Conference repair::reserve_forces

    Ian,
    
    Having never received a stand-by message, nor ever likley to ( though
    I'm not sure if I'm relieved about that) what went through your
    mind when you read it? Or has it happened to you before?
    I tried to imagine it happening to me; I felt anxious and nervous
    but not frightened - yet. I would expect to sooner or later.
    (The emotion certainly helped me exercise in the gym this morning,
    I felt much more determined). The only battles I'll fight will be
    in my mind.
    
    ( This is where I become another overnight expert on tactics :-))
    Kuwait appears to have most of its land border nudging up against
    Iraq and it's land surface is similiar to Iraq's. Then there's the
    relative sizes, so Hussein had everything going for him I think.
    Saudi has similar geography but being much bigger would take longer.
    If he does attack Saudi, would Gaddafi attack Eqypt also? 
    I know the land is different in Turkey, more mountainous, but that
    is where one of the pipelines go through. Attacking Turkey could
    provide a Mediterranean port and total control of one pipeline.
    
    If it came to it, how do you think the Israeli's would fare?
    
    And what's happened to Neil Kinnock?
                     
    Dave

My first thought was "shall I tell personnel...?"

Seriously, I've had them before: I'm not likely to get shipped to the middle
East, but rather to a desk in London, where I would release a regular, serving
colonel to rejoin his unit.

It appears that the airborne forces, SAS and SBS are likely to move to a 
suitable staging point: the United Arab Emirates seem likely until or unless
Saudi Arabia agree to a "tripwire" deployment on the Saudi/Iraqi border. The US
may move its repid deployment forces to Diego Garcia. I have heard rumours that
the Soviets may contribute Spetznatz and desert trained air-mobile forces to
an international force (now how would that be for Glasnost?) They might use 
Syria as a "friendly" staging point. The Americans might also send forces to
Turkey to form a trip wire to avoid Iraqi incursion into Turkey should the Turks
close the northern pipeline.

/. Ian .\

PS: My cousin is currently on secondment to the United Arab Emirate - he was 
offered a choice of Kuwait or the UAE and guessed right.

For those not familiar with the doctrine the idea of a trip wire deployment is
to put, say, American troops between the Iraqis and their potential targets so 
that if Iraq invades the Saudis or Turks they must perforce attack American
troops so triggering congressional action - probably a declaration of war.

    
    
    Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!  mums the word....
    
    Don

    
    	Excuse my ignorance, but where is Diego Gracia ??
    
    					Steve..

its "Garcia" not "gracia" (gracia sounds like what you say when you leave...
it must be one of the world's worst military postings)

its in the Indian ocean

/. Ian .\

    Well, ladies and gentlemen, it appears that the balloon is definitely
    tugging at it's tether.  I don't think we're going to reveal any deep,
    dark secrets if we discuss our personal status in the midst of the
    rapidly developing scenario.
    
    So, what's going on?  I have transferred into the Individual Ready
    Reserve of the US Army and am awaiting orders assigning me to a
    Combat Support Company as the Mortar Platoon Sergeant.  I've been
    expecting the orders (any-day-now) for the past three months.  In
    light of the current situation I wouldn't be surprised to see the
    process expedited.  I'll bet those orders could be here before
    quitting time tonight!  (Can you spell FIRE MISSION boys 'n girls?)  
    
    IMHO there is a real good chance that some of us are going to be
    back in the s#*t sooner than we thought possible.  Anyone else care
    to comment? 
    
    As alluded to a few back, let's keep this general.  No unit ID's
    please!!!
    
    Keep up the fire and pass the cold Bud (Saudi is dry, you know),
    
    Len                                                                
    

    
    ...has anyone heard anything about the U.S. reserves being "looked at"
    for a call-up?? I heard from an unofficial source this morning that the
    Pentagon is talking about it....
    
    Thanks
    Kevin
    

    The US has a Reserve call-up option which is looked at routinely
    in any military crisis. It presents another set of options.
    Deploying into the crisis area is the place of the RDF-A, in this
    case, and any Reservists called up would likely be (initially) to
    support the deployment of active-duty forces. There are some
    specialized Reserve units which are deployable (and a contingency
    for the RDF-A), but I don't think these are part of the President's
    call up plans. They are called up via other orders.
    
    Maj Butler goes to Ft Carson, if needed.
    
    John B.

    The big word is "IF", I know where I'll be going, as do some of my
    fellow workers. But, as we used to say on our sea-going greyhound, "why
    advertise?" We are a multi-national corporation, and this is a very
    unsecure net. I hate to thing of who might be skimming thru the notes file
    and comes across our comments. A Silkworm or an Exorcet can be launched
    by Reservist DECie on the otherside, just as a Harpoon can be on this
    .  

Yes the net is very insecure.

Following an incident involving DEFENCE_ISSUES I have reason to believe that
comments in notes may be read by certain military authorities - whether they
do this directly or somebody inside the company notifies them I prefer not to
comment on ... (though *I* am not the mole, if there is one)

/. Ian .\

    There are specialized reserve groups that are in critical need when
    the situation warrants.  I would believe some of these are cargo
    aircraft and tankers (speaking just for the AF).  So in situations
    like this there will be a few reserve units called upon, even though
    it would be on a volunteer basis.
    


    Kevin_who_is_looking_over_his_shoulder_for_anyone_wearing_a_sheet_on_his_head
    

    There making a new movie in the Middle East...
    
    it called...
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Iraqiphobia...
    and I Kuwait to see it!!    :-)
    
    Kevin

    The U.S. Army would not want me back in, but -
    My son-in-law who is in the Engineers goes on Summer Exercises This
    weekend.  Possibly an unfortunate time to be in uniform.  He has
    heard NOTHING to indicate that the exercised would be prolonged or
    to pack warm-weather light-weight clothes.   Phil

One point to notice:

The US has shipped the Fort Bragg contingent (what? 4000 men?) of light 
infantry. I am told however that the naval contingent includes support vessels 
for 50,000 men...

I wonder who'll go next.

(personal guess ... they'll need medium/heavy artillery)

/. Ian .\

    
    RE: .13
    
        ....I'm leaving for my AT this weekend also, and I also haven't
    heard of any change in plans......
    
    Kevin
    SGT USAR
    

    I'm very warm and getting warmer.
    
    I fly the KC135 'strato bladders'--and aerial refueling is the name of
    the game.
    
