Iraqi/Soviet T 72 tank captured during Desert Storm

Veterans Day ceremonies at The Museum of American Armor inside Old Bethpage Village Restoration included the dedication of a massive Soviet built T 72 tank captured from the Iraqis during the height of Desert Storm in 1990, when Allied forces defeated Iraq’s invasion of neighboring Kuwait.

Participating was Major General Brian Miller, U.S. Army Reserve, a member of the Armor Museum’s Board of Trustees, and a senior executive at PSEG Long Island where he is headquartered at their Hicksville operations center. He reflected on the role of those who served during Desert Storm, stating that Allied forces were successful because, “With a clear mission, a strong coalition, and time to build up our forces, we were set up for success on the battlefield.”

The 40-ton T 72 is one of thousands built by the Soviet Union during the Cold War designed to confront NATO armor. During that era, the Soviet Union provided their allies, including Iraq, with battalions of T 72s for their military use.

The Desert Storm dedication is a joint effort by the Armor Museum and the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Museums.