Thursday, December 27, 2007
Chapter 2
The CO was a wiry young chap that decided we needed to do some infantry work so he took a few of us out into the desert in staggered lines, could have been picked off easily, did someone forget to tell him we were in an avaition unit? Anyway that trek was short lived as we were called into another ensuing battle nearby. Fortunately I was tasked with the S-3 and he had other plans... Off through the desert we roard in search of divarty and plans for the coming evenings event of the year! Upon arrival I stayed with the vehicle while the major went inside the TAC to talk strategy and war plans. By nightfall we were sitting on the berm looking into the open night sky, some miles ahead fierce explosions of hell fire missles were barely distinguishable admist the otherwise silent night. Crossing through the berm I had to wonder for a moment how it got there and by whom? Some miles in we were stopped by a 58d overhead just prior to entering a minefield. The D directed us through and we followed along just a few behind the bradley that had been assigned to us. Once on the otherside we stopped and setup communications, it was really late and difficult to see that night due to the sand storms. On guard I could see movement in my direction so I shouted HALT! who goes there? I heard a faint voice...major ... Couldn't make it out, Advance to be recognized! And out of the darkness came a figure rather quickly towards me, so I said the challenge but received no reply and the figure kept coming! A quick butt stroke to the head stopp him in his tracks. To my amazement he was one of ours but didn't know the challenge/response. No ice in the desert, so sorry major...
Friday, December 21, 2007
Chapter 1
The flight was just like any other flight, full of surprises. Peering through the cabin glass I could see the snow just off the runway. We were in Anchorage, the snow had been pushed aside by large snow plows making way for our fuel stop. Back in the air talks about home continued and we hadn't even made it to our destination yet. Upon landing a voice shouted THIS IS A HOT LANDING ZONE, GRAB YOUR GEAR AND GET OFF THE PLANE NOW! So in a flurry we grabbed our gear and headed for the door, once outside the brightest light hit our tired weary eyes and as difficult as it was to see we moved rather quickly to some concrete barriers nearby as we watched the Federal Express plane fly away waving its wings as if to say good bye. Our first direct order was to take one Pyridostigmine Bromide tablet...
At some point we ended up at a warehouse full of fellow soldiers and nice green cots, we stowed our gear and waited for rail head. The hot chow was served by locals. An everlasting engram was made when we saw them relieving themselves in the nearby desert sands, then wiping with they're left hand only to return and serve the hot meals. I thought is this it? Is this what we flew thousands of miles to do? Well, guard duty came that night... So sleep wasn't an option. Calling home wasn't an option yet either...
At railhead we pulled our shrink wrapped equipment and headed for the desert, many, many miles away. The GPS systems we had enabled us to maneuver far better than those who we were there to remove. At a fuel stop some loco came thru in a 5 ton honking and hollering GAS, GAS, GAS so on went the mopp 4 protective gear, was there gas there??? Later we pulled in and setup camp somewhere in the desert, it was interesting to see how others manuevered with the use of old tires or fifty gallon drums strewn about across the desert. Didn't do much good during of after a sand storm though... At some point we ended up on a hill in the desert, I heard shots fired and just down to dig a hasty and peered about and realized it was the CO and SgtMjr shooting at some wild dogs :-) So back in the hummer listening to a rap song Bradley had made. "Fellas come on, I got something to say to you, the whole truth and nothing but the truth and if your thinking what the hell can you say to us, i got a jam about saudi arabia, i'm in a country where as far as the eye can see, theres no people, no sign of society, in a situation that were trying to end peaceably but the chance of war is a high probability. The days are hot and the nights are very cold, they say were fighting for freedom not for oil or gold, don't front on me like i'm three years old, i don't think the whole truth was told" That Sony beat box from supply never sounded so good.
At some point we ended up at a warehouse full of fellow soldiers and nice green cots, we stowed our gear and waited for rail head. The hot chow was served by locals. An everlasting engram was made when we saw them relieving themselves in the nearby desert sands, then wiping with they're left hand only to return and serve the hot meals. I thought is this it? Is this what we flew thousands of miles to do? Well, guard duty came that night... So sleep wasn't an option. Calling home wasn't an option yet either...
At railhead we pulled our shrink wrapped equipment and headed for the desert, many, many miles away. The GPS systems we had enabled us to maneuver far better than those who we were there to remove. At a fuel stop some loco came thru in a 5 ton honking and hollering GAS, GAS, GAS so on went the mopp 4 protective gear, was there gas there??? Later we pulled in and setup camp somewhere in the desert, it was interesting to see how others manuevered with the use of old tires or fifty gallon drums strewn about across the desert. Didn't do much good during of after a sand storm though... At some point we ended up on a hill in the desert, I heard shots fired and just down to dig a hasty and peered about and realized it was the CO and SgtMjr shooting at some wild dogs :-) So back in the hummer listening to a rap song Bradley had made. "Fellas come on, I got something to say to you, the whole truth and nothing but the truth and if your thinking what the hell can you say to us, i got a jam about saudi arabia, i'm in a country where as far as the eye can see, theres no people, no sign of society, in a situation that were trying to end peaceably but the chance of war is a high probability. The days are hot and the nights are very cold, they say were fighting for freedom not for oil or gold, don't front on me like i'm three years old, i don't think the whole truth was told" That Sony beat box from supply never sounded so good.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Memory Lane...
