38                          HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ, 1991:


                                                     Photograph by the author
A unit designator tree quickly sprou~ed ?t front of the Silopi mess hall. ldenflfted units include the
U.S. 24th MEU (SOC) and CMAGTF 1-91, the British 3d Ctrntmando Bngade, the Dutch 1st
Amphibious Combat Group, the U.S. lilo Special Forces Group, and tlie French Cougar teatn.

wheatfield  landing zone and Marine operated FARP  that serviced allied
helicopters.
    The Silopi landing zone was a busy place. In addition to llMM-264's three
Ull-iNs, four AH-ITs, four CH-53Es, and a dozen CH-46Es, virtually every
other type of NATO helicopter was also using the airstrip. The U.S. Army was
supported by a medium transport squadron flying CH-47 Chinooks, the 149th