OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD 82D ENGINEER BATTALION 28 AUG 91

File: 971208_sep96_decls2_0026.txt
Page: 0026
Total Pages: 57
Subject = OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD    82D ENGINEER BATTALION  28 AUG 91   

Box ID = BX000301

Folder Title = 82D ENG BN AFTER ACTION REVIEW COMMENTS  5 APR 91                                               

Unit = VII CORPS   

Parent Org = ARCENT      






            begins coming over the Regimental command net that the explosions
            are originating from the Tallil Airfield and are a result of an EOD
            team destroying ammunition and ordnance at the airfield. At this
            point, with a whole lot of muttering (none of which was kind!), the
            Battalion resumes normal operations. LTC Slattery orders the
            Companies to organize 'underwear' exchange for those that need it.
            Finally we start to get some Class IX parts which CW02 Sookdeo
            sent up from KKMC, and LTF71 finally delivered some Class IX and
            POL.



            03 Apr 91: Today a full Command and Staff meeting is held. The
            major topic is preparation for the redeployment to KKMC and then on
            to Bamberg. The Battalion (-) is scheduled to SP at 0907 on 6
            April with RP on 9 April. A and C Companies will depart for KKMC
            with their Squadrons on 7 April, arriving 10 April. Several HETTs
            came by to pick up our heavy and deadlined equipment.


            06 Apr 91: The Battalion(-) departs its current base camp. SP time
            is 0907. At the first night halt, AA Texas (NU984090), all small
            arms ammunition is collected for turn-in to the S-4.



            07 Apr 91: The Battalion SPs at 0907. At 1430 hours, through lane
            23. the Battalion(-) again crosses the Saudi Arabia/Iraq frontier
            berms it had breached 41 days earlier. At the second night halt,
            AA Shiloh (NS320882), the Battalion(-) holds its first 100%
            shake-down. The primary intent is to ensure that no one is trying
            to bring back any unauthorized war trophies or unsafe items of UXO.


            08 Apr 91: At 1700, the Battalion(-) closes on the RAA Santiago
            (NR518741). To this point, the Battalion has occupied 15 assembly
            areas/base camps (Port of DanLniam->Dynamite Base->AA Richardson->AA
            Kennedy->Iraq->AA Mexico [E Kuwait]->AA Virginia(Iraq)->AA
            Mexico->N Kuwait->AA Virginia->Iraq->AA Texas->AA Shiloh->AA
            Santiago[KXMC3)and covered a total of 1201 miles (roughly the
            distance from New Orleans to Chicago) since its departure from the
            port at Dammam. For those vehicles involved in the road march to
            the Port of Rotterdam, the mileage is 1702 miles. Most vehicles
            register closer to 4000 miles on their odometers.


            09 Apr 91: This morning the Battalion again conducts an 100%
            shake-down inspection. As with the one conducted before, no
            unauthorized items are found. It appears that the soldiers of Blue
            Babe have taken to heart the warnings about the potential dangers
            of the prohibited items. Soldiers want nothing to delay their safe
            return to Bamberg. A full Command and Staff meeting is held at
            2000 hours. The primary focus Is on the redeployment to Bamberg.
            Time is getting short and the tasks that need to be accomplished
            are numerous.