UPDATED!
Dear J.D.:
"Since Desert Storm I have noted a V shaped symbol (usually like an upside down V, but sometimes sideways) on trucks, tanks, etc. where (in WWII movies, at least) a five-pointed white star should be. What's the deal on that? And does the direction the V is pointing mean anything?"
Reader Ralph
Interesting question Ralph.
Like you I remember the the WWII movies where lots of vehicles had a white star on them.
There is still a star on many vehicles in Iraq but it is small and black. Humvees also often have an American flag decal on the windshield.
As for the upside down V I'm stumped. I can't recall anything like that from my most recent trip.
On some of the older Humvees there were velcro strips which to attach something.
There is also IR reflective tape on many vehicles.
If you have a specific example, send me the link.
Thanks for your question!
UPDATE
Capt. S. writes:
"Back in '91 during Desert Shield/Storm the coalition forces from the various nations involved were looking for an easily identifiable universal
mark to indicate that they were part of the "joint" forces conducting operations against Sadaam. The "V" or inverted or sideways V (think of an
elbow or knee joint) was decided as the symbol that made the most sense. The direction of the V joint is irrelevant. This is what I was told back
then as a prior enlisted grunt anyway."
Which is correct.
Page 11 (18 of PDF File) of this report discussed how the 'V' was used to identify coalition vehicles in Operation Desert Storm.
This may explain why I only saw those strips on older humvees and not on the newer humvees.
All of JD's income is supported through DVD sales and reader contributions. Please help so JD can continue to report on his experiences with our military and the war in Iraq.
You can help and:
BUY A DVD
OR you can:
Please make a contribution by choosing one of the options below.
BlogPatron is a new service which allows you to make a one time contribution or make a monthly contribution. Thanks for supporting Outside the Wire!
|
