-A Timeline of the 82nd’s Taskforce 2/82-
- August 6th, 1990
The 2nd brigade of the 82nd, as the “DRB” (Division Ready Brigade) was put on a “2 hour recall”, meaning they must be able to be back on base within 2 hours from being alerted and in the air headed towards whatever destination they are ordered to in 18 hours.
The same day a “red line message” or “red x-ray message” was received and almost the entire division was ordered to assemble and begin moving real ammunition and ordnance to an assembly point. An indication whatever was about the happen was more than just a drill.
Soldiers were then moved to a Corp Marshalling Area (CMA) near the famous “Green Ramps” of Pope Air Force Base. There they were locked in, cut off from the outside world and prepared for combat operations. - August 7th-8th, 1990
Call out day: assembled were an artillery battalion, a light tank company, engineers, military police, air defense, chemical, logistics, and medical assets and 3 divisions of the Division Ready Forces (DRF). These three were DRF1: the 4-325 AIR (Assault Infantry Regiment), DRF2: 2-325 AIR, DRF3: 1-325 AIR. The 4-325 AIR would deploy first.
DBDU’s, filters for the M17 gas masks, extra canteens, and other essential equipment were issued. Soldiers only received two sets of the DBDU’s and no desert boots.
The first planes were in the air that day, less than 14 hours after the initial “red line notification” and on the way to Dharhan, KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).
The 7th and the 8th arriving troopers were transported by civilian buses to a base outside Dharhan that was the home of a former Saudi air defense unit. This would eventually become the 18th Airborne Battalion’s Corp headquarters and was originally called “Falcon Forward” before being renamed “Dragon City” after the 18th’s dragon shoulder insignia.
This base included a barracks, mess hall, medical buildings, and 2 large billet buildings surrounded by open desert. The area round the base would eventually become a massive tent city in the following months. - August 11th, 1990
A home for the 2nd brigade was found. A large trailer park used to house foreign construction workers who built the city of Al Jubayl in the late 1970’s. The trailers were in disrepair but some had A/C. A small PX, chapel, and laundromat would eventually be set up in the park. - August 12th-13th, 1990
2nd brigade moves into the trailer park, now called “Falcon Base”. They would be there for a month and during that time would provide security for Marines coming ashore in the city of Al Jubayl. - August 23rd, 1990
TF 2-82 deployed into the desert for the first time to set up battle positions and acclimate soldiers to the environment.
- August 25th, 1990
TF 2-82 hands over the mission at Al Jubayl to the USMC. They are ordered to move to Abqaiq on September 11th. - September 14th, 1990
TF 2-82 begins moving to defend the oil fields at Abqaiq (pronounced ab-kah-eek). The camp established at Abqaiq will eventually be called “Falcon Base” and Al Jubayl would be designated “Falcon Forward” until October 31st when the final men of the 82nd left for Abqaiq.
Abqaiq would be lovingly referred to by the 82nd as “Camp Buttcake” and would be the 82nd’s home until the beginning of Desert Storm. Every effort was made to make the camp livable and comfortable.
The pace of training picked up at “Buttcake”, with a rifle range constructed and a CQB training “house” made from discarded tires put together. Old trailers in Camp Gold were renovated for soldiers to live in but this took three months so initially 4-325 AIR and 2-319 AFAR were living in tents. - September 20th, 1990
Specialist Robert Allen Noonan of the 505th PIR dies in an accident when a truck he is riding in overturns. - November 22nd, 1990
During Thanksgiving the camp would receive visits from Steve Martin and his then-wife Victoria Tennant and General Norman Schwarzkopf.
- November 29th, 1990
The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 678, which authorized members to use “any necessary means” to uphold the peace in the region. Saddam Hussein was given until January 15th, 1991 to withdraw from Kuwait. - December 2nd, 1990
Iraq fires it’s first Scud missile, possibly as a test to see if they even work and possibly as a warning to the coalition. It detonates inside Iraq’s border. - December 25th, 1990
Christmas in Abqaiq was celebrated with a generous meal. Each soldier was given a 15 minute video tape to record messages for family and friends back home.
- December 26th, 1990
Requests were sent out to units asking for a list of any French speaking soldiers. - January 8th, 1991
Th entire division was ordered to move due to a high level terrorist threat in Riyadh. TF 2-82 was eventually held in place and 3rd Brigade, 505th PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment) took it’s place in what would be called “Operation Quick Silver.” - January 10th, 1991
6 men who spoke French were sent to act as liaisons to the French forces. - January 15th, 1991
Troopers were ordered to pack up everything they owned and have it boxed, loaded, and ready to move. - January 16th, 1991 (K-Day)
Troopers trained on the rifle range, checking zeros on firearms. TF 2-82’s headquarters was informed they would detach from the rest of the 82nd and assemble at a “tactical assembly area” called TAA Hawk, a place 30 miles north of Rafha. There OPCON (operational control) of the task force would be assumed by the French 6th Light Armored Division. The 6th LAD was the core of the French “Division Daguet.”
