Hi,
The drivers of the Humvee (or we call it – Hummer) were counting 3-2-1 and we automatically cover our ears. The other soldiers were automatically cover their ears as well and we were just sitting there waiting for the boom of the explosion.
After working so much time with engineering corps forces we were sure we will hear a boom. After all – what are counting 3-2-1 if not for the ignition of the explosives that just been placed (hopefully it will not be a nefel…).
But we were wrong. This counting was for the Humvee drivers. It meant for all the Humvee drivers to synchronize the ignition of the Humvee engines. Or to shut down all the Humvee engines at once.
The idea behind it is the enemy will not understand how much vehicles there are. This is the reason why the start the engines the same way – counting 3-2-1 and start (as well as shutting down the vehicles).
Although it is not necessarily needed in the operations we are in (as the enemy might better aware of how much forces is around it, and surrender) – they keep doing it as part of the routines.
You might think about it the same way they are riding one after another on the same tire marks along the way in and out (we call those tire marks – Kolosim). Just like army horse convoys used to do, in order the enemy not understanding how many horses are on the way to attack.
Take Care
Gad
Unloading from an Humvee convoy on the way in to Lebanon
A convoy on the way in to Lebanon – waiting for the darkness to get in. They were counting 3-2-1 when starting their engines
An improvised solution of nets on an IDF Humvee on its way across the border to defend the soldiers against the fiber optic drones.