Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
M1000, Semitrailer, 70 Ton (HET)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021
1. M1000, Semitrailer, 70 Ton (HET) Marker
In the late 1980s, it was realized that the M747 60 ton trailer and the M911 tractor were no longer suited for hauling the upgraded M1A1 Abrams tank. Testing began for a replacement, and in 1993 the SEI designed M1000 HET entered service with the US Army. Paired with the M1070 tractor tractor, their primary mission was to transport, deploy, and recover the Abrams tank and other heavy equipment during both combat and noncombat operations. The new trailer had several improvements over the old M747. Most important were its steerable axles and a load leveling hydraulic system. At 12 feet wide, however, HETs require special permits to travel on roads and highways during noncombat operations.
The M1000 first saw service in Bosnia and Kosovo peacekeeping operations, but would prove its worth during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Based at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, the HETs would travel throughout Iraq moving armored vehicles to require destinations. Due to the need to armor all military vehicles being used on the roads of Iraq, the large 70 ton trailer would prove to be a valuable platform for carrying these vehicles throughout Iraq and Kuwait.
Like the M1070 tractors, the M1000 trailers were not rotated back to the States, but were transferred from unit to unit. The last use of this trailer was by a unit of the 1st Sustainment Brigade
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Erected by US Army Transportation Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, 2nd Iraq • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical year for this entry is 1993.
Location. 37° 10.006′ N, 76° 34.447′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. Marker can be reached from Washington Boulevard just south of Madison Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Washington Blvd, Fort Eustis VA 23604, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Caiman, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP), Category II, 6×6 (here, next to this marker); M872A1, Trailer, Flatbed, 34 Ton (here, next to this marker); M915A4, Truck, Tractor, 14 Ton, 6×4 (Up-Armored) (a few steps from this marker); M1070, Truck, Tractor, 8×8 (HET) (a few steps from this marker); Air Cushion Vehicle, SK-5 (a few steps from this marker); Railway Training Caboose (a few steps from this marker); M60A3, Main Battle Tank, 105mm "Patton" (a few steps from this marker); Railway Snowplow - Spreader - Ditcher Car (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.
Additional commentary.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021
2. M1000, Semitrailer, 70 Ton (HET) Marker
1. Marker location
This marker is on the grounds of Fort Eustis. Permission was requested before photographing.
— Submitted February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
