Where were you at when Desert Storm began?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 05:14:14 -0500

Desert Storm began 24 years ago on the evening of January 16 (US)/ the early morning January 17 (Middle East), where were you at?

January 16, 1991 began as a normal day, the operation in the Middle East was still called "Desert Shield", but turned out to be very hectic at the end of the day.

I was stationed with the 10th Mountain Division up at Ft. Drum, NY. Any military history buff knows that, save for one support battalion, no other units left for Saudi Arabia. There were, however, "onesies and twosies" picked from different units to fill the gaps of the of the units already over there.

As an Avionics Radar Repairer (35R), I didn't even think that I would go over there, until my squad leader called me during lunchtime. I was at the CQ desk, when he called asking for three 35R volunteers to deploy with a Reserve unit to the Middle East. Without hesitation, I told my squad leader that I would be the first volunteer. The other two "Romeos" volunteered later on.

After lunch, it was a mad dash to get the three of us through the whole deployment readiness process. This was completed later in the afternoon.

I was calling up different family members, letting them know that I'll be leaving for Ft. Rucker and, a few weeks later, to Saudi Arabia. I remember that I had the TV on in my barracks room, watching ABC News with Peter Jennings, and being on the phone with my oldest brother. I was probably about five minutes into our conversation when breaking news came on from Baghdad- Operation Desert Storm had begun.

I was a bit shocked, but after I got over the initial shock, I knew that I had a job to do- serving my country.

So where were you when Desert Storm began? I'd like to hear your stories.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2015 6:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 06:27:45 -0500

I was CQ runner at B co 4/12 infantry Baumholder, Germany when we heard on AFN radio the air war began. If I remember right that’s when it officially became Desert Storm.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2015 6:37 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 06:37:03 -0500

3rd grade
Lake Village, Arkansas
Watching the news and praying with my family.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jan 16 at 2015 6:38 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 06:38:00 -0500

I was stationed with the 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard) when it started.... was still there when it ended as well! No exciting stories to share here! LOL!

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Jan 16 at 2015 8:16 AM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 08:16:16 -0500

I had deployed with the the rest of the 18th Wing out of Lakenheath AB, UK to Taif, Saudi Arabia in August of 90'. I was due to PCS from Lakenheath in January, so I only spent about four months on that deployment and it was still Desert Shield at the time.
Once Desert Storm actually did kick off, I was already on leave in Jamestown, NY. When the news reports started coming in, my wife(who was also Active Duty) and I were with my in-laws at a bar and grill. It was definitely an "oh s**t" moment, we didn't know whether we would have to report to the nearest installation or just continue our plans to report to our new base, Altus AFB, OK within the week. We continued with the latter after calling Niagara Falls AB, NY to get some guidance.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2015 12:53 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:53:45 -0500

I am afraid I was in kindergarten, SGT Private RallyPoint Member. I have almost no memory of that war except for the fact that the nightly news was an hour long instead of the normal half hour, which was slightly scary because of pictures of tanks and slightly annoying because my parents weren't paying attention to me.

Response by SPC Vince Duncan made Jan 16 at 2015 8:39 PM

SPC Vince Duncan — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 20:39:32 -0500

Khobar towers waiting for tanks to arrive from Germany. Probably sitting in our gas masks while acid were being launched.

Response by 1SG Pete Marcell made Jan 16 at 2015 10:28 PM

1SG Pete Marcell — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 22:28:52 -0500

I was 3 weeks out from graduating Armor OSUT at Ft. Knox. I returned to my Reserve unit and we began to prep to mob for....casualty notification detail. Our unit was tasked to notify NOK. Thankfully the war ended quickly.

Response by SGT Joseph W. made Jan 16 at 2015 10:44 PM

SGT Joseph W. — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 22:44:29 -0500

I was driving around Fort Lee when I heard "Desert Shield has become Desert Storm" on the radio.

Response by CPL Terence Moore made Jan 16 at 2015 10:47 PM

CPL Terence Moore — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 22:47:49 -0500

I was busy packing and un packing my field hospital generating load lists. Sadly we stood down because our Australian politicians were afraid to send us because people die in wars.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2015 11:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 23:10:27 -0500

I was in the Georgia National Guard at that point in my career. I had been out of the active army for about 2 years at that point. I remember my unit getting activated, and we began the process of preparing to deploy. We were into our 2nd day or so of getting ready, when the actual ground war kicked off. 100 hours later, we were back on standby to wait and see what would happen next - then, nothing. Head home, get some rest, and two weeks later, all the sand colored paint we had ordered arrived... so we painted our hangars... SMH.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2015 11:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 23:35:02 -0500

On an M3A1 in the desert of Saudi Arabia

Response by SSG Arnie Jones made Jan 17 at 2015 12:32 AM

SSG Arnie Jones — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 00:32:48 -0500

Saudi Arabia .. sitting on top of Bradley Fighting Vehicle near Wadi Al-Batin .. watching B-52s do there job. Prepping for Ground War into Iraq.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 12:52 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 00:52:02 -0500

Coincidentally, I was assigned at the 902nd MI Group when it all kicked off. And that's where I work now, as a civilian.

I remember the start of the bombing campaign very well because I predicted the start to a colleague ... and within an hour of my prediction, we started bombing.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 12:55 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 00:55:59 -0500

15 years old in Miami , Florida.

Response by PFC Richard Goins made Jan 17 at 2015 12:57 AM

PFC Richard Goins — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 00:57:31 -0500

Ft Lewis Washington.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 1:18 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 01:18:33 -0500

It's pretty crazy to me that this was 24 years ago, lol... I was in Army JROTC in high school when all of this kicked off. Something that trips me out a bit is that, because I joined in February of 1993, I was awarded the NDSM and I was a freshman when the war happened.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 17 at 2015 1:21 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 01:21:03 -0500

I like your story, SGT Private RallyPoint Member!

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 17 at 2015 1:36 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 01:36:05 -0500

I was in Fort Ord, in the light infantry, 7th ID, not deploying while I watched my wife deploy for Desert Shield, and stay for Desert Storm she was gone more then a year while I stayed at home, went to Yakima, played in the back 40 at Ord.

To say I understood how she felt when I deployed to Panama, then Panama again, Then Iraq, Then Iraq again, and finally Afghanistan is an understatement .

So true story...

There I was, the 9th Regiment Commanders Driver... in Yakima on a training off site.

My wife was at Ord and had been alerted for deployment, date unknown. My commander came up one morning and said lets go to the air field...So i drove him...After getting there I asked what was up... he said a C-130 would be landing in a few minutes....and we had some folks on the AC.....
Then he said.. when it lands,,, you are getting on it and going home...... Your wife is flying out in the morning, deploying to SWA Operation Desert Shield.. Go say good by... and get back here when your done.
More then a year later..... he told me....when i said she was ok these past months.... I was not guessing.... I have been tracking her the whole year...She is coming home...She is ok,, She made it.

We went to every arrival, no matter what unit, no matter if it was 20 or 200 SM, did not matter if it was middle of the day or 0300 and cold, rainy. I asked why one night...cold, wet, tired.... he said... Because no one was there when we came home (Viet Nam), you and I... we will be at every one of these home comings welcoming them home...

Ok, sir,

Response by MSgt Holly Foster made Jan 17 at 2015 3:15 AM

MSgt Holly Foster — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 03:15:07 -0500

I was stationed at HQ USAFE/DPXX we tasked folks in the European theater to go...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 5:40 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 05:40:27 -0500

I was in a foxhole pulling LP/OP.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 5:57 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 05:57:43 -0500

I was one of about 4500 other sailors and marines aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway in the Persian Gulf.

Response by SPC Dale Goff made Jan 17 at 2015 6:05 AM

SPC Dale Goff — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 06:05:07 -0500

I was with the 1355th Supply unit stationed in Dahran Saudi Arabia.

Response by CPL Felton Donnell made Jan 17 at 2015 8:46 AM

CPL Felton Donnell — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 08:46:39 -0500

I was in Dhahran Saudi Arabia with the Big Red One 4/16 infantry out of Geoppingen Germany. We had been there since November 90' , the war started so we did what we do best. We went work.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 10:04 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 10:04:54 -0500

University of Tampa!!!!!

Response by SPC Christopher Morehouse made Jan 17 at 2015 11:33 AM

SPC Christopher Morehouse — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 11:33:44 -0500

I was at home, probably playing with my Ninja Turtles and helping my parents put a care package together for my Uncle.

Response by MGySgt Christian MacMillan made Jan 17 at 2015 11:38 AM

MGySgt Christian MacMillan — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 11:38:29 -0500

Anchorage, Alaska

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Jan 17 at 2015 11:52 AM

Sgt Adam Jennings — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 11:52:45 -0500

I was in the 6th grade and at home watching it on the news.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Jan 17 at 2015 1:21 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 13:21:34 -0500

This was the start of the air strikes that began in Baghdad at about 3AM their time and 6PM Central.

I remember exactly what I was doing, which was writing a speeding ticket to a foreign student from the Mid-East, who had the car radio on. He was visibly upset that the United States would have the "unmitigated gall" to bomb an Islamic country. For some reason I remember his exact words. He didn't much like the speeding ticket, either.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 2:53 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 14:53:30 -0500

4th grade, worried about my dad who was in a Doctor in a field hospital unit accidentially placed forward of the invasion force. Some mix up occured with the desigantion of landing zones. His hospital unit probably captured the record for the most captured/surrendered POWs by a Medical unit.

Response by Sgt Jennifer Mohler made Jan 17 at 2015 9:48 PM

Sgt Jennifer Mohler — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 21:48:26 -0500

I was in preschool. I do remember it though.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2015 1:31 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 01:31:53 -0500

I was 4 years old

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2015 2:54 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 14:54:08 -0500

Freshman year in high school. study hall period when they started passing out newspapers with the title of "WAR" on the top front page

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Jan 20 at 2015 2:56 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 14:56:18 -0500

I was score keeping a high school hockey game in Ohio.

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Jan 20 at 2015 3:13 PM

CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 15:13:16 -0500

I was retired, wishing I was with my old squadron,trying to settle the nerves of a bunch of civilians at a Rotary club meeting in Pettus,Texas. One asked me how many body bags we would need. I told him not very many for us but a lot for them

Response by SFC John Cruzat made Jan 20 at 2015 3:57 PM

SFC John Cruzat — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 15:57:34 -0500

I was in Europe (Schwabisch Gmeund) Prepping my platoon to deploy after Christmas.

Response by SGT(P) Marcus Jansen made Jan 25 at 2015 5:10 PM

SGT(P) Marcus Jansen — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 17:10:03 -0500

I was in theater. First deployed with 20th Engineers Combat Airborne from Fort Bragg. We were at Dragon City when it launched watching fighter jets fly overhead..

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 3:46 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 15:46:45 -0500

In a crib :/

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Jan 29 at 2015 3:49 PM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 15:49:17 -0500

I was sitting in Al Kobar, in Kobar Towers waiting for our Tanks to show up and in MOPP 2!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 8:49 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 20:49:40 -0500

I was in a history class in college. Second floor of the Liberal Arts building at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. We'd just been released from class, and were all headed down to the professor's office to discuss writing assignments.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 2 at 2015 12:56 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 00:56:03 -0500

Stuck at Graf still pushing the Bradley guys through gunnery.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 2 at 2015 1:22 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 01:22:10 -0500

Hey! Are we getting old? When did we get old? Why didn't anybody tell me? GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!

Response by SPC Lukas Jones made Feb 2 at 2015 3:36 AM

SPC Lukas Jones — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 03:36:04 -0500

I was a mere toddler back then (sorry if I make anyone feel old) however, my cousin was an Army Medic at the time and I have fond memories of her telling me about her service. She was over there for that campaign and, while I was too young at the time to understand its meening, I knew she was fighting for our freedoms. Coincidentally, as I went through my training, I ended up following her footsteps in the Army. We went to the same basic and AIT locations and were stationed in the same companies. That made me feel vindicated in some strange way.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Feb 2 at 2015 10:03 AM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 10:03:25 -0500

We were living in Australia. Saw the coverage on the ABC evening news.

Response by COL Thomas F. made Feb 5 at 2015 12:14 PM

COL Thomas F. — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 12:14:52 -0500

I was in Khobar towers waiting for my unit to move out to somewhere-SA. It was a beautiful evening... birds chirping... NCOs chewing out enlisted and Patriot missiles taking off (literally) outside my window targeting SCUD missiles while I sat there in MOPP4. Ah, memories.

Response by TSgt Earl Morgan made Feb 5 at 2015 12:27 PM

TSgt Earl Morgan — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 12:27:52 -0500

I was in Eskan Village. All the gym equipment, camcorders, VCRs and Christmas Trees came from my office. That was a fun 18 hours on the flightline sending pallets to the different sites.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 12:31 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 12:31:36 -0500

I was 3 yrs old learning how to walk and talk. Lol

Response by 1SG Dennis McMahon made Feb 5 at 2015 12:36 PM

1SG Dennis McMahon — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 12:36:43 -0500

Stationed in Frankfurt, Germany with the 3rd Armored Division (Spearhead). One of the best units I was ever assigned. Although I am an MI guy, being in this heavy division was amazing. Anyhow, we never thought they would deploy us, but the wall came down, and things changed. The rest is history.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Feb 5 at 2015 12:38 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 12:38:51 -0500

I was in my battalion CP in the vicinity of the Theater Main Supply Route (MSR) intersection at Hafar Al Batin, Saudi Arabia, described by GEN Schwartzkopf as the "Mother of All Intersections", as it was at that intersection that the roads went to Riyadh to the south, Dhahran to the east, Kuwait to the north and Iraq to the west. There was a never-ending convoy of military personnel, supplies and equipment going through that intersection 24 hours per day and it was in that vicinity that the "Hail Mary" kicked off.

That intersection took several incoming Scuds. I had MPs scattered over about 750 miles of MSRs, but that intersection was, by far, the most critical in Theater.

Response by SFC Chris Crossley made Feb 5 at 2015 12:54 PM

SFC Chris Crossley — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 12:54:43 -0500

I was in Saudi Arabia. Somewhere between Camp Eagle II and the Iraqi border.

Response by SSG Brenda Garibaldi made Feb 5 at 2015 1:00 PM

SSG Brenda Garibaldi — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:00:21 -0500

I was on active duty going through nursing school.........

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 5 at 2015 1:15 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:15:02 -0500

Freshman in college. I was watching the CNN coverage from my dorm room.

Response by CPL David Sassaman made Feb 5 at 2015 1:17 PM

CPL David Sassaman — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:17:20 -0500

I was about 25 miles outside KKMC with 2/1 FA, part of 1st AD, serving as a Cannon Fire Direction Specialist (13E).

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 1:18 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:18:43 -0500

I was approximately 30 weeks gestation in my mother's womb... ;]

Response by PO3 Mark Streit made Feb 5 at 2015 1:23 PM

PO3 Mark Streit — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:23:21 -0500

I was on the USS John F Kennedy. We were in the Red Sea. we had been there since Desert Shield had started in late August of 90

Response by SPC Kurt Weiland made Feb 5 at 2015 1:24 PM

SPC Kurt Weiland — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:24:18 -0500

I was in port in jubail when it started. Collecting our equipment to move to the desert. 2AD(FWD) 1/41 Infantry. Attached to 3d brigade First ID. 7th Corps.

