702ND TRANS BATTALION OPER DIARY SAUDI ARABIA 1990 THRU 1991

File: 970815_sep96_decls24_0030.txt
Page: 0030
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











                             OPERATION DESERT FAREWELL


           10 March 1991 - R-Day; redeployment begins.

           Bn receives its colors. These were designed by LTC Vance
           after a standard Transportation Corps color, brick red with
           gold trim. Above a gold banner reading 702nd Transportation
           Battalion is a Transportation Corps ship's wheel or helm in
           gold. The center of the wheel is an emerald green field with
           the Saudi date palm over crossed Arabian swords embroidered
           in white. on the border of the ships helm in English and
           Arabic is the motto "Desert Storm" or as the Arabs say,
           "Asafah Sahara."

           11 March - Motor pool in Jubayl port is closed out to make
           room for vehicles returning from the field to be staged for
           redeployment. D Co moves its vehicles to Camp Number 1,
           Jubayl. A Co will move to Dammam.

           12 March - The battalion is directed to stack its arms, and
           return to the wearing of field caps in lieu of Kelvar
           helmets. Gas masks are kept at hand. MAJ Roll will assume
           command of the battalion when LTC Vance leaves command on 23
           March. The change of command is schedule at 19:30 during the
           hours of darkness in deference to the religious observances
           during the month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Moslems fast
           during the day. They are allowed to eat or drink only after
           nightfall.

           13 March - A Co shifts base of operations from Jubayl to
           Dammam.

           14 March - Convoy operations continue. D Co element at Log
           Base B supports redeployment from the field to the airport of
           embarkation (APOE) at KKMC.

           15 March - 702 OPORD 01-91; Mission: Bn change of cmd.

           Troop units returning from the field are bringing back enemy
           armored vehicles and weapons taken in combat. Many are
           vehicles such as the T-72 tank which most of us have seen
           only in the soldiers manual of common tasks. Concerns over
           safety are raised as Iraqi ammunition and small arms are
           discarded in the port area. Convoy operations continue.
           operation Desert Storm ends. Bn strength: 808 soldiers.
           Assets available: 816 flatbed trucks.

           16 March - 50 trucks from B and C Companies are sent to Log
           Base C to move XVIII Airborne Corps ammunition to Log Base B.
           No moon.

           17 March - Bn is directed to plan for the conversion of the
           702nd to a cadre unit to manage civilian contracted trucks.