STORIES FROM THE DESERT

File: 970529_sep96_sagwi1_0003.txt
Page: 0003
Total Pages: 9
Subject = STORIES FROM THE DESERT                                         

Parent Organization = XVIII CORPS 

Unit = 101ST ID    

Folder Title = ANNODOTES OF THE WAR                                                                            

Document Number =          2

Box ID = BX001611






             Spc. Stuart C. Suchland
             C. Co. 1/187th INF
             798-6701

                Before the ground war actually started, the 187th did a
             number of patrols along the border. The patrols usually
             consisted of five or six humvees. A couple of the humvees
             were carrying TOWS. The others were troop carriers. We also
             usually had a FIST vehicle with us as well. The patrols
             started early in the morning. We would cram ten soldiers
             fully loaded with ammo and anti-tank weapons into the back of
             the troop carriers. It was a very tight fit. The weather
             was rather cold in the mornings and that did not help matters.
                The patrols would leave our perimeter and start a leap
             frog effect. Each group of humvees would bound up 10OOm's.
             Then the troops would dismount and wait for the other half
             of the patrol to bound to their front. We continued this
             right up to a large ridgeline that probably was the best
             physical border between the countries. on top of the ridge
             were outpost buildings. My patrol was,at most, 300om's from
             the buildings. We could see the Iraqi soldiers, and they
             could see us. Our Co. called for close air support. A few
             minutes later six Apaches joined us. At first, we thought
             that we were going to attack. The Apaches were making runs
             at the Iraqis but not firing. We waited for something to
             haqppen but nothing ever did. I sat there and ate lunch with
             the enemy in plain view. Eventually, we loaded up the hunivees
             and headed back to our perimeter.
                The incident confused my view of what war was supposed to be
             like. I never expected to sit still and watch the enemy
             in plain sight. Especially when we had him so severly out-
             gunned.
























             Iraqinfo.WPF                 -3-