The HUMVEE Is The ARNG’s Peacekeeping Vehicle For Baltimore Riots
By Paulo Acoba
In times of National disaster or when our nation’s citizens don’t feel safe walking around their city streets for whatever reason, most of the time the National Guard is brought in. And the official symbol for the National Guard when it comes to snap news reports and quick media takes are the roving presence of the AM General HUMVEE’s.
Maryland’s national guard has always carried a large number of HUMVEE’s on call to respond at a moment’s notice, but this is probably the first time they had to be called out in such large numbers since 1968.
HUMVEE’s are vehicles capable of vehicular feats that normal simply can’t do. HUMVEE’s are able to climb a 60 percent gradient slope, a 40 percent side slope and ford underneath 60 inches of water. If need be, it’s maximum payload capacity (how much weight it can carry inside and atop its carriage) of 5,100 lbs which is almost as much as a HUMVEE weighs itself.
All that, plus its torque multiplying hubs, exceptional ground clearance and the ability to be outfitted with all sorts of weaponry and body armor has earned it the reputation in the Army (and the National Guard) as one intimidating piece of machinery.
And that in and of itself lies a major misconception with the HUMVEE’s presence in the streets of Baltimore tonight.
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Hours before the arrival of the National Guard, some families simply didn’t feel safe to enjoy their city streets, a freedom that should be afforded to all our nation’s citizens. According to the Baltimore Sun, one resident felt that “National Guard was there to protect her family and the police alike.”
The HUMVEE’s aren’t there to intimidate but to remind anyone afraid of the immediate circumstances that our nation has their back.
A quick search of #HUMVEE on Instagram will reveal all sorts of incoming photos’s of Baltimore. Many of them showcase people going about their lives as usual.
That’s what the HUMVEE Stands for. A symbol that although there’s unrest, taking care of people and the health of the community comes first.