Tanker Officer Defends Use of Heavy Tanks in Afghanistan

The recent decision by the defense department to deploy 14 M1 Abrams tanks to Afghanistan to assist in the counterinsurgency fight has stirred some mixed reaction.  Many question if the decision is wise citing a variety of reasons.  Tanks are not exactly a "light footprint" that some say is needed in a COIN fight.  They separate the Soldier from the population with who he is supposed to win over (hearts and minds)". The heavy tanks also will bring up bad memories of the Soviet invasion and occupation.  However, a young armor officer does bring up some valid points - one being survivability on the battlefield.  Read his defense of the use of heavy tanks in "Tanks to Afghanistan, a Soldier Writes", At War Blog, The New York Times, November 22, 2010.