Abrams in Samarra

M1A1 Abrams utilizing the coax and M240.

Code: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Equipment:
M1 Abrams - The M1 Abrams main battle tank is the principal combat tank of the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps, with three main versions being deployed starting in 1980: the M1, M1A1, and M1A2. The latest versions of the M1A2 have a new armor and electronics package. It is named after General Creighton Abrams, former Army Chief of Staff and commander of the Army's U.S. 37th Armor Regiment.

M240 - The M240, formally United States Machine Gun, 7.62mm, M240, is a family of belt-fed medium machine guns firing the 7.62 × 51 mm NATO cartridge (w/ M13 Link). It is based on the FN MAG machine gun.

Location:
Iraq, Samarra - Samarra is a key city in Salahuddin province, a major part of the so-called Sunni Triangle where insurgents have been active since shortly after 2003 invasion by the United States of America. Though Samarra is famous as a site of Shia holy sites, including the tombs of several Shia Imams, the town is dominated by Sunnis. This has caused tensions, particularly since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. On February 22, 2006, the golden dome of the Al Askari Mosque was destroyed by bombs, setting off a period of rioting and reprisal attacks across the country which claimed hundreds of lives. No organizations have claimed responsibility, however it is believed that the Mujahideen Shura Council, or groups sympathetic to its cause, were behind the attack.