U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection

After fierce fighting to maintain the Spartans' logistics line along Highway 8, the government center of Baghdad was secured within the day. The "Thunder Run" was proof that armor could be highly effective in urban combat when utilized as part of well-trained combined arms team.

After early progress, a last minute decision was made by the brigade's commander, Colonel (later General) David Perkins, to change the unit's advance directly into the heart of the capitol.

On 7 April 2003, the entire Spartan Brigade was tasked to conduct another, larger "Thunder Run" along the same route.

Two days prior on 5 April, the brigade's Task Force 1-64 Armor conducted an attack, called a "Thunder Run", through the south of the city to the Baghdad International Airport to probe the cities defenses.

However, reports suggest that the EM-50 performed better in testing but was deemed “not cool enough” and “too comfortable” by Infantry branch members of the evaluation committee. The whereabouts of the EM-50 are currently unknown.

At the turn of the century, the EM-50 was brought out of retirement to compete against the modified LAV III for the Interim Armored Vehicle Program. The modified LAV III was selected, becoming the Stryker family of vehicles.

...though it was occasionally signed out by General Officers during block leave periods for “re-evaluation”, often at various national parks and camp grounds.

...however full details of the incident are still considered classified by both NATO and former Warsaw Pact nations (mostly out of embarrassment). After returning back to the United States, the EM-50 was placed into storage at Aberdeen Proving Grounds for some time,

It featured a wide array of weapons and defensive systems. In 1981, the sole EM-50 was sent overseas to Italy for field testing. It ended up causing an international incident when it was inadvertently driven across the border to Czechoslovakia(it's like Wisconsin!)...

The Collection's primary mission is supporting the @USAARMS by teaching Armor Soldiers branch history, how armored fighting vehicles have developed, and how it impacts them today on the modern battlefield.