Saturday’s massive military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army and President Trump’s birthday will include uniforms, arms and vehicles from every major American conflict dating back to the Revolutionary War.
The army has prepared more than 100 vehicles and aircraft to travel down the National Mall in Washington, DC — from the modern M1A1 Abrams tank to the P-51 Mustang fighter plane, and even a French armored vehicle American Doughboys once drove into battle.
The historic instruments of war will be surrounded by 60 troops representing each major war Americans have fought in, with a final march of 400 troops to represent today’s modern battles, army organizers said.
The parade falls on Trump’s 79th birthday, with the commander in chief touting the event as a celebration of America’s military might.
“We’re going to have a great time; we are going to have a great celebration,” Trump said.
The Revolutionary War
Up front and center at the parade will be a tribute to America’s Revolutionary War, with horse-mounted Dragoon troops outfitted with the uniforms and weapons from that time.
The section will also include a nod to the first US president, George Washington, whose equestrian prowess led him to success and fame on the battlefield as a general fighting British colonialism.
The Civil War and Western Expansion
America’s updated cavalry in the mid-1800s will follow the Revolutionary War procession, with 12 Texas steeds leading the march.
This section of the parade will also include a pair of mules pushing forward a wagon to symbolize the western expansion that followed the Civil War, which included scores of battles with Native Americans.
World War I
Artillery and vehicles from the Great War will be on hand during the World War I march, including weapons and munitions from the US Army Artillery Museum in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Along with the weapons, the army will tow along a classic Renault Tank, the famous armored vehicle used by the Allies. The section will also show off a vintage 1918 Dodge Touring Car.
World War II
The World War II section of the parade will be the largest, fitting for a war of its kind and the American technology used to fight in it.
The army is set to roll out several American trucks and jeeps that the US used in the war and supplied to its allies, including the Chevrolet G7117 and Ford GPW.
The famous M4A1 Sherman tank will also be paraded down the street, along with the M1 Garand Rifle, the semi-automatic rifle that would shape American warfare for decades.
This section is also when the aerial events start, with the B-25 Mitchell bomber, C-47 Skytrain transport, and P-51 Mustang fighter plane set to fly over DC.
The Korean and Vietnam Wars
The Cold War-era conflicts will see the aircraft procession continue with the OH-6 Cayuse, AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 Iroquois helicopters.
The Gulf War
The next section will begin with the iconic M2 Bradley fighting armored vehicle deployed during the Gulf War in the 1990s.
Along with the armored vehicle, the troops will also show off the powerful Paladin and M1A1 Abrams tanks, and the M119 Howitzer.
The War on Terror
The parade will kick off the 21st century with the modern US Stryker armored vehicle that became a staple of America’s war in the Middle East.
The aerial shows also return with a modern version of the OH-6 Cayuse helicopter, along with the MH-60 Blackhawk and MH-47 Chinook choppers.
Modern Era conflicts
The final section includes a roundup of the American equipment from previous wars that are still used today, along with new additions like the M777 Howitzer that was used in Afghanistan.