    Rodger

Well, the papers indicate that the Missouri Govenor has authorized the call-up
of some transport units and the Illinois Govenor has authorized a callup of
about 100 folks from a f16 unit...  Seems to be piecemeal support of the
regulars... Nobody seems to be getting called up as a unit...

I expect that will be the extent of it unless shooting starts...  Then I would
expect callups of specialty units such as communications and transport type
functions.

Geez, I never expected that Uncle would want something more than a weekend a
month for paying off those darn student loans!  :-)

Question for the peanut gallery:

Say I make $X in my civilian occupation...  In my military role I would make
$1/3X on active duty.  If a callup is extended for some period of time, say
months... Am I protected from creditors and so on whilst I am on AD?  Also,
much of my life insurance has exemptions about getting killed in an act of
War...  I don't mind doing my duty for god and country, but c'mon, this could
bankrupt me, or my family should it come to that...  Am I missing something or
does it look as unpleasant as I am making it out...


/mike

    ref:.17
    To ans. the question on going into debt because of a callup. Its agains
    the law for any institution to foreclose on a called up reservist, or
    to cause a reservist family to suffer because he is called up; to do so
    would entail (sp) a very stiff fine, also there wouldn't be any Reserves.
    To get all of the exact details, check with your units X.O. or Dept.
    Head. There was a blurb put out with our paychecks about nine months ago
    ref. this question.  

    ref .17
    
    
    
    first ? re loss of income--
         suggest you skip talking to your XO and just call the JAG officer,
         I believe the law you're interested in is call "THE SOLDIERS AND
         SAILORS RELIEF ACT OF 193?". Unless it's been repealed (and
         congress would never screw us ;-} ) It pretty much covers you
         until you return home.
    
    second ? re life insurance---
         I believe (and this is a guess) that:
         1-it has to be a "declared war" (but I think the ins co's get by
           this by accepting any area that you rec "combat pay")
         2-that's why our "UNCLE" has the SGLI option
    
    
    good luck-
    Randy Schwartz
    
    (I know my unit won't be called up now,
    I just bought insulated boots last month :^> )

    The Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act has not been repealed.
    
    Don

Boston Globe 15 AUG 90 Copied without permission...


"Cheney eyes reserve call-up to bolster units sent to gulf"

WASHINGTON, D.C AP- Defense Secretary Richard Cheney is considering
urging President Bush to order a nationwide call-up of armed forces
reserves for active duty to bolster units depleted by the transfer of
personnel to Saudi Arabia, the chief Pentagon spokesman said
yesterday.
	Bush has the authority to call up to 200,000 reservists to
active duty for 90 days and can extend that for another 90 days
without seeking congressional approval.
	Cheney "hasn't yet decided, but it is under consideration,"
Pentagon spokesman Pete Williams said, adding that he expected the
defense secretary to make a decision "soon".
	Earlier in the day, Cheney left the option open when asked at
a news conference at Fort Stewart, Ga., about a large-scale
mobilization of the National Guard and reserves.
	Asked later in Atlanta whether he planned to call out the
reserves, Cheney said no decision had been made.
	He noted, however, that military planners have assigned
certain wartime functions to reservists.
	"The fact of the matter is, we have over the years built a
very heavy reliance on reserve units into our forces," Cheney said.
	Williams said that the subject of such a call-up may be
discussed today during Bush's visit to the Pentagon, where he was to
be briefed by Cheney and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
General Colin Powell.
	It has been Pentagon policy over the past several years to
shift primarily combat-related responsibilities to active-duty
personnel and to allow reserve units to adopt more support functions

Well the overnight news stated

1) British forces are now using wartime rules of engagement

2) America is "on the brink" of calling up reserve forces

/. Ian .\

    I have just spent the morning at Ft Devens PTMS reviewing the post's
    plans for a 200K and partial mobilization of the USAR/ARNG.
    
    If you are interested in the timeframe that your unit deploys in
    please send me mail I might be able to give you some information.
    
    This information is UNCLASSIFIED but I perfer to do it thru mail..
    I need the UIC and unit designator.
    
    I don't have info on all units,only those that are assisted by or
    have their mobilization station as USAIS&FTDEVENS.
    
    Don
    

    Reported today on local (Colorado Springs) radio...(ABC affilliate)
    
    Propaganda broadcasts have been aimed at US Forces personnel in
    Saudi Arabia. Allegedly, the broadcasts are a male announcer
    questioning the motives of the US actions and stating that they
    will "be swallowed by the sand of Saudi Arabia." As is fairly
    typical of propaganda broadcaasts aimed at soldiers, the messages
    carry a sexual undertone, accusing the Emirs of Kuwait of enjoying
    young American women.
    
    Although the announcer is male, some the US Troops are referring
    to the broadcaster as "Baghdad Betty."
    
    ....
    
    ...now where did I put my PSYOPS manuals???
    
    John B.

    Reported last light (8/16) on CNN...just a brief reference
    
    Apparently, Iraq is receiving some military spare parts from
    North Korea. 
    
    My 2�:  If this is happening, it must be happening by air. 
    I'll listen to see if I can hear more about this. I only
    heard the one reference last night, but it really didn't surprise
    me.

         <<< COMET::COMET$DISK8:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DEFENSE_ISSUES.NOTE;1 >>>
                        -< Hawks 'n Doves 'n Everybody >-
================================================================================
Note 649.352                New middle east hot spot                  352 of 352
BRABAM::PHILPOTT "Col I F 'Tsingtao Dhum' Philpott"  95 lines  20-AUG-1990 03:40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...

Also, without any comment, the following appeared in "The Observor" ('quality'
British Sunday newspaper) yesterday and claims to be a full current list of
US equipment in the area...


