Latest news with #250thArmy
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Army on the hook if tanks damage DC roads in massive June 14 military parade
The Army will be on the hook for damages incurred by massive tanks rolling through the streets of Washington, D.C., during the big 250th Army birthday on June 14, scheduled for the same day as President Donald Trump's birthday. The parade will see dozens of huge military vehicles roll through the streets of the nation's capital – 28 tanks, and 28 Bradley fighting vehicles and Strykers, two types of armored ground combat vehicles, according to the latest numbers that officials shared with reporters at a May 21 briefing. The Army is "not expecting damage" to the roads of the nation's capital, said Col. Jess Curry, executive officer to the Army Corps of Engineers. But if damage is incurred, the Army will be responsible, Col. Chris Vitale, the officer in charge of the week's celebrations, said. The Army plans to lay down huge metal plates at least an inch thick over spots in the parade route where the tanks will turn. Straight segments of the route – which runs down Constitution Avenue past the Washington Monument – won't get any protection, according to Curry. More: Tanks, cannons and soldiers sleeping in DC offices: Inside Trump birthday military parade Asked about the parade last month, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said it "would not be good" to roll military tanks down the city's streets, and that the military should pick up the tab for any damage incurred. "Military tanks on our streets would not be good," she said at an April 7 news conference. "If military tanks were used, they should be accompanied by many millions of dollars to repair the roads." Trump's role in the parade and its planning has sparked debate in Washington, with Democratic senators and Trump critics calling it an inappropriate politicization of the military. The White House has said the parade is a celebration of the Army's anniversary, and characterized Trump's birthday falling on the same day as a coincidence. In his first term, Trump repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, pushed the Pentagon to put together a military parade. The June parade will be everything he pushed for back then – around 6,700 soldiers will participate, and the initial estimates peg the crowd size at 200,000, the Army officials said on May 21. The parade will also include a flyover of historic warplanes and at least 50 helicopters, as previously reported by USA TODAY. The Golden Knights, the Army's parachute team, will soar down from the sky, and one will present Trump with a folded American flag. From his presidential booth, Trump will preside over the enlistment and reenlistment of 250 soldiers. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Army will pay if tanks damage roads in June 14 parade, officials say
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Army prepares tanks for DC military parade that could cost $45 million
The Army on Wednesday began preparing to ship Abrams tanks from its base in Fort Cavazos, Texas, to Washington, D.C., to participate in its 250th birthday parade along the National Mall on June 14, loading the tanks aboard trains that will depart later this month. In all, 28 M1A1 Abrams tanks will be sent to participate in the parade, officials said. The 250th Army celebration, which also happens to fall on President Donald Trump's birthday, has stoked speculation that Trump is using the event to get the kind of grand military parade he sought in his first term. That event was canceled, though, when cost estimates topped $90 million. Also included will be Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Stryker vehicles, along with World War II-era platforms such as the M4 Sherman tank, the Douglas C-47 transport aircraft and the P-51 Mustang fighter. Cobra and Huey helicopters will be included among the 50 Army aircraft in the parade, as will 34 horses, two mules, one wagon and a dog. MORE: Nearly 7,000 troops, tanks and parachute jumps: Army confirms military parade coinciding with Trump's birthday Officials said the heavy equipment will be staged at West Potomac Park in Washington ahead of the parade, which will follow along Constitution Avenue and end near the White House, where parachutists with the Army's Golden Knights will jump onto the Ellipse. One of those parachutists will offer a single folded flag to Trump. After the parade is finished, Trump is expected to administer a constitutional oath to some 250 new and reenlisting Army recruits. "The parade will trace the Army's evolution from the Revolutionary War through to the U.S. Army of Tomorrow," America250 said in a press release. "Attendees will experience 250 years of Army heritage through historical U.S. Army personnel reenactors, period-accurate equipment, vehicles, impressive flyovers, and military bands participating in this landmark event." MORE: Army to go 'bigger' to mark its 250th. Could it be the military parade Trump wants? The Army said it expects to spend anywhere from $25 million to $45 million on this year's events, although the final tally is expected to be much higher when other costs are factored in. The U.S. Secret Service has designated the event a "national security special event" akin to the Super Bowl or a presidential inauguration, requiring significant security resources. The Department of Homeland Secretary has not released a cost estimate for securing the event. The Army also will be on the hook for any damage done to roads in Maryland and Washington. Officials said they will mitigate the risk of damage by putting new rubber treads on heavy vehicles and metal plates on the roads where tanks might have to take a sharp turn. The Army said 6,700 soldiers will begin arriving Washington, D.C., on June 11 and will sleep on cots inside unused federal office buildings, including the Department of Agriculture. Shower trailers will be set up in secured areas for the troops, who will also be offered a $69-per-day stipend, two ready-to-eat meals and a hot dinner provided by a contractor. Many of the soldiers will march in the parade in period costumes, including Revolutionary War garb purchased from a production company, with the goal of telling the public the story of the service's 250 years. Army prepares tanks for DC military parade that could cost $45 million originally appeared on
