20 U-S. MARINES IN THE PERSIAN GULF, 1990-1 991 the primary airborne defense of the most forward deployed U.S. Navy surface vessels. There were a number of near engagements during 1990. Typically, numbers of Iraqi fighters overfiew northeast Kuwait near Btibiyan Island to penetrate airspace over the Gulf. Marine Hornets countered each Iraqi flight. However, the Marine pilots were not allowed to fire at the Iraqis under the rules of engagement then in effect unless they were directly threatened. On several occasions, the Marines closed to 10 miles--well within radar missile range--and were preparing to open fire when the Iraqi intruders turned abruptly away. Although the pilots were frustrated that they could not engage the Iraqis with weapons, these incidents demonstrated how effective their barrier was. No allied force or vessel was ever threatened by Iraqi aircraft during the 152-day period in which Marines defended the northern Gulf area. Shifting to the Offense In early October, General Boomer's assessment was that the Iraqi opportunity to successfully invade Saudi Arabia had passed. The I Marine Expeditionary Force staff began planning future offensive operations concurrently with initiatives by General Schwarzkopf. To develop a plan, Schwarzkopf brought in a team from the Army Command and General Staff College. Colonel Lohman, the Force operations officer, got inklings of their initial concept from the I MEF plans officer, Colonel James D. Majchrzak, who went to Riyadh on 3 November for an exchange of views with CentCom's planning staff. The Marines became concerned. It seemed that the CentCom planners were developing a concept of operations that treated I MEF as if it were an Army corps. Much of the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing's offensive air assets might be used in theater suppOrt of non-Marine units. (Unknown to the Marines at the time, General Schwarzkopf was resisting pressure to appoint a single "ground force commander" for future offensive operations.)" Upon hearing of these developments, General Boomer directed his battle staff planning group under Majchrzak not only to develop MarCent plans, but also to provide prompt and appropriate inputs to General Schwarzkopf's planners as well. Majchrzak snagged the former 7th MEB planning expert, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Donovan, into the group which went into a surge planning cycle to develop alternative concepts that ensured MarCent's use in a more appropriate manner. On 14 November, at Riyadh, General Boomer briefed General Schwarzkopf on the force's proposed concept of operations, the CinCCent was pleased to learn that his Marine forces could be more effectively employed. He approved Boomer's concept for continued planning and refinement of the plans. Although the CentCom staff provided no specific written guidance, Majchrzak stated the MarCent mission as:First Page | Prev Page | Next Page | Src Image |