What are the "V" insignia on U.S. tanks?

Factual Questions
1

Every so often, when I looking at a photots of U.S. armored vehicles (Like the M1 Abrams), I notice what looks like a “V” chevron shape, painted on the hull. I’ve also seen a few with “inverted” chevrons (Basically an “A,” without the cross-hatch) , and on a few Israeli tanks, I’ve even seen a few forward-pointing chevrons. (More like an “>” than a true chevron, I guess.)

Now, not all the vehicles have these markings. So…what do they mean? Does it indicate a commander’s vehicle, or a vehicle with a specialized armament, or something?

2

Helps to IFF (Identify Friend or Foe).

Can be seen on thermal imaging.

3

That paint scheme was adopted just before the ground assault into Kuwait and Iraq in 1991. Iraq had some common equipment to some of the allied forces, and this was a quick visual clue to make the distinction when we had Egyptians facing Iraqis in the same tank, for instance.

4

The new ones can. The original symbols used in desert storm didn’t show up very well on thermal imaging, which led to some rather unfortunate friendly fire incidents.

5

The inverted V is also the symbol I paint onto all my luggage. Makes identifying your luggage at the airport a snap. Of course, some people get queasy about painting their luggage, but hey, it’s not a car, it’s just luggage.

Oh, I don’t recommed that everybody do this, 'cos then I wouldn’t be able to find my luggage anymore!

6

And it is MUCH less likely to be destroyed in a friendly fire tragedy by our own troops.

7

UncleBill: Now, who in the hell would be shooting at Balthisar’s luggage?

:smiley:

(“We will fight them at the check-in counter. We will fight them at the metal detectors. We will fight them at the gate. We will fight them at the baggage claim, and we will fight them at the rental car counter. All we have to offer are pretzels, barf bags, pillows, and Ludlum novels.”)

8

Gives a whole new meaning to the term “Hey, I bagged one!”

Tripler
Oooh, it’s a Samsonite, with a 120mm handle! : d & r :

9

I take it the luggage has bombproof zippers?

10

The inverted ‘V’ means “This End Up” [Tanks work much better near their preferred orientation. See my paper “Inversion Characteristics of Turtles, Tanks, and Women” Journal of Objectionable Studies I Won’t Be Repeating Anytime Soon, July 1978, pp. 108-110]

11

In addition to the IFF role It was explained to me that vehicles from the 24th Mech Inf Division (The “Victory” Division) bore a “V” to identify them as belonging to same. The 24th has since been re-flagged 3rd Mech Infantry Division, but it wouldn’t surpise me if they kept the “V” just as a souvenier of GW I.

I may have been lied to about this. My command was viciously playful when it came to dispensing information.