Response by LTC Gregory d'Arbonne made Feb 5 at 2015 1:24 PM

LTC Gregory d'Arbonne — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:24:22 -0500

I was in Riyadh as the Dayshift Chief of Operations for 3rd Army Main Headquarters in Riyadh. On the last day of the Ground portion of the war i flew up to Safwan, Iraq to help setup the peace talk site. Returned to Riyadh a few days later and left the Middle East on the 9th of April, my son's 6th birthday, arriving back in the States on the 10th of April.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 1:37 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:37:03 -0500

Well, I was on board the USS John F. Kennedy in the Red Sea off the coast of Saudi Arabia where we had been since some time in September of 1990. We had left port in Norfolk, VA with a 5 day notice on August 15th, 1990. That's extremely short notice to get an aircraft carrier deployed and ready for a war. So I was on the flight deck for flight ops that night when we began the first bombing missions.

There was a very huge crowd to greet us when we came home. I remember thinking that it was so distinctly different from my childhood memories of Vietnam vets coming home and how they were treated. It felt like we were living in one of those old WWII news reels about the ticker tape parades and celebrations that occurred after the victory over Germany and Japan.

Response by SGT Marvin "Dave" Bigham made Feb 5 at 2015 1:37 PM

SGT Marvin "Dave" Bigham — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:37:55 -0500

In my deuce-and-a-half trying to keep up with the 2/16 Task Force ripping up the desert.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Feb 5 at 2015 1:42 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:42:25 -0500

I remember I was in the 5th grade. I was glued to the TV and tried to watch every move Schwarzkopf and Powell made. At this point is when I decided that I wanted to attend West Point and also serve my country!

Response by SFC Anthony VanPelt made Feb 5 at 2015 1:49 PM

SFC Anthony VanPelt — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:49:46 -0500

I was at KKMC with the 5th MASH out of Fort Bragg - ordered to MOPP level two as part of a "training exercise" and squatting in a hole in the ground.

Response by SFC Geronimo Rivera made Feb 5 at 2015 1:51 PM

SFC Geronimo Rivera — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:51:40 -0500

I remember this like it was yesterday, I was chatting with a friend of mine who was on leave from Ft. Campbell, we just happened to be catching the news on t.v. when low and behold they are reporting on the Iraqi's occupation of Kuwait We just sat there and looked at each other knowing what was coming next.

Response by MAJ Wes Nall made Feb 5 at 2015 2:00 PM

MAJ Wes Nall — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:00:11 -0500

Rolling through the desert in a BFV hoping the mine fields were accurately marked..

Response by MAJ Wes Nall made Feb 5 at 2015 2:05 PM

MAJ Wes Nall — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:05:15 -0500

1/41 Infantry, 2nd Armored Division

Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Feb 5 at 2015 2:09 PM

PFC Stephen Eric Serati — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:09:46 -0500

I started in Saudi,at international airport that was under construction,we were there for a few months.Right before the actual war we moved closer to Kuwait,we thought thats where we were headed,but we were wrong.All the sudden we got orders to pick up and fly to the border of Southern Iraq and wait.The new mission was to cut off the retreating army.When it started we took all of Southern Iraq.We were all over flying troops to different locations until it ended.Seems like I remember Viper.

Response by Cpl Derrick Primeaux made Feb 5 at 2015 2:15 PM

Cpl Derrick Primeaux — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:15:04 -0500

I was in Saudi Arabia, close to the Kuwait and Iraqi borders. I was detached from 8th Comm Bn.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 3:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:23:27 -0500

Is was sitting just south of the Iraq border

Response by MSG Brad Hansen made Feb 5 at 2015 3:23 PM

MSG Brad Hansen — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:23:37 -0500

King Fahd International Airport Saudi Arabia with 6/101 AVN

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 3:25 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:25:04 -0500

I was at fort Leavenworth..... As a dependent child in preschool.

Response by Cpl Roger Talbott made Feb 5 at 2015 3:26 PM

Cpl Roger Talbott — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:26:09 -0500

C 1/1 guarding first mar div HQ

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Feb 5 at 2015 3:27 PM

SPC James Mcneil — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:27:28 -0500

I was in college for the first time.

Response by CPT Ray de Lugo made Feb 5 at 2015 3:42 PM

CPT Ray de Lugo — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:42:35 -0500

I was at Log Base Alpha (just outside Hafir al Batin, KSA) in MOPP 3 as the aircraft, bombs and missles were being fired into Iraq. Suddenly we went from Desert Shield to Desert Storm.

CPT Ray de Lugo

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Feb 5 at 2015 3:45 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:45:19 -0500

I was there... COL Cody and the others flew overhead to fire the first shots of the Air War.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 3:47 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:47:44 -0500

I was in Germany with the 18th Engineer BDE. A sister BN deployed early to provide support, My BN followed later. But the effort was largely over by then. We spent 27 days in Turkey, never donned a uniform or touched a weapon the entire time. We did send a couple nail-bender platoons on a humanitarian mission to build structures for the Kurds, but that was it.

Response by SGT Gabriel G. made Feb 5 at 2015 3:51 PM

SGT Gabriel G. — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:51:47 -0500

I was two years old. Most of the people in the unit I deployed with were privates at that point.

Response by SFC Ted Blake made Feb 5 at 2015 3:55 PM

SFC Ted Blake — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:55:00 -0500

I was Como SGT for 36th Engineer Group. Myself and my retrans team crossed the border with a convoy. When the 1lt started firing white star clusters so someone could find him, my team and I proceeded on to the FOB on our own. We felt safer on our own. We spent the entire Desert Storm performing retrans for our group. I am proud to have served with Col. Miller and the rest of the Group.

Response by CPL Bill Siggelow made Feb 5 at 2015 4:01 PM

CPL Bill Siggelow — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 16:01:45 -0500

I deployed with 82nd AB out of Ft. Bragg. I was there for all three campaigns. While I was there my platoon was rotated (or how I like to say it, passed around like a peace pipe) to various units. 75th F.A., 18th A.B. 1st COSCOM. (Dick with wheels, Gaging Dragon, or the leaning shithouse.) When Storm started, I was in the diamond shaped neutral zone.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Feb 5 at 2015 4:01 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 16:01:46 -0500

I was not far from where that picture was taken, having pushed through from tap line road!

Response by SGT Edward Thomas made Feb 5 at 2015 4:02 PM

SGT Edward Thomas — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 16:02:01 -0500

I was assigned to the Joint Communications Support Element providing comms for SOCCENT. We were at an airport near Dhahran. Later on I was shuffled to CENTCOM and provided comms from between a mosque and parking garage.

Response by CPL Bill Siggelow made Feb 5 at 2015 4:06 PM

CPL Bill Siggelow — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 16:06:16 -0500

Man some of these comments on here make me feel old. ROFL!

Response by 1SG Craig Moody made Feb 5 at 2015 4:25 PM

1SG Craig Moody — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 16:25:03 -0500

I was sound asleep in a tent in the desert a few miles south of King Kahlil Military City, Saudi Arabia. I woke with daylight and was upset thinking I had missed meeting up with some Div IG folks with whom I was to drive to meet my unit and guide them to the new area we had been mapping out. Went to the IG tent a few hundred yards away to find all of them in full MOPP sitting around a radio. They were amazed I had slept through the (they claimed) extremely loud overhead passing of several cruise missiles. They were really pleased to see the MOPP wasn't needed. Troop movements were cancelled and I spent the next several days assisting the Div POA as he was inundated with civilian reporter/photographer teams.

Response by SSG Bob Klement made Feb 5 at 2015 4:39 PM

SSG Bob Klement — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 16:39:08 -0500

I was at KKMC when the Storm started.

Response by Lt Col William Denehan made Feb 5 at 2015 4:50 PM

Lt Col William Denehan — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 16:50:19 -0500

I was a CW2 in Hafr al Batin, KSA. Flew my old, reliable UH-1H Huey to VII Corps Main HQ when the sun came up. Was in B-4/159th Avn, 11th Avn Bde out Stuttgart, Germany. Our company is having a reunion again this year!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 5:22 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 17:22:34 -0500

Already in the area. We were at LOG Base Echo right off of MSR Green and co-located with 7th Corps headquarters. The Corps disappeared shortly after our return, yet here I remain. Somehow, that doesn't seem right... :)

Response by SFC Douglas Davis made Feb 5 at 2015 5:36 PM

SFC Douglas Davis — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 17:36:32 -0500

I was in Wildflecken getting ready to deploy we made it in time for the ground war as part of 1st Armored.

Response by CW4 Danny Gailfus made Feb 5 at 2015 5:41 PM

CW4 Danny Gailfus — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 17:41:11 -0500

I was in my cot at Sheik Isa Air Base in Bahrain with the 3rd Marine Air Wing. Had already been there sweating and sucking up sand for four months. The flight line was crazy with F/A-18s, F-16s, F-4s and EA-6Bs taking off.

Response by MSgt Bill Milligan made Feb 5 at 2015 5:48 PM

MSgt Bill Milligan — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 17:48:14 -0500

I was flying into my deployed Air Base with 40 other maintainers in a Navy C-9. When we got off the plane our DCM met us and herded us to the medics so we could draw our nerve agent kits. The base was completely blacked out and the excitement for the night was a F-111 coming in IFE with battle damage one engine out and hung ordnance. Looking back as an Airman it was a pretty surreal night.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 5:58 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 17:58:27 -0500

I was 6 years old and pretty sure I didn't realize what was happening.

Response by CPT Shane D. Metz made Feb 5 at 2015 6:36 PM

CPT Shane D. Metz — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 18:36:57 -0500

I was stationed at Fort Bragg when Desert Shield/Desert Storm started in Aug '90. I deployed to Saudia Arabia on 17 AUG and hit the ground the next day. It was a blistering 120 deg at the Airport. Lived in Saudia Nomad Tents to acclimatized to the heat for 14 days and then moved to my first of 3 locations while deployed there.

On Jan 16...I was on the Saudia/Iraqi border watching as we started firing off the Howitzers and the Paladins.

I was my companies Wiredog and Radio Operator...during that time.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 6:52 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 18:52:09 -0500

I was probably drawing on the walls or discovering other ways to raise hell considering I was two years old at the time.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 6:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 18:58:19 -0500

I was with the 1st ID Eco 701st MSB. Sitting in Saudi Arabia at KKMC.

Response by Cpl Nelson Cheramie, III made Feb 5 at 2015 6:59 PM

Cpl Nelson Cheramie, III — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 18:59:59 -0500

I was sitting on the top of a berm in a forward area called Lonesome Dove drinking hot orange soda and eating funyons and watching what looked like every star in the sky heading for the border. Every now and then we could see the flash of the bombs exploding and feel the concussion. We did not know what tomorrow would bring but we enjoyed the light show that night. Personally, I slept that night with a round in the chamber and my boots on.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 7:26 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 19:26:32 -0500

I was in Daharan, Saudi Arabia awaiting the word to marry up with the 2nd ACR just north of KKMC. I was with the 214th MP Company, assigned to the 14th MP BDE but OPCON to the 2ACR. Spent the rest of the war processing EPWs that the 2ACR encountered; ~22,000 of them.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 5 at 2015 7:51 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 19:51:26 -0500

I was a few weeks away from turning 7 years old. So I think I was either in 1st or 2nd grade...?

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Feb 5 at 2015 8:01 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 20:01:11 -0500

I was chilling at home. I had just gotten out June of the previous year. I get home and see this blue western union telegraph. It told me to get my ass on a plane and report to Ft. Lost in the woods, I had be re-called.

Response by Sgt James Northam made Feb 5 at 2015 8:08 PM

Sgt James Northam — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 20:08:00 -0500

I was somewhere in and around the north eastern Saudi Desert. Cutting "squares" in the sand in the back of an AAV. A young Lance Corporal, acting as the RTO fro my Mortar Section.

Response by SGT Ed Aldredge made Feb 5 at 2015 9:46 PM

SGT Ed Aldredge — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 21:46:19 -0500

About 30km NNE of Hafir Al-Batin if memory serves me right. That's what I was told by my PL at least.....

Response by CPL Michael Vile made Feb 5 at 2015 10:03 PM

CPL Michael Vile — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 22:03:31 -0500

So! kinda neat, looking back at the calendar on that date and year...when Iraq invaded Kuwait, I was, at that moment, in ft jackson SC. completing my A.I.T. for 75e personnel actions specialist. I was currently in the 2122nd USAG Reserve HQ co. As a pfc.. constantly surrounded by brass, which i completely took for granted, just for the thrill, I through my name in the figurative hat during a December 90 drill. At the assembly, January 12-13 of 91. I was informed by a Cpt. whatsherface, that they were cutting orders for me to ship on the 15th of January.. !! Didnt think theyd call me on it...There I was going to Ft. Benning, for a 2 week crash course on driving heavy expandable mobile tactical trucks, known as a hemmit, semi aquatic multi fuel etc etc..so, NO i never was part of shield only storm, I ended up being attached to the 418th transportation co, out of ft. hood tx.. According to the internet, dosent appear to be a functional company anymore, but that particular unit, was in fact attached to the 1st cav...The Co Sgm, told me it was one of the most recognizable patches in the military...so...When i returned from that short tiny deployment...I was pretty done...I shunted over into the IRR, and about a year later received an honorable dd214 RE code of 1..then a million years went by...Re-enlisted with a friend into the navy seabees just a year before 911, when that occurred, my friend and i, silently joined the 1/184 inf. as a 31 year old e4...wIth a 1st cav combat patch..in the infantry..was a bit...of a laff, to say the least...2 deployments later...yawn...learned I should have simply joined the Infantry....to begin with....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 10:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 22:20:09 -0500

I was at Fort Gordon completing AIT. We had already been informed that we were shipping out immediately upon graduation in a few days and temporarily attached to a unit in Saudi Arabia.

I arrived to the central reception area and assigned to go North and west to the 101st Airborne Corridor. Every morning we would have the incoming scud missiles that acted like an alarm clock. The day after I moved to join the 101st is the day the patriot missile deflected the morning scud and it destroyed the reception area; injuring 97 reserve soldiers and killing 28, mostly from quartermaster unit unit from Pennsylvania. I was listed as missing by the Army because my records and tracking document were destroyed. The day the Ground war started I was in the middle of the desert just a bit south of the Irag border directly south of Baghdad.

After I came home, I remember how the story had grown and all my friends and hometown residents telling me they were sorry to hear about the soldier in my family that had been killed in desert storm. I always got a good laugh as I explained that the soldier was me. Now it is 24 years later and I am Retiring just a few days after the anniversary of the 100 hour war.

Response by SSG Michael A Vesely made Feb 5 at 2015 10:40 PM

SSG Michael A Vesely — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 22:40:31 -0500

I was there...we deployed in early AUg, for desert shield...as a matter of fact we were the first in country of heavy equipment, after the RDF from 18th corps...so I was already in country when this kicked off..

Response by CWO2 B. Sean Fairburn made Feb 5 at 2015 11:46 PM

CWO2 B. Sean Fairburn — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 23:46:48 -0500

During this 25 year of Desert Storm Anniversary I was at the Port of Al Jibal getting our LAV's off the RO-RO in prep to head north up the the Kuwait border. My Light Armored Infantry BN provided 2nd LAI provided Recon and screening to the 2nd Mar Div. I was the Gunner/VC on Vehicle 30 an LAV 25 Fighter variant. and Boy how I Loved that Hog. As a 0313 we loved riding into battle in an 8 wheeled drive amphibious assault vehicle. OOH Raah LAV's and please Pray for my Brother in arms dying of Cancer Matt Johnson who was the Platoon Sgt riding the Mangudai Warrior, and a Deputy Sherrif, May God give him a easy Ride home. Semper Fi Brothers.