Number	Type	Description

Naval units:

1	CV	Forrestal class aircraft carrier
1	CV	John F Kennedy class aircraft carrier
1	CVN	Nimitz class aircraft carrier
1		Iowa class battleship
1	CG	Belknap class guided missile cruiser
1	CG	Leahy class guided missile cruiser
2	CG	Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser
1	DD	Spruance class destroyer
2	DDG	Charles F Adams class guided missile destroyer
1	DDG	Kidd class guided missile destroyer
4	FF	Knox class frigate
5	FFG	Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate
1		Austin Class amphibious transport dock
1	LST	Newport class tank landing ship
4 - 8		Attack submarines
1	LSD	Harpers Ferry class dock landing ship
1	AE	Kilauea class ammunition ship
1	AO	New Cimmaron class oiler
2	AOE	Sacramento class fast combat support ships
1	LPH	Iwo Jima class amphibious assault ship
2	T-AH	Mercy class hospital ship

Air units

48	CH-46	Sea Knight helicopter
69	AH-1	attack helicopter
24	CH-53E	helicopter
52	CH-53A/D helicopter
43	OH-58	observation helicopters
18	SH-3H	anti-submarine helicopters
39	UH-1	Huey helicopter
?	F-117	stealth fighter
72	F-14A	Tomcat fighter
72	A-7E	Corsair attack aircraft
100	AV-8B	Harrier attack aircraft
?	F-16	fighter
22	EZ-6B	Prowler electronic warfare aircaft
12	KA-6D	tankers
50	AE-6E	Intruder attack aircraft
4	RF-4	Phantom reconnaissancce aircraft
18	OV-10	Bronco observation aircraft
?	KC-10
?	KC135
4	KC-130	Hercules tankers
12	E-2C	Hawkeye early warning aircarft
?	P3 	AWACS
5	E3	AWACS
30	S-3A	Viking anti-submarine warfare aircraft
?	B52	bombers
?	B-1	bombers
?	F-111
72	F/A-18	Hornet attack aircraft
48	F-15C/D	attack aircraft

Artillery

18	M109	155 mm SP howitzer
54		105 mm towed howitzer
90	M198	155 mm towed howitzer
?	M47	dragon
57	M551	AFV
135		Stinger SAM
81		60 mm mortar
72		81 mm mortar
110		light armoured vehicles
70	M-60	tank
?		Hawk SAM
27		90 mm recoiless rifle
208	AAV-7	amphibious assault vehicle
27		20 mm Vulcan gun
204		TOW anti-tank missile launchers

-----------------------

/. Ian .\

    It appears that "The Observor" has been reading US Tables of 
    Organization and Equipment (TOE) for the US Army and USMC
    listings. The air units seem also to be based on Squadron-size
    "packets." (in general)
    
    Reported by CNN and other US news services:
    
    The 1st Cavalry and 2nd Armored Divisions from Fort Hood, Texas
    are on their way.
    
    John B.

    
              <<< ABACUS::USERM:[NOTES$LIBRARY]VETERANS.NOTE;2 >>>
                             -< Veterans Affairs >-
================================================================================
Note 368.13       Military Sanctions agains Iraq.... voted on!          13 of 13
WJOUSM::TOOHEY                                       13 lines  20-AUG-1990 07:26
                                -< OUT NOW!!! >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Well here it is almost two weeks into this latest potential war and 
    I'm struggling with the logic, it all sounds so familiar.  In
    a way its real exicting we have troops in the field postured to
    repel the hordes of a crazy man.  But in reality it the alimghty
    buch thats driving this one just like the Nam all over again.  I
    guess the real question that needs to be asked is,  is it worth
    one american life to protect us from getting a .50 cent .60 cent
    etc increase in the gas pump.  Let the Middle east settle this
    one.  U.S. OUT NOW.........
    
    
    Don Recon 2/12th Inf 25th Infantry Div.    

    re .-1
    
    Ya, I believe it is.  Apparently you don't think that the invasion
    of a strong ally warrants us to do something.  First Kuwait then
    what...
    
    We learned something from Hitler...
    
    Stop him now!!
    
    Kevin

Anybody out there remember 1956?

What's changed???



/. Ian .\

(feeling tired from working 18 hour days on this...)

    1956...I was only 8 years old, but I remember a few things. That
    was the first crisis I remember, along with the Hungarian revolt
    in the same year.
    
    I don't have a history of the events, but as I recall Egypt
    nationalized the Suez canal to help finance the Aswan High Dam
    and other developmental projects after western financing was
    withdrawn. (withdrawn by the US, I assume, though British and
    French investors may also have been involved).
    
    After a long (to me) period of 'saber rattling' (this is when I
    first heard the term...I thought it rather odd that we still used
    sabers and my father explained it to me!) the Israelis attacked
    across the Sinai followed by the British and French landings near
    Port Said. I was impressed by the successes that were reported by
    the British and French forces, and wondered why Ike (Eisenhower)
    wasn't helping.
    
    As I recall, the UN voted a cease-fire and, once peacekeeping forces
    were in place, the Israelis, British, and French withdrew. The
    major financing of the Aswan High Dam was borne by the Soviets,
    leading to a long period of close Soviet-Egyptian relations. The
    UN peacekeeping force was asked to leave by the Egyptians just
    prior to the 1967 war.
    
    I think what is different here is that Egypt nationalized facilities
    that were built within its boundaries, albeit by western resources.
    While the Suez is certainly important to US concerns, it is vital
    to western Europe's. Further, the Soviet Union was strongly opposed
    to military action in the region. With the instability in Hungary
    (and also in East Germany...I recall something about possible 
    re-unification being talked about) I suspect the US wanted to avoid
    direct confrontation.
    
    In this instance, the sovereignty of a friendly nation was violated.
    Further, the oil in SW Asia directly affects many of our closest
    allies. This oil flow could be disrupted by dictatorial controls
    on it.
    
    

    CNN reported this morning that SCUD missiles are rumored to have
    been placed in Kuwait.
    
    If this is true, Saddam may be making a military error. I hope so.
    
    John B.

re .32

The Suez canal zone was no more "within Egypt's borders" than the Panama canal
zone was within Panama's borders.

The US pulled the rug from under our feet, and many people I know consider
Ike and the US Bitch who supported the Argies over the Falkands crisis as 
beneath contempt, and wonder why, having been kicked in the teeth twice by US
pols, we are trying to help the US now...

Lets consider the record:

WW1 - America waited 3 years before joining in

WW11 - America waited 2 years before joining in

Yemen, Aden, Borneo, Malaya - America opposed British use of force.

Falklands - America luke warm at best - we got intelligence and the use of 
bases, but no real aid

Grenada - US invaded a British protectorate without permission.

Suez - US voted to suspend support. Classic rug pulling exercise.

And you expect Europe to support you :-) ???

/. Ian .\

    Dear Col.
    
    At the risk of starting a peeing contest, who's "war" is this about
    to be?  Who is supporting who in the Middle East?  I think the US is
    supporting Europe and the Far East rather than the other way round.
    
    

    Re: .34
    
    On the canal-within-the-border question:
    
    I was under the impression that the Panama Canal Zone is quite a
    different situation from the Suez. Was there a Suez Canal Zone
    under another nation's protection (presumably Britain)? 
    
