Breech From Kuwait to Iraq
Abstract
Engineers must solve many problems before any project or mission can start. The 186th Engineer Company s Task Force Denali overcame a unique problem during a mission to clear the new convoy route from Kuwait to Iraq during April and May 2007. The problem was that the task force needed to cross a 39-inch pipeline that runs the entire length of the border between Kuwait and Iraq. The Kuwaiti government owns the pipe and would allow it to be cut the day traffic started moving on the new route, but no earlier. Even though the government had approved the route, it did not want the pipe cut prematurely, and coalition convoys could not roll on the new route until two turnarounds were built and eight culverts had been cleared. The 186th would be responsible for breeching the border and meeting the route clearance requirements. The bulldozers, scrapers, and graders needed by Task Force Denali to clear the new route had to cross the border, but could not simply jump 39 inches to get across the pipeline. A delay in opening the new route would have meant five more months of using the previous convoy route, which travels near two cities in Iraq that pose a tremendous and constant threat to U.S. forces. A delay would mean putting Soldiers in undue danger. Several solutions were considered.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA592647
Entities
People
- Joshua Blalock
Organizations
- United States Army Engineer School