Howizer Going?

[Stephen]

Army to Ski Resorts: Give Us Our Big Guns Back

RENO, Nev. (AP) — The U.S. military wants five howitzers it lent two Sierra Nevada ski resorts returned, saying it needs the guns for Iraq and Afghanistan.

Alpine Meadows (search) and Mammoth Mountain (search ) got the artillery pieces on loan from the Army last year. They use them to fire rounds into mountainsides, knocking snow loose to prevent avalanches.

But now the Army's Tank Automotive and Armaments Command (search ) in Illinois needs the howitzers back immediately.

"I need to have them back in the troops' hands within 60 to 90 days," said Don Bowen, the Army command's team leader in charge of the howitzers. "It's a very short timeframe to get them serviceable and back into the theater in southwest Asia. Afghanistan-Iraq is the immediate concern."

The ski resorts said they will comply.

"Given it's a war effort, their needs are greater than ours," said Larry Heywood, Alpine Meadows director of mountain operations.

Howitzers are short-barreled cannons that typically fire three to 10 rounds a minute at a range of about five to 10 miles. Replacing a 119-A — the type used at the resorts — would cost around $1 million, Bowen said Tuesday.

Alpine Meadows and Mammoth Mountain are the only ski resorts in the nation using the modern 119-A howitzer. Other resorts have older 105 mm howitzers.

"It was designed to kill people, but it's a very valuable safety tool for us," said Rachael Woods, a spokeswoman at Lake Tahoe's Alpine Meadows, where seven people were killed in an avalanche in 1982.

Resort officials said they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to transport the guns, reimburse the Army for training and build firing platforms.

The Forest Service said it is working to secure older howitzers for the ski resorts, and the Army's Bowen said he is optimistic that will happen.

 

[GadgetRick]

Hmm...

I guess this could be true but I find it hard to believe the Army is missing 4 howitzers. Interesting article though.

 

[Stephen]

The Army as a whole may not be missing them, but the unit that owns them probably is.

-Stephen

 

[MtnMagic]

Hey, I just thought this is a great idea! Littleton, NH Guard has an artillery unit. When the threat of an avalanche is possible at Tuckerman Ravine, broadcast the date and time, invite the masses, chopper in one, say a 155 (mm howitzer), and have blast. (Ouch, my ears became deaf in that bowl.)

This posting is tongue-in-cheek that could be spectacular! The Guard gets some quality time, the spectactors watch a type of different show, the FS has the threat removed, and skiers would feel more confident knowing the threat has been removed!
:lol:
___________________
If you can't take a joke ...
have a great hike!

 

[bigbog]

re:.........

...too bad the workers that manufactured them have probably been laid off...
No, Washington couldn't use a couple $B to supplement unemployed...canned without unemp_insurance for s hort time. Bad employees!, Bad employees!..(..RiGht :evil: )
Bring on those kids to follow in the footsteps of those that've been "downsized" and buy more servers


*Boy I needed a digital camera tripod on the...floor? of the canoe today....crystal clear blue skies, a little breeze, and still some large snow patches at the water's edge around a few ponds near Katahdin 8)

 

[Stephen]

Hmmm I wonder who has more big business money connections... the baseball tycoon or the giggolo?

Bush has a ranch.

Kerry has a million dollar boat, a $50k Bike, and many hummers ans SUVs... oh wait, that all belongs to his "family"...

-Stephen

 

[bigbog]

re:...agree

So I have to choose between these two Steve? :roll:

 

[Stephen]

Nah, go Nader. Help my guy. :lol:

-Stephen

 

[David Metsky]

Hey, I just thought this is a great idea! Littleton, NH Guard has an artillery unit. When the threat of an avalanche is possible at Tuckerman Ravine, broadcast the date and time, invite the masses, chopper in one, say a 155 (mm howitzer), and have blast. (Ouch, my ears became deaf in that bowl.)

Back in the 60's they used the Avalauncher (fired charges by compressed air), a .50 caliber machine gun, and dynamite. But they eventually decided to stop all that and just let nature take its course.

Some history

-dave-

 

[MtnMagic]

What a great history link Dave! Brad Ray sure knows Tuck's and the area. He could and should write a book. What a delightful read.
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Thank you for sharing!