# What weapons do the National Guard have access to in an Emergency? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 10, 2016, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapons-do-the-national-guard-have-access-to-in-an-emergency/762318 "2016-08-10T06:14:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapons-do-the-national-guard-have-access-to-in-an-emergency/762318/21 "2016-08-12T14:27:54Z")
> [@DinoR](#): > > Actually the ground pressure on an M1 is still lower than that exerted by an SUV let alone an uparmored HMMWV. The track has a lot more surface area to spread the heavier tank weight than the tiny contact area from four tires. It can even be lower than the ground pressure than that exerted by a walking human, especially if they are an infantryman carrying a heavy load. > > A lot of the issue with moving heavier equipment on civilian is bridges. For them the concentrated weight is the problem. We ran into the issue when my battalion shifted from M60A3s to M1s (slicks, not even the IP variant). The slight increase in weight was enough to make most of the HET trailers the transportation unit in the state had unable to carry our tanks on the road. There was a longer trailer that spread the weight over a longer distance. Unfortunately the unit mostly didn’t have them. IIRC that was to ensure the spreading the weight over more than a single bridge span but IANA civil engineer. Even with that trailer the route between the two training sites in out state was far less than direct. The route had to be planned to avoid bridges that were not rated to handle the combined weight of the tank plus carrier. A lot of the problem with moving tanks on civilian roads is steering too tight on 90 degree turns. A neutral steer is going to tear up most asphalt roads. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapons-do-the-national-guard-have-access-to-in-an-emergency/762318/22 "2016-08-12T16:41:45Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > A neutral steer is going to tear up most asphalt roads. You just inspired a fun memory. For some reason we actually had to move the home station tank and the ground guide gave the hand and arm signal to neutral steer while it was on the asphalt armory parking lot. I forget which senior NCO was watching and saw the signal. Running and profanity laced screaming ensued. A different issue I ran into with moving armored vehicles by road on flatbed was related to cold weather in Michigan and IIRC state law. After the frost point we couldn’t move vehicles by flat bed between training sites due to increased chances of road damage. I don’t recall what the underlying issue was if I ever knew it. That included much lighter vehicles than our tanks. I had a special experience during my inventory to assume command of my first company. $720+k of mortar tracks parked hours away from my armory not hand receipted to that sites maintenance facility (because they weren’t “theirs” to support.) Just parked there. That’s a less fun memory. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapons-do-the-national-guard-have-access-to-in-an-emergency/762318/23 "2016-08-13T16:06:47Z")
our local unit has Apache Helicopters which are top of the line. I see them fly over now and then. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapons-do-the-national-guard-have-access-to-in-an-emergency/762318.md?page=1)