Preface

This monograph tells the story of the U.S. Marine deployment in support of Operation Provide Comfort from April to July 1991. As part of an international humanitarian intervention force, U.S. Marines played a major role in alinost every aspect of Combined Task Force Provide Comfort: the 24th MEU (SOC) and CMAGTF 1-91 operated from forward bases at Silopi, Turkey, and throughout northern Iraq; Marines served as staff officers at Zakho, Silopi, and Incirlik; 24th MEU (SOC) rear parties remained with Phibron 8 at Iskenderum Harbor; and FMFEur (Designate) Marines provided long-distance direct support from Germany and England.

This monograph relies heavily on primary sources, mostly the author's observations and the first-hand testimony of participants, to capture the emotions and perceptions of the moment, what historians call the "climate of the times." No single source does a better job of capturing this climate than the art work of Colonel Peter M. "Mike" Gish, USMCR (Ret), whose paintings illustrate this monograph. Colonel Gish is a great campaigner, a good friend, and a fine artist.

My way into northern Iraq was smoothed by the careful ministrations of Major Charles V. Mugno and the assistance of Senior Master Sergeant Thomas L. Robb, USAF; Staff Sergeant Thomas A. Trayor, USAF; and Staff Sergeant Marie Y. Hererra, USAF, of the Combined Task Force History Office. In the field, Brigadier General Anthony C. Zinni, USMC, gave me excellent guidance and opened many doors. Colonel James L. Jones Jr., USMC, and the staff of the 24th MEU (SOC) made me a part of the team and were never too busy to help. My thanks also to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A. Byrtus and fl~ Black Knights of HMM-264 for their time and taxi service. Lieutenant Colonel Richard T. Kohl (MS SG-24) was a gracious host and a fine comrade whose company I enjoyed immensely. The staff of MSSG-24 was very helpful to me and the best friends one could have, especially Mongo, Jake, Harley Bob, the Rate, and Doctor No. Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Bailey and Contingency MAGTF 1-91 enthusiastically provided everything I requested and more. It was a great surprise to find Captain Wayne 0. Ouzts--an old pal from Desert Storm--at Incirlik, ready to buy a broke friend his first libatious refreshment after so many months in the desert.

I owe a special salute to the combat historians of MTU(HIST) DC-7 who served during Desert Storm: Colonel Charles J. Quilter II, Colonel Dennis P. Mroczkowski, Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. Cureton, Lieutenant Colonel Frank V. Sturgeon, and combat artist Lieutenant Colonel Keith A. McConnell.

Thanks also go to the fine staff at the Marine Corps Historical Center, without whose suppor~t this monograph would not have been possible: Brigadier General Edwin H. Simmons (Ret), Colonel Daniel M. Smith, Mr. Benis M. Frank, Dr. Jack Shulimson, Mr. Charles R. Smith, Major Charles D. Melson, Captain David A. Dawson, Mr. Danny J. Crawford, Mr. Robert V. Aquilina, Mrs. Ann A. Ferrante, Ms. Lena Kaljot, Ms. Regina Strother, Ms. Shelia

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