Those inverted "V"markings go back before the first Gulf War. It's just a quick way to identify coalition vehicles.
This picture is from 1990.
Quote:
ha HA!
i found it.
it means "Armored. Equilateral triangle with base down."
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Partial credit. I'm in the Navy, but my understanding of Amry uniforms is that Armor uses the equilateral triangle with base down for their uniforms and unit insignia, but doesn't put it on the vehicle. Example:
Note the red, yellow and blue. The Army also color codes their troops. Trim on the uniform and insignia often feature this color. Blue is infantry, red is Artillery, and yellow is Cavalry. Armored divisions use all three because they combine elements of all three types.
The chevron is simply a quick way to tell if the vehicle is coalition, and is intended to reduce casualties from friendly fire. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that well. As for which way it points, IFOR uses a similar chevron that points forward.
There are historical precedents. Prior to the Normandy invasion in WWII, Allied aircraft of all nations participating in the invasion had black and white stripes painted on the wings and fuselage to easily distinguish them from German aircraft.
-Mikey