UNIT LOG
PORT SECURITY UNIT 303B
OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD/STORM
6 JANUARY - 11 JUNE 1991
Log assembled by
Captain David L. Powell, USCGR(ret) ©1991
6 January - The world's best PSU reports to Florida National Guard's Camp Blanding
near Starke for 6 weeks of intensive port security training in preparation for
deployment to Operation Desert Shield.
7 January - Training begins for PSU #1 by force element (ie. Boat Crews, MARSEC,
Engineering, Administration, and Command/Control) Began issue of BDUs and 782
gear. A fresh ration of "humble pie" was served daily by the T-PADET "'wannabee"
staff which inspired over 100 Reserve Coasties from nearly 40 states to bond
together to form the sharpest CG combat unit since the Vietnam War.
13 January - First day of liberty in the Starke area to do laundry, attend church
services, and sample the local quisine.
16 January - The air campaign phase of Operation Desert Storm against Iraq began
at 1900 EST while all hands were being counselled by CAPT Good, USN, Chaplain
of the CG. Commencement of the air war instilled a greater sense of urgency
and importance in our training.
17 January - Israel was attacked by Iraqi SCUD missles.
27 January - NY Giants beat the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl, 20-19.
30 January - Significant ground action occurred in Saudi Arabia near the border
with Kuwait at the town of Khafji where invading Iraqis were repelled by a combined
force of Saudis and U.S. Marines.
12 February- Moved entire PSU from TRADET Brigade compound to older barracks
to make zoom for second reporting PSU.
13 February- Began final FTX commencing at Lake Lowry.
14 February- Continued FTX with Navy MIUWU and IUW Group 2 staff at NAVSTA Mayport.
15 February- FTX successfully completed thereby concluding 6 weeks of the best
military training conducted by the CG since WWII in large part due to some outstanding
enlisted instructors.
16 February- Commenced unit training while in garrison awaiting deployment orders
dependent on rotation decision for Navy MIUWUs. Began lengthy emotional rollercoaster
about go/no go deployment for Desert Storm.
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19 February- Boat crew detail fabricated and erected unit flag mast in barracks
area.
20 February- Received ;superb Arabic culture training from 2 officers of USAF
Special. Operations Command, McDill AFB, Florida.
22 February- Unit photograph taken by TRADET Staff and held all hands cookout
at Camp Elanding NCO Club.
23 February- Ground campaign phase of Desert Storm commenced (24 February in
theater).
25 February- Participated ?n formal graduation ceremony for having completed
PSU training. Unit colors presented by TRADET Staff. All three PSUs addressed
by Commandant, ADM Kime, at Blanding Armory.
27 February- Decision made by Commandant to replace Ninth District PSUs in theater
with Blanding PSUs without waiting for Navy MIUWU rotation.
28 February- Kuwait liberated by Coalition Forces. Temporary ceasefire ordered
by President Bush.
3 March - PSU #1 assigned MAC flight number and deployment date of 4
March.
4 March - Departed Camp Blanding in late morning for NAS Jacksonville. Incoming
MAC flight was diverted to Cecil Field because of runway repairs at JAX. Airborne
from Cecil Field at 2105 EST on MAC Mission # AJRN21906063 enroute McGuire AFB,
NJ in a C-141 aircraft built in 1965 with 33,000 flight hours and 19,000 landings.
Landed at McGuire at 2255 EST.
5 March - 0130 EST airborne from Mcguire with new flight crew (USAFR) enroute
Ramstein AFB, Germany. Landed 0900 EST (1500 ocal) at Ramstein. Bussed to large
tent holding area with porta-potties, but no water. Friendly USAF E-9 arranged
for head calls and bag lunches. 1741 local departed Ramstein enroute Dharhan,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
6 March - 0209 local arrived Dhahran Air Base during a record setting rain storm.
After much delay with cargo handling and rousting out the PSU we would relieve,
finally arrived in Camp Batar at 0600. With wet, tired people and drenched gear,
we settled into temporary, cramped quarters that made Camp Blanding look like
the Hilton. A heavy oily smell and soot permeated the air from the oil well
fires in Kuwait. We would endure this hardship almost continually during our
90-day deployment. THREATCON was C.
