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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.
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.
Posted in these groups: 
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 371
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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!
(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!
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PO3 (Join to see)
I had a good childhood friend who was serving there as a SeaBee during Desert Shield/Storm. Lots of Respect PO1 Tracy Dreyer!
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PO1 David Kazimierczak
Do you remember the transition from the O.D. green uniforms to the B.D.U.'S and the reason why? Now we are feeling our age a little bit. "Seabees Can Do"
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On a Frigate at Naval Station Mayport, Florida preparing to deploy to the I.O.
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sitting on my tank, in the middle of the saudi desert...had been there since 14 aug 1990...TF Ripper, Baby...
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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.
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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!!
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!!
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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.
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I was in Europe (Schwabisch Gmeund) Prepping my platoon to deploy after Christmas.
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