56                            HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN iRAQ, 1991:


scarce transportation, three widely separated work sites, and a supply line that
ran more than 450 miles. Though all of these problems eventually were worked
out, they hampered operations during the 24th MlEU (SOC)'s first days inland.
    Joint Task Force Bravo's mission was to establish an allied presence in
northern Iraq to convince the Kurds of the allied commitment, to alleviate
refugee suffering by delivering relief supplies, and to protect the dislocated
civilians from Iraqi reprisal. Colonel Jones had some initial concerns about the
proposed Operation: He worried about lack of planning time, uncertainty about
future operations, the Iraqi forces in the area, the long distance from support
bases,  Iraqi   and Kurdish   intentions, and interservice cooperation    and
compatibility of communications equipment.
    Operation Provide Comfort was launched on the spur of the moment. The
hurried movement, hasty nMure, sketchy details, and lack of long-range goals
forced Colonel Jones and operations officer Lieutenant Colonel Tom Linn to burn
a lot of midnight oil. Rules of engagement were formulated to cover every
possible situation. Implied tasks had to be deduced and solutions worked out.
Unknown terrain and foul weather could adversely affect operations. There were
110 definitive answers about the length of the MEU's stay or the exact structure
of the allied forces. Two key questions kept arising: "Would the Iraqis and fl~e
Kurds stop shooting? Would Saddam live up to his word, or were his promises
just another example of his monstrous capacity for duplicity?
    This last question was troubling. Although Saddam agreed to cooperate, there
was no clear demonstration of any intention to do so. Therefore, it was prudent


a

                                       Photograph courtesy of MaiGen Jay M. Garner, USA
MajGen Jay M. Garner addresses the Marines of die 24th MEU (SOC) assembied on the flight deck
of the USS Guadalcatial (LPI? 7). The 24th MEU was composed of headquarters, BLT 2/8, HMM-
264, and MSSG 24.