Response by CW2 Scott Quaife made Feb 5 at 2015 11:56 PM

CW2 Scott Quaife — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 23:56:29 -0500

In History class , my Junior year in highschool with the TV on watching it unfold.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 11:56 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 23:56:53 -0500

8 years old...... collecting trading cards of General Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell, the Patriot missile system and the A-10. I still remember watching the tactical brilliance of "Shock and Awe" on the television and being so of our fighting forces. Never imagined that I'd be wearing the uniform someday.....NOT as a reenactor!! You guys were some of my heroes growing up. Colin Powell still is a great inspiration to me and one of my favorite books to recommend to future leaders.

Response by SGT Micheal Adams made Feb 6 at 2015 12:14 AM

SGT Micheal Adams — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 00:14:46 -0500

I was in my bed room watching the coverage, I was unlisted by June 15 1991, had a 4 yr break in service at 2001 and returned in 05 and deployed. Vet OEF, OIF.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 12:17 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 00:17:48 -0500

At the time I was 10 yrs old watching it on the news. Try to understand why it was happening but my real focus was on my Super Nintendo

Response by PO1 Chris Crawley made Feb 6 at 2015 12:22 AM

PO1 Chris Crawley — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 00:22:27 -0500

I was the Yeoman of the Crackerjack Marching Unit at Naval Air Technical Training Center, Millington, TN.
While the unit was out practicing a parade move that I designed, I was doing unit paperwork, while having CNN on the TV as background noise. I heard the first reports, and ran to my car. I skidded to a stop in frint of the parade formation, and the Block Commander started to lose his mind until I yelled, "Tomahawks from Navy ships are in the air. The war is underway!"
The BC turned, and took the unit back to the barracks at just under doubletime speed.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 6 at 2015 12:24 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 00:24:31 -0500

I was doing 12B training. At that time the Army Reserve (96 ARCOM) was going through some changes and many were getting re-classed as 12B. It was evening after training and we were in the NCO club having a drink when the first shots were reported over the TV in the corner. I also got another shock of my life. Ran into my ex-wife at the club. Come to find out she was with the aviation unit there. Surprised the heck out of me, probably more than the war starting.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 12:49 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 00:49:10 -0500

I was in Dhahran/Khubar. Learned how to sleep in MOPP 4.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 1:05 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 01:05:07 -0500

Saudi Arabia headed toward the Neutral Zone. Glad to be away from the port where every time a dignitary came through or a CONNEX was dropped we were in MOPP gear up against the wall of a building.

Response by PO1 Mark Novatnack made Feb 6 at 2015 3:50 AM

PO1 Mark Novatnack — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 03:50:20 -0500

UAE

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 5:47 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 05:47:10 -0500

I was 3 1\2 years old and I was watching a news station that was reporting on the war and I remember the night vision green and black images of Iraq getting bombed. We were stationed at fort hood at the time. They were going to deploy my father but then the war ended abruptly so luckily that didn't happen.

Response by Cpl Clinton Britt made Feb 6 at 2015 5:48 AM

Cpl Clinton Britt — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 05:48:55 -0500

In the middle of the sand box

Response by SFC Sam Morgan made Feb 6 at 2015 8:00 AM

SFC Sam Morgan — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 08:00:12 -0500

I was in Saudi Arabia For Desert Shield then stayed for Desert Storm then was caught up in Operation Provide Comfort. I deployed from Germany.

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Feb 6 at 2015 8:04 AM

CW5 Jim Steddum — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 08:04:19 -0500

I was on my first tour in the Army as a PFC with 1st Squadron, 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment, in Bindlach, Germany. I was promoted to Specialist seven days prior to our deployment to Saudi Arabia. I got to call home, the first time, the day the air campaign started. Then we rolled through at the lead of the VII Corps column.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Feb 6 at 2015 8:07 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 08:07:28 -0500

I was stationed with the 3rd Armored Division in Budigen, Germany with Alpha Battery 3-5 ADA as PFC Davis then. I was rear-D while some of my Battalion was in Desert Storm.

Response by MG Hugh Van Roosen made Feb 6 at 2015 11:25 AM

MG Hugh Van Roosen — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 11:25:53 -0500

I had a Special Forces team in northern Norway. We arrived back at Pope AFB in our over-whites, carrying skis surprised to be greeted by a bunch of folks congratulating us on our return from Desert Storm. We got quite a laugh out of that.

Response by SFC Michael Peterson made Feb 6 at 2015 6:11 PM

SFC Michael Peterson — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 18:11:36 -0500

Well, on January 16, 1991, I was living in a tent somewhere in Saudi Arabia south of the Iraqi border. We got up every morning for Stand-To on the perimeter, then we would do some rifle PT, followed by a breakfast of green eggs and some sausages we called "camel dicks". After that, we would either burn sh*t or practice movement and battle drills our in the desert. Also, we played a lot of Spades and Hacky Sack. I even learned how to play Euchre with some of the Yankees in my unit. I was in the Mortar Platoon of HHC 4/7 Infantry, 3ID, out of Aschaffenburg Germany and we were attached to 1AD during the ground war.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 6:22 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 18:22:53 -0500

For Desert Shield - I was in Myrtle Beach on the second day of my honeymoon when called back to Ft. Bragg...my husband still owes me five more days to make up the rest of that interrupted trip. :)
For Desert Storm - I was rear detachment commander and in SA my Battalion Commander asked the HQ Co Cdr where the heck his chemical officer was and in 2 days I was on a plane...

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 6:33 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 18:33:37 -0500

I was 10 months old, probably screaming my little baby head off.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 9:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 21:38:42 -0500

I was in attached to 2 Marine Div on the USS Guam!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 10:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 22:06:21 -0500

The first memory I have that can be confirmed is the MLRS systems firing when the war kicked off.

Response by SFC Nikhil Kumra made Feb 6 at 2015 10:18 PM

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 22:18:18 -0500

10 yrs old watching nickelodeon.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 12:11 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 00:11:10 -0500

First grade?

Response by SPC Shyue Lor made Feb 7 at 2015 2:18 AM

SPC Shyue Lor — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 02:18:18 -0500

I was still a toddler!

Response by TSgt Randy Meyer made Feb 7 at 2015 3:11 AM

TSgt Randy Meyer — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 03:11:14 -0500

On the night that Desert Storm began I was already in country in Saudi Arabia. I was part of a 44 man Security Police Flight from the Missouri Air National Guard (US Air Force) that was activated on 4 Dec 90. We were a Security Police Flight without an actual mission, since we were the only unit that was activated from our home Wing in St. Louis. The wing was in the process of transitioning aircraft from F-4s to F-15s and various units were in training for the new birds.

We were originally slated to go to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but were diverted en route to a bare base that was being built up in the middle of the desert southeast of Riyadh. The base was named Al Kharj Air Base, which later became Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB).

So, that night that Desert Storm began I was posted on an LP/OP on the roof of a building on the end of the flightline. My partner and I were watching two squadrons of F-15E Strike Eagles as they taxied to our end of the runway for take off. We knew something was up because they were armed to the teeth!! It was definitely a sight to see!!

A couple of hours later we received word over the radio net that Desert Storm had begun. All of a sudden word came over the base loud speakers that we were in Alarm Condition Red, MOPP Level 4. My partner and I just sat there and stared at each other, not believing what we were hearing. As we were pulling out our chem suits, which were still sealed in the foil pouches the "All Clear" sounded. We ended up donning our chem gear a little while later. It was definitely one hell of a night!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 4:23 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 04:23:40 -0500

At a High School basketball game in Syracuse NY, we went into the locker room for half time. When we came out they announced the war and had a moment of silence.

Response by SSG Robert Lee Wellman Jr. made Feb 7 at 2015 10:33 AM

SSG Robert Lee Wellman Jr. — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 10:33:22 -0500

I was stationed in Augsburg Germany, with the 2/77th FA, Service Battery. We were in the process of down sizing, and moth balling equipment; then we got the word that the unit will continue its deactivation, but however personnel would at the same time be required to fill open positions in other units that were slated for deployment. I will never forget the day when I got the word to pack up all my personal belonging's and submit an inventory of them. I was in the Motor Pool working on some equipment when I was told to report to the 1st SGT. I report as ordered, and there sits the 1st SGT and the Commander; giving me the word I am being reassigned to another unit readying for deployment to the gulf, the 1sgt gave me a direct order to call home to family and inform them of my situation, then secure all your personal belongings and ready your TA-50, you are being attached to a unit in Nuremburg under the 210th FA Brigade; after a couple of weeks sitting around and trying to figure out my new chain of command of the attached unit; as well as waiting on other attached personnel to arrive to fill the drastically low unit roster. The unit I was with finely deployed, landing in Saudi Arabia.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 7 at 2015 10:38 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 10:38:51 -0500

Dry Dock, USS California CGN-36, Bremerton, WA. By June I would be in the Persian Gulf TAD USS Arkansas CGN-41 after surviving Fiery Vigil the Eruption of Mt Pinatubo in the Philippines.

Response by SSG Michael Herzog made Feb 7 at 2015 10:44 AM

SSG Michael Herzog — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 10:44:48 -0500

I was in a blackhawk being dropped into Kuwait City to scout operation locations for the 4th PSYOP group....... the discussion was really comical. "Aren't we suppose to be doing this AFTER we retake the city?" Commanders answer... "What do you call the Saudi and Kuwait forces that are going to lead the attack?"
Speed bumps.....

Response by PO2 Christopher Morehouse made Feb 7 at 2015 11:03 AM

PO2 Christopher Morehouse — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 11:03:06 -0500

1st grade, at Kocurek Elementary in Austin, TX. Coincidentally, the school is just off Slaughter Lane.

Response by GySgt Bryan A. McGown "Gunny" made Feb 7 at 2015 11:08 AM

GySgt Bryan A. McGown "Gunny" — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 11:08:34 -0500

I was on recruiting duty in Barberton, OH and was hearing the news of it on my radio with some of my poolees.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 11:10 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 11:10:03 -0500

I was a junior in high school.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 12:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 12:52:40 -0500

I was stationed in Korea SGT Private RallyPoint Member.

When they started getting ready for the conflict I was in transition and was surprised that I did not get diverted.

I believe we were prepping for an exercise with the Korean Forces at the time.

Response by SPC Thomas Bourland made Feb 7 at 2015 1:50 PM

SPC Thomas Bourland — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 13:50:45 -0500

On the ground or rather sitting in a truck in Saudi Arabia

Response by SPC Janet Davenport made Feb 7 at 2015 2:20 PM

SPC Janet Davenport — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 14:20:05 -0500

My husband and I were living in Port Sanilac Michigan, still trying to get used to civilian life, hadn't even been out a year. A few days later we both received what we call our Nasty Grams thru western union, ordering us to return to service. We had one we week to put everything we owned into storage and find someone to care for our 3 boys ages 4 wks, 1 yr and 2 yrs old. Wow, seems like it was yesterday. Now that 1 yr old is an Iraqi war veteran himself and the 2 yr old is currently an SSG at Fort Lewis who did two tours in Afghanistan. Where in the world did 24 years go?

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 3:57 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 15:57:57 -0500

Probably busily shitting myself, napping a lot and being a nuisance as my first birthday approached.

Response by Sgt Cody Dumont made Feb 7 at 2015 4:08 PM

Sgt Cody Dumont — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 16:08:52 -0500

I was in Camp Pendleton going through MCT.

Response by MSG James Forry made Feb 7 at 2015 6:07 PM

MSG James Forry — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 18:07:58 -0500

I was in a NG Transportation Co attached to the 6th Trans BN. Spent time in Echo, Nelligan and TA Henry. Hauled the Ammo for the 3rd AD during the ground war.

Response by SGT Anthony Bussing made Feb 7 at 2015 7:39 PM

SGT Anthony Bussing — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 19:39:54 -0500

sitting on my tank, in the middle of the saudi desert...had been there since 14 aug 1990...TF Ripper, Baby...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 7:57 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 19:57:56 -0500

I was the ripe young age of 6! 1st grade in a small town in Pennsylvania! Big respect to those who served at this time.

Response by SSG Dr. Roy Coble made Feb 7 at 2015 7:58 PM

SSG Dr. Roy Coble — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 19:58:32 -0500

Memories: I was at BCT at Ft. Dix New Jersey. Good times!

Response by PO1 Michael Fullmer made Feb 7 at 2015 8:04 PM

PO1 Michael Fullmer — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 20:04:16 -0500

On a Frigate at Naval Station Mayport, Florida preparing to deploy to the I.O.

Response by PO1 Tracy Dreyer made Feb 7 at 2015 8:23 PM

PO1 Tracy Dreyer — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 20:23:22 -0500

Somewhere up near the Kuwait border, building shit :-0

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 8:46 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 20:46:32 -0500

Waiting at my F16-C/D unit to get called up.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 8:53 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 20:53:16 -0500

As I was in the IRR based on being kicked out of USMA after 2.5 years for poor academic performance (great story by the way), I was in Savannah, GA working to find another commissioning source.
(Side Note: I almost volunteered to go on Active Duty in the summer/fall of 1990, but since my USMA experience did not even give me a MOS, I decided to focus on my college and getting a commissioning.)
I stood on the side of the road in weird hours, cheering Soldiers from Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Air Field (24th ID, and XVIIIth Airborne Corps) as they moved equipment to the port, and even had a "Pro-war" rally in the quad at the college!
That fall my father deployed to Saudi Arabia, which was unexpected as he was stationed in Hawaii, so the preparations and events over that winter were much more personal.
Of course, all of us in my commissioning program were paying close attention to what was going on and keeping track of as much as we could through our more experienced Active Duty Cadre.
I still remember the huge welcome home ceremonies later in 1991 in Savannah!

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Feb 7 at 2015 9:01 PM

SGM Billy Herrington — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 21:01:30 -0500

I was in 7th grade.......

Response by SFC J. Dirk S. made Feb 7 at 2015 9:33 PM

SFC J. Dirk S. — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 21:33:51 -0500

2 AD FWD Garlstedt Germany, a young 13f Spc

Response by 1stSgt Daryl Allen made Feb 7 at 2015 9:54 PM

1stSgt Daryl Allen — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 21:54:44 -0500

Preparing to ship my family to Metairie, LA, for me to head to Howard AFB, Republic of Panama.

Response by CPT Robert Graham made Feb 7 at 2015 11:24 PM

CPT Robert Graham — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 23:24:48 -0500

I was mobilized with the 3220th GSU to Ft Stewart one month prior to the start of the conflict. I worked with G4 in order to ensure that all the units had all of the equipment to deploy. That was the last time I ever had to handle computer punch cards. Once the everything requisitioned we moved the personnel and equipment to Hunter Army Airfield. My unit stayed at Ft. Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield about seven
months.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Feb 7 at 2015 11:58 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 23:58:45 -0500

I was Parked on Iraq's southern border, just west of Kuwait waiting for what seemed like forever to hear the word "go"

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 1:01 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 01:01:35 -0500

Had graduated from Basic Training 4+ months earlier and was in the Army Reserves, was sitting at home wishing I was there.... Of course I have had my fill since, but had some classmates that were there.

