22 March An Iraqi SU-22 Fitter, one of a flight of two aircraft, was shot down near Kirkuk. The second aircraft, a PC-7 propeller-driven, single engine trainer was not engaged, but the pilot ejected after the Fitter was shot down. This is the second breach of agreed terms. Naval forces continue counter air-defensive, combat air patrols, minesweep- ing and maritime interception operations. Marine ground forces hold defensive positions. DOD reports over 445,000 U.S. personnel are in the theater (55,300+ Navy, 67,500+ USMC). To-date, 95,000 + personnel have redeployed to the U.S. (29,500 Navy, 26,500 USMC). Fast Sealift Ship USNS BELLAThIX departs Saudi Arabia enroute to Savannah GA with first cargo on-load of equipment returning to CONUS. Load consists primarily of equipment from U.S. Army's 24th (Mechanized) Infantry Division. Eight other MSC ships are loaded out, scheduled to depart. USS MACDONOUGH {DDG-39) and USS NICHOLAS (FFG-47) arrives at NAVBASE Charleston SC homeport, the first Navy surface com- batants to return to CONUS. During six-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf, both ships enforced United Nations resolutions by challenging over 600 commercial ships and boarding many ships in search of contraband; escorted and protected numerous ships and planes returning from raids in Iraq and Kuwait; and conducted at-sea rescues of downed pilots. As the northern-most ship in the coalition task force, USS NICHOLAS and embarked helos conducted the first surface attack on Iraqi anti-aircraft sites and captured the first enemy prisoners of war. Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) 44, Detachment Eight, arrives at NAYSTA Mayport FL homeport. During six-month embark aboard USS NICHOLAS, squadron &aw considerable action against Iraqi forces and executed the first helicopter missile attack, captured - the first enemy prisoners of war, rescued a downed pilot in the Ara- bian Gulf, discovered/destroyed mines, and conducted hundreds of merchant vessel identifications and/or challenges enforcing United Nations trade sanctions. 23 March Naval forces continue counter air-defensive, combat air patrols, minesweep- ing and maritime interception operations. Marine ground forces hold defensive positions. USS YELLOWSTONE (AD-41) arrives at NAVBASE Pearl Harbor home port. During eight-month deployment to the Mediterranean and Red Seas, the destroyer tender provided repair, supply, logistics and personnel support including the completion of over 10,000 repair jobs on 30 U.S. and coalition ships, as well as the first time transportation of aircraft and transferring missiles. A-52
| Table of Contents | First Page | Prev Page | Next Page | Src Image |