Where did it go? I do not speak Russian, but I have a feeling that this is the sentiment being shared by the soldiers on camera. Russian troops inspect the remains of a T-72B3 main battle tank, wondering what could have destroyed the vehicle. The tank has been completely shattered, and one of the largest remaining pieces is a drive sprocket. Scattered in the debris are chunks of flesh, all that is left of the vehicle’s crew. I do not know what exactly destroyed this tank, though there are several possible culprits. When the Javelin first went into service over twenty years ago, a slide show circulated showing the results of a live fire test in which the missile was fired at a combat-loaded T-72. The combination of the initial impact and the sympathetic detonation of the ammunition and fuel generated a result that look very similar to this. Some have questioned that tank’s future on the modern battlefield, but any vehicle is vulnerable if poor tactics are employed. Even the most capable tank must be supported by infantry, artillery, air defense, and air forces, otherwise the investment that the vehicle and its crew represent are wasted with little to show for it but a pile of metal and human bits.

About the Author

Cam

Cam served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, deploying to the Horn of Africa and participating in combat operations in Iraq. He currently works in the maritime industry and in the defense sector as an instructor of combined arms planning and operations. An avid sailor, Cam founded and directs Triumph Sailing, a nonprofit that supports veterans and first responders through adventure and fellowship on the water. Triumph Sailing just completed its big yearly event, an offshore race in the Gulf of Mexico with an all veteran crew. You can support the mission and next year's sailing season at Tri-Sail.Org.