DESERT SHIELD STORM EXPERIENCES QUESTIONNAIRE

File: 970815_sep96_decls53_0005.txt
Page: 0005
Total Pages: 8
Subject = DESERT SHIELD STORM EXPERIENCES QUESTIONNAIRE                   

Parent Organization = MISC        

Unit = MISC        

Folder Title = NGB SURVEY-MICHIGAN                                                                             

Document Number =         11

Box ID = BX005621






        1776th MP CO   Continuation sheet for NGB-PAH Questionnaire
        CPT Tom Hawko


        3.a. Unit called to duty 10% of strength on 26 DEC 91 until 7 JAN 91. 10%
        sta@ted preparing unit equipment for travel to MS. Most a+ the unit equipment
        was packed in 4'x4' crates. Unit received support from HQ STARC and 177 MP
        BDE issues as: legal aid, 201 file review, surepay sign up, finance guidance,
        medical file review, etc. The units strength before activation was 181
        soldiers, and when we departed for MS we had 140 soldiers. Losses due to
        pregnancy, NON MOSO, High School students, Medical. We never received any
        replacement troops, (except one 2LT) which caused several problems anc(i in
        SWA. Requests for all equipment shortages where turned in while at HS, once
        we departed to MS all requests were cancelled, and had to be resubmitted at
        MS. Once in SWA we had to resubmit all requests again, and while in SWA we
        did not have one request for equipment filled except for local purchases off
        the local economy.

        3.b. The unit began inprocessing at Ft. Ben Harrison on 11 JAN 91. The
        first day and a half was spent with all the paperwork required to be placed in
        Title 10 status. All mandatory tasks required by MS were completed. During
        medical file review and physicals several soldiers required shots. Several of
        these soldiers had violent reactions to the shots, and one soldier actually
        stopped breathing and had to be hospitalized. After all soldiers were
        processed the unit validation began. NBC val was the task that was taken most
        serious by the soldiers, and weapons qual was second. After all mandatory
        unit validation tasks were completed the unit then began instructing our own
        classes. The unit was ready to depart to SWA, but aircraft availability
        prevented us from leaving. The unit received the following classes at MS:
        desert survival, communications update, and SWA customs "hich proved to be
        very beneficial. The unit also participated in a FTX (at my request), because
        I assumed command only two months prior to receiving the Alert order. The FTX
        helped me work with my leaders and MP teams, but the unit couldn*t understand
        why we were out in the snow and 10 degree weather practicing tactics when we
        were going to the desert.

        3.c. The biggest problem I had while at FBH was the rise in THREATCON level
        to Bravo. The MPs on base could not handle the extra missions of closing the
        gates of FBH. The 1776th was tasked to supplement the post MPs with approx.
        25 soldiers. I felt the unit should be preparing to go to war and not be
        pulling extra shifts with the post MPs. The realistic law enforcement
        training was ok, but we were going to war to do Area security or Air Base
        Ground Defense and not LE work. These extra duty caused soldiers to miss
        classes, not visit with family when the unit received passes, and caused a big
        moral problem. A few other problems occurred between the senior NCO's and
        officers and the Readiness Group Staff. The 3rd BN staff was excellent and
        really bent over backwards to help the unit Out. Another problem was that the
        departure date was moved back three times, by three weeks, which caused a
        moral problem because the unit wanted to leave FBH and get to SWA. They were
        fired up. Another problem was another eight (8) soldiers were non-deployable
        due to medical reasons. I was able to pick up two active duty MP% from FBH.

        4. The units initial duties while located at Log Base Echo were area
        screening missions along MSR Green or Tap line road (80 miles). The MP teams
        would patrol into the desert approx ten (10) miles off MSR green to look for
        the bad guys. The teams would also make contact will all units in the area
        and provide them with call signs and frequencies in case they came under
        attack. We also provided several Traffic Control Points along MSR Green. We
        also provided several MPs to drive and provide security *or buses transporting
        enemy prisoners. Several teams were used at hospitals to guard EPWS, or fly
        in rH-47s as EPWs were being picked up wall@ing South from Iraq.
        We klso hacf a reaction force of at least one squad on standby at all times.