THE GULF WAR: The Battle Front : Troops: New Skills

U.S. soldiers are learning what any good car thief knows: HOW TO HOT-WIRE A CAR. Explained Col. Robert B. Flowers, commander of the 20th Engineer Brigade, that’s in case they wind up in Iraq or Kuwait without needed equipment. “If we find something we can use,” like a bus, a bulldozer or a Buick, “we’ll use it.” He said wartime rules allow the use of military hardware found in enemy territory. The military learned the value of hot-wire artistry in Grenada, he said, where they found equipment but no ignition keys.