Near Iraq, Marines Prepare for War During Sandstorms

In the remote desert only a few miles from the Iraqi border, Marine Corps tank crews are training to defeat a ferocious enemy: blinding sandstorms that can last for days.

While much of the preparation is similar to that made at the Marine Corps’ desert training base at Twentynine Palms, sandstorms in Kuwait are longer and more intense than any in Southern California.

On Monday, members of the 1st Marine Division, which is headquartered at Camp Pendleton, maneuvered 80-ton Abrams tanks amid a relentless storm of 40-mph winds, with periodic gusts of up to 60 mph.

At times, the dust blotted out the sun, and visibility was less than a hundred yards. The wind propelled waves of sand and tiny rocks that attacked any exposed skin like stinging needles.

“It’s surreal out here. It’s like being on the surface of the moon,” said Capt. Greg Poland, 34, of Burlington, Iowa, a company commander with responsibility for 16 tanks.

The Marine tanks are meant to provide covering fire for infantry if President Bush orders a ground offensive against Iraq. Among their responsibilities would be destroying Iraqi tanks that might mass near the border.

“Any enemy out there is smart to be afraid of us,” said Cpl. Cesar Flores, 23, of Los Angeles. “We hit what we aim at. And when we hit you, we mess up your world pretty good.”

Ferocious sandstorms occur throughout the year in Kuwait and Iraq but are most severe and frequent during the spring months. To guard against respiratory problems, U.S. troops are issued goggles and protective clothing.

If the U.S. and Iraq engage in a land war, tanks are almost certain to play a key role. Analysts say the Iraqi army has about 2,200 tanks, mostly of Soviet design.

U.S. officials have declined to say how many tanks are being deployed here, but long convoys have been seen on the roads leading to the Army and Marine Corps encampments.

On Monday, the Marines were testing tanks that had arrived only days earlier aboard several ships that are kept loaded with combat gear 365 days a year, waiting for orders to deliver their cargo to a war zone.

“The boys are hungry, very motivated,” said Gunnery Sgt. Erik Benitez, 30, of Chino. “When it comes to tank crews, all we want to do is some shooting.”

Each tank is equipped with thermal imaging technology to allow crew members to spot targets even when visibility is nil. Computers allow gunners to adjust for wind speed, temperature and barometric pressure.

The Abrams tank, similar to that used by the Army, carries up to 41 shells. Speed varies according to terrain.

Poland said his tank was traveling about 40 mph, “going like a scalded dog and doing just fine.”

Many of the Marines have trained in Kuwait in recent years, so the weather and terrain are not new to them. After the 1991 Persian Gulf War, the U.S. began annual desert exercises in Kuwait.

“We’ve been here before, and we’ve dealt with the sand and wind,” said Staff Sgt. Eduardo Alexander, 29, of Plymouth, N.C. “A tank is still the best combat vehicle on the battlefield.”