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

              * Implementation of fire support coordination
              lines that could take advantage of the accuracies
              of aircraft inertial navigation systems and the
              installation of a Tacan radio beacon near the
              border to provide pilots cross references to their
              positions.

              * A general tightening up of the criteria to be
              met  before delivering    aerial  ordnance   near
              friendly troops including reporting in and out
              (RIO) procedures, the use of check points to
              force up pilot and controller situation awareness,
              and positive marking of targets.

              * Implementation of vehicle markings, infrared
              and  visible light   strobes for  vehicles,   and
              installation of British Beta long-lasting night
              low-light marking    systems.    Markings    were
              placed on all vehicles, and many were equipped
              with the strobes.

              * Marking the night battlefield with artillery
              rounds filled with chemical light material so that
              pilots would have visual cues to mark locations
              on  the ground.      In   a  superb  effort,  the
              Edgewood   Arsenal    in  Maryland   developed,
              tested, transported, and fielded to I MEF 68
              155mm rounds using chemical-type shells in less
              than two weeks.37

                     Force Deception and Reserve

   The detachment of British forces in January reduced the I MEF maneuver
elements to two large divisions without a reserve. As the 2d Marine Division
moved west and north out of its positions below Al Wafrah to its assembly
areas in mid-February, the Kibrit combat service support area and main supply
route were exposed to enemy attack. To convince the Iraqis that the former 2d
Marine Division pOSitiOns were still occupied, I MEF deployed a tiny deception
force that was the brainchild of the assistant commander of the 1st Marine
Division, Brigadier General Thomas V. Draude.     Task Force "Troy" covered
a front of 29 kilometers and consisted of about 110 Reserve Marines, mostly
from 3d Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company.     These Marines engaged in
a series of noisy combined arms raids against Iraqi positions in the Al Wafrah
sector every day beginning 18 February.  Their efforts paid off. Interrogations