ANTHOLOGY AND ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY                                          163

Brigadier General Admire commanded the 3d Marines during the Persian Gulf
conflict.  In this, the second of two articles, General Admire describes training
and fighting with Arab allies during Desert Shield, emphasizing the importance
of close personal relationships between allies in coalition Wa fare.  `tTask Force
Taro `~ is an allusion to an edible plant common in Hawaii, the home port of the
3d Marines.


The 3d Marines in Desert Storm

By Brigadier General John H. Admire

Marine Corps Gazette, September 1991


   When the 3d Marines deployed to Saudi Arabia in mid-to-late August 1990,
they immediately displaced to base camps and forward defensive positions.     A
rear area was established at Ra's Al Ghar, which was a Saudi Marine recruit
training facility south of Jubail.   This created unique OpportunitieS for the
Hawaii Marines. This association with fellow Marines provided the 3d Marines
with the training areas and ranges needed to conduct weapons firing and field
training.   Initially, ordnance restrictions and training area constraints delayed
field exercises for most American forces.   But the bond of cooperation between
Saudi and American Marines enabled us to begin a cross-training program that
eventually expanded considerably.
   MajGen James     M.   Myan,    commanding general,       1st Marine Division,
encouraged and directed the 3d Marines to become the division's focal point for
cross-training initiatives with the Arab Coalition forces.  (See author's article in
MCG, Aug91.)      Consequently, in October 1990 the regiment, which became
known as Task Force Taro, began training with the Saudi Arabian King Abdul
Aziz Brigade.   The Saudi brigade was located on the Saudi and Kuwaiti border
and training with them allowed us to operate on terrain in which we would later
conduct combat operations.
   From October through December the 3d Marines rotated company (-) re-
inforced units of 150-200 U.S. Marines forward to train with the Saudis. These
8- to 10-day training periods focused on the complete spectrum of military
subjects: tactics, weapons, leadership, and maintenance, among others.       We
were very conscious and careful, however, to present the cross-training as a
mutually supporting and reciprocal effort.    We acknowledged the Saudi ex-
pertise in desert tactics  and asked    them to  teach desert survival,    desert
navigation, and desert tracking classes.  Throughout the next three months the
exchange of tactical knowledge and procedures enhanced the capabilities of both
forces.   In the process, however, a significantly more vital relationship began
developing.   Arab and American friendships emerged founded on the common
bond of the brotherhood of arms.