---
title: "An M1 Abrams accidentally fired on a fellow tank at Fort Bliss"
date: "2020-07-24"
modified: "2020-07-24"
authors:
  - name: "Jared Keller"
    job_title: "Former Managing Editor"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/jaredkeller.md"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-m1-abrams-fires-on-tank-fort-bliss/"
categories:
  - "Army"
  - "Around the World"
  - "Military Branches"
  - "News"
  - "Tanks"
  - "Tech & Tactics"
  - "United States"
  - "Vehicles"
tags:
  - "Northern Command"
---

# An M1 Abrams accidentally fired on a fellow tank at Fort Bliss

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/screen-shot-2020-07-24-at-125007-pm-3.png>)

An M1 Abrams main battle tank accidentally fired on another tank during a training exercise at Fort Bliss on July 20, Task & Purpose has learned.

The incident, which involved an M1A2 Abrams assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, was [first reported](<https://defence-blog.com/news/army/u-s-army-abrams-shot-another-tank-during-training-exercise.html>) by Defence Blog and confirmed to Task & Purpose by Army officials.

The 1st Armored Division "is aware of an incident involving a Soldier and equipment" assigned to the 3rd ABCT, Lt. Col. Lindsey Elder told Task & Purpose in an email.

The incident took place during an M1 Abrams tank qualification exercise in a Fort Bliss Training Area at the base.

One soldier was injured and "received immediate medical assistance and is recovering in stable condition," Elder said.

According to Defence Blog, the incident allegedly involved an M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose Tracer (TPMP-T) training round.

Photos [posted](<https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18140691118079497/>) on the Instagram account [@onefattanker](<https://www.instagram.com/onefattanker/>) appear to show the aftermath of the incident.

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/screen-shot-2020-07-24-at-125016-pm-3.png>)

The incident is currently under investigation, Elder said.

***Related: [Army tanks are officially rocking a new active protection system in Europe](<https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-m1-abrams-trophy-active-protection-system-europe.md>)***

## Author
Jared Keller is the former managing editor of Task & Purpose. His writing has appeared in Aeon, the Los Angeles Review of Books, the New Republic, Pacific Standard, Smithsonian, and The Washington Post, among other publications.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/jaredbkeller>)  
[Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/jaredbkeller>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredbkeller/>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/jaredbkelller/>)

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