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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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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...
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CWO3 (Join to see)
SSG Michael LoGiudice DC, I knew your CO. LTCol Rap. and the Comm Platoon Marines.
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On board USS America with VFA-82 getting ready for morning launches..
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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SGT (Join to see)
Awesome! I'm glad that it made a positive influence in you wanting to serve your country.
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