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| Army Wants Howitzers Back From Ski Areas |
| 2004-04-27 |
| The U.S. military is demanding the return of five howitzers that two Sierra Nevada ski resorts use to prevent avalanches, saying it needs the guns for the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Alpine Meadows and Mammoth Mountain received the artillery pieces on loan from the Army and began using them last year to fire rounds into mountainsides and knock snow loose. But the ski resorts received word earlier this month that the Army’s Tank Automotive and Armaments Command at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois needs the howitzers back immediately. "I need to have them back in the troops’ hands within 60 to 90 days," said Don Bowen, the Army command’s team leader in charge of the howitzers. "It’s a very short timeframe to get them serviceable and back into the theater in southwest Asia. Afghanistan-Iraq is the immediate concern." The ski resorts said they will comply. "Given it’s a war effort, their needs are greater than ours," said Larry Heywood, Alpine Meadows director of mountain operations. More at the link. It’s an interesting read. |
| Posted by:Seafarious |
| #7 Maybe we should buy some D-30's from the Russians. It's a decent howitzer, easily transported, and at 130mm, a decent size weapon. Or perhaps the Russians would "lend" us a few, part of the repayment of "lend/lease" during World War II. The shipping would be a lot less, too - I mean, I'm sure there are still plenty of them in the Ukraine, central and western Russia. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2004-04-28 12:00:22 AM |
| #6 Is the army hurting for the howitzers??? I mean, I didn't think any arty assets were lost in the war. Maybe a few to wear and tear but... hmmmm. They're relatively light and suitable for mountainous terrain. Buwaya's right - not many were made. 155s were most likely determined to be more suitable for use in a European-theater war. The news article noted that the cost of building new ones would be expensive. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2004-04-27 10:19:14 PM |
| #5 The M119A1's weren't made in large numbers I understand, as the artillery has nearly all gone over to 155's. I think they are the only guns left in the inventory that are helicopter-portable. |
| Posted by: buwaya 2004-04-27 7:42:06 PM |
| #4 This is a little odd tho. 5 arty guns? Could this indicate a perceived security risk? or... Could this indicate a possible escalation and broadening of conflict. (Syrian/Iranian border? Anyone?) :D Is the army hurting for the howitzers??? I mean, I didn't think any arty assets were lost in the war. Maybe a few to wear and tear but... hmmmm. FASCINATING. |
| Posted by: Anonymous4021 2004-04-27 6:52:39 PM |
| #3 Help Wanted: Forward air controllers who like to ski.Ability to direct precision air strikes on mountainous terrain a must.Must be able to get results when working w/novice personel.Language requirements-MilSpeak,English,DudeSpeak and EastCoastLiberal. Interested?Call 1-555-SNO-BOMR |
| Posted by: Stephen 2004-04-27 6:27:31 PM |
| #2 John F. Kerry goonnna be pissed........ |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-04-27 6:17:21 PM |
| #1 It's almost May anyway. The resorts shouldn't miss the guns for the next several months and will have time to figure something out in case they can't get replacements. |
| Posted by: Dar 2004-04-27 5:48:43 PM |