CHRONOLOGY 91

File: 970815_sep96_decls12_0003.txt
Page: 0003
Total Pages: 16

Subject = CHRONOLOGY 91

Parent Organization = ARCENT

Unit = VII CORPS

Folder Title = SUBORDINATE COMMAND HISTORICAL REPORTS-2D COSCOM-332D MED-127TH MED-128TH MED 1

Document Number = 3

Box ID = BX000308

17. Main body 128th CSII deployed to Tactical Assembly Area
Henry on 30DEC90. On 31DEC90: a Saudi gasoline tank
truck rear-ended one of the 6 busses carrying 128th
soldiers and drove it into a US flatbod trailer,
killing the Saudi driver and injuring 14 soldiers. Two
of the injured were evacuated from the theater. Most of
the unit was housed in transient area on King Khalid
Military City for the next 4 days. The unit was
extremely fortunate to have the assistance of the XO
and CSM from the 341st Medical Group. The commander, XO
and the first Sergeant of the 128th CSH were in the
lead vehicle and were unaware of the accident. The
Lieutenant, from 1111D 341st Mied Group, who was to escort
us to the Zito was injured and evacuated. The 341st
arranged for housing at King Khalid Military City
Transient Area 'Hotel Norman' which provided few
amenities, but plenty of DUST. Telephone and Saudi PX
runs were made. A Mess Hall with Reservist cooks from
Louisiana provided some excellent meals. Despite
promises by COSCOM COS, no tents were available from
usual sources. LTC Canella used the good ol' boy'
system to obtain defensive berm, tents, showers etc. in
order to set up at Tactical Assembly Area (TAA) Henry-
also known by the 3rd Armored Division (Spearhead) as
TAA Spearhead.
The personnel in the lead vehicle located the
first designated site. There was so little soil over
the bedrock that tent pegs (even metal stakes) could
not be driven into the ground. The site was moved
approximately 100 yards Southwest to Latitude 27
minutes 43.48 seconds North, Longitude 45 minutes 52.95
seconds east

C. January 1991:
4JAN91:Professional complement arrives Nellingen for
staging for deployment to Saudi Arabia. Billeted in the
barracks.
5JAN91:Convoy to TAA Henry. Began to improve living
conditions/defensive per,.meter/fighting positions.
Thick (5/8 inch) metal reinforcing bar needed to stake
tents. Bedrock was only 12 inches or less from the
surface.
8JAN91: Professional component left Nellingen at 0600;
bussed to Rhein Main. 1630 first flight left, aborted
at 1700 due to fuel leak. The flight returned to Rhein
Main. Personnel taken to the USO tent city and placed
on 'stand by' for another flight. 2230 hours-informed
that they would be s@.ayin8 the night.
9JAN91: Major restructuring of the Medical Brigade sent
LTC Canella to Brigade and brought LTC McClelland from
VII Corps Surgeon's Plans and Operations Office to
assume the position of 128th XO. Professional component
at Rhein Main informed they would be leaving at 1200.
Bus/fli8ht disconnects caused delays until 1430.