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File: 970107_aug96_decls2_0044.txt
Subject: 8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91 12 APR 91
Unit: 8TH TANK BN
Parent Organization: 2 MARDIV
Box ID: BX600007
Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991
Document Number: 1
Folder Seq #: 5
UNCLASSIFIED 1500
ADMIN
17 Mar 1991
From: B Company Commander
To: Battalion Historical Officer
Subj: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY
Ref: MCD 5750.IF
A. 26 November 1990 - 21 December 1990
Activated at Syracuse, NY, amidst constant media coverage, B Company
and its sister unit, Maintenance Detachment, prepared to move via Bennie's
Bus Line to Camp Lejeune, NC. At CLNC, the unit, along with many other
units began and completed its processing for active duty. Everywhere we
went, long lines were the order of business. Some problems and
uncertainties arose during our medical processing. They centered around;
various shots required, sequence of vaccinations and Corpsman
availability. Some follow-up shots to be given in SWA never occurred.
The SWA training package, hastily put together by the 2d Marine
Division was as a whole informative, but occasionally less than
productive. The weapons used by Iraqi forces display was the highlight.
Anxiety and excitement ruled as the gut feeling by most Marines, who as
a large majority, desired to participate in Operation Desert Shield.
During this time, the Battalion tried to secure use of 2d Tanks assets for
M60AI training. It was never to occur. Company preparations were
f service.
Batteries, chem sticks and desert water bags were unavailable.
Our fly over equipment was pelletized and shipped during this time.
Our follow on gear never reached us in SWA.
B. 22 December 1990 - 31 January 1991
After arriving in SWA, we were billeted at Camp 15. The billeting was
crude, but contained the basic essentials. B Company began preparations
on its newly acquired tanks, based at the Port of Al Jubail. The tanks,
having spent the last 4 - 6 years aboard MPS ships ranged in conditions
from bad to very good. Our task was to get them into fighting condition.
"Add on" or "reactive" armor panels were welded onto the hull and turret
by civilians. Our Marines bolted on the actual panels of which 28 were
real and 58 were dummy. The real reactive panels were situated at the
front of the turret around the gun mantel. The tanks were then painted
the desert tan color so familiar to the world by then. Most tanks could
have used a POL change. It was never to-occur. All tanks were
synchronized at the ramp.
On 4 January 1991 at 0800, we began our low boy shipment to -the field.
Where night navigation, tactical movements, training and BZO occurred.
Most Marines were very displeased with the small allocation of time
.allotted to them for conducting boresight and zeroing. As well as the
43
UNCLASSIFIED
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Document 60 f:/Week-34/BX600007/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991/8th tank bn command chronology nov 90 to mar 91:01029709504317
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX600007
Unit = 8TH TANK BN
Parent Organization = 2 MARDIV
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991
Folder Seq # = 5
Subject = 8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 02-JAN-1997