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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 in Saudi Arabia For Desert Shield then stayed for Desert Storm then was caught up in Operation Provide Comfort. I deployed from Germany.
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I was stationed at HQ USAFE/DPXX we tasked folks in the European theater to go...
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It's pretty crazy to me that this was 24 years ago, lol... I was in Army JROTC in high school when all of this kicked off. Something that trips me out a bit is that, because I joined in February of 1993, I was awarded the NDSM and I was a freshman when the war happened.
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Coincidentally, I was assigned at the 902nd MI Group when it all kicked off. And that's where I work now, as a civilian.
I remember the start of the bombing campaign very well because I predicted the start to a colleague ... and within an hour of my prediction, we started bombing.
I remember the start of the bombing campaign very well because I predicted the start to a colleague ... and within an hour of my prediction, we started bombing.
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When Iraq invade Kuwait, I was with the 3rd Armored Division in Frankfurt, West Germany. Trust me,. when I was assigned to 3AD, the last place in the world I thought that big, old heavy division would fight would be the Middle East. I guess once the wall came down, they wanted to keep us busy.
We got to Saudi Arabia at the end of December and waited out in the middle of nowhere until we made the sweep. We then stayed in Safwan, Iraq for about 2 months after the war with 20,000 or so refugees until the UN took over.
After the war, the deactivated 3AD, which was ashame! It was a damn good unit!
We got to Saudi Arabia at the end of December and waited out in the middle of nowhere until we made the sweep. We then stayed in Safwan, Iraq for about 2 months after the war with 20,000 or so refugees until the UN took over.
After the war, the deactivated 3AD, which was ashame! It was a damn good unit!
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CH (LTC) Robert Leroe
I was a Spearheader from 86-90 and I'm still sad about the deactivation. I served in Desert Storm with the 28th CSH / 44th Med Bde from Bragg. 3AD was my favorite assignment of all. People always ask me, "Was that Patton's division?" My answer: "No, Elvis Presley's."
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MSG Brad Hansen
I recall the accommodations were the best a parking garage could provide. Did you see the 101st band perform a jazz routine? That was a great distractor. The A-10s were fun to watch. Would have been great to get a ride....
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CW2 (Join to see)
I was in the same "projects", 4/101st in the SW corner of the parking garage. To many stories to remember anymore. Ended up with severe PTSD...25 years, woo hoo. Kill me already.
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I was about 25 miles outside KKMC with 2/1 FA, part of 1st AD, serving as a Cannon Fire Direction Specialist (13E).
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I was in the Georgia National Guard at that point in my career. I had been out of the active army for about 2 years at that point. I remember my unit getting activated, and we began the process of preparing to deploy. We were into our 2nd day or so of getting ready, when the actual ground war kicked off. 100 hours later, we were back on standby to wait and see what would happen next - then, nothing. Head home, get some rest, and two weeks later, all the sand colored paint we had ordered arrived... so we painted our hangars... SMH.
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