Response by PO1 Douglas Hansen made Feb 8 at 2015 6:01 AM

PO1 Douglas Hansen — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 06:01:56 -0500

I was stationed at the US Defense Attache Office In New Delhi, India when Desert Storm began. Volunteered to deploy but could not due to minimal manning at the USDAO. First time ever that we had a news feed other than AFRTS with CNN providing the latest information on the war. First major advance in media technology, having the ability to see what was going on half way around the world at home was fantastic. Did increase our security posture in India a bit.

Response by MAJ William Strite made Feb 8 at 2015 11:05 AM

MAJ William Strite — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 11:05:02 -0500

I was sitting at the HQ's 7th Corps Support Group as the Group S1/Adjutant in Log Base Echo waiting our units to push through the breach with the 7th Corps, 1st AD and 3rd AD trying to figure out if we had enough people to provide Fuel, Water, Food, Repair Parts and god forbid Graves Registration if needed. In Germany we had 3 Maintenance Battalions and a Supply and Services Battalion and Transportation Battalion assigned to the Corps. So all our transportation assets were Guard and Reserve units. I was still receiving units being assigned to us up to 12 hours before the ground war started. So I had over 4000 people spread over SWA Asia, Europe and USA before it was all over.

The one thing that I remember was we were just starting to use email and every morning two Air Force Captains who were Liaison Offciers to 7th Corps put out a unclassified newsletter on the previous days events during the air war and it was so funny it made it bearable to get up in the morning! To who ever those two Air Force Captains were thank you so much for bring a little humor to us ground pounders!

Response by CPO Jeff Nowak made Feb 8 at 2015 12:18 PM

CPO Jeff Nowak — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 12:18:48 -0500

Onboard the USS John F. Kennedy CV-67. I think we were in the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean

Response by SSgt Don Porter made Feb 8 at 2015 2:38 PM

SSgt Don Porter — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 14:38:04 -0500

Getting ready to secure B-1s in South Dakota

Response by CWO3 John Smith made Feb 8 at 2015 6:34 PM

CWO3 John Smith — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:34:35 -0500

Persian Gulf USS MIDWAY CV-41 Battle Force Seventh Fleet.

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 8 at 2015 7:05 PM

SPC David S. — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:05:04 -0500

3rd/83rd FA -

Response by SFC Ron Chelsy made Feb 9 at 2015 2:51 AM

SFC Ron Chelsy — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 02:51:31 -0500

I was with HHB 18th FA BDE attached to the 6th French DIV. as a LNO for artillery support after our first objective was cleared we were sent to the 24th Infantry waiting for the word to proceed in to the town of Bazra when the Cease fire was called

Response by PO1 Michael Phipps made Feb 9 at 2015 9:12 AM

PO1 Michael Phipps — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 09:12:37 -0500

Well, let's see I was on USS Yellowstone(AD 41) under cover of the 3 Red Sea carriers when the first planes and Tomahawks were sent in. Capt Pratt(a great man and leader) came over the 1MC there about Midnight announcing the commencement of operations. Stayed under that cover for another week until we were allowed along with the first 4 small boys being repaired back to Jeddah, SA. There we would take on 150 vital work procedures and in 4 days go from planning stage to completion. At that point 4 more ships would come at us and we'd do the same thing until relieved by USS Puget Sound(AD 38) on Feb. 28 so we could be home on March 23 as one of the first ships to return to the east coast. And we carried home a shot up aircraft that had to be tied down to a corner of the flight deck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 12:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 12:24:18 -0500

I was 12 yrs old, but I remember it and I remember sending a letter to a Soldier.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 9 at 2015 12:46 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 12:46:26 -0500

I was working in the United States Transportation Command, Crisis Action Team. Desert Shield (the force deployment) started for us in August 1990. Our usual shift change briefing to the Commander-in-Chief, USTRANSCOM, was cut short that evening. Focus was on the war fight.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 1:43 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 13:43:45 -0500

Recruiting Station, Hackensack, NJ. Signing mounds of paperwork. :)

Response by SGT Scott Bernabo made Feb 9 at 2015 1:49 PM

SGT Scott Bernabo — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 13:49:53 -0500

301st MP (EPW) Camp. Tapline road, near Hafar AL Batin, Saudi Arabia. Part of the 67th Evac hospital Wuerzberg FRG, 123rd Medical Detachment.

Response by MCPO Douglas Pennington made Feb 9 at 2015 2:48 PM

MCPO Douglas Pennington — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 14:48:00 -0500

On Board USS America serving with VFA-82, Persian Gulf.

Response by SFC John Cruzat made Feb 9 at 2015 5:20 PM

SFC John Cruzat — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 17:20:45 -0500

I deployed to Doha from Germany right after Christmas and was in a tactical movement on or near that day.

Response by SPC Jason McKnight made Feb 9 at 2015 5:25 PM

SPC Jason McKnight — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 17:25:37 -0500

I was in country With the 417th Quartermaster Co., 123rd SupCom. We had been there less than 2 weeks.

Response by SGT Kenneth Duncan made Feb 9 at 2015 5:38 PM

SGT Kenneth Duncan — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 17:38:29 -0500

I was at Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt, Germany working in the Squadron Operation center for the 3/4 Cavalry. I received and decoded a message from the Division HQ that Kuwait was being bombed and to watch for scuds in your area. I got to call the Squadron commander and all of the Troop commanders and let them know. Then I got to decode a message that we understood and send it back to Division command and let them know that all Commanders had been notified. I was also on border patrol in Germany when the east west German border was dissolved.

Response by LTC Robin P. made Feb 10 at 2015 1:20 AM

LTC Robin P. — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 01:20:16 -0500

At KKMC - King Khalid Military City. Pres Bush had drawn his "line in the sand," and that deadline had passed a day or so earlier. We all had one training MOPP suit and one new sealed MOPP suit. We were told to open up the new suits for an "exercise," and promised that we'd receive new ones later. Hmmmm. Let the talk begin:

"Tonight's the night the war starts." "How do you know?" "Because they told us to break out the new MOPP gear, even though we don't have replacement gear." "But they said this is an exercise! Why wouldn't they tell us if we're about to go to war?" "OPSEC!" "No, they wouldn't lie to US... would they?" "Yup. OPSEC."

Sure enough - it kicked off that night. We never did get the new MOPP suits. After seven days had gone by, we were assured that actually, the suits would be okay for another seven days. After that date had expired, we were told they would be good as long as they didn't get wet, and to keep them in the original packages if we still had them. We weren't feeling too confident about the MOPP situation by then and we were wearing the suits practically every night because of all the SCUD launches during the air war. Fortunately, chems turned out not to be much of an issue after all.

Response by MSgt Jim Pollock made Feb 10 at 2015 10:43 AM

MSgt Jim Pollock — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 10:43:24 -0500

I was in my last days of tech school pissed that I "just missed it." Young and dumb... Little did I know how much time I'd spend in that sandbox over the next couple decades. Careful what you wish for!

Response by SGT Francis Wright made Feb 11 at 2015 12:48 AM

SGT Francis Wright — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 00:48:11 -0500

Mannheim, FRG; 42nd MP Gp (Customs).

Response by SSG Kevin Milnes made Feb 13 at 2015 9:28 AM

SSG Kevin Milnes — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 09:28:08 -0500

Respond to original question…I was stationed in FT. Hood Texas 1St CAV DIV

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 9:58 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 09:58:15 -0500

King Fahad International air port with the 1st SOW

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 10:41 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 10:41:18 -0500

I was 8byears old and was watching it on the news. The 100 hours of ground combat against the world 5th largest army....I was impressed as a kid and decided to be a soldier right then. Turned 17 a decade later, joined, never looked back.

Response by COL Ken LaPlante made Feb 13 at 2015 11:22 AM

COL Ken LaPlante — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 11:22:06 -0500

In Raffa, sitting in my hummer with the CSM looking at a really large number of "1:1,000,000" map sheets (aviator edition I recall) and discussing how we were going to bring out the same number we took in -- loved those paratroopers! And drinking desert mochas, CSM Allen's specialty; shaking our heads as the Regiment's vehicles lined up for the 'dash north' -- following the French forces. We all did come out, some a bit worse than they went in, but all came back home.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Feb 13 at 2015 12:07 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 12:07:30 -0500

I was a captain in Jeddah, SA, dropping off a load of bullets and bomb fuses from my KC-135. I was filing my next flight plan in base ops, thinking I was amongst US-only, when prayer call started. Due to previous time in Riyadh, I said, "man, that gets annoying" referring to prayer call. Then I looked up straight into the face of a Saudi national across the counter. A kind major kicked me out of base ops before it became an international incident, and I was a dot in under an hour.

Response by SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. made Feb 13 at 2015 3:56 PM

SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 15:56:20 -0500

I was an 18 year old private 13B with C BTRY 1/319TH AFAR 82nd Airborne. I was with a forward Brigade Recon Detachment scouting positions in Saudi Arabia closer to the border for defensive/jumping off points. From our battery it was our Gunnery Sergeant, SFC Giza, myself, one of our commo guys, one from FDC and i think 3 other guys from the gun sections. We were gone for about 2 weeks I think. That night which was clear I laid in my cot watching the fighters and bombers fly over head. We could hear though faintly the show going on in the distance. During the day you could see the aircraft overhead even the B52s were faintly visible. My thoughts were wow its really happening and will we have our chance.
The battery came into position within a day and we set up shop.
We were there till a few days before the ground war where we movedf to an airfield to await the birds to take us in. Rumor was that the division might not go and that we were supposed to leave Saudi for home after the build up was done, our job completed. MG Johnson fought and won our stay stating that the division hadnt fought together since WWII. The rumor was quashed when CH47s picked up our guns and trucks. Our infantry by Blackhawks. Courtesy of the 101st. Upon landing I stupidly jumped off the ramp fell with over 100 pounds on my back needing helped up.
The rest is history and too long to type on a phone.
At that age it was an adventure that was also frightening at times but defining changing me and my outlook on life.

Response by SPC Jerry Holden made Feb 13 at 2015 4:32 PM

SPC Jerry Holden — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 16:32:19 -0500

I was assigned to the 24th Mech. Inf. on a plane to Iraq to support the 101st and 82nd Airborne. I deployed for Desert Shield in Aug. of 1990 and stayed in Saudi Arabia/Iraq through the end of Desert Storm. I returned to my home station, Ft. Stewart, in 1991.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 9:36 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 21:36:43 -0500

19-year old, PFC Mansfield was sleeping soundly on his cot at our field site near Log Base Alpha somewhere in Saudi. We were awoken sometime around 01, 02 and told to get on the perimeter, gas mask and all. Being a helicopter crew chief, I dragged both my M60s (door guns) out to the line and arranged the belts (pre-positioned in the fox hole) so my buddy and I could lock and load quickly if necessary. I remember looking at the stars and noticing that there were a whole lot of fast mover lights flying north and winking out as soon as they crossed what I assume to be the Iraqi border.

We had no idea what was going on until about an hour later when our first sergeant came around to give us the scoop. He said a whole lot of tomahawk cruise missiles were launched a couple hours prior and every jet that could carry bombs was going north to "service targets" as General "Stormin' Norman Schwartzkopf" so eloquently put it.

I suppose we were waiting for the "Elite" Republican Guard to give our guys the slip and attack deep. Whatever.

Those were heady times, more than half a lifetime ago.

Response by MCPO Douglas Pennington made Feb 18 at 2015 2:42 PM

MCPO Douglas Pennington — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 14:42:03 -0500

On board USS America with VFA-82 getting ready for morning launches..

Response by SFC Siva Williams made Feb 22 at 2015 11:15 AM

SFC Siva Williams — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 11:15:20 -0500

I was at Dharhan Air Base in a GP Tiny tent which served as my aid post. One of the launcher guys from the Patriot battery I supported woke me up at zero dark thirty. His words to me where "wake up Doc, the war has started." I stuck my head out of the tent flap and started wondering who turned off the lights. Dharhan was completely blacked out and all I could hear was generators and the solemn wail of air raid sirens. It was a surreal experience.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2015 11:34 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 11:34:13 -0500

On the ground, on our way to Kuwait City. Was deployed with 1st Reconnaissance Bn, 1st Mar Div. I was breathing that dragon smoke in the picture posted above for days...

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2015 12:25 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 12:25:30 -0500

New Orleans pushing reservists. Helped train them to prep to deploy. Spent a lot of time on Bourbon Street. :)

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Feb 22 at 2015 12:35 PM

LTC Hillary Luton — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 12:35:05 -0500

I was in Khobar Towers, Saudi Arabia awaiting to move to the desert and set up a POW camp to hold the thousands of Iraqi prisoners that would be transported to four different camps. We had arrived in country 36 hours prior and spent the next several days with 2am - 4am wakeup calls of scud attacks. We moved to the dessert several days later and ended up with 12,000 Iraqi prisoners at our peek. It was an adventure I will never forget.

Response by MSgt Joanna Clute made Feb 26 at 2015 8:14 AM

MSgt Joanna Clute — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 08:14:35 -0500

10th grade. The news coverage was unbelievable.

Response by SSgt William Whitaker made Feb 26 at 2015 7:45 PM

SSgt William Whitaker — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 19:45:19 -0500

I was with CSSD-91in the vicinity of cabrit... nothing but sand.

Response by PFC Jay Instone made Feb 26 at 2015 8:22 PM

PFC Jay Instone — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 20:22:50 -0500

I was in Ft. McCoy in Wisconsin getting desert training in 2' if snow. Watched the start of the air war on a 3" TV screen someone had in our barracks.

Response by SSG Greg Thomas made Feb 26 at 2015 8:39 PM

SSG Greg Thomas — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 20:39:45 -0500

I was with the 4409th Civil Engineering Sqaudron..Operation Southern Watch and Operation No Fly Zone

Response by MSgt Allan Vrboncic made Feb 26 at 2015 8:42 PM

MSgt Allan Vrboncic — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 20:42:42 -0500

Protecting the East Coast in the 48th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS) at Langley AFB, VA. I did help load missiles and ammo on to the 1st TAC Fighter Wing's F-15's, and helped launch them out in support of Desert Storm.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2015 2:09 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 14:09:57 -0400

I was serving as a commo PFC with the 365TH EVAC HOSP at Camp Nacirema, Oman. I was trying to sleep when someone woke me up and said we are going to get busy since Desert Storm just started. I was only 19 years old. Where have the years gone????

Response by PO3 Alan Haynes made Mar 11 at 2015 2:13 PM

PO3 Alan Haynes — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 14:13:36 -0400

-On Station Persian Gulf- USS Midway (CV-41) 51E Shop--> Bustin' Tires for the Flight Deck!
'We-Willy, Bull, Chunks, Daily and J-Junior'

Response by PO1 Michael Gentile made Mar 11 at 2015 3:20 PM

PO1 Michael Gentile — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 15:20:07 -0400

USS Fife DD-991 Launching Tomahawks with the Midway Battle Group (7th Fleet Homeport Yokosuka, Japan) Sitting in Radar 2, listening to the Tomahawks leaving the ship.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2015 4:45 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 16:45:46 -0400

at home praying for the safety of our soldiers

Response by PO1 Douglas Hansen made Mar 18 at 2015 12:36 PM

PO1 Douglas Hansen — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:36:41 -0400

Working at the United States Defense Attache Office in New Delhi, India. Our security posture increased during that time. It was the first time we had a live feed for CNN installed at the Embassy. It truly changed the way information was received from then on.