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7 March - Awakened by our first noticeable Islamic prayer call after 24 hours
of acclimation and much needed sleep. Began process of relieving Milwaukee company
of PSU 303 at the King Abdul Aziz Port of Dammam, KSA.
8 March - MIUWU 108 from Corpus Christi, TX arrived to relieve MIUWU 105 at
Dammam. Our new prospective operational commander,CDR John Jolly, USNR also
arrived to begin relief process for Port Security Harbor Defense Group 3 Commander.
9 March - The "Vat of Death" plugged up and overflowed hundreds of gallons of
raw sewage into the Camp Batar yard.
11 March - Change of Command ceremony where CDR D.L. Powell, USCGR relieved
CDR T.J. Johnson, USCGR as CO of PSU 303. The relieving PSU company saluted
the relieved Milwaukee company with an inspiring 3 "hoorahs". The overwhelming
spirit of the new PSU dominated the entire ceremony where CDR Jolly also relieved
CAPT Phil Emmons as COMPSHDGRU3. RADM (LH) Sutton, COMUSNAVLOGSUPFOR and HDC
was the senior guest at the ceremony.
12 March - Moved into permanent rooms at Camp Batar barracks vacated by relieved
Milwaukee PSU.
15 March - Alert from CINCCENT for possible renewal of air campaign against
Iraq due their repeated violations of truce agreement regarding flights of Iraqi
Air Force.
16 March - Islamic holy month of Ramadan began at sunset during which American
sensitivities to Islamic beliefs and practices were heightened. MARSEC, headed
by LT Jon Wood, obtained over a dozen tactical vehicles from the U.S. Army for
mission support thereby allowing the return of several expensive rental vehicles.
This was an impossible task in the words of the Milwaukee PSU, but LT Wood and
his MARSECIANS knew the secret handshake.
18 March - Permission granted by Port Commander (7th Transportation Group-Colonel
Brown) to stand down from carrying gas masks. Several 24th Mech. Inf. Div. unguarded
ordnance amnesty boxes were emptied during the night by non-Americans causing
the Saudi Frontier Force to be very nervous about these illegal weapons in the
port area and the potential for terrorists to obtain them. Army 702nd Boat Co.
pulled their security forces from our D5 operating base; MARSEC increased their
watches and vigilance. RAIDER boats successfully deterred a large fishing fleet
from entering the security zone around the port by using herding tactics. PS1
Frank Verheul and HS3 Mark Miller apprehended two suspicious persons, later
identifed as U.S. military personnel, climbing over the perimeter wall at Camp
Batar to avoid the access control points. They were placed in the custody of
Army security personnel.
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20 March - SAR case prosecuted by RAIDER boat while on patrol. Towed disabled
small boat from USNS CAPE CLEAR back to ship at approach anchorage. Conducted
GQ drill for all hands at Base D5. Iraqi SU-22 Fitter aircraft shot down by
USAF F-15 Eagle on Combat Air Patrol for violation of no-fly zone over Iraq.
22 March - Received alert order from HDC via PSHDGRU3 to prepare to deploy 6-man
MARSEC team to Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait as part of PSU security force to relieve
USMC Fleet Anti-Terrorist Team for defense of Coalition EOD Cantonment, Port
of Kuwait. One Iraqi SU-22 Fitter and two PC-9 aircraft were shot down by USAF
F-15 Eagles on CAP for no-fly zone violations.
27 March - CDR Powell and Lt Wood travelled by coastal highway to Port of Kuwait
per COMPSHDGRU3 order to assess potential physical security mission for MARSEC
at Coalition EOD Cantonment. EOD Commodore decided to finish mission with FAST
as mine clearing operations nearly completed. MARSEC alert secured on 28 March
upon their return to Dammam.
29 March - CO conducted materiel inspection of unit spaces at Base D5. Held
all hands GQ drill.
30 March - Began first twice-weekly cultural and shopping tours of Cities of
Dammam and Khobar.
3 April - Held GQ drill for all hands.
4 April - Heavy storm (Shamaal) forced emergency trailering of all RAIDER boats.
5 April - Major auto accident occurred on the Port in which Army Warrant Officer
was killed. MARSEC team in the vicinty, led by PS1 Frank Verheul, responded
by controlling traffic till MPs arrived on scene and obtained assistance of
PSU 303 medical personnel.