    I certainly will allow that the US carved Panama out of Colombia
    by direct intervention! No question. But when Egypt gained
    independence wasn't the Suez Canal entirely within its borders?
    I thought the Suez Canal was administered by an international
    "company," with defense guaranteed by the British...by agreement,
    rather than setting up a protectorate or "Zone."
    
    Since defense of the Canal was "guaranteed" by the British,
    intervention when Egypt nationalized the Canal  was appropriate.
    
    On the Falklands...I, for one, agree that our support should
    have gone far beyond what we did...but I don't believe we could
    have carried out operations in the region better than the UK did. 
    
    On the delayed entry into WWI and WWII...I'll have to agree with
    you here. The US has always had a strong isolationist stick-your-
    head-in-the-sand movement, as is evidenced by our betrayal of
    South Viet Nam and some comments made in this and other conferences
    about our current involvement. Witness also the rapid demobilization
    after WWII which made us quite weak immediately before the Korean
    War. My motto has always been: "Pacificism begets tyranny."
    
    By the way, Colonel, I can't recall who the "US Bitch who supported
    the Argies" was. Could you refresh my memory here or via mail?
    Thanks!
    
    John B.
    

    Has anyone heard any Company news about our office in Kuwait?
    According to the DEC phone book, the office is in Safat. The
    listing is for National Computer Services, Ltd. 
    Site code KWO.
    
    John B.

    
FLAME ON
    
    Dear Col. Dhum
    
    You picked a funny time to start throwing rocks, but so be it.


>The Suez canal zone was no more "within Egypt's borders" than the Panama canal
>zone was within Panama's borders.

    I will defer to -1 for particulars on that.
    
>The US pulled the rug from under our feet, and many people I know consider
>Ike and the US Bitch [PRAY TELL WHO IS THIS?] who supported the Argies over
>the Falkands crisis as beneath contempt, and wonder why, having been kicked
>in the teeth twice by US pols, we are trying to help the US
    
     [SHOULD THAT READ, UN?]
>now...

>Lets consider the record: [YES LETS]

>WW1 - America waited 3 years before joining in 
    
      THE QUESTION IS WHY WE WENT AT ALL?  OR WHY, OTHER THAN TO GET
      BRITAIN'S CHESTNUTS OUT OF THE FIRE SHOULD WE HAVE GONE AT ALL.
      SHOULD HAVE WAITED FOREVER
    
>WW11 - America waited 2 years before joining in 
    
     SEEMS TO ME THAT WE AGAIN HAVE A SITUATION WHERE WE GOT THE CHESTNUT
     DETAIL. SAVE THE BRITISH EMPIRE.  WWII WAS BASICALLY THE RESULT OF
     THE WORLD WAR I TREATIES IMPOSED BY ENGALND (AND FRANCE) TO PUNISH
     GERMANY AND ENSURE HER PEOPLE GROVELED FOR ENTERNITY.  HITLER WAS
     A DIRECT RESULT OF THIS POLICY.
    
     HAVING GOTTEN HILTER, WE THEN HAD THE "PEACE IN OUR TIME" APPEASEMENT
     POLICY FROM ENGLAND.  YOU COULD HAVE PREVENTED HITLER FROM BEING, AND
     THEN YOU COULD HAVE NIPPED HIM IN THE BUD AT ESSENTIALLY NO COST.  BUT
     INSTEAD WE GOT PULLED IN TO SAVE ENGLAND.  I SUPPOSE THAT WHENEVER
     ENGLAND SCREWS UP THE WORLD THE US IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE THE SHOCK
     TROOPS.  WITHOUT THE US, THE WHOLE OF EUROPE WOULD BE SPEAKING GERMAN,
     OR RUSSIAN. MONTGOMERY COULDN'T BEAT ROMMEL EVEN WHEN ROMMEL'S
     SUPPLIES WERE CUT OFF AND MONTGOMERY KNEW ROMMEL'S BATTLE PLANS IN
     ADVANCE.

>Yemen, Aden, Borneo, Malaya - America opposed British use of force. 
    
     WE WERE ONCE SUBJECTED TO ENGLISH COLONIALISM TOO....AND AS GILBERT AND
     SULLIVAN SAID, OH JOY UNBOUNDED......

>Falklands - America luke warm at best - we got intelligence and the use of 
>bases, but no real aid  
    
     LETS SEE, NUCLEAR SUBMARINES VS PRE-WWII CRUISERS.  A REAL EVEN GO OF
     IT.  WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE HAD, THE 3RD MARINE DIVISION? 
     MAYBE JUST AN AGREEMENT THAT WE GO GET YOUR ROCKS BACK FOR YOU?  
     I SUPPOSE IF THE KIWIs INVADED GUAM YOU'D SEND IN A DIVISION OF
     THE QUEEN'S INFANTRY TO THROW THEM OUT?  LUKEWORM MY ASS.

>Grenada - US invaded a British protectorate without permission.
    
     NUTS!  FIRST OFF, I DO NOT FOR A MINUTE BELIEVE THAT RONNIE WENT
     INTO GRENADA WITHOUT MAGGIE'S GO.  IF YOU "KNOW" OTHERWISE, SAY SO.
     SECOND, IF HE DID, MORE POWER TO HIM.  NO CHECHOSLOVAKIA'S IN THIS
     HEMISPHERE.
    
>Suez - US voted to suspend support. Classic rug pulling exercise. [GREAT MOVE]

    >And you expect Europe to support you :-) ??? 
    
     NOPE, NEVER DID, THEY NEVER HAVE AND YOU CAN'T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW
     TRICKS.

>/. Ian .\

    FLAME off
    
    Now lets knock off all this B.S., back to you Chet.
    
    Dick

Let's close this, (or continue it in DEFENSE_ISSUES). Yesterday I got home from
a night of military duty at 5am in time to change out of uniform, take a shower, 
drink a pot of black coffee, watch the overnight CNN news (a mistake) and go
back to work (at DEC) - I'd had no sleep for 36 hours when I wrote that note, 
and haven't done better than 3 hours a night for several days.

I was reacting to the jingoism in the CNN news (you wouldn't have known that
anybody but Americans were involved by that bulletin) and some other notes 
files. Sorry, I shouldn't have dumped on you guys...