Response by SSgt Edward Jones made Mar 18 at 2015 6:34 PM

SSgt Edward Jones — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 18:34:48 -0400

Hickam AFB, HI with JCMC (Joint Crises Management Capability). We equipment we had, made us an Airborne Command Post on C-130's or C-141's. We could also set the equipment up on the ground and make us a Joint Service Command Center.

Response by SGT John Wesley made Mar 24 at 2015 10:13 PM

SGT John Wesley — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 22:13:51 -0400

I was stationed in Germany, we left for Saudi shortly thereafter with units from 1st Armored Div

Response by SPC Sean Copperwheat made Mar 24 at 2015 10:22 PM

SPC Sean Copperwheat — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 22:22:43 -0400

I was 16 glued to the TV as my dad was being deployed to Saudi. Worried for him but damn proud

Response by SSG Rick Cartwright made Mar 28 at 2015 9:27 AM

SSG Rick Cartwright — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 09:27:04 -0400

I was with the 1st Armored Division HHC G-3 operations. And it was my anniversary and my wife was back in Nuremberg Germany being evacuated from government leased quarters due to a bomb threat with my 1 and 8 year old boys..

Response by SSG Adam Reed made Mar 29 at 2015 10:58 PM

SSG Adam Reed — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 22:58:02 -0400

I was assigned to the 14th Engineer Bn stationed at Ft. Ord California. Our unit was called up multiple times to go to DS but we ended up acting as OP4 at Ft. Irwin Ca (NTC) for units training to go. When the first air strikes happened I was sleeping in the back of a truck and someone came by and woke me up to watch it on TV. Spent the rest of the war there at NTC.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2015 11:02 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 23:02:37 -0400

I was at Sheppard AFB in tech school as a Medical Technician! The best job I didn't even realize I had until years after I stopped doing it. :)

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 22 at 2015 11:58 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 11:58:47 -0400

I was a Captain assigned to the US Army Concept Analysis Agency. We had been involved in the "war gaming" preparations for Desert Storm for many months before.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 7:28 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 19:28:04 -0400

I was at home (19yrs old) and video taped the first 8 hours of it from CNN

Response by SGT Anthony Schlag made Apr 23 at 2015 4:16 PM

SGT Anthony Schlag — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 16:16:17 -0400

Was with the 249th Engineering Bn. Karlsrue, Germany. Deployed to the desert in Dec.1990 with the same unit.

Response by SPC Adam Shumann Sr made Apr 24 at 2015 12:21 PM

SPC Adam Shumann Sr — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 12:21:56 -0400

Miesau Germany, guarding sensitive items at NATO site 104

Response by Cpl Robert Clark made Apr 29 at 2015 11:17 AM

Cpl Robert Clark — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 11:17:31 -0400

I was asleep in the back of an AAV in Saudi Arabia, not too far from the Kuwaiti boarder. "Speedbump, 3/9."

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Apr 29 at 2015 11:38 AM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 11:38:05 -0400

1st Cav Div Main TOC in the beautiful Saudi desert

Response by SFC Charles S. made May 1 at 2015 4:07 AM

SFC Charles S. — Fri, 01 May 2015 04:07:53 -0400

I was with the 82nd Airborne Division, 82nd Combat Aviation BDE, 35P Avionic Maintenance Supervisor for an Avionics shop. We had just got back from Operation Hawkeye Hurricane Hugo Relief Effort for US. Virgin Islands. We left for the Desert in Aug of 1990 and were there until April 1991. We had 35R's LOL Full MTOE, the thing was once the war began in Jan. There was no work to repair anything. Pilots wouldn't report any deficiency in their equipment because they might miss out on the fighting. We rarely had any work orders.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 2 at 2015 9:49 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Sat, 02 May 2015 21:49:06 -0400

Climb to Glory SGT Private RallyPoint Member:

I wasn't even two years out of the National Guard when this happened. I remember sitting in the living room of my house watching it begin. And like you was watching ABC news. My initial reaction was, sorry to say, glad I'm not in on that, and immediately wished I hadn't had that particular thought.

I make no excuses for my thoughts or lack of action, and I am happy to admit that I am ashamed of those feelings. In retrospect I wish I had re-enlisted then.

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made May 2 at 2015 9:53 PM

1SG Cameron M. Wesson — Sat, 02 May 2015 21:53:03 -0400

Guard Post Ouelette on the DMZ in Korea.

Response by SFC Jeff Gurchinoff made May 2 at 2015 11:28 PM

SFC Jeff Gurchinoff — Sat, 02 May 2015 23:28:45 -0400

Schweinfurt Germany in 2/64 AR BN, getting ready to go

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made May 3 at 2015 12:13 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Sun, 03 May 2015 12:13:36 -0400

1991, i was a sophmore in high school, 16 yrs old.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 11:45 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 May 2015 23:45:15 -0400

High School Senior listening to my Hippie teacher push his views on us. Asked him it's a volunteer force no draft in place right? He said yes told him then get over it this isn't Vietnam and you views suck. Had to serve a week of in house suspension.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 11:47 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 May 2015 23:47:54 -0400

I assume in my hometown in Ohio. I was 3yrs old!

Response by SSgt Robert Clark made May 3 at 2015 11:48 PM

SSgt Robert Clark — Sun, 03 May 2015 23:48:21 -0400

I was stationed at Andersen AFB, Guam. My wife some friends and I were at Tarague Beach at an enlisted club called Oscars. At about 2200 the music stopped and the DJ announced we had declared war with Iraq. We had a moment of silence for the U.S. military members who would soon be in harms way and then the DJ played Proud To Be An American by Lee Greenwood.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2015 1:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 May 2015 01:27:38 -0400

I was in the 6th grade at the time. I believe most of my days were spent playing outside until the street lights came on.

Response by SSgt Maurice Johnson made May 6 at 2015 3:40 PM

SSgt Maurice Johnson — Wed, 06 May 2015 15:40:48 -0400

I was at the O'Hare base for AF 928 CES watching them load up the C131's, on February 1, 1991, that was my last day of service.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made May 6 at 2015 6:29 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Wed, 06 May 2015 18:29:28 -0400

I was 15, watching the whole thing on TV, bedazzled by the glamour of it all and utterly clueless of the reality of war. It was probably that moment that sealed my future as a combat arms soldier in the Army.

Response by SSgt Marshall Franklin made May 8 at 2015 3:56 AM

SSgt Marshall Franklin — Fri, 08 May 2015 03:56:16 -0400

just two weeks prior to that I had signed my early release form from active duty Air Force and then joined the Nevada Army National Guard. this is when I lived in Las Vegas. before I got smart and switch back to the Air Force when I joined the Air National Guard in Atlanta Georgia. a year later.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 8:47 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2015 08:47:31 -0400

I was eating breakfast watching it on TV with my mom before another regular day of 5th grade

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made May 8 at 2015 11:58 PM

MAJ Alvin B. — Fri, 08 May 2015 23:58:30 -0400

During the Gulf War I was assigned to CCJ2 HQ, USCENTCOM in Saudi Arabia for all three campaigns. I did spend time in the field with units deployed in the desert.

Response by SSgt Tim Ricci made May 15 at 2015 4:11 PM

SSgt Tim Ricci — Fri, 15 May 2015 16:11:12 -0400

I Landed in Al Jubal International on Aug 27th, stayed there through Mid January and ended up at Tanajib doing FARP Sites through to Lonesome Dove, Was at Mishab FARP for For the Battle of Khafji, That was a very Busy couple of days! Our Cobras came in Multiple time for reload! For my First Combat FARP it was training for the Others when the Push went! , the Final FARP was Lonesome Dove! Not very Busy persay, kind of reckless learning that our crap hole was a Meter away from a Mine! I dont think I took another poop for a week!!

Response by TSgt David L. made May 21 at 2015 5:30 AM

TSgt David L. — Thu, 21 May 2015 05:30:19 -0400

I was stuck at our school house (Navy EOD School) the entire time. They expected heavy casulties for our carreer field so they had put plans together for a 24 hour schedule in 12 hour shifts. Luckily we didn't have the high KIA events as predicted but I had to stay stateside while my peers deployed. Waah! LMAO

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2015 1:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 May 2015 13:39:02 -0400

In Kansas Ft. Riley 1st INF 4-37Armor, loading up in a snow storm heading to Saudi Arabia!

Response by SGT Jesse Walton made Jun 3 at 2015 8:03 PM

SGT Jesse Walton — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 20:03:36 -0400

I was assigned at the time to the 1st Tiger Brigade, 2nd Armored Division, attached to the 1st Marine Division in support to tank operations, When the Desert Storm kicked off we were currently in the oilfields on the berms going in to Kuwait.

Response by A1C Charles D Wilson made Jun 3 at 2015 8:13 PM

A1C Charles D Wilson — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 20:13:38 -0400

I was out of A.F. and working for Campbell Soup at that time...glued to the TV in the break room. Try to reenlist and got turned down...dang government.

Response by SPC Miguel Rosario Cruz made Jun 9 at 2015 12:44 AM

SPC Miguel Rosario Cruz — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:44:31 -0400

FT LEWIS WA about to go on leave

Response by SFC Daniel Faires made Jun 9 at 2015 9:51 AM

SFC Daniel Faires — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 09:51:54 -0400

Somewhere in that godforsaken place coughing up oil and doing what I was told ! Here is a picture from that era I think we were getting ready to head home

Response by PO1 Scott Cottrell made Jun 10 at 2015 3:54 PM

PO1 Scott Cottrell — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 15:54:05 -0400

I was with TACRON 11 on USS Tarawa (LHA-1). We had just finished an exercise in Yemen and just entered the Gulf.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jun 11 at 2015 4:36 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 16:36:46 -0400

I was in the 10th grade.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Jun 12 at 2015 12:49 PM

Maj Mike Sciales — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 12:49:47 -0400

RAF Upper Heyford, UK. We provided refueling/re-provisioning services for the airflow going into the desert. We opened our clubs to 24 hour services for all those folks going into Saudi. We also set up large hospitals capable of handling the some 10,000 or more expected fatalities and 100,000 wounded. Happily, it never came to being used.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 12:45 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 00:45:08 -0400

SGT. John Hauschildt,

Your photo of those oil wells burning just got my memory thinking back to Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I remember that night very well. During my CDO watch that I had at our Division HQ that evening, I was told by one of the staff officers that the Air campaign might begin in the early morning and just be ready for Scuds and get our Marines in our recently dug out sand berm. At that time our FOB was at Manifa Bay, not far from Khafaghi, the border town on Saudi Arabia. About 0300 zulu time on January 16, 1991, Desert Storm began. From there our Task Forces from 1st MarDiv started moving into their positions near the sand berms. We were able to get one of our Task Force into Kuwait two days prior to G-Day on Feb. 24, 1991. Our unit followed our Task Force into Kuwait on Feb. 25, 1991. We finally made it to the airport in the early morning on Feb. 27. By then we had the Iraqi Army running into our 2nd Marine Division. They tried to take what available vehicles and items that they stole from the Kuwaiti's but got caught by our Cobra's, A-10's and what ever air component that was available to destroy them. We called this the Highway of Death. Our unit returned back to Manifa Bay on March 2, and I finally left Saudi Arabia from Jubial Airport on an Air Force C-141 back to Camp Pendleton, California on April 4. I was there from August 26, 1990 till April 4, 1991. SGT. You brought back a ton of memories for me. Thanks very much. And to all who served in Theater those crucial days.

Semper Fi,

J.K. Kaupe, Jr., CWO3, USMC, (Ret) 1972-1994.

Response by 1SG Dennis McMahon made Jun 18 at 2015 1:34 PM

1SG Dennis McMahon — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 13:34:35 -0400

When Iraq invade Kuwait, I was with the 3rd Armored Division in Frankfurt, West Germany. Trust me,. when I was assigned to 3AD, the last place in the world I thought that big, old heavy division would fight would be the Middle East. I guess once the wall came down, they wanted to keep us busy.
We got to Saudi Arabia at the end of December and waited out in the middle of nowhere until we made the sweep. We then stayed in Safwan, Iraq for about 2 months after the war with 20,000 or so refugees until the UN took over.

After the war, the deactivated 3AD, which was ashame! It was a damn good unit!

Response by TSgt Robert Mahaffy made Jun 18 at 2015 2:51 PM

TSgt Robert Mahaffy — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 14:51:38 -0400

Fairchild AFB, Spokane WA

Response by SSG Peter Navarro made Jul 2 at 2015 7:09 PM

SSG Peter Navarro — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 19:09:03 -0400

I was on the battlefield rolling through "the berm" right after the combat engineers punched a hole for our battalion. I had been in country since 21 SEP 90.

Response by MSgt John Wylie made Jul 7 at 2015 11:41 AM

MSgt John Wylie — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 11:41:52 -0400

There I was...Jeddah Saudi Arabia...Watching B-52's launch into the black sky.

Response by MAJ Karen Shive made Jul 7 at 2015 4:58 PM

MAJ Karen Shive — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 16:58:46 -0400

Flying into Saudi Arabia from Italy

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 5:11 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 17:11:37 -0400

I was 10 years old watching news reports with my mom and hoping that my fathers units would remain ok and that everyone would return home quickly and safely.

Response by SGT Tim Fridley made Jul 16 at 2015 12:05 AM

SGT Tim Fridley — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 00:05:03 -0400

Was in tent city at the port waiting on equipment to come in

Response by SSgt Edward Jones made Jul 16 at 2015 3:14 PM

SSgt Edward Jones — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 15:14:25 -0400

I was at Hickam AFB, HI in a unit that had equipment that could us a C-141 or C-130 to make an Airborne Command Post or the equipment could be set up in the field as a Command Post for US CICPAC. We were always on call to provide this equipment on a moments notice. We were called a couple of times but then stood down. The people in the unite I was in, wanted so much to go and do our part.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 16 at 2015 3:16 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 15:16:39 -0400

I was 9.... sooooo.... Chuck E Cheese?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 19 at 2015 5:23 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 17:23:49 -0400

I was in 11th Grade.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Jul 19 at 2015 5:37 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 17:37:12 -0400

Wow I am getting old
I had just gotten out of the USMC and was thinking about either joining the marine reserves or national guard.
After I had joined the guard the marine reserves called me and asked if I wanted to go to the desert, and I stayed with the guard

Response by SSG Ernie Westby made Jul 19 at 2015 5:38 PM

SSG Ernie Westby — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 17:38:09 -0400

Sitting in the desert waiting for the word "go", eating sand, showering with dust, baking in the heat. 2-liter bottles of water rationed out and never enough to cure the thirst. Not knowing what was ahead, cross-country rides to phone banks and shower points. Trying to scrounge repair parts to keep the tanks, bradleys and apc's running. Fun times..., awesome memories...., scared, excited, anxious, ready, willing, yet at same time, bored, disgusted, irritated.., a mix of emotions. Motivating troops without knowing anything. Leadership wasn't telling us anything because they weren't being told either. Best guess, do your best. Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Provide Comfort.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2015 5:53 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 17:53:26 -0400

Not though of.

