702ND TRANS BATTALION OPER DIARY SAUDI ARABIA 1990 THRU 1991

File: 970815_sep96_decls24_0015.txt
Page: 0015
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









            CPT Kochan, 32nd Trans Gp. It now appears likely that at
            least some if not all of the Bn will be transferred to the
            32nd Group. Convoys continue. Bn has excess HETs at Jubayl
            yet is not allowed to issue more than 20 to support move of
            1 Cav Div. Bn Cdr directs staff to pursue acquiring
            protective masks for the civilian drivers. Many Saudis and
            other Muslims wish us "Merry Christmas" during the day. Bn
            Christmas party in the evening. Great effort has gone into
            making decorations, and the affair is a great success as SG,4
            Brent plays Santa. May God bless us, every one.

            26 December - Working with the 180th Trans Bn we test our
            commercial trailers to determine if they can be pulled by
            military tractors. Bn Forward in Jubayl provides 20 HETs to
            assist in the move of the lst Cav Div to the front. Port
            placed on Scud alert in the afternoon. On order Bn stands
            down. Bn XO visits from Bn Fwd at Jubayl. Confers with Bn
            Cdr and S3. if contracts now in force are filled, the Bn
            will control 2,932 commercial truck assets.     Bn assets:



                              TYPE    CONTRACT      NUMBER
                              ASSET   AUTHORITY    ON UAND

                               BET         625          299
                               LB          731          141
                               FB        1,576          283


            flow will these assets be used? The Bn may provide cadre to
            activate a second HET Bn, or may give up companies of HETs
            and lowboys to support forward movement of armored forces,
            while retaining the flatbed trucks to move ammunition from
            the seaports inland. Perhaps we may be the troops who
            directly support the armored spearheads. Contingency
            planning is a priority. We have to anticipate future
            missions.

            27 December - Strong wind out of the north. Temperature
            cool. Skies cloudy. Convoy operations to move VII Corps,
            support MlAl exchange for the 24th ID, movement of Ist Cav
            Div, and ammunition continue. Bn directed to support the lst
            Cav Div with 30 additional HETs from Jubayl. Decision was
            made at ARCENT SUPCOM level. This kind of decision should ba
            made by the mode operator, movement control Bn, and unit
            acting in concert. The unit would have had the vehicles two
            days ago if it was up to this Bn. Must we have generals make
            decisions that could be made by any good operations sergeant?
            We should train our soldiers to make the right decisions now.
            They must be prepared to support the battle plan when war
            comes by being trained to make the right decision, even in
            the absence of guidance from above.

            28 December - Wind steady out of the north after a cold