Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
360 Degrees of Fire
M102 105mm Towed Light Artillery
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012
1. 360 Degrees of Fire Marker
Inscription.
360 Degrees of Fire. M102 105mm Towed Light Artillery. The M102 howitzer was introduced in 1964 to replace the older M101A1 howitzer. Utilizing a lightweight aluminum carriage, the M102 could be easily airlifted by helicopter, dropped with airborne units, or pulled by a vehicle. The wishbone shaped carriage provided stability, ease of traversing during major directional changes and the ability to elevate the cannon tube higher than with earlier split-trail carriages. With the carriage attached to a firing platform, the roller assembly (located at the rear of the trail, allowed for simple fine traversing during normal aiming procedures. Ideally suited for firebases because of its ability to fire 360 degrees (6400-mils) quickly and effectively, the M102 could respond to fire missions anywhere within its area of operation.
The M102 howitzer was introduced in 1964 to replace the older M101A1 howitzer. Utilizing a lightweight aluminum carriage, the M102 could be easily airlifted by helicopter, dropped with airborne units, or pulled by a vehicle. The wishbone shaped carriage provided stability, ease of traversing during major directional changes and the ability to elevate the cannon tube higher than with earlier split-trail carriages. With the carriage attached to a firing platform, the roller assembly (located at the rear of the trail, allowed for simple fine traversing during normal aiming procedures. Ideally suited for firebases because of its ability to fire 360 degrees (6400-mils) quickly and effectively, the M102 could respond to fire missions anywhere within its area of operation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam.
Location. 40° 12.317′ N, 77° 9.459′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. Marker is on Army Heritage Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 Army Heritage Trail, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. One-Oh-Five (a few steps from this marker); Time On Target (a few steps from this marker); The Ia Drang Battlefield (a few
More about this marker. Part of the Vietnam Fire Support Base exhibit. Located at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (Open to Public).
Also see . . . M102 howitzer. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 14, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012
2. M102 105mm Towed Light Artillery on display
Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 227 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 13, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
