![]() ![]() The Abrams, manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, employs a Honeywell AGT 1500 gas turbine engine. The last tank to be loaded onto the vessel was the “Casa Loca” – “The Crazy House.” As the war machine climbed the ramp onto the vessel, it signified the end of an era in Germany, according to Morris. At its peak, the country was home to 20 NATO armored divisions, or about 6,000 tanks, according to the 21st TSC. Since World War II, tanker units were a heavy presence in Germany. “There have been tanks in Germany since 1944, and now there are none,” said Andrew Morris, U.S. The last tank to be loaded onto the vessel was the Casa Loca (the Crazy House). ![]() vessel The Honor of the Arc at the port, March 23. ![]() The last Abrams main battle tank moves up the ramp to the U.S. The tanks belonged to the 172nd, along with a mix that were leftover from other units, according to the 21st TSC. Last year, the 170th Infantry out of Baumholder disbanded and the 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade at Grafenwoehr is in the process of doing the same. The parting coincides with the inactivation of two of the Army’s Germany-based heavy brigades. “As these tanks sail back to the U.S., we are closing a chapter in history.” Jeremy Jordan of the 529th Military Police Company. “It is an honor to be one of the soldiers escorting the last battle tanks out of Germany,” said Sgt. The main battle tanks had been a primary feature of armored combat units throughout the Cold War. Army’s 69-year history of basing the M1s in the country ended with their departure. From there, they embarked for Charleston, S.C., aboard The Honor of Arc, an American roll-on, roll-off vessel. On March 18, 22 Abrams main battle tanks were loaded at the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s (TSC) railhead in Kaiserslautern, bound for the shipping port of Bremerhaven, Germany. ![]() The shrill start-up to steady turbine hum of the M1 Abrams tanks has fallen silent in Germany. ![]()
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