Desert Storm
On Aug. 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait. This act precipitated U.S. military involvement in the Persian Gulf. The 1st Inf. Div. was put on alert for deployment on Nov. 8, 1990. The division deployed over 12,000 soldiers and 7,000 pieces of equipment to Saudi Arabia over the next two months.
At 2:00 a.m., 17, 1991,Operation Desert Storm commenced with air raids and artillery barrages on Iraqi targets. The Division continued to rehearse its mission to penetrate Iraqi defenses and destroy the Republican Guard in its zone.
On the morning of Feb. 24, 1991, under Maj. Gen. Thomas G. Rhame, the Big Red One spearheaded the armored attack into Iraq, by creating the all-important breach in Iraqi defenses that enabled VII Corps units to smash into Iraq. The Division broke through the enemy defensive lines, decimated the Iraqi 26th Inf. Div. by and took over 2,500 prisoners. After the breachhead was secured, the British 1st Armored Division was allowed to advance and pass through the Big Red One. This kept up the momentum of the coalition force's attack. The Division then followed and drove to the east deep into enemy territory.
Continuing its attack, the Division collided with the Tawakalna Division Republican Guard and the 37th Brigade of the 12th Iraqi Tank Division. On the night of Feb. 26, 1991, the Division battled with enemy forces and destroyed both units. Enemy losses included more than 40 tanks and 40 infantry fighting vehicles. The Division exploited its success and continued its pursuit of the demoralized Iraqi forces.
Following the Battle of Norfolk, the Division raced ahead to cut of the Iraqi lines off retreat from Kuwait City. Division elements destroyed scores of enemy vehicles and took thousands of prisoners as they advanced.
By 8 p.m., 27 Feb., the 1st Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry had seized the main highway leading north out of Kuwait, barring the Iraqis' escape. By the next morning, the rest of the Division had taken up positions along the highway and fully secured it.
At 8 a.m., Feb. 28, 1991, the war was over when a cease-fire was called. The Big Red One had fought through 260 kilometers of enemy-held territory in 100 hours, destroying 550 enemy tanks, 480 armored, personnel carriers and taking 11,400 prisoners. Eighteen of the Divisions soldiers were killed in the war. The Division earned three campaign streamers for its colors: Defense of Saudi Arabia, Liberation and Defense of Kuwait and Cease Fire.
On Mar. 3, 1991, negotiations were held between coalition forces and Iraqi leaders to cement the cease-fire agreements. The Division secured the site of the agreements at Safwan airfield. Following this, the Division prepared for its return to the United States. On May 10, 1991, the Division unfurled its colors at Fort Riley, Kan., signifying its return home.
On Aug. 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait. This act precipitated U.S. military involvement in the Persian Gulf. The 1st Inf. Div. was put on alert for deployment on Nov. 8, 1990. The division deployed over 12,000 soldiers and 7,000 pieces of equipment to Saudi Arabia over the next two months.
At 2:00 a.m., 17, 1991,Operation Desert Storm commenced with air raids and artillery barrages on Iraqi targets. The Division continued to rehearse its mission to penetrate Iraqi defenses and destroy the Republican Guard in its zone.
On the morning of Feb. 24, 1991, under Maj. Gen. Thomas G. Rhame, the Big Red One spearheaded the armored attack into Iraq, by creating the all-important breach in Iraqi defenses that enabled VII Corps units to smash into Iraq. The Division broke through the enemy defensive lines, decimated the Iraqi 26th Inf. Div. by and took over 2,500 prisoners. After the breachhead was secured, the British 1st Armored Division was allowed to advance and pass through the Big Red One. This kept up the momentum of the coalition force's attack. The Division then followed and drove to the east deep into enemy territory.
Continuing its attack, the Division collided with the Tawakalna Division Republican Guard and the 37th Brigade of the 12th Iraqi Tank Division. On the night of Feb. 26, 1991, the Division battled with enemy forces and destroyed both units. Enemy losses included more than 40 tanks and 40 infantry fighting vehicles. The Division exploited its success and continued its pursuit of the demoralized Iraqi forces.
Following the Battle of Norfolk, the Division raced ahead to cut of the Iraqi lines off retreat from Kuwait City. Division elements destroyed scores of enemy vehicles and took thousands of prisoners as they advanced.
By 8 p.m., 27 Feb., the 1st Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry had seized the main highway leading north out of Kuwait, barring the Iraqis' escape. By the next morning, the rest of the Division had taken up positions along the highway and fully secured it.
At 8 a.m., Feb. 28, 1991, the war was over when a cease-fire was called. The Big Red One had fought through 260 kilometers of enemy-held territory in 100 hours, destroying 550 enemy tanks, 480 armored, personnel carriers and taking 11,400 prisoners. Eighteen of the Divisions soldiers were killed in the war. The Division earned three campaign streamers for its colors: Defense of Saudi Arabia, Liberation and Defense of Kuwait and Cease Fire.
On Mar. 3, 1991, negotiations were held between coalition forces and Iraqi leaders to cement the cease-fire agreements. The Division secured the site of the agreements at Safwan airfield. Following this, the Division prepared for its return to the United States. On May 10, 1991, the Division unfurled its colors at Fort Riley, Kan., signifying its return home.
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