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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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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.
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MSgt (Join to see)
I was that punk kid in class Mohawk field jacket black flag shirt with cousins over there in the army. I hated and still do what the counter culture stood for.
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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?
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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...
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...
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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.
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SGT (Join to see)
SSG Arnie Jones, hope that every one came back to the US safe and sound.
I remember arriving into King Fahd Airbase and stepping off the Northwest Orient Boeing 747 during the middle of the Air Campaign. That base was buzzing with A-10s, F-15's, you name it!
I remember arriving into King Fahd Airbase and stepping off the Northwest Orient Boeing 747 during the middle of the Air Campaign. That base was buzzing with A-10s, F-15's, you name it!
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SSG Arnie Jones
That I know of (Combat Action), we lost 1 soul (KIA). Cpl Scott Lindsey, 11C, Infantry to land mine. 2 wounded in Mortar explosion.
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SFC Stillman G.
We hauled ALOT of "bullets" to King Fahd Airbase for the " tank killers" and all the other aircraft. To KKMC and up and down Tap Line Rd MSR Dodge, and others.
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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.....
Speed bumps.....
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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.
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I was there... COL Cody and the others flew overhead to fire the first shots of the Air War.
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SFC Mark Merino
General Cody awarded me my Purple Heart in2008. He was the Vice-Chief then. It was a very bittersweet memory. I had HUGE respect for the Aviator of Aviators.
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1SG (Join to see)
Sitting in the Saudi Desert near King Kalid Military City (KKMC) waiting for the Air Force to do their things ....and the order to do what we do best....accomplish the mission.
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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!
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