HQS BN 2ND MARDIV SECTION 2 NARRATIVE SUMMARY

File: 100896_sep96_decls12_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 6

Subject: HQS BN 2ND MARDIV  SECTION 2 NARRATIVE SUMMARY                  

Unit: 2ND MARDIV  

Parent Organization: 2 MEF       

Box ID: BX600014

Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY HEADQUARTERS BATTALION MAR - JUN 1991 1 OF 3                                 

Document Number:          2

Folder SEQ  #:         22




                                       UNCLASSIFIED


          There were nearly always a pair of medevac helos and a pair of VIP
          -helos on station.The Battalion provided billeting and chow +or the
          crews. Even though Kuwait International Airport was less than 30 KM
          east the oil +ire smoke frequently was so dense that helos could
          not reach the Forward Arming and Refueling Point there.
          Fortunately, Truck Company usually had ample -Fuel on hand to
          replenish the helos. Because demand for seats to fly south often
          exceeded availability, passengers were prioritized as follows:

                       Category 1  -   Priority medevac
                                 2 -   Emergency leave
                                   -   Routine medevac
                                 4 -   Of+ical orders
                                 5 -   Other


          Running a "MAC terminal" +or the Division frequently took the
          lion's share of the Battalion COC's manpower and time, but the
          payoff - in mail, medevac, and emergency leave transportation - was
          more than worth the effort.
             Training during March consisted mostly of physical training and
          classes on various pieces of equipment, especially the Global
          Positioning System (BPS). There was no live fire training. Physical
          training consisted of unit hikes, runs, calisthenics and organized
          athletics (especially volleyball). Several elaborate and ingenious
          '.weight rooms" were constructed out of sandbags and camouflage net
          Support poles. Organized (mandatory) unit PT was prohibited on days
          when the air was bad due to ailfield smoke.
             During the war worship services were held wherever and whenever
          circumstances permitted. Once in place in Kuwait however, it was
          decided to construct a chapel. The Battalion Sergeant Major
e Chapel of Desert
          Calm" out of sandbags. The Battalion Chaplain celebrated mass there
          daily, and the Division Chaplain conducted Protestant Services on
          Sundays. A lay-led Protestant Bible study also was begun. The
          Chapel further served as a meeting house and movie theater. A
          television and VCR were set up there and movies were shown to
          overflowing crowds nightly.
             With the retrograde to Al JLtbayl (Camp 15) all attention
          shifted to vehicle and gear cleaning and packing or turn-in.
          Because lst Marine Division also was at Camp 15 there was not
          enough space for the entire Battalion within the camp. The
          Battalion headquarters, supply and admin returned to its original
          building, as did the Division headquarters. The companies were
          located outside Camp 15, in the adjacent tent camps. This
          incc)nvience was short lived, though, as the Division very quickly
          began to flow back to Conus. The Battalion XO and Advance Party
          departed on 7 April, and the Battalion Commander and the main body
          departed 14-16 April, leaving behind a Battalion rear party headed
          up by the Battalion S-4. Headquarters Battalion Marines also
          constituted the Division rear party. Because a large portion a+
          4th Trucks was still in Kuwait, the CO of 4th Trucks opted to


          Enclosure (1)
                                                UNCLASSIFIED

                                           6

Document 6 f:/Week-35/BX600014/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY HEADQUARTERS BATTALION MAR - JUN 1991 1 OF 3/hqs bn 2nd mardiv section 2 narrative summary:100196125358
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-35
Box ID = BX600014
Unit = 2ND MARDIV
Parent Organization = 2 MEF
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY HEADQUARTERS BATTALION MAR - JUN 1991 1 OF 3
Folder Seq # = 22
Subject = HQS BN 2ND MARDIV SECTION 2 NARRATIVE SUMMARY
Document Seq # =
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 01-OCT-1996