6 April - Possible mines sighted between offshore Wrecks ill and #2 by SFF patrol
boat FB-4. Investigated by Army EOD taken to scene by RAIDER boat. Two objects
located were non-mines. RAIDER boats assisted in MEDEVAC of injured U.S. Merchant
Seaman from SS CALIFORNIA.
11 April - THREATCON level lowered from.C to B for Port of Dammam. SAR case
prosecuted by RAIDER boats when Saudi fast fishing boat with hole in bottom,
grounded in East Basin of Port to prevent sinking. Formal Ceasefire for Gulf
War declared by United Nations.
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12 April - Visit and inspection of PSU 303/MIUWU 108/PSHDGRU3 operations at
Dammam by RADM (UH) "RAK" Taylor, COMMIDEASTFOR/NAVCENT. Presented him with
personalized life jacket customized by Boat Division and gave him "eye opening"
RAIDER boat tour of Port in 4-5 foot seas.
13 April - Received Alert Order from HDC via PSHDGRU3 for possible redeployment
of entire unit to A1 Mishab, KSA to support I Marine Expeditionary Force redployment.
M-60 machine gun washed overboard by large wave from RAIDER boat near buoy D48
while making sweep of west seawall in 7-8 foot seas. Army Salvage and Navy EOD
divers commenced underwater search for weapon.
15 April - Two MEDEVACS were prosecuted by RAIDER boats from ships anchored
at the approaches to the Port - M/V OBO VEGO and the SS AMERICAN KESTRAL.
16 April - RAIDER boats conducted another MEDEVAC from the SS AMERICAN KESTRAL
in the deep water anchorage.
18 April - MARSEC detachment and MKC Larry Bull deployed to Manama, Bahrain
to provide security for and assist in loading of PSU 302 equipment aboard C-141
aircraft for redeployment home.
19 April - Last dive operation for search of lost M-60 machine gun concluded
with negative results.
20 April - RAIDER boat towed disabled small boat from SS DEL MONTE with Master
aboard back to ship at approach anchorage.
22 April - CDR Dave Powell intervened at Base D5 to save MARSEC canine trooper
"RAMBO" from the k-bars of Army cutthroats. Commenced live fire .50 cal. machine
gun training at offshore water range with Officer Conducting the Exercise, LT
Jim Fields, embarked in the Saudi Frontier Force Patrol Boat NAJRAN. Ten RAIDER
boat gunners were qualified.
23 April - Continued RAIDER boat .50 cal. gunner training at offshore water
range. Twenty more gunners qualified.
24 April - Concluded .50 cal. gunner training. Fifteen more gunners qualified.
Two USN F-14 Tomcats on CAP receive AAA fire near Baghdad.
25 April - Secured standby RAIDER boat with permission from COMPSHDGRU3. Three
RAIDER boats remained on sector patrols in Port. Received official word from
HDC that PSU 303 could expect to redeploy home on or about 1 June.
28-29 April- CDR Dave Powell participated in HDC COs' Conference at Manama,
Bahrain.
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30 April - Two USAF F-15 Eagles received AAA fire over Al Taqqadum, Iraq.
1 May - Boat crew detachment deployed to Navy Administrative Support Unit, Manama,
Bahrain to evaluate Navy 27 foot RAIDER boats and assist them with their harbor
defense patrols. MARSEC detachment deployed to Manama, Bahrain to assume security
for HDC HQ at former U.S. Embassy. PS3 Glenn Ender and BM3 Jim Coghlan promoted
from SN. Two USN F-14 Tomcats received AAA fire over An Nasariyah, Iraq while
on CAP.
2 May - Gunnersmate detail, led by GM1 Jeff O'Connell, deployed to PSU 301 at
A1 Jubail to provide small arms assistance.
3 May - First picnic held for American civilian employees of ARAMCO at Base
D5 which was coordinated by X0, LCDR Mike Seward. Joint CG/Navy initiation of
"Boot CPOs" was held at the home of retired USN Captain.
4 May - Two USN F-18 Hornets received AAA fire over Baghdad.
6 May - Reduced RAIDER patrols to 2 boats with the departure of the SS WESTMAN
from the Port laden with the last of the munitions stored on the Port.
