7TH ENGR BDE COMMANDER REPT VOL 18A

File: 970815_sep96_decls58_0031.txt
Page: 0031
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


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                  Just across the border ghostly lights flicker as Traqi
           flares pop, shine brilliantly, and slowly float to the ground
           casting erie shadows. Occasionally we see different colored
           flares that last only moments. Intelligence tells us those are
           signals between dug in Traqi units.

               The darkness is shattered as an artillery battery, dug in
           300 meters away, begins its nightly salvo of giant shells. There
           are loud booms, and a great sound fills the night sky as though a
           giant locomotive was hurling through space toward some unseen
           destination. Seconds after the firing muffled "crumps" could be
           heard far to the north and the brief flashes of detonations are
           observed."A'Iayer of smoke and dust covers the air. The smell
           of gunpowder is strong. Briefly my thoughts turn to the horror
           of being on the receiving end. I can imagine the crashing booms,
           the scream of metal flying in all directions, and tons of dirt
           being thrown in the air. The thought passes quickly and I feel
           good we are pounding him. My daily reading of intelligence
           reports graphically depict what he is doing in Kuwait - killing,
           torturing, raping, looting and destruction. It is pay back time
           and he deserves everything he is receiving. I am also silently
           thankful that his artillery has not started reeking the same
           havoc among our own forward lines. It is a deadly business no
           matter which side. It is almost good versus evil. we are
           definitely on the good side.

               With each flash I catch brief glimpses of my troops. Heads
           are bent low, flack jackets high and helmets tightly fastened.
           It is a cool evening but I see some sweat. All eyes are on the
           Border. As a drop of sweat runs down the cheeks of a fellow
           officer, it leaves a clear trail washing away dust and grime.
           Showers are no longer an affordable luxury.

               The radio crackles, and eager eyes probe the depths of
           darkness through magnified thermal sights. I have communications
           with engineers spread across the Corps sector. Like a giant
           game, the map shows blue stickers representing battalions,
           companies, task force or detachments. The stick ers continue to
           move northward on my situation map as new reports are received.
           I open a cold package of MREs (Meal, Ready to Eat). Hot sauce is
           applied and it is eaten - not out of hunger or tastiness of the
           meal, but because I know we will need every ounce of strength
           possible. Bland water washes down a greasy concoction. There
           have already been many cold meals. There will be considerably
           more cold meals in the immediate future. The chemical protection
           pills leave my stomach in turmoil.




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