Military Vehicles, August 1996,: Startling Sighting!

Startling Sighting!

Granville Pool (gpool@pacific.net)
Thu, 29 Aug 1996 10:25:28 -0700

I had posted this to the UNi and mendo_recce lists a couple days ago:

> I was driving south from Willits, California, on U.S. Highway 101, this
> afternoon. In a curving section (giving me little warning) there suddenly
> appeared, heading north, a civilian truck and trailer of some sort, hauling
> two military vehicles, both of which looked brand new. Both appeared to
> have U.S. military markings on solid-colored olive-drab paint. One was a
> Hum-Vee and the other a big Unimog, dopplekabin style.
>
> Before I could even begin to digest this startling apparition, another load
> suddenly appeared, followed by yet another. The second load had another Mog
> and some interesting-looking smaller vehicle which was unidentifiable by me.
> The third had yet another Mog and another Hum-Vee. At least the last Mog
> had a full rollcage over the entire cab.
>
> All the drayage was civilian; all the vehicles were likewise
> military-looking, all looking brand new. What the hell? My glimpse of
> these was so brief that I was most frustrated. I came close to turning
> around and chasing them but was in a county car, working, with not enough
> time. Still, if I'd had a camera with me, I might have done it anyway.
>
> Any ideas what this remarkable collection may have been about? Is the U.S.
> military buying Mogs? Why on civilian conveyances? Why headed north on
> 101? Too wierd!
>
> Granville Pool
> Redwood Valley, CA USA

I've gotten some interesting replies. Seems most likely that they were
headed for a National Guard unit in Eureka, CA. I hadn't realized that the
Reserve and Guard had changed so much as to be likely to get such wonderful
new equipment. Maybe I'll rejoin. Think they'd take a grey-bearded old
fart? Nah, even if they would, they'd want to make me lose the beard, so
never mind.

Seriously: Anyone on this list have any further thoughts on this sighting?

I appologize to those who have already seen this flogged on the other lists.

Thanks,

Granny