I *do* think that Suez has a bearing on what is happening now, though rather 
than duplicate debate, lets keep that in D_I. Suffice it to say I think that
if Eisenhower had supported the Franco-British force in 1956 (he didn't have to
join in, just not vote against us in the UN) then it is quite likely this
problem wouldn't exist today.

Who's war is brewing? I hope it is *our* (all of us) war, or no war at all.

Anyway Maggie's Cabinet is meeting today to decide on the next British forces
to go to Saudi... I may know what the outcome will be (at least I know what
the military chiefs want, since I helped write the draft of their position
paper last night).

/. Ian .\

� Falklands ... media reported

got it! (The intelligence material alone was welcome - the only bit that
stuck in my (our) throats was the bleatings of the female ambassador to the UN 
(I can't remember her name - was it Shirley Temple?)

I don't know if the CNN "World News" gets transmitted in the US (It is almost,
but not quite, the 30 minute CNN Headline broadcast - but all world news and
no US sport, human interest garbage).

They spent 10 minutes showing interviews with "the people left behind" in 
Fayetteville (home of Fort Bragg - did I spell it right?)

More than half of them complained that "our allies aren't doing anything" - not
that they aren't doing enough (which I would agree with), but doing *nothing*. 
Some were calling for them to come home already. ...

anyway viewed with a little hindsight I dismiss the views of the familly members
(natural reaction at being left behind...) and of the store owners (natural 
reaction at seeing their business depart...), which didn't leave much real
logical discontent... it just got under my skin after I'd spent all night trying
to get our guys to do more... :-)

----

Stop Press:
US will call up 40k reservists (announced in last hour) - mainly transport 
specialists and naval medics...

----

/. Ian .\

    Ian,
    
    The UN ambassador your thinking of was Jean Kirkpatrick.  She's a
    bit of a character.
    
    To all of you who are already doing your part, small or large, in 
    support of this effort, a hearty thank you.  This is a bit of a 
    trying time for us all.
    
    Jane

Thanks

I'd hate to accuse the wrong person of saying those things...

I figure the alliance is safe as long as she doesn't run for President... ;-)

/. Ian .\

The first British reserves got called up yesterday - *all* the NBC training
specialists are to be returned to active duty. Whether they'll all go to Saudi 
I cannot say.

As for the rest... I wouldn't give long odds on not calling them up.

/. Ian .\

Research this Soldiers et. al. relief Act...

Seems that the relief provided is that they lower all your interest rates on 
debt to 6%.  Also, the bank cannot foreclose on your house till 30 days after
you get back...

Seems to me that if you make considerably less on AD than in your real job
you can be ruined...  

Am I missing something??  I guess I will have to check into this more when I 
next go out to drill... 

/mike

    Maybe this would be better in DEFENSE_ISSUES but nevertheless here
    goes.  There is a lot of noise emanating from the Gulf area to the
    effect that the Westerners should leave the problem to the Arabs.
    As long as we could take our fellow countrymen with us I wondered
    if this might be a good idea.  Then we had the people flocking into
    Jordan.  I havn't heard of much support for Jordan coming from other
    Arab countries, but I did hear a Jordanian Minister saying Britain
    and the USA should help with the problem!
    
    Where are all the Arab inspired peace initiatives? Don't get me
    wrong, I am not an Arab-hater. I hate racism. But a group of people
    are beating there chests and wailing we want to sort it out, but
    apart from Morocco, Egypt, Saudi and King Hussein - what are they
    doing about it?
    
    I guess I'm an ignorant Westerner.
    
    Dave

    I believe it's too late for the Arabs to handle regional problems
    by themselves. They have found themselves in a position to have
    a global influence on both politics and economics. They have chosen
    to wield this influence through the creation of OPEC (though non-Arabs
    ARE members), and through various individual (national) actions.
    
    They are a part of the world community of nations. It is quite naive
    of them to consider the violation of a nation's sovereignty and
    the holding of diplomatic "hostages" merely an "Arab" issue!
    
    To give the Arabs a benefit of doubt here, they are relative newcomers
    to geopolitics. They have a very strong religious and nationalistic
    fervor, which, if it were expressed by the US or UK, would be
    called "jingoism." Their _people_ are newcomers to geopolitics.
    They are as easily swayed by charismatic speech as were the Germans
    by internal Nazi propaganda during the '30s. Like the Germans of
    the 30s, they perceive a _real_ need for nationalism, and many 
    influential people fear exploitation by other nations. 
    
    I fear that the Arabs must learn the responsibilities of world-class 
    politics if they are going to use world-class resources as the tools
    of their trade. 
    
    It is interesting to note that even with the enormous reserves of
    oil in the region, it will all be gone in less than 200 years! 
    Their role as a power capable of world influence is a brief one,
    and I suspect most of their leaders are aware of it.
    
    John B.   

    Heard on CNN:
    
    The UK is/was preparing planes to fly to Baghdad to pick up 
    foreign nationals. 
    
    This AM CNN reported that Baghdad said they would allow the planes
    to land _only_ if they were carrying food and medical supplies in
    to Iraq. (ie Trade food/meds for citizens).
    
    While I think that recent events indicate a _slight_ easing of
    war-jitters, Iraq continues to play games with hostages.
    
    Has anyone "across the pond" heard any reactions on this development?
    
    John B.

                	"SAFETY NET EXISTS AT HOME"

              (from "The Navy Times," Sept 3, 1990)


WASHINGTON - For reservists recalled to active duty in Operation Desert
Shield, the call to arms carries some personal and financial risks beyond the
dangers of the battlefield.

A reservist's sudden deployment for as long as six months can sour relations
with a civilian employer, for example. Family budgets may get strained when 
one wage earner switches from civilian to military pay.

But a safety net of government rights and benefits exists to help cope with
personal disruptions caused by an involuntary recall.

Dependents of mobilized reservists quality for government-subsidized healthcare,
commisary privileges, and other benefits. Federal law also guarantees 
mobilized reservists the right to get their civilian jobs back when they return
home. In addition, a 50-year-old law called the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil
Relief Act helps protect reservists from debt pressures that result from
active service.

Personal or financial hardship will not excuse reservists called from reporting
for active duty, said Pete Williams, the Defense Department's chief spokesman.

"The services maintain some flexibility, but the whole point of the signing
up for the reserves and accepting reserve pay is the implied promise that
'if you need me I'll be there,'" Williams said. The job protection law says 
reservists must be reinstated to their original positions with whatever
seniority, status, pay, and vacation benefits they would have had if they had
not been absent for military duty. However, the law does not guarantee the
members back pay for the time they were absent from their jobs.

