16 March Naval forces continue counter air-defensive, combat air patrols and mine- sweeping operations. Marine forces maintain defensive positions. 81 crewmembers of USS L�ADER (MSO 490), whose minesweeping efforts enabled the battleships USS MISSOURI and USS WISCONSIN to safely transit mine-infested waters for close-in gunfire support, return from six-month deployment in the Arabian Gulf to NAVBASE Char- leston SC. Ship remains overseas, manned by crew of USS EXUL- TANT, as part of crew rotation policy for minesweepers. 17 March Navai forces continue counter air-defensive, combat air patrols and mine- sweeping operations. Marine ground forces hold defensive positions. U.S./coalition military officials meet with 10 Iraqi military officers at Safwan Airfield, rejects Iraqi request to move aircraft around the country. Iraq warned that any Iraqi warplanes that fly would be shot down. Crew of USS TRIPOLI (LPH-10) awarded Combat Action Ribbon for being endangered by enemy mine attack on 18 February. USS TRIPOH remains in Bahrain port undergoing repairs. 18 March Naval forces- continue counter air~defensive, combat air patrols and mine- sweeping operations. USS NORMANDY (CG-60) diverts a freighter in the N. Red Sea, and assists USS WIWAM V. PRATT (DbG44) with diversion of a second freighter in the North R-e-d Sea. Marine ground forces hold defensive positions. DOD reports over 468,000 U.S. personnel are in the theater (56,000+ Navy, 74,500 USMC). To-date, 71,500 + personnel have redeployed to the U.S. (29,000 Navy, 19,500 USMC). USS SYLVANIA (AFS-2) arrives in Norfolk VA homeport, the first return of a ship supporting OPERATION DESERT STORM. During seven- - month deployment, the combat stores ship delivered 19,000+ pallets of cargo (equaling 20,500 tons of supplies), answered 30,000+ requisi- tions, and delivered spare parts and food sustaining 35,000+ sailors aboard 150 ships. - Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Six (HC 6) Det. Four, embarked on USS SYLVANIA, provided vertical replen- ishment service, logging 700+ accident-free hours, transferring 5,000 tons of supplies, 915 passengers, 31,000 pounds of mail, and 10 emer- gency medevacs. 19 March Naval forces continue counter air-defensive, combat air patrols and mine- sweeping operations. Elements of 2d Marine Division hold defensive positions in Kuwait. DOD reports majority of 1st Marine Division is preparing to redeploy. DOD reports over 461,500 U.S. personnel are in the theater (56,000+ Navy, 72,500+ USMC). To-date, 78,500+ personnel have rededployed to the U.S. (29,000 Navy, 21,500 USMC). A-5O I--
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