Soldiers were also instructed to increase MOPP (military overgarment protective posture) to level zero. This means each soldier would have their gas mask on their person and their charcoal lined overgarments, gloves, boots, and decontamination kits were to be readily available. They also began taking PB (Pyridostigmine Bromide) pills. These pills were supposed to mitigate the effects of chemical nerve agents. - January 17th, 1991
TF 2-82 discovers the air war has started. - January 18th
All the brigade commanders and their guidon bearers reported to Camp Red at Abqaiq for a ceremonial formation to signify the beginning of the war.
Troopers receive briefings on rules of engagement and talking to the press.
Also on the 18th, the Iraqis fired 80 Scud missiles into Saudi Arabia and Israel. - January 19th, 1991
Mobilization day. The brigade is ordered to fly out of Abqaiq on 200 C-130 aircraft. Hundreds of vehicles would also leave in a massive convoy. Most of the aircraft were diverted to the 101st Airborne and only one actually made it to Rafha. Soldiers and equipment eventually filters into TAA Falcon.
- January 20th, 1991
The French lend heavy equipment to help dig in TF 2-82’s headquarters. Headquarters staff meets with their French counterparts in the 6th LAD who have also had French Foreign Legion soldiers attached. - January 21st, 1991
The “digging in” continues and supplies and vehicles begin arriving. - January 23rd, 1991
The French report seeing 3 Iraqi helicopters in the area. - January 24th, 1991
The last of the Americans arrive at TAA Hawk. - January 25th, 1991
All three battalions begin recon along the border using night vision, ground surveillance radar, thermal sights, and low level voice intercept. - January 28th, 1991
Saudi border guards opened fire on an Iraqi patrol. one Iraqi was killed and 3 Saudis were injured. The Iraqi’s body is recovered and it’s discovered he was a reserve lieutenant in the 4th regular army division. - January 29th, 1991
An F-117 bombed As Salman airbase, one of Division Daguet’s future objectives. - February 1st, 1991
At 0430 Daguet goes to 100% security after a number of unknown tracked vehicles were heard moving in the distance.
At 2200 a patrol came across a group of Iraqi soldiers attempting to set up an ambush position. This lead to a 15 minute fire fight. The Iraqis ultimately fled, leaving behind weapons including and RPG-7 and an anti-tank missile. This made LTC Vine’s 4-325 AIR the first element of the 82nd to engage the enemy in Desert Storm. - February 2nd, 3rd, 1991
A large sandstorm hampers visibility, curtailing most activities and patrols.
On the 3rd at 2200 the 6th LAD fired 108 155mm artillery shells onto the objectives adjacent to objective Falcon.
- 6th February, 1991
Unknown weapons heard firing in the distance at 1400.
That night 1-325 AIR in on patrol and comes upon an Iraqi vehicle and dismounted troops. 2-329 AFAR fired 20-25 rounds of 105mm and 81mm shells at the enemy. - February 7th, 1991
After three weeks without a shower, a makeshift shower system is set up. That same day T-rations arrive in the TAA. Up until this point the 82nd at TAA Falcon had been “brown bagging” it and only had MRE’s to eat. - February 9th, 1991
Brigadier General Richard Timmons and French commander LTG Michel Roquejoffre visit TAA Falcon and say that the Iraqis have been seen in the sector with protective masks, possibly handling chemical munitions. TF 2-82’s HQ is officially told the ground war will start on the 23rd. - February 12th, 1991
Mounted patrols are officially started.
49 rounds of 105mm and 19 of 81mm were fired at an Iraqi patrol consisting of 25 soldiers and 2 vehicles.
The Air Force bombed Iraqi border positions and most Iraqis pulled back about 10 miles. American patrols now begin on the border escarpment. - February 14th and 15th, 1991
All vehicles are marked with inverted V’s to help prevent fratricide incidents. The first casualty of Desert Storm proper occurs on the 14th when a sergeant from the 307th Medical Battalion is killed in a truck accident on Tapline road. (Note: I’ve determined that SSG was Jeffrey Allan Rollins of Utah.) A vigil was held that night for Rollins in the BSA. - February 16th
PB pills are stopped, MOPP downgraded. - February 17th, 1991
Artillery is fired across the border at suspected radar sites. - February 18th, 1991
Patrols are increased across the border, probing for Iraqi defenses. These will continue until the day of the ground invasion.
