OPERATION DESERT SHIELD STORM 16 MAY 92

File: 970815_sep96_decls20_0010.txt
Page: 0010
Total Pages: 30
Subject = OPERATION DESERT SHIELD  STORM   16 MAY 92                      

Parent Organization = ARCENT      

Unit = VII CORPS   

Folder Title = SPREAD SHEET SUMMARY-MAP AND HISTORY OF 82 ENG BN TRAVELS 16 MAY 92                             

Document Number =          6

Box ID = BX000301






      chairs, clothes lines and other items that eventually are transported to
      the first base camp. The S-3 acquires a tape on assault breaches filmed at
      the National Training Center and this becomes mandatory viewing for all
      leaders down to squad level.



      10 Dec 90: The Battalion conducts a retreat ceremony to mark the closing of
      the Battalion In country.


      11 Dec 90: Not to be out-done by the Blue Babe Battalion, 7th Engineer
      Brigade holds a retreat ceremony to officially mark the Brigade's closure
      in Saudi Arabia. The Brigade has to borrow the National Colors from the
      Battalion to perform its ceremony.


      11-16 Dec 90: Now that the Battalion has closed, unit training begins in
      earnest. Units train on maintaining proficiency on NBC and individual
      weapons training and, after a short period of acclimation, physical
      training. The S-2 section constructs a sand table depicting what current
      intelligence said is the most likely construction of Iraqi defenses. After
      numerous briefings and OPD classes on the S-2 sand table, down to squad
      level, the breaching exercise continues on a walk-th-ough model. The S-2
      section constructs a 1:5 scale model outside on the dock side using
      engineer tape and labeled blocks. LTC Honore, an infantry battalion
      conlnander, conducts an OPD role playing the maneuver commander during a
      breach. The sand table and the outside model are such a success that other
      units at port request to use it for their own training.


      13 Dec 90: The 7th Engineer Brigade places the Battalion OPCON to the 176th
      Engineer Group, a group from the Virginia National Guard. The Battalion
      Commander accompanies COL Raines on an aerial/ground recon of the future
      Dynamite Base.


      15 Dec 90: The PX opens and does over $80,000 worth of retail business
      between the hours of 1200 and 2100. According to Mr. Ron Taylor, the AAFES
      Manager for the Saudi Arabia area, this is the highest single day total
      since the start of Operation Desert Shield. The Battalion's heavy
      equipment is transported by contracted HETTS, obtained by the S4 at port.


      16 Dec 90: The basic loads of small arms ammunition are broken down and
      issued.  The advance party departs the pier at Dammam to rocon and layout
      the future Dynamite Base. Location is 28 deg 40 min N and 46 deg 53 min E.
      This area is the AL HAJARA desert region of Saudi Arabia.


      17 to 20 Dec 90: Successive convoys bring remaining elements of
      the Battalion to Dynamite Base. The convoys distance is 410 km. Base is
      1500 meters square with each of the line companies occupying 1/4 of the
      outer perimeter and 1111C in the middle. A two meter berm is constructed
      around the outer perimeter, a total length of 6,000 meters. Priority of
      base camp operations are security, communications, erecting tentage,
      building overhead shelters, and improving the inner road network. The
      Battalion is fortunate to obtain 26 new GP mediums making life a little
      more comfortable.                                                  4


      20 Dec 90: The first Officers Professional Development class at Dynamite
      Base is held today. The subject matter covered is 'Battalion Command and