The 1940 Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act prevents financial institutions
from foreclosing on mortgages, car loans, or any other installment debts 
that were incurred before the recall order.

Interest rates on the unpaid balance of these debts are capped at 6 percent
once reservists go on active duty. This could be a significant savings
because mortgage rates are in the 10 percent range and interest on credit
card loans often reaches 18 percent. Banking industry officials also say
reservists are more likely than active-duty service members to have these types
of debts because they tend to be older.

Reservists who rent their homes also get some protections from eviction under
the relief act, but the protections only apply if the rent is no more than
$150 per month.

                           - END -

    
    
    
    
    
    
    Last week I served as a host for my squadron in welcoming a deputy
    assistant secretary of the Navy who did a quickly arranged tour of NAS
    South Weymouth. He took a look at the two tenant Naval Air commands at
    SOWEY -- VP-92, my squadron, which flies the P-3B, and HSL-74, which
    flies the H-2. He was more interested in HSL than in VP, which probably
    makes sense in that H-2s are normally detached to join DDs and FFs for
    assorted duties. P-3s aren't involved in the Gulf yet, and don't
    seem likely to be unless anti-submarine warfare becomes an issue.
    In all, land-based ASW isn't part of the Gulf force nor does it
    seem likely to be. The most direct impact on us to date is the
    cancellation of all ADT scheduled for the rest of the year. All the
    money in that pot has been transferred to the Gulf.
    
    
    Ken Sherman
    CDR, USNR
    
                           

    
    Just to let you know, it was very warm (you might even say hot) in Saudi
    Arabia on Saturday...
    
    Anyway I'm back from my "day trip" - a little tired, and a little jet
    lagged. (I flew out 20:00 Saturday in the second seat of a Phantom, and
    flew back arriving in Britain at 13:00 yesterday - can't say *why* I
    went though :-)).
    
    /. Ian .\
    
    

    ABC news reported this morning that over the weekend an Iraqi-flagged
    ship (carrying tea) was stopped, boarded, and seized by US naval
    forces. The ship is now impounded in Oman.
    
    (welcome back Colonel!)
    
    John B.

    For some good financial news, read 117.0!
    
    		ETC

    re: a day trip to Saudi.
    
    I think this might be being a bit unfair.  The Colonel versus Saddam H.
    Saddam doesn't stand a chance.
               
    Colonel, did the Phantom do the one way trip without landing or mid-air
    refuelling? ie using long range tanks.( no comments about Abrams etc
    please)    
    
    BTW, there was an unusual amount of aerial activity around a nearby RAF
    base yesterday. Don't know what was happening but it looked like the
    incoming were being stacked at one stage.
    
    Dave

I'm told a photo-recce could have done it in one hop (with *big* drop tanks). 
We actually refuelled (and picked up a parcel) in Israel. Last time I did a 
run like this (to Thailand) we had to refuel mid-air.

I wasn't taking on Saddam personally, but I bet he's pretty mad about the reason
we all went... (people were there from several places around the world ... 'nuff
said)

/. Ian .\

    US Congress, before it adjourned, extended the length of time US
    Reservists may spend on Active Duty (without declaration of National
    Emergency) from 180 to 360 days.
    
    The major US news networks are reporting that a decision has been
    made to deploy large Combat Arms Reserve units to Saudi Arabia in
    support of Desert Shield.
    
    John B.

    Great, doesn't that mean we can now be mobilized for up to a year
    without declaring war?  
    
    Does anyone know how this affects us here in the U.S.?
    
    

    Does anyone know how this affects us here in the U.S.?

On day 180, you are no longer a reservist. Your ID card is changed
to read "Indef" and you are now part of the regular army. Your personnel
records are absorbed into the active duty system.

Military housing allowances start. Your family can move into government housing
& government furniture, utilities, etc are provided; it also means the 
government will subsidize your mortgages with cost-of-living indices, if not 
on a military installation. Here in New England, that can add $400 or $500 
in tax-free income. 

Your date of rank is re-computed; all of those points for correspondence 
courses and admin drills now are equivalent to one day at rank apiece. 
Administratively, you can go from Staff Sergeant to Sergeant First
Class without ever seeing a promotion board. It therefor behooves reservists 
to demand the admin points show up on their annual statements.

You qualify for veterans programs and active duty disability compensation 
(tax-free income),if something goes wrong. Also military leave rules kick in; 
you have two weeks accrued leave on day 180. 

The time counts for retirement; you may be able to parlay two bad-years 
(the one previous and the next one) into two good years. If you have 20 years 
for retirement purposes, an active duty year counts the same as 5.9 years in 
the reserves. Therefor if you stick it out for 27 years, you could receive 
the pay for 32.9 years or approximately 27% of your highest base pay (based 
upon minimum drill attendance).

    Re: .58
    
    Great summary! 
    
    The availability of government quarters is quite limited, though,
    and the waiting list is often longer than a year. 
    
    At day 181 (as I recall) you also PCS travel status. This MAY be
    effective on day 1 IF SPECIFIED ON YOUR ORDERS. This means you can
    move your family at government expense. Obviously NOT to Saudi Arabia,
    but on an active duty status you can get 1 move to your "home of
    record."
    
    There has been quite a bit of (unclassified) discussion at Fort
    Carson about 6-month rotations out-of-country for the troops. This
    includes UNIT rotations, not piecemeal replacements. That assumes
    no combat, of course. I don't think they'd rotate a seasoned unit
    out-of-theater while replacing it with a green one!
    
    jb

    Thanks for all the info...  
    
    Just another quick question though...
    
>        US Congress, before it adjourned, extended the length of time US
>    Reservists may spend on Active Duty (without declaration of National
>    Emergency) from 180 to 360 days.

    
    Does the 181 days still apply or because of this we won't be considered
    active duty until after 361 days?
    
    Thanks
    
    Kevin
    
    

    Psssst: The ol' Colonel has been a bit quiet these past few days...
    
    Problems with the Phantom's maybe? Any other possible reasons?
    
    

    Maybe he's enjoying fun, sun and sand. :-)
    
    K
    

The 180 day benefits window is a separate law from the
activation provision recently inacted by Congress. 

