For decades, the M60 main battle tank was a formidable force on the battlefield, designed to counter Soviet armor. But in Washington state, the tank faced an unexpected adversary: avalanches.

Instead of rolling into combat, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) used M60 tanks for avalanche mitigation. Stationed in steep mountainous regions, these tanks fired shells at unstable snow masses, triggering controlled avalanches to prevent catastrophic slides that could endanger roads and towns below. This proactive approach ensured safety without putting lives at risk.

John Stimberis, one of WSDOT’s two avalanche forecaster supervisors, recalled how, starting in the late 1990s, the department maintained a fleet of three tanks for this purpose. However, by 2015, only one remained operational. The primary issue was maintenance. Since the U.S. Army had long retired the M60, finding qualified technicians to repair the aging tank became increasingly difficult.

“In 2018, the Army required us to return the remaining tank,” Stimberis said. “They gave us a few years’ warning. They said, ‘Here’s the direction we’re going. We’re going to have howitzers only for artillery-based avalanche control. Any of these other legacy systems, you’re going to return those and find another method.’”

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The transition to M101 howitzers aligned with the Army’s goal of standardizing artillery-based avalanche mitigation. While WSDOT still uses a howitzer today, the artillery piece is more than 80 years old and is set to be replaced by remote-controlled systems in the future.

“The tank was pretty cool,” Stimberis admitted. “But the bottom line is: There are better ways to do it with the remote systems, and our overall goal is providing safety on the highway and doing it as efficiently as possible.”

The M60 tank itself has a storied history. First introduced in 1960 as an upgrade from the M48 Patton, the M60 was designed to combat Soviet T-54 and T-55 tanks. Retired Army Maj. Michael Liscano Jr., an expert in armor operations and acquisitions, described its significance.

“The M60 Patton was one of the most important tanks in U.S. military history, serving for decades and seeing action in multiple wars,” Liscano said. “It featured a 105mm M68 gun, which was a licensed version of the powerful British L7 rifled cannon, giving it an edge in firepower. The M60 also introduced a diesel engine, which improved fuel efficiency and range compared to earlier gasoline-powered tanks.”

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The tank saw combat in various conflicts, most notably in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where Israel deployed M60s against Soviet-built T-62 tanks used by Egypt and Syria. While effective, the M60 was vulnerable to Soviet anti-tank guided missiles like the Sagger. Later, during the Persian Gulf War in 1991, the Marine Corps successfully deployed M60A1 tanks without losing any in combat, proving that older tanks could still hold their own with modern upgrades.

Beyond military engagements, the M60 made headlines in 1995 when a man stole an M60A3 from a California Army National Guard Armory and led police on a destructive 25-minute rampage before being shot and killed. Fortunately, no one else was injured.

Though replaced in the U.S. military by the M1 Abrams, the M60 continues to see service worldwide. Countries like Egypt, Turkey, Taiwan, and Brazil have modernized versions in their arsenals, maintaining the tank’s legacy as a durable and adaptable war machine.

“While no longer the most powerful tank on the battlefield, the M60’s legacy as a durable, adaptable, and battle-tested war machine remains strong,” Liscano said.

The M60’s tenure in Washington state’s avalanche control program may have ended, but its versatility across battlefields and unconventional roles proves why it remains an iconic piece of military history.

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