LSUA Dedicates Decommissioned Army Tank Celebrating Central Louisiana’s Military Legacy and Promoting Generals Athletics

Sep 19, 2025, 08:47 AM

LSUA has proudly installed and dedicated a decommissioned U.S. Army M60A3 Main Battle Tank on campus to honor central Louisiana's deep and enduring ties to the nation's armed forces and promote the school's championship athletics teams.

Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) has proudly installed and dedicated a decommissioned U.S. Army M60A3 Main Battle Tank on campus to honor central Louisiana's deep and enduring ties to the nation's armed forces and promote the school's championship athletics teams. The tank now stands at the entrance to The Fort, LSUA's athletic complex, as a striking symbol of courage, resilience, and strength.

The installation marks a powerful tribute to Alexandria's pivotal role in U.S. military history. In August 1941, the city served as the epicenter of the Louisiana Maneuvers, a series of large-scale exercises that prepared the U.S. Army for the D-Day invasion of World War II. Thousands of soldiers, along with legendary leaders such as Generals George Patton, Omar Bradley, and Douglas MacArthur, honed their strategies and tactics in the area surrounding Alexandria.

Alexandria's military presence continued to grow during World War II and beyond. In 1942, Alexandria Army Air Base was established to train B-17 Flying Fortress crews. Reopened as Alexandria Air Force Base in 1950 to support the Korean War, the installation was renamed England Air Force Base in 1955 and operated until its closure in 1992.

To honor this legacy, LSUA adopted "The Generals" as its team name in 2008, a nod to the city's historic role in preparing America's military leaders. LSUA also ties this heritage to its beloved mascot, Tank the Bull Terrier, adopted in 2018 to honor Gen. Patton's famed companion and to symbolize the university's tenacious spirit.

The M60A3 tank itself represents an important chapter in U.S. military history. Serving as the backbone of America's armored forces from 1959 to 1990, the M60A3 was deployed throughout the Cold War and into Operation Desert Storm before being retired from National Guard service in 1997. Its installation at LSUA comes exactly 84 years after the Louisiana Maneuvers, linking the university's present to the region's proud past.

LSUA extends its gratitude to the Town of Vivian, Louisiana, for providing the tank, and to the Louisiana National Guard for transporting and installing it on campus. Special thanks are due to Ret. Gen. Bennett Landreneau (LANG) for his instrumental efforts in securing the tank, and to Ret. Col. Charlton J. Meginley (USAF), Louisiana Secretary of Veterans Affairs, for his support in making this project possible.

"The M60A3 stands as a bold reminder of Central Louisiana's historic role in defending our nation," said LSUA Chancellor Dr. Paul Coreil. "It will inspire our students, honor our veterans, and proudly welcome Generals fans to The Fort for generations to come."

The tank will serve as a permanent landmark and gathering point for the LSUA community, welcoming fans on game days, serving as a backdrop for student celebrations, and honoring the courage of all who have worn the uniform in defense of freedom.