Other benefits available for Active duty, and soon Reservists and
retired Reservists too young for a pension include:

	a. Ski rentals & lift tickets at discounts
	b. Camping equipment rentals at discounts
	c. PX & Class VI (liquor store) access
	d. Theater & Concert tickets at discounts
	e. Ski & Vacation lodges at cost
	f. Fresh water & ocean going craft rentals
	g. Commercial travel discounts
	  
Active Duty personnel & their families may use use military aircraft,
on a space available basis, to travel from one country to another.

Reservists may use military aircraft within the U.S. & territories.
(Best kept secret - South Weymouth N.A.S. has monthly flights to
the U.S. Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico.)

Regards,
Rollyn

    
    I'm still here, still working double shifts, and getting more bleary
    eyed daily.
    
    However at the moment what I'm doing for the military has little to do
    with Iraq - my unit just got a top of the line VAX 9000 so that we can
    use it as a single user workstation to solve some interesting design
    problems in personal weapons technology and I've been helping with the
    commisioning trials.
    
    /. Ian .\
    
    PS: we couldn't get one soon enough through Digital UK so this one came
    from an address in Langley :-)
    
    ======================================
    
    Speculation.
    
    The American elections are over and now Congress can get back together
    and "declare a police action" if they want. Thanksgiving and more
    importantly Christmas are coming (lets get it over and bring the boys
    back home for Christmas). The first rains have occurred lowering
    temperatures: soon the wind will pick up and sand storms will get more
    common - on the other hand the steady winds will make chem-weapons less
    effective. Finally in March we get to Ramaddan and our arab allies will
    be unwilling to fight, and perhaps unhappy about infidel soldiers on
    the holy soil of Saudi Arabia.
    
    So my immediate guess is that we may be on the brink of "going black" -
    I wonder whether perhaps Bush might make a significant speech on
    Veterans Day with a vote in the UN around the 14th and action soon
    after that...
    
    ====================================
    
    sleep well my friends...
    
    

    Just heard on the radio (WBZ) this morning that an un-named journalist
    said that Secretary of State Baker had made some remarks about giving
    Iraq 14 days to get out of Kuwait, or else.  No further information was
    available on that broadcast.  Anybody heard anything similar?
    
    
    Bruce B.

    I have not heard this, but it is not surprising. I suspect terms
    of an ultimatum are probably on the agendas with the nations
    Baker is visiting.
    
    The actual ultimatum would more likely be announced by Bush rather
    than Baker, and formally delivered through the Ambassadors.
    
    I also suspect that any such ultimatum would be rejected by Iraq.
    
    jb

    CNN today briefly reported that a "source" indicated that Baker
    sent a message to Iraq through the Chinese Ambassador. The 
    "source" also said that the message was the "out of Kuwait
    or else" message rumored earlier. 
    
    Baker was quoted as denying that he sent an "out of Kuwait or else"
    message to Iraq.
    
    CNN did not indicate whether or not a message was actually sent
    via the Chinese ambassador, just that Baker denied sending an
    "out of Iraq or else" message. 
    
    The word "ultimatum" was not mentioned.
    
    John B.  

    Yesterday, in a press conference at the Pentagon, General Powell
    announced that the following units would be sent to Saudi Arabia
    in support of Desert Shield:
    
    1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) Fort Riley, Kansas
    1st Armored Division (now in Germany)
    3rd Armored Division (also now in Germany)
    Three US Army National Guard Mechanized Infantry Brigades
       (round-out brigades for US Mech Infantry Divisions)
    Elements of the US VII Corps Headquarters (now in Germany)
    
    3 carrier battle groups
    1 battleship
    
    Plus supporting combat support and combat service support units.
    
    President Bush said he wanted sufficient forces to allow an
    offensive option. 
    
    The units are expected to close in-country in the January-February
    1991 time frame. 
    
    John B.
    
    
    

    Correction to my entry on the 3 US ARNG Mech Infantry Brigades.
    They are not being sent directly over. They will be activated,
    sent for additional desert warfare training at Ft Irwin, California,
    and then evaluated for possible deployment, if deemed combat-ready.
    
    The home states of the 3 brigades are Georgia, Mississippi, and
    Lousiana.
    
    John B.

An interesting thing is appearing within the Army force. Units with higher
ranking reserve officers are not asked to attend, for example the 
theatre level units - TAACOM, PERSCOM, MP BDE,  TRANS BDE, General 
Hospitals, etc. There appears to be a bias against reserve general 
officer commands. 

I did a little checking with ROA's General Pickus, he validated the 
observation but did not indicate whether ROA was going to do anything 
about it. (General Pickus is the DCG of O.C.A.R).

Some of the lower level reserve units are finding their company and 
battalion commanders replaced with active duty officers, this 
is happening with some of the transportation commands.

It would not surprise me to read either the National Guard units are
shipped minus their company commanders & field grade officers or their 
soldiers are shipped as individual fillers. 

This phenomina is quite interesting as the majority of Viet Nam's combat
officers are reservists; very few of the active duty force have combat
patches. Perhaps we will again experience Viet Nam's ticket punching 
mentality with its high casulties inflicted by inexperienced officers.

    Re: .70
    
    I hope the "shipping without company and field grade officers"
    doesn't happen. One of the strengths in Guard units with which
    I have served and trained is its cohesiveness. 
    
    I can understand wanting to put some active duty types in the
    units, but they should be as fillers, not as replacements for
    the existing chain of command. There is a role for an active
    duty advisor, also, rather than outright removal of the officer
    or NCO from his or her position. Just my opinion...
    
    On another note, a good friend of mine on active duty told me o
    an interesting "surprise" for the active duty folks. It seems
    that DA (Department of the Army) has been sending out "taskings"
    to CONUS (Continental US) units for certain specialties (MOS).
    Often, these taskings have been rescinded within 72 hours!
    It seems that many of the specialties needed are being provided
    by the Reserves and National Guard! As more and more Reservists
    and Guardsmen report for duty, the Active Duty folks are starting
    to realize just what is REALLY out there!
    
    As an "Action Officer" for most of these taskings, my friend's
    conversations with DA and other Headquarters indicate that the
    Active Duty components are well pleased with the quality and
    training of the Reservists coming in and are quite surprised at
    the level of proficiency in some of the more esoteric specialties.
    
    Many of these specialties are on the TO & E for Active Duty units,
    but are not filled because of force structure limitations. (They
    are called "required, not authorized.") In most cases, the regular 
    components have previously filled those positions as an "additional 
    duty" assignment for a soldier with a different MOS. Since units now 
    deploying are authorized FULL TO & E personnel, the "required, not 
    authorized" are being filled.
    
