7TH ENGR BDE COMMANDER REPT VOL 18A

File: 970815_sep96_decls58_0021.txt
Page: 0021
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







           Map boards have an erie glow from the different color markings,
           and overlays. One shows friendly positions, another shows the
           enemy. There are other map overlays and charts depicting more
           essential information. The green lights inside command tracks
           cast erie glows.

                Silence is broken by radio calls, 11 .... Yankee Bravo three
           two, this is Foxtrot four five, over." The rattlesnake ring of
           land line phones confirm a guard on the outer perimeter is
           checking in. A high pitched beep beep signals the more
           sophisticated phone over which one can discuss classified
           information. Everywhere sections are quietly working their
           particular issues. The high speed teletype bangs away with
           incoming reports and intelligence. More reports are being sent
           to higher and subordinate headquarters. S-3 Operations is the
           nerve center, monitoring a dozen things and places
           SI.Multaneously. It is not noisy but there is a perceptible level
           of activity that occasionally rises to a frantic pace. And
           always there is the comforting muffled sounds of dug in
           generators providing the needed electrical power. The smells of
           tired dirty soldiers mix with fresh perked coffee. This action
           goes on around the clock. It is just the way the Army operates
           in the field.

                outside one is again overcome with total blackness. Unseen
           things move about. Night Vision Goggles (MVG) are lowered and
           the black night becomes a pattern of greenish gray in which every
           detail is sharply focused. it is almost like daylight. The NVG
           picks up every conceivable heat source. Blackout and Infra Red
           lights not visible to the naked eye now look like spot lights.
           The whole world comes alive as soldiers are seen hunched over
           weapons, peering outward through night vision sights. Without
           the NVG it is a deathly black night. With the MVG one sees and
           moves about as freely as at midday. Driving would be impossible
           without NVG. The dark desert now reveals multiple vehicles,
           patrolling guards, and in the distance a column of tanks quietly
           moving along -- their on drivers operating with.,qVG.

                Warm words of encouragement are passed to tired, cold, and
           dusty soldiers occupying guard and weapon positions along the
           outer perimeter. Always the dark desert is watched. We want no
           surprises when he comes.

                There is more muffled rumbles as tanks practice night firing
           miles away. Inside tents soldiers sleep restlessly. Every
           strange sound brings one instantly awake, adrenaline pumping and
           the mind sorting, "is that incoming artillery, was that an
           intruder outside the tent, is it time for my guard duty?"


                                            17

   0