58                          HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ, 1991:


creating a sort of 1,Gaza Strip" sanctuary it) northern Iraq.  Luckily, these
concerns proved to be unfounded.69
    Only minor problems with joint and combined interoperability arose. For the
past decade, joint exercises had been held to eliminate problems similar to those
that plagued Operations Eagle Claw (Desert One) and Urgent Fury (Grenada).
Most interservice conflicts had been worked out, but a few problems remained.
Not all Marine communications equipment was compatible with that of other
services. The 24th MEU (SOC) did not have sufficient organic equipment to
meet all the needs of a joint task force. Most non-Marine forces arriving in
northern Iraq were combat ready, but were not expeditionary, so they relied on
the Marines for fuel, food, water, transportation, ground control, spare parts,
and ted~nical assistance.
    Operation Provide Comfort was a multinational team effort by players of
different cultures, nationalities, and races. As Operation Provide Comfort went
on, eastern Turkey and northern Iraq became gathering places for representatives
of the Free World's military forces. Northern Iraq was also a `,hot spot" for
foreign correspondents. Therefore, Operation Provide Comfort was conducted
in a "glass bowl." Every action was keenly observed by the critical eyes of the
world media.


                                                      Photo~raph by tile author
An aerial view of the town of 2akho in nordzern Iraq Zakho was the site of the headquarters
compounds of both Joint Task Force Bravo and the 24th MEU (Soc).