Abrams tanks head to Bulgaria

By Sgt. Daniel Cole, U.S. Army Europe Public AffairsJune 22, 2015

Abrams tanks head to Bulgaria
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Abrams tanks head to Bulgaria
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Abrams tanks head to Bulgaria
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Abrams tanks head to Bulgaria
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An M1A2 Abrams tank unloads from a C17 in Burgas, Bulgaria, June 20, 2015. Transported as part of a tank section from Germany to Bulgaria, the Abrams tank will be used by Soldiers, from 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, and 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Abrams tanks head to Bulgaria
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (June 20, 2015) -- The first of two M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks is headed to Bulgaria to continue and expand the multi-dimensional multinational Operation Atlantic Resolve training in Eastern Europe led by U.S. Army Europe.

The heavily armored tank, weighing nearly 70 tons, was driven into the back of the waiting C17 Globemaster III Air Force aircraft, fitting with just enough room for the accompanying Soldiers and air crew to buckle into the aircraft's outer seats.

Overall, the Soldiers, who guided the track-vehicle, made the loading process look easy, working with Airmen to move the tank off of the transportation truck and into the aircraft, ready for take off, in around 15 minutes.

While in Bulgaria, the mission will be simple.

The tanks are there to expand the current training amongst the U.S. and Bulgarian Soldiers, improving battlefield operability, overall knowledge of the machine, all while continuing to strengthen the NATO alliance.

Additionally, troops will engage in a live-fire training scenario, firing each tank to demonstrate the capabilities it can procure on the battlefield.

---

About us: U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51 country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships we build during more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships and enhance global security.

Related Links:

Army.mil: Europe News

STAND-TO!: Operation Atlantic Resolve

U.S. Army Europe

Operation Atlantic Resolve

More photos: Operation Speed and Power

More photos: M1A2 Abrams tank unloading

More photos: Tank being unloaded in Bulgaria