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
Army begins preparing tanks for cross-country trip to DC for military parade
The Army on Wednesday began preparing to ship Abrams tanks from its base in Fort Cavazos, Texas, to Washington, D.C., to participate in its 250th birthday parade along the National Mall on June 14, loading the tanks aboard trains that will depart later this month. In all, 28 M1A1 Abrams tanks will be sent to participate in the parade, officials said. Also included will be Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Stryker vehicles, along with World War II-era platforms such as the M4 Sherman tank, the Douglas C-47 transport aircraft and the P-51 Mustang fighter. Cobra and Huey helicopters will be included among the 50 Army aircraft in the parade, as will 34 horses, two mules, one wagon and a dog. Officials said the heavy equipment will be staged at West Potomac Park in Washington ahead of the parade, which will follow along Constitution Avenue and end near the White House, where parachutists with the Army's Golden Knights will jump onto the Ellipse. One of those parachutists will offer a single folded flag to President Donald Trump. After the parade is finished, Trump is expected to administer a constitutional oath to some 250 new and reenlisting Army recruits. The 250th Army celebration, which also happens to fall on Trump's birthday, has stoked speculation that Trump is using the event to get the kind of grand military parade he sought in his first term. That event was canceled, though, when cost estimates topped $90 million. "The parade will trace the Army's evolution from the Revolutionary War through to the U.S. Army of Tomorrow," America250 said in a press release. "Attendees will experience 250 years of Army heritage through historical U.S. Army personnel reenactors, period-accurate equipment, vehicles, impressive flyovers, and military bands participating in this landmark event." The Army said it expects to spend anywhere from $25 million to $45 million on this year's events, although the final tally is expected to be much higher when other costs are factored in. The U.S. Secret Service has designated the event a "national security special event" akin to the Super Bowl or a presidential inauguration, requiring significant security resources. The Department of Homeland Secretary has not released a cost estimate for securing the event. The Army also will be on the hook for any damage done to roads in Maryland and Washington. Officials said they will mitigate the risk of damage by putting new rubber treads on heavy vehicles and metal plates on the roads where tanks might have to take a sharp turn. The Army said 6,700 soldiers will begin arriving Washington, D.C., on June 11 and will sleep on cots inside unused federal office buildings, including the Department of Agriculture. Shower trailers will be set up in secured areas for the troops, who will also be offered a $69-per-day stipend, two ready-to-eat meals and a hot dinner provided by a contractor. Many of the soldiers will march in the parade in period costumes, including Revolutionary War garb purchased from a production company, with the goal of telling the public the story of the service's 250 years.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Army on the hook if tanks damage DC roads in massive June 14 military parade
Army on the hook if tanks damage DC roads in massive June 14 military parade Show Caption Hide Caption White House plans parade for Trump's bday, Army's 250th anniversary The White House is planning a massive military parade to celebrate the Army's 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The Army will be on the hook for damages incurred by massive tanks rolling through the streets of Washington, D.C., during the big 250th Army birthday on June 14, scheduled for the same day as President Donald Trump's birthday. The parade will see dozens of huge military vehicles roll through the streets of the nation's capital – 28 tanks, and 28 Bradley fighting vehicles and Strykers, two types of armored ground combat vehicles, according to the latest numbers that officials shared with reporters at a May 21 briefing. The Army is "not expecting damage" to the roads of the nation's capital, said Col. Jess Curry, executive officer to the Army Corps of Engineers. But if damage is incurred, the Army will be responsible, Col. Chris Vitale, the officer in charge of the week's celebrations, said. The Army plans to lay down huge metal plates at least an inch thick over spots in the parade route where the tanks will turn. Straight segments of the route – which runs down Constitution Avenue past the Washington Monument – won't get any protection, according to Curry. More: Tanks, cannons and soldiers sleeping in DC offices: Inside Trump birthday military parade Asked about the parade last month, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said it "would not be good" to roll military tanks down the city's streets, and that the military should pick up the tab for any damage incurred. "Military tanks on our streets would not be good," she said at an April 7 news conference. "If military tanks were used, they should be accompanied by many millions of dollars to repair the roads." Trump accused of politicizing military through parade Trump's role in the parade and its planning has sparked debate in Washington, with Democratic senators and Trump critics calling it an inappropriate politicization of the military. The White House has said the parade is a celebration of the Army's anniversary, and characterized Trump's birthday falling on the same day as a coincidence. In his first term, Trump repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, pushed the Pentagon to put together a military parade. The June parade will be everything he pushed for back then – around 6,700 soldiers will participate, and the initial estimates peg the crowd size at 200,000, the Army officials said on May 21. The parade will also include a flyover of historic warplanes and at least 50 helicopters, as previously reported by USA TODAY. The Golden Knights, the Army's parachute team, will soar down from the sky, and one will present Trump with a folded American flag. From his presidential booth, Trump will preside over the enlistment and reenlistment of 250 soldiers.
