The Hindu : U.S. troops advance towards Iraqi border

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 20, 2003

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U.S. troops advance towards Iraqi border

IN THE KUWAITI DESERT MARCH 19. Long columns of U.S. troops, armoured vehicles and trucks advanced through swirling sand towards the Iraqi border today, positioning themselves to invade on short notice.

With just hours left before the United States President, George W. Bush's deadline for the Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, to leave his country expires, increased air activity — helicopters and jets — could be heard near the border.

At sea, combat pilots and others on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt were ordered to snooze through the day so they could work through the night. Those on the USS Harry S. Truman remained on day duty, thus providing round-the-clock combat capability.

Maj. Gen. Buford Blount III, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, ordered his 20,000 soldiers and 10,000 tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles and fuel trucks to line up near the border.

The 3rd Infantry Division is the only armoured force in the region and is likely to attack Iraqi defences head-on in the event of war. A strong sandstorm swept in today, affecting several units and hampering movement and visibility. The winds later died down, but a lot of haze remained, with visibility a little less than 2 km.

Maj. Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division, said: "We always watch the weather because it has an effect on flying conditions and really a lot of the activities you can see. Everything takes a little bit longer".

"It'll slow things down somewhat, but our soldiers will get everything done in the end," he added.

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