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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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I was stationed in Germany, we left for Saudi shortly thereafter with units from 1st Armored Div
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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.
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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.
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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????
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CW3 (Join to see)
I agree. I remember the Vietnam Vets in my unit at the time telling me what they did 24 years prior. As a 19 year old at back then, it was more time than my lifetime. Now at 43, it doesn't seem that long.
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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.
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I was with the 4409th Civil Engineering Sqaudron..Operation Southern Watch and Operation No Fly Zone
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New Orleans pushing reservists. Helped train them to prep to deploy. Spent a lot of time on Bourbon Street. :)
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