7TH ENGR BDE COMMANDER REPT VOL 18A

File: 970815_sep96_decls58_0028.txt
Page: 0028
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








                Time comes for the final move to Forward Assembly Areas
           (FAA) -- the location for moving directly into combat. Quickly
           and with deliberate determination the old assembly area is torn
           down, loaded, and prepared for movement. Every single item must
           be moved. All trash is burned in deep pits and then covered. it
           took over a week of diligent work establish the Tactical Assembly
           Area. It takes only a few hours to erase all trace of our
           presence. All that remains is an empty berm and depressions
           where old fighting positions and bunkers were located. Round
           flat areas mark tent locations where many soldiers lived and
           worked. Quickly the blowing sand began to eliminate all but the
           larger berm. The move covers 80 kilometers, further west and
           northward.

                The new FAA is quickly occupied. Tents are erected, tracks,
           and weapons positioned, fighting positions prepared and operation
           began -- all within a matter of hours. The troops have become
           highly proficient. The ground war is only a few days away. The
           border is very close now.

                Nights are filled with the flash of artillery. Around the
           clock air strikes continue. All are much closer now. The earth
           trembles under impact. The brigade's soldiers operate as if
           nothing new has happened. This marks the total professionalism
           of a well prepared team.

                Final construction on airfields to accommodate giant C-130
           aircraft, CH-47 helicopter pads, hospital landing zones, and
           miles of main supply routes (MSR) are completed. Combat
           Engineers stop training on minefield and obstacle breaching and
           move on line into deployment positions. Training is completed.
           Soldiers are tough, hardened to the desert, and trained razor
           sharp. Everywhere there are thousands of combat vehicles lining
           up -- all facing north. Behind them are thousands of supply
           vehicles laden with ammunition, fuel, and food. All are poised,
           coiled like a giant spring. The greatest offensive in U.S.
           history is about to begin.

                overhead the allied Air Force continues to attack Iraqi
           forces. i,ines of giant KC 135 tankers are seen  refueling dozens
           of sleek fighter and bomber jets.   We are taking the war the
           very soul of Iraq. Enemy deserters and prisoners describe the
           horror and fear of being bombed around the clock. There is no
           place to hide in the desert. we kill them individually or in
           large quantities. Combat engineers like this news. It minimizes
           our own casualties as we assault his obstacles and defensive
           positions.



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