Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Guard Tower:

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 30, 2026

1. Guard Tower: Wayside

Inscription.
Being situated in a hostile area of operations requires constant vigilance. The guard tower provides a first line of defense against enemy forces at the combat outpost. Manned twenty-four hours per day, Soldiers pulling guard duty are required to remain alert while being prepared to engage anti-coalition forces with a crew-served weapon like the M240 medium machine gun, the M2 heavy machine gun, or the Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher.

Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Afghanistan.

Location. 40° 12.456′ N, 77° 9.546′ W. Marker is in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is on Army Hertiage Trail, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: U.S Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania and in Greater Harrisburg.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tactical Operations Center (TOC): (here, next to this marker); Afghanistan Combat Outpost, circa 2005 (here, next to this marker); Operating for Freedom (here, next to this marker); The “Humvee” – High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) (a few steps from this marker); Bunkhouse: (a few steps from this marker); Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) (within shouting distance of this marker); “Buffalo” A2 Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle (MPCV) (within shouting distance of this marker); Chief Warrant Officer 4 William F. Hale (Retired) (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.

Other markers no longer nearby. HESCO Barriers (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); HESCO in Iraq (was a few steps

Guard Tower and wayside image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 30, 2026

2. Guard Tower and wayside

from this marker but has been permanently removed); HESCO in Afghanistan (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); HESCO at Home (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Sergeant (SGT) Robert Easley, Jr. (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Specialist (SPC) Charles Posey III (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. What is a Guard Tower?. Historical Index website entry:
(Submitted on August 11, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. U.S Army Heritage and Education Center. Website homepage (Submitted on August 11, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

COP interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner

3. COP interior

The guard tower is to the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.