen M1 Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) were spotted arriving in train cars on Saturday. At the same time, soldiers have begun to settle into the unused floors at the General Services Administration regional office building. Up to 5,000 soldiers will be barracked in the heart of Washington, and when not on duty, they’ll be allowed to take in the sights just like any other tourist.
“There’s a lot of folks that are here that have never been to DC before, they’ve never been to our nation’s capital,” Lt. Colonel Garrett Searle, who is overseeing the deployment in advance of the parade, told WUSA TV.
“There are a couple of things that I think, hey, if you’re a soldier, you’re here to celebrate the anniversary of our army and, in a way, our nation. There are a couple of things here you’ve got to see, the war memorials, you’ve got to take a walk around the reflecting pool.”
The Tanks Will Destroy Washington DC’s Streets
Most major cities wouldn’t mind an additional 5,000 tourists, and DC isn’t too concerned about the arrival of the military personnel. Instead, the more than two-dozen tanks continue to be a concern, specifically what they’ll do to the streets.
The Washington Post reported that the M1 Abrams is nearly double the weight limit allowed on the city’s streets without a permit, though the US Army has vowed to pay for any damage resulting from the parade. Constitution Avenue and other streets have a maximum gross weight of 80,000 pounds, the paper of record explained, citing the DC Department of Transportation. Each of the MBTs weighs roughly 70 tons, or nearly double the limit.
Twenty-eight are expected to roll through the streets of DC, meaning that a single tank won’t stress the roads, but by more than two dozen of the armored behemoths. There are concerns the damage could be as high as $16 million, which DC Mayor Muriel E. Bowser has said the city shouldn’t have to pay to repair for the Army’s parade.
The Army has already begun installing metal plates at the intersections where the tanks will turn to mitigate these concerns. In addition, the tanks will move at a walking speed, The Washington Post explained, and added, each tank will be “fitted with new rubber track pads, which provide a buffer between the metal and the road surface.”
The Details of the Military Parade
The parade, which will span approximately six blocks and intersect with the National Mall, is scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM ET on Saturday. Before the parade, the US Army Birthday Festival will include military demonstrations, equipment displays, and live music.
Approximately 7,000 soldiers are expected to march through DC, many wearing period uniforms dating from the Revolutionary War to the present day. In addition to the 28 M1 Abrams, the parade will include 28 M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, 28 Stryker armored personnel carriers (APCs), and more than 100 other vehicles, as well as 34 horses, two mules, and even a dog!
Plans call for a flyover of a World War II-era B-25 Mitchell bomber and 50 helicopters. While the aircraft won’t damage the streets, DC officials have expressed concern that the helicopters could kick up dust and dirt.
Not everyone loves a parade.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Rabanser.
