192                                    U.S. MARINES IN THE PERSIAN GULF, 1990-1991

withstand the rigors of the march and simply stopped walking, waiting for the
cold to end their suffering.
   Within days of its insertion, the 10th Special Forces Group organized and
identified camps and drop zones, provided medical assistance as needed, and
made plans for security requirements.   The 10th Special Forces Group formed
the first element of what became Joint Task Force Alpha (JTF-A), whose prin-
cipal mission was resupply of the Kurdish refugees. JTF-A was based in Incirlik,
Turkey, along with the headquarters for Combined Task Force (CTF) PROVIDE
COMFORT,     initially commanded by MGen James Jamerson,        USAF,     and
subsequently by LtGen John M. Shalikashvili, USA.
   On 9 April, the 24th Special Operations Capable Marine Expeditionary Unit
(MEU(SOC)) was into its third month of a planned six-month Mediterranean
deployment when the call went out to respond to the rapidly developing situation
in northern Iraq.  Embarked aboard the USS Guadalcanal (LPH?), USS Ausfin
(LPD 4), and USS Charleston (LKA 113), the 24th MEU(SOC) was in the midst
of a landing operation in Sardinia, Italy, when the commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet,
ordered the amphibious ready group to begin backload, depart the waters of the
western Mediterranean, and proceed to the port of Iskenderun, Turkey, for duty
with CTF PROVIDE COMFORT.              The backload was completed the next
morning and the three sliips arrived on station on 13 April.  The following
morning, the 24th MEU(SOC) and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PhibRon-8), com-
manded by Capt Dean Turner, USN, reported to MGen Jamerson and his
deputy, EGen Anthony C. Zinni.
   The mission was clear.    The 24th MEU(SOC) was to establish a forward
support base at Silopi, Turkey, from which helicopters could begin to carry
supplies to refugee camps in the mountains.   Implied in the mission was the
establishment of a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) and a Marine air
control detachment to run the airfield. By 15 April, HMM-264, the aviation
combat element of the 24th MEU(SOC), had displaced itself 450 miles inland,
set up its base, and had begun its humanitarian mission with 23 helicopters in
support of BGen Potter and JTF-A (see "Into a Sea of Refugees" insert).  Dur-
ing the following two weeks the Squadron would deliver over 1 million pounds
of relief supplies and fly in excess of 1,000 hours without mishap.


                             TURKEY
                                                                   IRAN


                                            SYRIA            IflAO