86 HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ, 1991: Once the Kurds began returning to northern Iraq, the main tasks left for Combined Task Force Provide Comfort were to turn the camps over to civilian control, surrender the security mission to the United Nations, pull up stakes, and return home. On 30 May, General Colin L. Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, inspected Joint Task Force Bravo's area of operations. During his tour he stopped at several checkpoints, talked with some enlisted Marines, and thanked them for a job well done. Following his visit, General Powell reported to Washington that all was going well and Operation Provide Comfort should be terminated soon as the diplomatic situation allowed. 10S Battalion Landing Team 2/8 remained at the Muqbal fire support base, named Camp Denton to honor a Marine acidentally killed during Provide Comfort, from 9 May until 15 June. During this time Colonel Jones insisted on maximum cross training with other allied forces. Live-fire exercises, combined combat patrols, parachute jumps, and military schooling were constantly taking place. Lieutenant Colonel Corwin developed a rotation system whereby BLT 2/8 units manned forward checkpoints for six days, then rotated to Camp Denton for six days where they participated in live-fire demonstrations, ran squad-sized tactical exercises, and held organized athletic events. This last activity featured spirited competition and was a welcome relief from the military routine. The Marines won the 1,Northern Iraq International Soccer Championship" after defeating British, French, Italian, Spanish, and Dutd~ teams. Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 worked at a hectic pace. Each morning several Sea Knights and Super Stallions were used for routine supply runs. One CH-46 was stationed at the Zakho landing pad, reserved for emergency medical evacuation. One or more of the UH-lN's were devoted to daily aerial reconnaissance, liaison, or transportation missions. Any helicopters not scheduled underwent a maintenance stand-down. These stand-downs were necessary because of the hard use and difficult operational environment. The busy landing zone at Silopi was often crowded and was always dusty. The squadron headquarters and air control elements operated from tents set up along the edge of the landing zone. The squadron was billeted in nearby tents. When the withdrawal plan was announced, Lieutenant Colonel Byrtus realized night operations were ilnminent. He, therefore, ordered the squadron to become proficient at low-light flying and night takeoffs and landings. Low-light operations were part of the 18 SOC-related missions, but correct use of night vision goggles required constant practice. Night vision goggles captured visible light too dim to be used by the human eye, then electronically displayed a brightened green image not unlike that of a video camera viewfinder. These devices allowed Marine pilots to fly after dark, but they also imposed some limitations. Depth perception and peripheral vision were severely hampered, so these problems had to be overcome by intense training and frequent repetition. The result was that by late May, the night sky over Silopi was filled with the constant drone of helicopter engines as the pilots of HMM-264 honed their night flying skills.First Page | Prev Page | Next Page | Src Image |