By Steve Macko, Managing Editor
In the last few days, more than one thousand members of the 21st Theater Army Command (TAACOM) were briefed about what to expect if they are deployed in the upcoming Bosnia peace mission. The units from TAACOM are logistics soldiers that will support units from the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division, which will be part of the 20,000 American soldiers who will be involved in the NATO-led peace mission to the war-torn area.
Military commanders have not as of yet decided whether TAACOM will be staged inside of Bosnia or along a supply line that will be stationed in Hungary. Currently, the unit is located in west-central Germany.
In the briefing, the soldiers were told that they can expect narrow icy roads and a threat of terrorism from Serb nationalists. It is expected that U.S. forces will take on casualties during the course of this mission. What the commanders must decide for the TAACOM unit is whether or not it is better if this support unit is closer to the action or have them remain in safe comfort in Hungary.
The public affairs officer of the unit said that it would be better for the unit to be based in Bosnia -- in order to be as close to the combat troops as possible. But the morale of the soldiers must be taken into account. Major L. Bruce Shearer related some of the questions that need to be addressed, "Can we give them hot water? Can we give them hot meals? And if the soldiers don't have anything to do with their free time, they get in trouble."
The most dangerous challenge TAACOM soldiers would face in Hungary would be driving on that country's narrow, crowded and icy roads. But in Bosnia, it's a whole different ballgame. The troops would have to face treacherous mountain roads near Tuzla, where the U.S. troops and their tanks and armored vehicles will be deployed. The troops would also face blown bridges and ... mines.
The briefing that the soldiers attended went over such topics as: the law of war, the code of coduct and most importantly -- the rules of engagement. The soldiers were instructed, "You have the right and obligation to defend yourself. Normally, you may not shoot at Red Cross facilities ... but if someone is shooting at you from a Red Cross building ... you will shoot back."
Regardless, military experts and analysts agree on one thing ... this mission won't be a cakewalk.
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