Response by MSgt Dani Walker made Jul 19 at 2015 6:12 PM

MSgt Dani Walker — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 18:12:57 -0400

King Fahd Airport

Response by SSG Terrence Griffin made Jul 20 at 2015 8:06 AM

SSG Terrence Griffin — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 08:06:27 -0400

I was on my BFV B32 SSG Myers BC PFC Costellanos driver and I was the gunner a young E-5 and we also had dismount led by SGT Rosario in back,and the reason I remember this day so well is because when the ground war started we wasn't even 30 minutes into our advancement towards the republican guard when we threw track...lmao ,we never fixed a vehicle so fast, and on my first engagement I was firing at a what I believe was a BRDM and I had a misfire with my 25mm AP and I will never forget how all my training in the motorpool and individual training from SFC Duncan came back to me in a flash and I fixed that sonofabitch in record time and continued to engage, I was a member of Bco4/7 infantry 3rd id attached to Ist armored division,will never forget how motivated and proud I was to serve..smh such a great time in my life.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 6:59 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 18:59:38 -0400

Fort Benning, GA in IOBC. We were out on the land navigation course listening in the war on a PRC-77.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 12:31 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 00:31:48 -0400

Elementary School. I wrote a letter, for a class project. Don't know if it actually was sent.

Response by Cpl Robert Clark made Jul 22 at 2015 9:11 AM

Cpl Robert Clark — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:11:16 -0400

Cpl Clark, LCpl Beggs and LCpl Pike.

Response by SSG Keith Roberson made Jul 22 at 2015 11:23 AM

SSG Keith Roberson — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 11:23:31 -0400

Sitting 40 Kilometers from the border of Saudi and Kuwait with 2d Armored Division's Tiger Brigade waiting for the 2d Marines that we were attached with for the "green light". Once we got it, it was 4 days of Hell on Earth. Never forget the sounds, the sights, but most assuredly, the smells.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 5:32 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 17:32:22 -0400

Sophomore in high school.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Sep 2 at 2015 6:40 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 18:40:10 -0400

For Desert Shield, we were alerted at midnight on August 6th, and we were the first combat troops on the ground in Saudi Arabia.

For Desert Storm, I was sitting in a fighting position just south of the Saudi-Iraq border co-located and attached to the French 6th Light Armored Division with the 1/325th AIR, watching B-52s fly over on their way north.

Response by MSgt John Taylor made Sep 17 at 2015 6:50 PM

MSgt John Taylor — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 18:50:15 -0400

King Abdul Aziz AB (Daharan) with the 1st TFW, 1st AGS, 2th7 AMU (F-15C) out of Langley AFB. I got in country 12 Aug.

Response by SGT Barry Vitt made Sep 25 at 2015 4:31 AM

SGT Barry Vitt — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 04:31:19 -0400

3rdID 3rdBDE 2/41FA as 1st BDE 1AD oh! and right behind the 109´s

Response by SFC Popz Beckwith made Oct 8 at 2015 8:17 PM

SFC Popz Beckwith — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:17:07 -0400

There

Response by LTC Robert Dunn made Oct 23 at 2015 5:59 PM

LTC Robert Dunn — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 17:59:25 -0400

I was the Troop Commander as the XO of 19th Combat Engr Bn on a bus traveling from Ft Knox, KY to the Louisville airport to board a plane to deploy into theater when we heard Peter Jennings come across the radio and say the we were bombing Bagdad. Our flight was grounded, we spent that night in the hanger at the airport, the next day in the gym of the reserve center, and were finally able to fly the next evening stopping at McGuire AFB enroute to Frankfurt where our plane was then used to evacuate civilians from Turkey and we spent 6 days in the gym waiting for another plane into theater.

Response by SGT James Carlson made Oct 29 at 2015 11:52 AM

SGT James Carlson — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:52:58 -0400

Saudi Arabia with Task Force 3/7 waiting to roll in to Iraq

Response by CW3 Eric W. S. made Oct 29 at 2015 11:57 AM

CW3 Eric W. S. — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:57:10 -0400

Sitting in the recruiters office begging them to let me in to the active Army. I was over 18, had already graduated high school, wanted to support and defend this nation and was told the only option I had was to be a tanker in a reserve unit.

Response by SrA Darrel Thornton made Oct 29 at 2015 5:03 PM

SrA Darrel Thornton — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 17:03:34 -0400

I was stationed with 1650 TAC at Sharja international airport. We were stationed with the Kuwaiti Air force. There were four fully loaded Kuwaiti Hawks taking off from the runway at 4:00 A.m. We were imformed that the war had started. We all turned on our stereo systems and heard the air raid sirons and bombs exploding in Baghdad.

Response by SFC Gene Keesler made Nov 2 at 2015 8:50 PM

SFC Gene Keesler — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 20:50:46 -0500

KKMC Log Base Bravo 416th Engineer Command

Response by SGT Barry Third made Nov 5 at 2015 11:26 PM

SGT Barry Third — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 23:26:24 -0500

KKMC loading up to breach the berm ,

Response by SPC Miguel Rosario Cruz made Dec 6 at 2015 9:49 PM

SPC Miguel Rosario Cruz — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 21:49:07 -0500

ready to deploy 501mi bn 1st armored division germany

Response by PO1 Scott Cottrell made Dec 10 at 2015 4:04 PM

PO1 Scott Cottrell — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 16:04:13 -0500

Embarked on USS Tarawa LHA-1, Was with Tacron 11 (Tactical Air Control Squadron 11). We had just moved to the Northern Gulf and started off loading our Marines. They never caught up to the front lines.

Response by SPC Joseph Plunkett made Dec 10 at 2015 5:01 PM

SPC Joseph Plunkett — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 17:01:24 -0500

OH Crap.....Desert Storm....August 1990....I was, well....7 years old....Of course that was August 2nd of 1990 so school hadn't started yet. It was still technically Summer vacation. August in Arkansas is freekin hot! I was probably swimming in the river, shooting rabbits, or working in the yard. There is that off chance that I was having a cotton bulb fight with my brother, but that depended on the availability of shade.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 9:51 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:51:30 -0500

Champion Main. Some guy came into the maintenance bay were were living in and said that the air war started.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2015 8:30 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 08:30:09 -0500

4th or 5th grade LOL

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 30 at 2015 8:37 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 08:37:57 -0500

1991? I believe I was in elementary school ;o)

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 31 at 2015 1:11 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:11:01 -0500

I was Attached to HHT 2/7cav 4 I.D. as the F.S.N.C.O. And told to not bother requesting orders elsewhere. We were to deploy as a Division in the event of mass causalities. A fun time was not had by any.

Response by LT Steve Wilson made Jan 3 at 2016 1:10 PM

LT Steve Wilson — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 13:10:57 -0500

I was aboard the USS Tripoli (LPH 10) in the northern Persian Gulf.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Jan 5 at 2016 3:24 PM

CH (LTC) Robert Leroe — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 15:24:13 -0500

I was conducting worship for the 28th CSH in the desert when we got the word to go, and I quickly closed with prayer and away we went! I came to them from a clinical residency at BAMC/Ft Sam Houston, and afterwards returned to complete my CPE training.

Response by SPC Robert Smart made Jan 8 at 2016 9:11 PM

SPC Robert Smart — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 21:11:38 -0500

Wow I really don't remember the name of the place we were. It was somewhere in the Saudi Desert. We had moved from King Fahd International and made two other moves north. I was an e-3 so I did not get told much, other than what to do, and was not encouraged to ask.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 10:11 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 22:11:36 -0500

Pretty sure I was asleep...somewhere, though I'd been promised I would be sent in the next wave of USCG Intel personnel.

Response by GySgt Robert Womble made Jan 12 at 2016 9:35 PM

GySgt Robert Womble — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 21:35:38 -0500

Was sitting in the sandbox during shield, watching the berm that would take us what seemed like forever to breach during the storm. 1st Battalion 8th Marines 2nd Mar Div

Response by SPC Miguel Rosario Cruz made Jan 17 at 2016 4:21 PM

SPC Miguel Rosario Cruz — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 16:21:33 -0500

some were in the desert 501st MI Bn 1AD out of germany

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Jan 30 at 2016 2:42 PM

MAJ Ron Peery — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 14:42:17 -0500

I was at the port (Abdul Aziz I think) with the battalion advance party waiting to roll to the TAA. No sleep that night, or for most of the nights and days thereafter.

Response by SGT Barry Third made Feb 5 at 2016 7:00 PM

SGT Barry Third — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 19:00:13 -0500

I was at KKMC in Saudi , or suppose to be there, we were out on patrol of the border, when i saw my first British tornado fly over head, 30 days later, we went back to the same spot to knock a huge hole in the border walls , made of sand of course,

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made Apr 26 at 2016 3:23 AM

MSgt Richard Rountree — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 03:23:18 -0400

I was in Saudi Arabia at King Fahd International Airport aka KFIA. This was a major airport that was still under construction. I was assigned to the 511 TFS "The Vultures", an A-10 squadron from RAF Alconbury in the UK. Some of us had been briefed a few hours before that we were going to make history tomorrow. My job that evening was to walk through our tent city about midnight, in blackout conditions, and wake everyone up, get them into MOPP gear, have them take their P-tabs (a nerve agent pre-treatment pill), and report to their duty stations....quietly. The aircraft starting taking off shortly after that...and the jet noise never stopped for the next several weeks.

Response by SPC Kenneth Koerperich made Apr 26 at 2016 4:59 AM

SPC Kenneth Koerperich — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 04:59:32 -0400

Korea, Warrior Base. Requested xfer to active unit going to Desert Storm. Told no, your needed here, & then ended up doing a second rotation on DMZ then force reductioned out....What a pisser.

Response by MSgt Anthony Youngblood made Apr 26 at 2016 2:04 PM

MSgt Anthony Youngblood — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 14:04:56 -0400

Getting ready to go fly and assume the orbit along the Iraq/Saudi border on the Airborne Battlefield Command and Control (ABCCC) as an Airborne Communications Systems Technician where we provided communications relay and command and control for Close Air Support (ie the A-10) to the great folks fighting on the ground. 12 hour sorties every other day for the duration of Shield/Storm/Calm. We also coordinated with the TACPs embedded in the Army units for requesting CAS, and anything else they wanted (beans, bullets, mail).

Response by SSgt Donn Gallon made Apr 29 at 2016 1:26 AM

SSgt Donn Gallon — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 01:26:53 -0400

Det One Elf One, at King Abdul Aziz Airbase Dhahran KSA. Was there to Support the Elf One mission then it morphed into Desert Shield then Desert Storm. AWACS/Radar Liaison duties with the Saudi Air Force.

Response by SFC Michael Peterson made May 14 at 2016 1:23 AM

SFC Michael Peterson — Sat, 14 May 2016 01:23:58 -0400

I was in 4/7 INF, 3rd BDE, 3 ID (Attached to 1AD). We crossed the LD into Iraq and, during the four days, we ran over a half dozen Iraqi units. The longest firefight lasted about 15 minutes. On day four, we ended up in the perimeter of the Medina Division of the Republican Guard. They left a Brigade behind, as a blocking force, while the rest of the Division went to Basra to load up on HETT's to retreat back to Baghdad. I heard that a Battalion from the 24th Infantry Division rolled up on their equipment on the HETT's and just blew it to pieces.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 14 at 2016 2:18 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 14 May 2016 02:18:47 -0400

In the First Class Mess APL-15 Living Barge in Support of USS California CGN-36, Bremerton, WA While she was in Drydock. Before all was said and done I would be in Subic Bay for Fiery Vigil and TAD Aboard USS Arkansas CGN-41 for the Transition from Desert Storm to Southern Watch.

Response by MAJ L. Nicholas Smith made May 24 at 2016 8:33 AM

MAJ L. Nicholas Smith — Tue, 24 May 2016 08:33:08 -0400

Crossing the border from Saudi through the NZ into Iraq. Our command didn't show up for a couple days. Those were a memorable couple days to say the least and I came to really appreciate CAS. Saved my butt a couple times at least.

Response by SGT Jesse Walton made May 24 at 2016 3:26 PM

SGT Jesse Walton — Tue, 24 May 2016 15:26:51 -0400

I was stationed at Ft Hood Tx, with 2nd Armored Division, 1st Tiger Brigade- 2nd 41st Infantry-

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 3:31 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 15:31:56 -0400

I was starting a new job in Johnstown, PA. If my military career had gone as I had wanted I would have retired on 1 OCT 1990.

Response by SFC J. Dirk S. made May 26 at 2016 9:52 PM

SFC J. Dirk S. — Thu, 26 May 2016 21:52:38 -0400

2AD FWD Garlstedt Germany attached to 1ID as the van in the NZ did the Hail Mary into Kuwait

Response by SPC Franklin McKown made May 28 at 2016 3:25 AM

SPC Franklin McKown — Sat, 28 May 2016 03:25:02 -0400

I was at the head of the 18th Airborne Corp and rolling, Atrp 1/7 Cav.

Response by SSgt Charles Freeman made May 30 at 2016 1:37 PM

SSgt Charles Freeman — Mon, 30 May 2016 13:37:57 -0400

I was in the rack at Bateen Air Base Abu Dhabi. Not sure but it must have been 0200-0500. Someone came in yelling to get in MOP gear. We dressed out and went over to the rec place and watched on TV

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 8:00 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 08:00:10 -0400

We were on a range detail cleaning up from gunnery I think, and we got the "call" saying bring everyone in. I was just into my first year in the army, stationed at Ft. Hood.

Response by CPT John Sheridan made Jun 11 at 2016 10:16 AM

CPT John Sheridan — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 10:16:45 -0400

I was XO of 44th Chemical Company, 2AD, attached to 1st Cavalry Division. When the war began on January 17th, we were sleeping. I had an advanced party from 44th Chemical Company. The day prior, we began a long movement from our initial desert position located a few miles north of Uray’irah, which was a little north of the Dammam-Riyadh road. We moved to a new position northwest of King Khalid Military City (KKMC). KKMC is south of Hafar Al Batin to the west of the road to Riyadh. We would learn later that this was the “Secret Base in the Desert” referred to in the news.

We were sleeping. Sometime in the early hours of the morning, I was awakened by our soldier on radio watch. He said that he wasn’t sure he had the right radio frequencies as he had been unable to talk to the Division CP since frequency change at midnight. I asked if he had tried the old frequency. He had and that had not worked either. I resolved that I had to get up and drive over to the CP to fix the lack of commo.

Casually, as an after-thought the soldier said “also, the war started a little while ago.”

At that, everyone in the tent sat straight up on their cots. I asked “Why didn’t you wake me up?” Before I finished the question, I knew the answer, but the solder voiced it for me in a way that only a young PFC could. “uhh… I didn’t know I was supposed to, sir...”

He was right. We were all wide awake now with nothing to do. If he hadn’t told me, I would be awake going to the CP, but everyone else would be asleep. Now we were all awake, our senses anticipating imminent battle, but our minds knowing that we really had nothing to do.

Hell of a thing. The war starts, you can’t sleep, and you can’t do anything. We didn’t really appreciate this until we got home, but there we were, on the ground, relatively close to the battle, but knowing almost nothing of it. Our families back home were watching it on CNN. We, who were prepared to fight, had no idea what was happening.

The First Sergeant said, “Sir, I’ll go to the CP and take care of the commo.”

