702ND TRANS BATTALION OPER DIARY SAUDI ARABIA 1990 THRU 1991

File: 970815_sep96_decls24_0010.txt
Page: 0010
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









           percent of the convoy road miles driven during the Vietnam
           War. It appears that commercial trucks will be at least as
           important here.

           20 November - The Bn Cdr asked a Saudi contractor, educated
           in the United States, what it was about America that he
           missed the most. Expecting that it would be some material
           thing, the commander thought that he could have someone at
           home send it to him. The answer, "Respect." Here your
           status depends upon the station of your family in society.
           In America, you earn it. You can't buy respect.

           21 November - Bn S3 met with MAJ Willis, Gp staff, concerning
           capabilities of Bn commercial truck assets. Maximum range is
           approximately 500 miles round trip, at 2 miles per gallon,
           with an average tank capacity of 264 gallons, not all of
           which is usable. For planning purposes, destinations between
           300 and 400 miles away from the point of origin are within
           range without refueling. Carrying capacity of civilian liETs
           is greater than that of military HETs which were not designed
           to transport Ml tanks. Resupply of tires is a problem for
           both military and commercial vehicle assets. t4AJ Willis
           directs Bn to plan for the upload of a division and an
           armored cavalry regiment at the same time.

           22 November - Planning figures for commercial truck fuel
           consumption and tank capacities provided to the Group:


                               FUEL PLANNING FACTORS
                            COMMERCIAL TRACTOR TRAILERS

                           Fuel Capacity:    1000 liters
                           KM/Liter:             I KM
                           Range:            1000 KM unloaded
                                              900 KM loaded


           Most trucks are equipped with large auxiliary fuel tanks
           located behind the tractor cab. These drain by gravity
           through a pipe into the service tanks when an ordinary
           faucet is opened by the driver.

           23 November - Thanksgiving Day. Battalion dined together
           aboard the barge. Prayers were  offered by the Group Chaplain
           for world peace, the welfare of our families, and of
           thanksgiving for the opportunity to serve our country.

           24 November - At Gp S3 meeting, MAJ Gula, directs Bn S3 to
           plan for movement of ammunition to King Khalid Military City
           (KKMC). Estimate turn around time at 4-5 days, too long for
           effective use of commercial vehicles. Efforts to find
           sufficient cargo tie down straps for ammunition convoys
           continue.