702ND TRANS BATTALION OPER DIARY SAUDI ARABIA 1990 THRU 1991

File: 970815_sep96_decls24_0004.txt
Page: 0004
Total Pages: 43
Subject = 702ND TRANS BATTALION OPER DIARY SAUDI ARABIA 1990 THRU 1991    

Parent Organization = MISC        

Unit = MISC        

Folder Title = 702ND TRANS BN-PROVISIONAL-BATTALION OPERATIONS DIARY-SAUDI ARABIA 90-91                        

Document Number =          1

Box ID = BX005619










           385th soldiers.


           20 September - NBC training continues.

           21 September - 385th zeros weapons and conducts range
           qualification firing at Fort Bragg.

           22 September - MG Pagonis, Cdr, ARCENT Support Command,
           directs 7th Trans Gp Cdr, COL Whaley, to form a provisional
           heavy equipment transport (BET) battalion using contracted
           commercial trucks, and units available within the theater.

           23 September - 390th Trans Det (CS) Cdr, LTC Coyd M. Vance,
           arrives in theater. He is directed to form the provisional
           HET Bn, and appointed as Bn Cdr by COL Whaley. At Fort Bragg
           the 385th receives vehicles back from post Materiel
           Maintenance Division painted in sand camouflage.

           24 September - 385th vehicles are loaded for air deployment.
           Unit draws basic load of 5.56 MM and 45 caliber ball
           ammunition.

           25 September - 385th Det ISG medically non-deployable due to
           knee problem.  Weather cool, clear.

           26 September - 385th deploys from Pope APB, NC to Saudi
           Arabia via two (2) USAF C-141B aircraft.         5 USC 552(b)(6)
           27 September - 385th arrives in country at Dhahran RSAF Base.
           Deploys via bus to Cement City tent camp. Weather: Clear,
           hot and humid. Two soldiers,
           become heat casualties, and are treated by combat lifesaver
           medics in the camp. Det Cdr, MAJ Kern, makes contact with
           higher [iQ, 93rd Trans Bn (MC) (Provisional). Designated Bn
           Cdr, LTC Bruce Leferriere, states that no air terminal
           mission is currently available. Therefore the 385th will be
           assigned another transportation mission, possibly under
           another command.

           28 September - 385th soldiers rest in Arab "camel" tents.
           Temperature is hot and humid. Troops play cards, read and
           sleep. 'Bagdad Betty," the Iraqi propaganda radio, provides
           amusement.

           29 September - 385 Trans Det is to join 390 Trans Det
           in forming a provisional heavy equipment transport (HET)
           battalion. The BET battalion designation is to be 702. The
           "7' stands for the 7th Transportation Group. The '02n stands
           for the second provisional unit formed. Bn Cdr, LTC Vance,
           visits unit at Cement City. Bn Cdr and MAJ Kern meet with
           7th Gp Cdr, COL Whaley. Gp Cdr directs Bn Cdr to prepare a
           briefing on the plan to develop the "HET Battalion". Troops
           move to King Abdul Aziz Port, Ad Dammam, Saudi Arabia in the
           evening, and are billeted in warehouses located on the port.


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