I said, “OK Top, thanks.” The First Sergeant pulled his boots on and walked out of the tent. I immediately regretted letting him do it. I smiled and laughed to myself. There I was, stuck in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do and I just let the First Sergeant do the one thing I could do. Oh well! Now I could sit and ponder my urgency and anxiety.

A sergeant from Smoke Platoon decided that the prudent thing to do would be to dig a bunker. Everyone got up and went outside to do this. This of course was silly. We were about 50 miles south by southwest of Hafar Al Batin, which is about 60 miles south of the Iraqi border. We were in no danger from the Iraqi’s, but it gave us something to do. Heck, for all we knew, Iraqi special forces disguised as Bedouins could attack us at any moment.

I really wanted to dig, but there were already too many soldiers working on it. So, I, the lone officer, got to watch. I figured that I would just get in the way of the NCO's and they wouldn't appreciate me standing right there and watching, so my only alternative was to move away. I walked about 30 meters away and watched from a distance.

Through the remainder of the night, an occasional Tomahawk cruise missile flew overhead. As the dawn was breaking, a formation of Apache Attack Helicopters flew overhead, southbound, returning from the fight. This was our only direct evidence of the fight going on far to the North.

Response by SGT Kevin Taber made Jul 5 at 2016 5:24 PM

SGT Kevin Taber — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 17:24:09 -0400

i was sitting in a bunker with my M-60 when I heard what sounded like a herd of cattle coming through. I looked out the back and saw everyone running for their foxholes. I was like WTF. So I grabbed the TA-312 and called the CP. CP responded with STANDBY. I was like ok whats going on. The CP called back 5 min later and said we just launched Tomahawks at Baghdad. Needless to say I loaded up the M-60 and we didn't sleep for 2 days

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Aug 25 at 2016 2:15 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 14:15:12 -0400

Two miles from the Iraq/Saudi Arabian border with 7/101st. Col Cody and the boys from the 2/17th Cav flew right over head on their way to fire the first shot, knock out the radar installation and open a hole in the "picket fence" that allowed the F117's to wreak havoc during the air phase.

Response by MSgt John Wylie made Aug 25 at 2016 3:20 PM

MSgt John Wylie — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 15:20:12 -0400

There I was... Jeddah, Saudi Arabia...waiting for the jump off. We arrived in Theater in August and waited and waited. While our aircraft experienced battle damage, We were set up outside the SCUD circle. Twelve months after we deployed (and four months after we returned) my duffle bag, with all my uniforms and clothes, showed up back at Barksdale! What a fun deployment.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2016 1:53 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 13:53:19 -0400

I was on the border of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait getting ready to cross the berm. We were 1-67 AR and we were attached to the 2nd Marine Division with 1st Tiger BDE. I remember driving through the oil fields that were all burning at the time, thinking this is what I would imagine Hell to be!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2016 1:53 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 13:53:36 -0400

Response by PO1 Scott Cottrell made Sep 1 at 2016 7:23 PM

PO1 Scott Cottrell — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 19:23:08 -0400

Was on USS Tarawa (LHA-1) a few miles off the Saudi coast.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 9:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 09:52:55 -0400

5th grade. Akron, OH

Response by SSG Wally Lawver made Sep 7 at 2016 10:09 AM

SSG Wally Lawver — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 10:09:18 -0400

Floating around the mediterranean on the USS Guadal Canal on a regular old med float with 2/8 Marines as a combat engineer,Lcpl ,,,,next thing I know was sitting in Northern Iraq with some people called Kurds....The most ironic thing is I was back in that same part of the world Northerm Iraq, with 3rd ID USA as a SSG in 2010 for my last of 3 trips to Iraq................................

Response by PV2 Oakland McCaa III made Oct 17 at 2016 7:44 AM

PV2 Oakland McCaa III — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 07:44:44 -0400

I was in the desert of Saudi Arabia. 2/7 infantry 24th infantry division. I can still see the planes flying overhead. Such a steady stream of planes...

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Nov 8 at 2016 8:58 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 08:58:00 -0500

1ST AD FORWARD DIRECT ARTILLERY for the TF or the DIV.

STEPHENS/

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Nov 8 at 2016 9:12 AM

SFC Dennis A. — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 09:12:42 -0500

I was in Saudi Arabia near the Irap border waiting to cross over.

Response by SSgt Virgil Hollingsworth made Nov 14 at 2016 7:02 PM

SSgt Virgil Hollingsworth — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 19:02:36 -0500

King Fahd Airport

Response by SSG Bryan McDougal made Feb 16 at 2017 11:57 AM

SSG Bryan McDougal — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 11:57:23 -0500

I was in the 24th and many of the fill in were 10th Mountain or 197th. I'll never forget after the war one asked if they could go back to their "mountain". It was pretty funny although command wasn't amused. Made me laugh more, the NCO in me I guess.

Response by SPC Sean Lapoint made Apr 2 at 2017 1:53 PM

SPC Sean Lapoint — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 13:53:31 -0400

In a converted hanger in Dharhan. On a detail for VII corps unloading vehicles from ships. Deployed from Stuttgart, Germany. 1st ID forward

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2017 4:27 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 16:27:04 -0400

Seems it was just yesterday this happen in my life. With the 1st MarDiv, G-6, Blue Diamond since August 1990 till it was over. Left Saudi Arabia the same way I got there. C-141 Starlift on April 4' 1991.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 10:56 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 10:56:02 -0400

731st Combat Support Bn. Saudi Arabia

Response by MG Hugh Van Roosen made Apr 27 at 2017 1:22 PM

MG Hugh Van Roosen — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 13:22:07 -0400

On a special forces exercise skiing across Norway. We returned to Ft Bragg by C141 carrying our skis and winter parkas and were greeted by people who thought we had come back from the desert.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made May 4 at 2017 11:46 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Thu, 04 May 2017 11:46:36 -0400

Graduating from 92F @ FLVA

Response by SGT Tony Jones made May 19 at 2017 6:44 PM

SGT Tony Jones — Fri, 19 May 2017 18:44:10 -0400

84th Eng. Co., We were in country moving from place to place until we got orders for the big jump off. We kept getting harassed by some idiot speeding through our camp, driving a white car. We almost shot him before our company commander stopped us.

Response by LTC Stephen B. made Jun 6 at 2017 10:17 AM

LTC Stephen B. — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 10:17:49 -0400

I was a few clicks north of Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Went over as part of the CSSD from 3d FSSG in Okinawa in September, ended up with I MEF for the duration.

Response by SGT Michael Epstein made Jun 9 at 2017 12:29 PM

SGT Michael Epstein — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 12:29:53 -0400

not sure if I answered before or not since this is a few years old..... When it became Desert Storm, 7/6 inf 3rd Bde 1st AD was still in the Dew Drop Inn waiting for our Bradleys lol

Response by LCpl Todd Houston made Jun 26 at 2017 1:52 AM

LCpl Todd Houston — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 01:52:47 -0400

I was in the 1st Mar Div Band, which meant we were perimeter security for the CG. Then Brig. Gen Mike Myatt. The night everything was suppose to start I was at the main entrance to our pos. One of our motor cycle couriers came up like a bat out of hell. We had been waiting for it all to start for a while now. The way he came up too us I knew something was up. He told me to look into the north east sky in about 10 minutes. Then he went like hell to tell Gen Myatt before it started. So I guess I was the first in H&S Battalion to find out. The next day we began the first of quite a few moves until 24 Feb. When we plowed right through the boarder into Kuwait. Right through the first of a few mine fields.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Jun 26 at 2017 9:44 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 09:44:49 -0400

96 hours:

I am not sure if I know how to describe this as I lay in my bed thinking about how this is all going to come out on paper. On 26 December 1990, I was 19 years old heading to Kuwait on an aircraft with the soldiers of BRAVO Battery 2-1 Field Artillery and the rest of the 1st Armored Division. I was thinking to myself, “What did I sign up for and am I really going to war so soon?” It was as though Christmas had come and gone, the spirit was gone so quick that we didn’t even have time to open any gifts this year.
Next thing I knew, we were in Kuwait or somewhere in the Middle East but they would not tell us where. All I know is that when I stepped off that plane, it was as though the life was sucked out me because I had never been in any situation like this before. There was no airport, just a lot of blowing hot ass sand and it was really HOT. I don’t even think we had time to acclimate; we inventoried everything we had and headed right to the port to pick up our equipment.
I think we spent 4 days at the port unloading everything, putting it on trucks, and when we got to a certain location that was it. It was as if we were on our own and everyone went a different direction. Things are not very clear to me because this was 25 years ago. Yet, I remember we use fanatic alphabet names to move from location to location. I was just a young private who was told to dig a fighting position and a power pit to throw our extra powder increments away when we were done firing our missions. My job during Desert Shield preparation was to run powder increments to foxholes about 50 yards away from the howitzer fighting position. When I wasn’t doing anything, I sat on the howitzer, read left spade, and watched the crew drill. It was like this. If you were not part of the gun crew you remained outside preparing ammunition with the Ammunition Team Chief. Most of time I was digging survival pits.
We spent a lot time in the desert firing missions to nowhere but we soon learned that we were no longer in rear to direct support. We were going to be firing from the front lines with tanks directly at the Iraqi Republican Guard. All I know is the day turned into night because of the burning oil fields and life was not getting any better the further we progressed toward the boarder.
It was as if we had no artillery training skills except for the ones from Basic and AIT. I think we learned more skill to survive in the desert heat then anything. For a while we were the only ones in desert. We didn’t see any other units or tanks or infantry soldiers. It was almost as if they were behind us and we were out in front by ourselves on a suicide mission or something. We starting eating MREs every day and mail stopped coming to the soldiers who received mail. It was as though we were cut off from the rest of the Division.
We were given instruction to move in the dark without night vision and when we got there we dug in and did not move until after 96 hours. There were a lot of sand dunes around us and it was very hard to see the other howitzer. We used the terrain to cover ourselves and we dug in as our lives depended on it. As we sat, we were addressed over the speaker system by our commander telling us how good of a battery we were and that he wanted every soldiers to come back after what we are about to face. Due to the minimal training that we had as a battery, he trusted in GOD for our survival because we were the front line. And when the war started and the shit hit the fan, we stayed in place to provide indirect fire support for the entire 1AD and units crossing the boarding of seventh Corps.
I will tell you now; it was as if the Republican Guard knew where we were. As soon as we heard a crack in the sky, meaning incoming artillery, we had mission after mission. I did my job as a private, ran in the trench we dug, the whole back to the powder pit, and dropped my increments as many as I could. We were non-stop but we kept taking incoming artillery and provided fire for whoever needed it. It was as though we were meant to die as a battery in place. I never saw so many great soldiers and NCOs in a split second when a T72 tank came into our position and was hunting us like sheep. Everyone went to ground and the crews conducted direct fire operations on that single tank. I won’t say it was a confirmed kill or KIA but that tank did not come back. I think M1 got him later during the war. That day, I saw my life flash in front of my eyes and then we got the call that the president (POTUS) was about to come on national TV in the state to declare a CEASE FIRE. Well, we did not get the word. I was listening to my chief say, “We are going to do one last stand and completely destroy the IRG until they were no more.”
At that moment, something happen inside the howitzer. It was as though someone had ripped the number 1 cannonries hand off. He had broken his wrist on the breech and could not fire the 45 round fire mission at the end of the war. With no artillery training, but just from what I learned in basic and watching while I was assigned to the section. My chief had no other option but to put me inside the howitzer to fire the mission as we sat in place to receive any enemy direct or indirect fire during that mission.
FIRE MISSION! 45 rounds! SHEEL HE, FUZE PD, CHRG 8 RED BAG. That’s all I knew for 45 minutes as I loaded the cannon non-stop. The howitzer just watched in amazement as we provided artillery fire to destroy the IRG. Now I not going to say that it was a breeze because it took a lot out of me and I had to crawl on top of the howitzer for a few minutes to relax because my body was broken in half. As I took just few seconds in the dark, I looked up and noticed MLRS rockets coming from the rear of the battlefield. I felt so proud to be an American because someone was about to have a bad day. All I could see is the rocket fire from each rocket shot at the Enemy.
For actions in combat during Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Provide Comfort as a Private First Class and my first ARMY award I received an ARMY COMMENDATION AWARD for my action during the 96 hour combat Operations and setting in place of a fellow soldier to complete the mission without injury.
All together for these OPERATIONS, every soldier who put their life on the line or gave the ultimate sacrifice earned more than respect while deployed to the Middle East/Kuwait/Saudi Arabia. The 2nd Battalion, 1st Field Artillery (NO LONGER ACTIVE) received the Valorous Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, and Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze service campaign stars, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, and Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal. Sounds like a lot but today we are still suffering from this war known as “DESERT STORM SYNDROM” by some, but today it is known as PTSD.

Response by SFC Jeff Holcombe made Jul 1 at 2017 1:02 PM

SFC Jeff Holcombe — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 13:02:50 -0400

This was my track several days later right after the cease fire taken by my battle buddy from his track. I was the driver and we had pulled off a bit and stopped here. I hadn't slept in about 3 days at this point. 69th Chemical Co, 1st Armored Division

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2017 3:56 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 15:56:16 -0400

I was on my home from work the evening of August 2nd, 1990 when a broadcaster broke into my radio program announcing that Iraqi forces had invaded the small Arabic country of Kuwait...and that American Forces were in route to Saudi Arabia. I was a SPC in the USAR, 279th Maint Co (LE) (GS). A few days later I was on orders preparing our unit to mobilize to Fort Hood. From there we landing arrived around the first of February and held up in Khobar Towers. We left the towers the day before the Iraqis dropped a Scud Missile on them.
We reached our grid two days later just North of Hafr al Batin. The directions we had were something like "tire with two white stripes, go North at azimuth..." I made a trip back to port to retrieve more equipment. While there I was awoke by our XO and two of our Warrant Officers in the night. They laterally promoted me to CPL then told me to report to CP across the lot. It was a briefing and sand table to start the ground war and my ride was going a different direction with medical supplies if needed. It was just me and one other truck (M915 and trailer, I think).
On that trip the second truck broke down. As reservist we had no radios, no recovery assets with us. Because of the supplies we made the decision was made to leave the truck and crew behind as they were in safe territory. My gunner and I gave them extra water and ammo then headed out. As we were making our turn to head into the dessert night we saw our first Scud, I was so worried that it might have hit the truck when it detonated. I later found out that it did hit in their area but actually hit the town of al Batin.
As we pulled into our Base Camp I grabbed the FSG and explained the situation. He gave me two CUCV's, a wrecker and more Soldiers to go get those guys. As we were screaming down the highway I saw something in he distance, like a giant shadow. It was my guys! They had the truck running but could only run with the transfer case in low range. They said the went to black out drive when they saw our head lights because they were a slow moving target, lol.
We did good work the rest of the time there. Receiving equipment for repair via air lift and ground transport. Cant believe its been so long ago, such a different Army and war now.

Response by SrA Zo Evans Sr made Jul 13 at 2017 7:17 PM

SrA Zo Evans Sr — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 19:17:35 -0400

Hahn AB Germany

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Jul 13 at 2017 7:31 PM

SGT Jim Arnold — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 19:31:18 -0400

I had just re-enlisted for station of choice to YPG, AZ. then stop loss interrupted my plans I was stuck in Pirmasens Germany in limbo while all this was going on.

Response by CW4 Robert Augur made Jul 16 at 2017 2:55 PM

CW4 Robert Augur — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 14:55:58 -0400

AA Horse 1st Cav Div.

