The Army sent 1,900 M1A1 Abrams to Desert Storm. A ground offensive called Operation Desert Sabre took place February 24–28, 1990, and included a string of tank-on-tank engagements — 73 Easting, Medina Ridge, and Fright Night (officially Battle of Norfolk) — that over 36 hours involved over 3,000 tanks.
On February 26, Captain H.R. McMaster (Second Armored Cavalry Regiment) took 14 Abrams under his command and destroyed over 50 Iraqi tanks without incurring a single loss (this was 73 Easting). Its ability to fire on the proceed over any terrain was a decisive factor.
A rainstorm moved into the area as evening unfolded, making the battlefield a mud pit. Meanwhile, retreating Iraqi soldiers set oil fields on fire, and greasy smoke turned that battle into a true “Fright Night.” Fortunately, the Abrams were equipped with some incredible engineering that included FLIR (a “new” thermal imaging technology) that helped American forces destroy roughly 600 Iraqi tanks while only losing a few of its own.
Iraq’s Republican Guard put up a last stand at Medina Ridge. This final tank battle lasted only 40 minutes and involved approximately 3,000 vehicles. With the Abrams’ ability to outshoot Iraqi tanks by about 3,280 feet and with the help of A-10 Warthogs, the 348 tanks made quick work of Iraqi forces. Per estimates, the Iraqis lost about 3,300 tanks during Desert Storm, while coalition forces only lost 31.
