7TH ENGR BDE COMMANDER REPT VOL 18A

File: 970815_sep96_decls58_0015.txt
Page: 0015
Total Pages: 49
Subject = 7TH ENGR BDE COMMANDER REPT VOL 18A                             

Parent Organization = ARCENT      

Unit = VII CORPS   

Folder Title = 7TH ENGR BDE-COMMANDER REPT-VOL 18A -FORWARD AND COMMANDERS PERSPECTIVE                         

Document Number =          1

Box ID = BX000313








            As I gazed around the barren desolate countryside, I figured that
            after the beauty of Germany, they would need a lot of humor.
            After some hours my deputy arrived, tired, dusty, and wearing a
            baseball cap with a built in fan. Lieutenant Colonel Butch
            Catlin never misses an opportunity to bring a little sunshine in
            everyone's life. The convoy was arriving.

                 The look on troops' faces were one of shocked disbelief as
            they looked around at nothingness. There were a few comments
            that caused a ripple of laughter,"   ..... ToTo, we ain't in Kansas
            no more ... guess we won't be calling out for pizza tonight.... ti
            and my favorite comment, "Damn, I feel just like one of those
            National Geographic Explorers discovering a lost world!" Some
            said it had been fun but they were ready to go home. Everyone
            laughed and then without coaching, unloading began and the race
            was underway to erect tents before nightfall. Every soldier,
            tired as he or she was, stood in awe as the sun slipped below the
            horizon. Desert sunsets are absolutely speculator. Almost
            immediately the night chill arrived and soldiers were digging for
            sweaters and jackets. A quick MRE, washed down by bottled water,
            and then it was sack time. other than security guards, and the
            occasional star gazer the area was quiet, and dark.

                 Dawn arrived with brilliance. For the next week soldiers
            worked long hours establishing the base camp. Command tracks
            were positioned, tents erected, radio antennas sighted and set
            up, survival positions were dug and sandbagged, a huge berm of
            sand was pushed up around the area, tangles of wire was staked
            out around security areas, defensive positions were established,
            ammunition and explosives were dug in, latrines were set up,
            garbage burn pits dug, showers were erected, and runoff ditches
            carefully dug. Equipment was checked and rechecked. Three times
            a day soldiers ate cold MREs but, there was hot coffee. The mess
            hall was set up and coordination was ongoing for chow at nearby
            logistical support bases. The staff was operational around the
            clock. Reports were passed to VII Corps. Liaison officers were
            sent out, maps were posted, and daily briefings,began. The
            struggle to achieve radio communication was underway. Again, the
            level of activity and effort was staggering and all accomplished
            without complaint.

                 By the end of the first week, our area looked like home.
            Soldiers had acclimated and adjusted. Dust and dirt became a way
            of life. Now, there were occasional "hot" meals. And although
            it was 'IT" rations, it sure tasted good. Water was pumped in the
            showers. was it ever cold! The shrieks and yells let everyone
            know when someone was taking a shower.