Response by SGT Eric Knutson made Jul 16 at 2017 3:05 PM

SGT Eric Knutson — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 15:05:30 -0400

When Storm (ground) kicked off we were about 10 miles behind the west leg of 1st Cav about 25 miles from TAA Texas,

Response by MSgt Jason McClish made Jul 16 at 2017 3:28 PM

MSgt Jason McClish — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 15:28:27 -0400

I was in the 6th grade, so barely in middle school! :)

Response by MSG Wayne Allies made Jul 16 at 2017 4:33 PM

MSG Wayne Allies — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 16:33:39 -0400

I was moving in a convoy in Iraq, with 1000's of vehicles in the convoy. I was with the 47 Combat Support Hospital, 44th Med. Brigade and we were in support of the 18th Airborne Corps. At one point, our convoy had to stop for several hours because the 7th Corps, was crossing perpendicular to our path of travel. I was sure glad we had air superiority, otherwise we would have been sitting ducks, having to be stalled in place for several hours to let the 7th Corps cross our path.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Jul 22 at 2017 7:53 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 19:53:39 -0400

In Vicenza, Italy, preparing to deploy...but our mission was cancelled at the last minute.

Response by SPC Miguel Rosario Cruz made Jul 28 at 2017 12:55 PM

SPC Miguel Rosario Cruz — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 12:55:48 -0400

Deploy with 501st mi bn 1st ad out off Germany

Response by 1LT Peter Duston made Jul 28 at 2017 3:59 PM

1LT Peter Duston — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 15:59:41 -0400

I had just finished an active duty stint at Fort Devens training reserve and national guard (all branches) medical personnel in refresher combat skills - Combat Casualty Courses as they prepared for deployment. As a reserve soldier I waited for the call-up I was told would happen - it didn't!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2017 11:31 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 23:31:18 -0400

With F Company 51st Infantry Long Range Surveillance Airborne
Everyone was in their fighting position,watching the B-52,s flying north and seeing the night ,lighting up in the far distance.

Response by SGT Robert McEachern made Aug 1 at 2017 11:43 AM

SGT Robert McEachern — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 11:43:46 -0400

Stationed at Ft. Richardson, Alaska. Getting ready to Re-enlist

Response by AN Christopher Crayne made Aug 1 at 2017 6:28 PM

AN Christopher Crayne — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 18:28:44 -0400

USS Midway. I was working in G-3 Weapons one deck under the hanger bay prepping for the first sorties to go. It was about two in the morning and all of us were sweaty,and after working virtually all out for seventeen hours we were tired as hell. I was waiting for the next weapons elevator to come up from the magazine below. For days we had built up everything from TALD, shrike, harpoon, walleye, cluster munitions, 250 to 2,000 lb. bombs.The hanger deck, 2nd deck, and bomb farm were packed with them. Even the mess decks were stuffed end to end. There was a train of bombs from bottom to top ready to load onto the aircraft. Our CO came on the 1MC and gave a briefing on what is coming next. As soon as he finished the General Quarters alarm sounded and everyone was ass over elbows to get to combat stations. I spit into my chew cup and yelled with the other AO's "Get some!" as we launched our first sortie minutes later. Loved it.

Response by CPT Mike Seals made Aug 23 at 2017 6:21 AM

CPT Mike Seals — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 06:21:20 -0400

I was at Log Base Echo, waiting to jump.

Response by SFC Thomas Nichols made Oct 24 at 2017 9:15 PM

SFC Thomas Nichols — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 21:15:56 -0400

I was in Saudi Arabia!

Response by SSgt John LeTourneau made Oct 27 at 2017 9:48 AM

SSgt John LeTourneau — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 09:48:46 -0400

RAF Fairford, UK

Response by PO3 Grant Skiles made Oct 27 at 2017 10:45 AM

PO3 Grant Skiles — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 10:45:43 -0400

Sitting in the Red Sea on an Ammunition ship the was packed with bombs and all types of fuel. I asked one of the weapons officers what would happen if we were hit. He said the in a small estimate who would take out everything in a radius of at least 5 miles. He said five miles up, out and down. We would leave a huge hole in that spot.

Response by SGT Raymond Barrientos made Nov 16 at 2017 10:54 AM

SGT Raymond Barrientos — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 10:54:11 -0500

I was the 3rd vehicle through the burm going into Iraq, D Co. 16th ENBN, 1st Armored Division.

Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made Nov 16 at 2017 10:55 AM

SGT Frank Pritchett — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 10:55:32 -0500

Hafer El Batin at KKMC working with the Saudi Military.

Response by SGT Aric Lier made Nov 16 at 2017 11:34 AM

SGT Aric Lier — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 11:34:38 -0500

I was downtown at a club the music went silent and the DJ announced Operation pig repeat operation pig....taxis were lined up and took us all back to our barracks. buses were already there and a chain of people were throwing gear on board. Grabbed my gear and went to sleep on a bus and woke up later for a briefing on our mission.

Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made Nov 17 at 2017 8:02 AM

SGT Frank Pritchett — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 08:02:15 -0500

I was working in Hafer El Batin at KKMC teaching Saudi Soldiers how to maintain American tanks and artillery.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2017 3:56 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 15:56:11 -0500

Senior in high school.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Dec 3 at 2017 6:17 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 18:17:03 -0500

Retired

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Dec 3 at 2017 7:10 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 19:10:07 -0500

I was thinking about this as we approach the anniversary of that war. I was at Ramstein AB, Germany working as the Squadron Operations Officer for the Aerial Port. We got very busy, very quickly and we had an entire reserve squadron deploy in to help us.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Dec 4 at 2017 11:53 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 11:53:30 -0500

In Korea, we all got extended via stop loss.

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 4 at 2017 2:37 PM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 14:37:13 -0500

Company "F" MSG Battalion (Embassy Duty) Nairobi Kenya. I was inspecting the MSG Detachment in Khartoum, Sudan.

Response by SFC Quinn Chastant made Dec 4 at 2017 5:13 PM

SFC Quinn Chastant — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 17:13:00 -0500

About 1/2 of my USAR unit deployed as fillers in other units to bring them up to operational levels. As for myself, I was stateside when the DS/DS began. I heard of it as a news report on my truck radio as I was responding to my DA Civilian position on an emergency over time call.

Response by LTC John Griscom made Dec 9 at 2017 8:41 PM

LTC John Griscom — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 20:41:40 -0500

FORSCOM HQ working unit deployments.

Response by SGT Jack Stevens made Dec 11 at 2017 11:23 PM

SGT Jack Stevens — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 23:23:19 -0500

I was on the Iraq Border in Western Saudi Arabia. We had just gotten our vehicles that day as we had been conducting dismounted patrols up to and along the been in the 18th Airborne Corps Zone.

Response by SFC Mark Russell made Dec 30 at 2017 9:22 PM

SFC Mark Russell — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 21:22:22 -0500

I was in the field with the 82D in DCU's on an FTX called Internal Look. I pulled up Prodigy and saw the headlines of Hussain moving the troops into Kuwait. I ended up going on Emergency Leave to Germany. A week later I was at Rhien Main trying to hope back to the US seeing part of my unit going the other way. I got back to Ft Bragg and 48 hours later on a 141 enroute to Saudi. When Storm kicked off, I was in Rafa watching the jets fly over with my NVGs'. I was the 82D ABN Frequency Manager.

Response by MSG David Johnson made Jan 19 at 2018 12:43 PM

MSG David Johnson — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 12:43:16 -0500

In the air entire from Germany. We landed on the 17th.
One of our CEV crews fired a 90mm round to break up the coke around the first oil well fire they were able to put out.
We were given memos saying we lived within 50 km of the oil well fires for 30 days or more, so we could use them for VA claims should we need them.
Plus all the pictures we have as evidentiary proof.
It was probably closer to 45 days we went without sunlight.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 11 at 2018 5:46 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 17:46:26 -0400

I had been in country since Aug 4 the year prior,

Response by SFC Quinn Chastant made Apr 11 at 2018 6:11 PM

SFC Quinn Chastant — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 18:11:21 -0400

I was a GS0081 DoD Firefighter, and Army Reservist at the time. My unit was stripped to backfill slots in other deploying CA Battalions, I was rear element due to a family health issue (waiting to see about bone marrow donor status). I was Driving back to the Installation Fire Station on an Emergency Overtime call, when I heard the news on the radio. Fun on a dark night on a back country 2 lane highway avoiding the heavier traffic routes through the urban areas.

Response by SGT Kevin Berman made Jun 28 at 2018 9:10 AM

SGT Kevin Berman — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 09:10:54 -0400

I had just started a new job w/ Stanley Associates working on the US Marine Corps pre-positioning program, and transferred from the 12th to 11th Group in VA.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jun 28 at 2018 9:40 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 09:40:11 -0400

Ft. Lee, Va. ready to graduate as a 92F.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 28 at 2018 10:40 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 10:40:41 -0400

Probably not interesting nor helpful, but...

I was a senior in high school, just turned 18, and when I heard on the radio Shield became Storm, I was driving on Dianne Street in North St. Paul Minnesota. ;-)

After the fact I learned my friend who graduated a year ahead of me was in the 1st wave of tanks that crossed the border and engaged targets.

Response by SGT Robert Pieper made Sep 19 at 2018 3:57 PM

SGT Robert Pieper — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 15:57:47 -0400

Khobar Towers when Storm started.

Response by SPC Gary Welch made Sep 19 at 2018 5:05 PM

SPC Gary Welch — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 17:05:51 -0400

I was crossing the border into iraq

Response by SSG Harry Outcalt made Sep 20 at 2018 8:37 PM

SSG Harry Outcalt — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 20:37:02 -0400

Day before my birthday I was deployed riding a super shithook ,I recall thinking about how big fuss the news made about the trench that slowed down the M1 Abram's all of about a blink of an eye.... Was a long day ...

Response by SGT Michael Knoll made Oct 17 at 2018 9:44 PM

SGT Michael Knoll — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 21:44:24 -0400

I was somewhere in Northern Saudi Arabia around 17 km from the Iraq border. We were part of the FEBA rear maintenance facility. After the second day of the ground campaign I believe we were at the day five objective and supply lines were stressed. All 5 ton drivers and trucks were assigned to a transportation unit. I being a licensed 5 ton operator had the opportunity to travel into Iraq and setup refueling and resupply for the combat units. It was quite an awesome site of Bradleys and Abrams’ tanks spanning almost the entire horizon.

Response by SFC Scott Higgins made Oct 26 at 2018 2:11 PM

SFC Scott Higgins — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 14:11:33 -0400

I was deployed in theater with the 101st Support Bn. 1st Infantry Division. It was funny before we left, my wife was telling her mother I was being deployed. Her mother replied, "Don't worry, they won't send him. He is a Pharmacy tech. Cindy's (her step-daughter) husband is a Marine, they will send him before they send Scott. She didn't seem to understand I was already prepping to ship out with my unit at the time.
Being a Pharmacy tech they didn't make it real clear as to exactly what they were expecting me to do. We had not trained on holding patients in our area in either NTC or post exercises. I imagine i would be asked to do IV admixtures, order medication and the like. That never really happened either. I was assigned as a senior medic on a treatment track initially due to a shortage of 91B's (medics). But after some back-fill additions to our ranks, I reverted to a medical supply/resupply squad leader - we didn't hold anyone in our area so a Pharmacy tech wasn't required. The only thing I did pharmacy related was help mix a suspension of medicine for an Iraqi child because we had no suspension medicines premade on hand.
Other than that - I was just an NCO. I performed duties as a litter-bearer, oversaw re-fueling of the generators and I became the evening comm NCO when the cease-fire was called.
When we got back home, the Army re-organized the Forward support Battalions and replaced the 91Q's (Pharmacy Techs) with 91C - Practical Nurses. The unit now had holding capabilities for casualties, but no Pharmacy techs to mix the IV's.
I was with a great group of people. Glad I had the chance to serve with them.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2019 2:34 PM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 14:34:08 -0500

I was at Baumholder, Germany with the 8th Inf Div (MECH) preparing to deploy to Desert Storm.

Response by 1SG Ernest Stull made Jan 21 at 2019 8:39 AM

1SG Ernest Stull — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 08:39:28 -0500

I was at the Sphere of the Invasion waiting on orders to launch into Iraq. I was in the Stryker Brigade 24th Infantry Div.

Response by SSG William Jones made Mar 1 at 2019 8:04 PM

SSG William Jones — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 20:04:16 -0500

Easy question... I was THERE!

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 2 at 2019 6:06 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 06:06:59 -0500

At work, was nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof that we'd be called in to go.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2019 7:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 07:07:18 -0500

FLW putting recently discharged soldiers that were called up through refresher courses. I was just activated a few weeks prior.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2019 2:25 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 14:25:34 -0400

Okinawa

Response by SFC Jimmy Arocho made Mar 19 at 2019 10:04 AM

SFC Jimmy Arocho — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 10:04:23 -0400

Hello John, This is an awesome story, it carries the test-of-time; your bravery is second to none! I'll carry your toolbox any time! Move , shoot, and communicate!

Response by SSG Brian Carpenter made Jul 17 at 2019 6:55 PM

SSG Brian Carpenter — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 18:55:23 -0400

In the sandbox, already across the berm doing fire missions

Response by SFC Mark Loaiza made Jul 26 at 2019 4:16 PM

SFC Mark Loaiza — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 16:16:47 -0400

I was in the desert ins a very hot tank, shooting at images in my T. C. Coupula sites. Moving as fast as we could. The Iraqis were surrendering faster than we could process them. We (through our interpreters) would tell them to drop their weapons or we'd kill them. Throw them MREs and bottled water and tell them to keep walking to the rear.

Response by LTC David Brown made Apr 21 at 2021 11:19 AM

LTC David Brown — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 11:19:23 -0400

In Saudi Arabia

Response by SSgt William Quinn made Apr 21 at 2021 11:39 AM

SSgt William Quinn — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 11:39:11 -0400

Al Jouf, Joint SPEC OPS Forward Air Base deployment

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2021 11:53 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 11:53:17 -0400

FLW

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2021 12:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 12:11:04 -0400

I was in a vehicle about 1/2K from the Saudi, Kuwait, Iraq border, waiting on a move out order.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2021 12:14 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 12:14:09 -0400

Wasn't on this earth yet

Response by SrA John Monette made Apr 21 at 2021 12:16 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 12:16:15 -0400

Stationed at Grand Forks AFB, ND. Had gone into town and was sitting in the McDonald's drive-through

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2021 2:45 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 14:45:58 -0400

Supporting AD in real time

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Dec 26 at 2021 9:18 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 09:18:41 -0500

I was at the Armory for drill then @SGT John Hauschildt

Response by SGT Benjamin Alarca made Dec 29 at 2021 4:18 PM

SGT Benjamin Alarca — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 16:18:40 -0500

I was already there with the 101st.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2022 1:23 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 13:23:26 -0500

Camp Nacirema, Oman

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2022 1:39 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 13:39:12 -0500

In second grade! My dad was a SFC, stationed in APG tho.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Dec 11 at 2023 11:14 AM

CPL Sheila Lewis — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 11:14:21 -0500

I had just arrived in country.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Dec 11 at 2023 11:15 AM

CPL Sheila Lewis — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 11:15:26 -0500

the first time ever in the Middle East.