The corps conducts offensive operations to defeat, destroy, or neutralize the enemy force. Raines, Commander, 7th Engineer Brigade (Corps), during Operation Desert Storm, 9 April 1991. From " A Commanders Perspective" by Colonel Samuel C. Everywhere there is noise, dust, smoke, and the deafening roar of gunfire. Giant engineer equipment pushes aside debris and roads appear in the desert. Everywhere there are engineers blowing up enemy fortifications. In short order, sixteen lanes are opened, marked, and divided for one-way, two-way, wheeled, or tracked traffic. Within minutes, eight lanes are opened through the first obstacle belt. Those who do not surrender are covered and crushed. The M9 armored combat earthmover (ACE) crushes bunkers and destroys trenches. Engineers are clearing bunkers and blowing up enemy equipment. The tanks are busy destroying Iraqi tanks and fighting vehicles. Those that stay and fight are quickly overrun. There is resistance, but Iraqi soldiers begin to surrender in large quantities. The M9 armored combat engineer vehicle is used to attack bunkers and trenches with its sturdy blade. They push into the breach, clearing and widening each lane. Bulldozers have been fitted with special steel protection. This marks a lane, clears some mines, and renders any enemy troops in the area completely ineffective. The line charge is then detonated, creating an unbelievable blast. When minefield are discovered, engineers fire a rocket over the tanks that pulls out a long line of explosives. Combat engineers position mine-clearing charges immediately behind the tanks. CHAPTER 5 OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS Great tanks fitted with special mine plows and rakes jump forward clearing initial paths through obstacles.
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