On March 3, two bunkers were destroyed as a test. On March 4, the engineers destroyed 33 bunkers, including bunker 73. Although there were several chemical detectors present, there was only one chemical alarm. Some personnel went to full protective gear, others donned protective masks, and some never heard the alarm. Each company commander stated that after the alarm sounded, their units immediately conducted more sensitive M256 kit tests and that the tests were negative for chemical agents.
Subsequent reports show some inconsistencies.
A 37th Engineer Battalion after action report stated that projectiles landed as far as 10 kilometers from the site. No further operations were conducted that day because of poor weather conditions. On March 6, because of concerns about the storage of demolition explosives and the potential for munition fly-outs, as were experienced on March 4, tests were conducted to implode four bunkers. This method of destruction was not satisfactory. No operations were conducted the following two days.