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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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Probably busily shitting myself, napping a lot and being a nuisance as my first birthday approached.
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I was stationed in Korea SGT (Join to see).
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.
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.
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I was on recruiting duty in Barberton, OH and was hearing the news of it on my radio with some of my poolees.
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1st grade, at Kocurek Elementary in Austin, TX. Coincidentally, the school is just off Slaughter Lane.
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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.
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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.
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