7 May - Held unit cookout at Base D5 for Saudi Frontier Force Petty Officers
who served on crews of RAIDER boats and stood physical security watches with
MARSEC.
10 May - Held second ARAMCO picnic at Base D5.
16 May - CO received official word from COMLANTAREA OPCEN Duty Officer that
unit would participate in Desert Storm Victory Parades in Washington, DC on
8 June and in New York City on 10 June with a release from actve duty date of
on or about 12 June.
17 May - Held third and final ARAMC0 picnic at Base D5. A major sand storm hit
the Port area during the evening and night.
19 May - Duty section at Base D5 assisted Army 703rd Boat Company by dewatering
LCM 8517 which was sinking at the pier.
20 May - Held dinner at Base D5 for Saudi Frontier Force officers.
21 May - At 0001 local time, secured RAIDER boat waterside security patrols
which had been continuous since 11 March 1991 resulting in over 7,000 boat patrol
hours, 456 interceptions, 67 boardings, and 2 seizures of small craft. Personnel
inspection conducted by Harbor Defense Commander, Commodore "Skip" Mays. Held
cookout for all hands. Received brief alert from Army 7th Transportation Group
Commander for possible need of PSU in Kuwait.
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22 May - Received alert from HDC to freeze redeployment home and be prepared
to relocate to another in-theater site as the USS LA SALLE, CMEF Flagship,
was attecked by small craft in the Central Persian Gulf off the Iranian Coast.
Alert was later cancelled and redeployment preparations continued.
23 May - Received brief alert from HDC that U.S. Army may stiil need a PSU in
Kuwait.
25 May - After visit by HDC, senior Army Commander in Kuwait decided he did
not require a PSU.
27 May - Shifted into Desert Camouflage Uniform as the Uniform of the Day after
successful Herculean efforts by Supply Officer, CWO John Shea, and his staff
to outfit entire unit.
28 May - All unit equipment packaged and palletized for redeployment home. Fourteen
pallets were inspected and cleared by Army MPs for Customs. Officers held informal
Dining-In at Gulf Meridian Hotel in Khobar.
29 May - Held final field-day at Base D5. Returned custody of D5 back to Royal
Saudi Navy. Unit gear shipped to Dhahran Air Base for MAC mission numbers N28456
- N28459 to Camp Perry, Ohio. Received MAC mission number N18849 for personnel
return on 1 June. Shifted unit administrative functions to Camp Batar barracks.
30 May - Completed return of all tactical vehicles to Army. First 2 MAC flights
departed for Camp Perry with unit gear.
31 May - CO held final personnel inspection and presented awards. Batar barracks
inspected and returned to Army custody. Departed at 2300 by bus for Dhahran
Air Base for individual customs inspections.
1 June - Processed through customs in early morning after lengthy "hurry up
and wait". Boarded Tower Air 747 along with Army 1461st Transportation Company
and 301st Area Support Group. Airborne at 0654 enroute Brussels, Belgium with
109 PSU 303 personnel on board. Total military personnel on flight was 374.
Landed at Brussels at 1245 local. Israeli flight crew came aboard for 7-hour
flight to JFK in New York. Arrived JFK at 1611 local with no CG representatives
present - more "hurry up and wait". Whoopy Goldberg was passing through JFK
and spent time with unit personnel. In return for her kind gesture of support,
she was serenaded by "Junior and the Lobotomies" from MARSEC. Finally arrived
at CG Governors Island after much hassle with baggage and busses in late evening.
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3 June - Began medical and administrative out-processing. All hands met with
VADM Thorsen, COMLANTAREA. Departed by bus for Marriott Marquee Hotel at Times
Square.
6 June - Departed NYC by bus for Washington, D.C. Arrived at Sheridan City Center
by noon.
7 June - Participated in parade rehearsal and picnic at USCG Information Systems
Center at Alexandria, Virginia.
8 June - Marched in National Victory Day Parade, Washington, D.C.
9 June - Departed by bus at 0900 local for NYC arriving at the Marriott Marquee
Hotel by 1430.
10 June - Marched in NYC Welome Home Parade (ticker tape).
11 June - Departed NYC for our families and homes having successfully written
another chapter of Coast Guard wartime history.