Desert boots finally arrive. The 82nd had deployed with the standard jungle boots which were less than ideal. The patent leather becomes unbearably hot in the sun and the water drain eyelets allow sand into the boot. Unfortunately, someone in supply got to the shipment first and only ridiculous sizes like 16 and 5 make it to TAA Hawk. Almost no one can wear them and so they continue on wearing jungle boots. - 20th February, 1991
500 Iraqis surrender to 101st Airborne Apache helicopters at As Salman airbase.
21 Scuds are launched by the Iraqis over King Khalid Military City but are shot down.
- February 22nd, 1991
Daguet begins breaking down their positions and loading supplies. They also conduct rehearsals for moving into attack positions. Many soldiers attend makeshift chapel services.
That night the French 6th LAD’s commanding general sends a messenger to Colonel Ronald F Rokosz, commander of the Ready Brigade. The messenger carries the French commander’s regards, well wishes in battle, and three bottles of fine wine, each representing objective Daguet would seize once the invasion started.
That night 4 heavily armed Iraqis in a civilian vehicle crossed the border and were met by a US TOW missile. 3 died instantly when the vehicle was hit, 1 would be found lying underneath the car wounded, missing an arm.
- February 23rd, 1991
At 1100 hours, the 6th LAD and TF 2-82 attacked into Iraq. A 3 pronged assault on objective Falcon was lead by tanks and HMMWV’s with TOW missiles. This was followed by infantry in 5 ton trucks. No hostile taken, but many abandoned weapons and weapons systems were discovered.
By 1700 TF 2-82 was fully emplaced on objective Falcon. That night patrols were sent out to their front. - February 24th, 1991
At 0530 Daguet continued up main supply road Texas towards objective Rochambeau. The objective was “softened” by a massive strike consisting of 105mm and 155 mm artillery shells, MLRS rockets, and air strikes.
After the bombardment, Daguet continued moving forward and begin taking surrendering Iraqis prisoner.
Light mortar and artillery fire was encountered but it was ineffective and sporadic.
At 1200 hours, Daguet reached Rochambeau and hundreds of Iraqis surrendered. The Iraqi 45th Division surrendered en masse.
The French requested a stop for the night after taking Rochambeau. They weren’t adequately equipped t maneuver or fight at night. - February 25th, 1991
Daguet continued attacking north with TF 2-82 swinging to the east to bypass As Salman and set up blocking positions. The French attacked west and captured As Salman before dusk, seized the airbase and started screening the left flank of the coalition.
TF 2-82 continued east 24 miles and linked up with the French 1st SPAHIS and established a defensive blocking position at Assembly Area Spring Lake.
More prisoners taken in surrender on the 25th. The total after passing into Iraq surpassing 1,000. - February 26th
TF 2-82 continued east on MSR Virginia 25 miles during a sandstorm with 50 MPH winds, finally linking up with 1-327th Infantry Battalion and the 101st Airborne southwest of Talil Airbase.
The French relenquished operational control the TF 2-82 which attached back to the main body of the 82nd Airborne and was placed in reserve. - February 27th, 1991
TF 2-82 would now follow the 504th PIR and the 505th PIR who had been destroying equipment at the Talil and Jaliba airfields and the Tal al-Lahm ammo storage facility plus processing more surrendering prisoners of war.
The French 6th LAD completely clear As Salman but lost two soldiers and ten wounded in a firefight. - February 28th
TF 2-82 notified of a ceasefire to start at 0800. This marked the task force’s 207th day in the Gulf. They were ordered to new defensive positions an remained in place until all fighting ended. - March 3rd, 1991
Orders came through for TF 2-82 to return to TAA Falcon and then to AA Rodes. - March 7th
4-325 AIR flew home from Saudi Arabia - March 9th
TF 2-82 flew out of Rafha airfield to Dharhan where a general cool down and clean up period would last until the 15th of March, when TF 2-82 would begin to leave Saudia Arabi and make the long trip home. By the end of April, 1991 all the soldiers of the 82nd were back in North Carolina.
That’s probably a lot of information to take in with a lot of acronyms that the average person isn’t used to. More than just the timeline, I want to try to humanize the experience of the average soldier in the KSA and Iraq. I want to show the daily equipment, standard and specialized, and talk about living conditions. We’ll start with the clothes these men and women wore on their backs.