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Desert Storm began 24 years ago on the evening of January 16 (US)/ the early morning January 17 (Middle East), where were you at?
January 16, 1991 began as a normal day, the operation in the Middle East was still called "Desert Shield", but turned out to be very hectic at the end of the day.
I was stationed with the 10th Mountain Division up at Ft. Drum, NY. Any military history buff knows that, save for one support battalion, no other units left for Saudi Arabia. There were, however, "onesies and twosies" picked from different units to fill the gaps of the of the units already over there.
As an Avionics Radar Repairer (35R), I didn't even think that I would go over there, until my squad leader called me during lunchtime. I was at the CQ desk, when he called asking for three 35R volunteers to deploy with a Reserve unit to the Middle East. Without hesitation, I told my squad leader that I would be the first volunteer. The other two "Romeos" volunteered later on.
After lunch, it was a mad dash to get the three of us through the whole deployment readiness process. This was completed later in the afternoon.
I was calling up different family members, letting them know that I'll be leaving for Ft. Rucker and, a few weeks later, to Saudi Arabia. I remember that I had the TV on in my barracks room, watching ABC News with Peter Jennings, and being on the phone with my oldest brother. I was probably about five minutes into our conversation when breaking news came on from Baghdad- Operation Desert Storm had begun.
I was a bit shocked, but after I got over the initial shock, I knew that I had a job to do- serving my country.
So where were you when Desert Storm began? I'd like to hear your stories.
January 16, 1991 began as a normal day, the operation in the Middle East was still called "Desert Shield", but turned out to be very hectic at the end of the day.
I was stationed with the 10th Mountain Division up at Ft. Drum, NY. Any military history buff knows that, save for one support battalion, no other units left for Saudi Arabia. There were, however, "onesies and twosies" picked from different units to fill the gaps of the of the units already over there.
As an Avionics Radar Repairer (35R), I didn't even think that I would go over there, until my squad leader called me during lunchtime. I was at the CQ desk, when he called asking for three 35R volunteers to deploy with a Reserve unit to the Middle East. Without hesitation, I told my squad leader that I would be the first volunteer. The other two "Romeos" volunteered later on.
After lunch, it was a mad dash to get the three of us through the whole deployment readiness process. This was completed later in the afternoon.
I was calling up different family members, letting them know that I'll be leaving for Ft. Rucker and, a few weeks later, to Saudi Arabia. I remember that I had the TV on in my barracks room, watching ABC News with Peter Jennings, and being on the phone with my oldest brother. I was probably about five minutes into our conversation when breaking news came on from Baghdad- Operation Desert Storm had begun.
I was a bit shocked, but after I got over the initial shock, I knew that I had a job to do- serving my country.
So where were you when Desert Storm began? I'd like to hear your stories.
Posted in these groups: 
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 373
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Hey! Are we getting old? When did we get old? Why didn't anybody tell me? GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!
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SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr.
Whos old?
My kids arent out of the house yet!
Your only as old as you feel!
Life is Good!
My kids arent out of the house yet!
Your only as old as you feel!
Life is Good!
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I was in Fort Ord, in the light infantry, 7th ID, not deploying while I watched my wife deploy for Desert Shield, and stay for Desert Storm she was gone more then a year while I stayed at home, went to Yakima, played in the back 40 at Ord.
To say I understood how she felt when I deployed to Panama, then Panama again, Then Iraq, Then Iraq again, and finally Afghanistan is an understatement .
So true story...
There I was, the 9th Regiment Commanders Driver... in Yakima on a training off site.
My wife was at Ord and had been alerted for deployment, date unknown. My commander came up one morning and said lets go to the air field...So i drove him...After getting there I asked what was up... he said a C-130 would be landing in a few minutes....and we had some folks on the AC.....
Then he said.. when it lands,,, you are getting on it and going home...... Your wife is flying out in the morning, deploying to SWA Operation Desert Shield.. Go say good by... and get back here when your done.
More then a year later..... he told me....when i said she was ok these past months.... I was not guessing.... I have been tracking her the whole year...She is coming home...She is ok,, She made it.
We went to every arrival, no matter what unit, no matter if it was 20 or 200 SM, did not matter if it was middle of the day or 0300 and cold, rainy. I asked why one night...cold, wet, tired.... he said... Because no one was there when we came home (Viet Nam), you and I... we will be at every one of these home comings welcoming them home...
Ok, sir,
To say I understood how she felt when I deployed to Panama, then Panama again, Then Iraq, Then Iraq again, and finally Afghanistan is an understatement .
So true story...
There I was, the 9th Regiment Commanders Driver... in Yakima on a training off site.
My wife was at Ord and had been alerted for deployment, date unknown. My commander came up one morning and said lets go to the air field...So i drove him...After getting there I asked what was up... he said a C-130 would be landing in a few minutes....and we had some folks on the AC.....
Then he said.. when it lands,,, you are getting on it and going home...... Your wife is flying out in the morning, deploying to SWA Operation Desert Shield.. Go say good by... and get back here when your done.
More then a year later..... he told me....when i said she was ok these past months.... I was not guessing.... I have been tracking her the whole year...She is coming home...She is ok,, She made it.
We went to every arrival, no matter what unit, no matter if it was 20 or 200 SM, did not matter if it was middle of the day or 0300 and cold, rainy. I asked why one night...cold, wet, tired.... he said... Because no one was there when we came home (Viet Nam), you and I... we will be at every one of these home comings welcoming them home...
Ok, sir,
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SFC Mark Merino
I was the one of.....probably one mechanized infantry battalions in Germany to not deploy. Lucky or unlucky, only God knows.
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MSG Laura Volckaerts
Great gest on the part of your Commander..... and some of us can only imagine the fear, the stress, and uncertainty. Glad she made it back safe and you as well after following ......thank you for sharing!
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SFC Jimmy Arocho
The dual service member family is all about serving, your sacrifices are deeply respected, thank you for your service!
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A1C Gregory Beckham
Yep, learning how to run. I thought my dad from the 101 just went to work and was going to come back home the next day.
That was the longest work-day I'd ever seen! (I was 2, don't judge me.)
That was the longest work-day I'd ever seen! (I was 2, don't judge me.)
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SFC Jimmy Arocho
You service members are the best-of-the-best! Your deep sense of duty, honor, and country are evident in your stepping up during the period our country is at war! Remember, there is no greater honor than bearing arms in defense of our country! Good luck on that promotion Sergeant Joy!
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