The US Army has shared new details for its massive 250th birthday celebration, which is set to be a mind-boggling logistical feat, with Abrams tanks, artillery, Strykers, horses, and a lot more descending on the nation’s capital.
The week-long celebratory event is officially designated as a “national security special event,” a term used for major events like the Super Bowl or presidential inaugurations. These require extensive inter-agency coordination.
This event has been in the works for two years, but was only recently updated to include a parade on June 14 that will coincide with President Donald Trump’s birthday. Army officials on Wednesday did not specify to reporters whose idea it was to insert the military parade into the already-planned events.
Trump made it known during his first term that he wanted a major military parade. That event never came to fruition.
At least 200,000 people are expected to attend the upcoming event, officials said.
The parade will start in the early evening and will proceed along Constitution Avenue and continue near the National Mall, a shorter route than previously expected.
Here’s what’s coming to DC for the parade:
There will be 28 M1A1 Abrams tanks, each roughly 70-ton tracked vehicle equipped with a 120mm cannon, among other armaments, as well as 28 Bradley Fighting vehicles, lighter tracked armor with 25mm M242 Bushmaster chain guns. Additionally, 28 Strykers will also be included, flexible 20-ton eight-wheeled vehicles with mixed armaments used for a range of missions.
Abrams tanks, Strykers, and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles form the backbone of two of the three types of Army “brigade combat teams,” self-sufficient units that can fight and maneuver on the battlefield. Some are centered on infantry, others on “armor” like the Abrams and Bradley, and others on the versatile Strykers.
The parade will also feature 4 Paladins, tracked self-propelled 155mm howitzers each weighing over 27 tons. There will also be “several” pieces of towed artillery including M777s and M119s.
Fifty aircraft are expected to participate, including helicopters like the multi-mission Black Hawks, heavy-lift Chinooks, and attack Apaches. Army officials told reporters they are working closely with the FAA and DC’s Reagan National Airport for parade flyover deconfliction, though final details regarding impact to local airports are still being hashed out.
All weapons systems will be disabled and inspected by the Secret Service prior to the event, officials told reporters. No ammunition, be it blank or live rounds, will be distributed to soldiers.
Roughly 6,700 soldiers — including active duty, reserve, National Guard, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and special operations forces — are expected to participate.
Some soldiers will wear historical uniforms specially made for this event, officials shared Wednesday, to reflect US Army traditions from the Revolutionary War through the Global War on Terror.
World War II-era equipment including M4 Sherman tanks, B25 bombers, P51 Mustang fighter planes, and C47 Skytrains, will also be featured.
Army equine units from across the country are also expected, including Arlington National Cemetery’s Caisson Platoon.
The Army’s prestigious Golden Knights parachute team will end the celebration with a jump and will present a folded flag to the president. Folded flags are usually presented to grieving military families during funerals, but they are also sometimes presented at military retirement ceremonies or other milestone events as a gesture of respect.
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