    While this may be seen as breaking up units, most mobilization planners
    expected this to happen for the specialized MOSs in the "required, not 
    authorized" slots. The more senior the individual, the more likely
    he will have expected such a thing to happen, and the more likely
    his unit is prepared (at least mentally, if not in "hard copy")
    for the situation.
    
    John B.

    
    
    A question based on a single observation.
    
    Over the Holiday Weekend I had the opportunity to meet with my nephew. 
    He is a Reservist who has recently been called to Active Duty.  Rather
    than go into specifics of the wheres, whats, and whos, I would like to
    share an observation he made.
    
    His billet is in the States, as an Instructor for Reservists possibly
    going to the Middle East.  He has always been a "jock" type of person,
    who still wears the same size clothes that he wore in High School (a
    little over ten years ago).
    
    His comment to me was about the physical condition of his 'students'. 
    More specifically the lack of conditioning.  He talked of a high number
    of strains, sprains, and twists.  This caused me to think back to my
    Reservist days.  They were not a time of peak physical conditioning in
    my life (and I was typical of my unit).
    
    Given the environment in the Middle East, does anyone have any comments
    on the physical readiness of the forces we are sending?  Is my nephew's
    experience isolated or typical?
    
    	Thanks,
    
    		Bill Tarmey

    I hate to be the bearer of more depressing news but....
    
    In the UK the Voluntary Medical Services are being mobilised to
    help care for the expected increase in the number of casualties; 
    organizations like the Red Cross, St Johns etc.  
    
    Dave

Yes - sometime before the Yemen takes over the chair of the UN we may expect a
resolution setting a timetable for war - whether it is January 1 as America 
wants or February 1 as the Soviets want - 

So the clock is ticking...

Of course with luck it'll start whilst Tony Benn is in Iraq and they'll make him 
a hostage... 

/. Ian .\

    Ian,
    
    tut, tut...saying nasty things about our Tony..he might start crying!!!
    
	Dave

any further comment on Tony Benn will be bad for my blood pressure...

(incidentally is it true that Benn is Britain's equivalent of Dan Quail?)

/. Ian .\

Interestingly enough a couple of months ago I wished farewell to my former
computer command, a mobile data processing unit, which shipped to parts
known but not printable. The very first things waived during their
inprocessing was weight & physical conditioning. The emphasis was on 
ability to perform rather than ability to fit into a mold. 

I suspect if this thing gets hotter the criteria will be "ability to see
lightening, hear thunder, nod head, and squeeze index finger".

    Report from "the field"
    
    US Army Recruiting Command is NOT relaxing standards for recruits,
    much to the chagrin of some applicants who had previously been
    turned away and subsequently re-applied.
    
    Standards for "retention on active duty" are also not being relaxed.
    The "weight control program" still carries a 30-day "meet-the-weight"
    standard, or reclassification and retraining applies.
    
    As for physical readiness...I recall several in my unit doing rather
    rigorous PT in the weeks prior to the annual PT test. There was
    TRULY Hell-to-pay for those who failed to pass, and considerable
    flak was given to those who just barely passed.
    
    There were few of us who maintained our physical readiness as well
    as our skill-related readiness. Of course, physical conditioning
    is an integral part of one's skill-related readiness, but it was
    and probably is the first neglected.
    
    I suspect those with an athletic bent are always going to criticize
    the rest of us for our lack of physical conditioning...and for
    warfare they are probably quite right.
    
    As a matter of fact, I need to institute a more rigorous program
    myself...just in case...     :)
    
    (oh how I HATED the "Daily Dozen" ....)
    
    John B.

    ><<< Note 113.77 by USCTR1::RTRUEBLOOD "Rollyn Trueblood DTN 297-6553" >>>
>Interestingly enough a couple of months ago I wished farewell to my former
>computer command, a mobile data processing unit, which shipped to parts...
    
    This wasn't by any chance the DP unit that was featured on the front
    page of a recent edition of Computerworld?  When I saw the article,
    I did think of you and looked for the CO's name.
    

    <<< Note 113.79 by BOWLES::BOWLES "Bob Bowles - T&N EIC/Engineering" >>>

    
    >This wasn't by any chance the DP unit that was featured on the front
    >page of a recent edition of Computerworld?  When I saw the article,
    >I did think of you and looked for the CO's name.
    
    Yes it is. 

    The unit's former First Sergeant & I are trying to contact the other
    former commanders & NCOs to host an early Christmas party for the member's 
    families. Hopefully we can get video cameras to record the results &
    Federal Express the tapes to locations known but not printable.

    The Reserves are not being rotated as first briefed. If former commanders 
    and members do not organize family support programs the reservists will 
    not stay in the program when they return home. Do not expect the Reserve 
    Commands to provide family support; their mission is to pack reservists 
    out, not to sustain them.

    The UN have decided that mid-January is the deadline for an Iraqi
    evacuation of Kuwait I believe. 
    
    I wish I could believe Hussein would be pulling out of Kuwait before
    the deadline but it's not likely. 
    
    Depressed of Reading. 
                                  

    The [British] MoD yesterday asked for medical and certain other
    specialties in the Territorial Army to volunteer for short service
    regular army assignments. Such assignments will be in Europe and
    probably for 6 months.
    
    /. Ian .\

    Dustie is TA and a medic. I wonder how she is feeling?
    
    
    
    

    I saw the news at lunchtime, apparently the primary destination is the
    Gulf and the appeal will last until December 5th. Final figures will
    be know next week - so said the Brigadier who is responsible for
    Reserves.
    
    Dave.

    The US Secretary of Defense is preparing a request for a 
    declaration of National Emergency. This request would allow
    him to call up an additional 1,000,000 reservists and keep
    them for up to 2 years.
    
    He said that it was not his intentention to actually call up
    1,000,000 folks, but rather to give him the flexibility to 
    call up _some_ more and to keep those already called up past
    the current 180-day maximum.
    
    A personal observation: This also would give the US greater
    flexibility to respond to other areas if armed intervention is needed
    there. With the situation in Panama still not fully stable and 
    the noises being made by Libya, this is probably a prudent action.
    
    I do not expect to see action taken on this request before the 
    15th, and it may be concurrent with other plans after that date.
    
    John B. 

    I phoned 4626 Squadron Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron this morning
    to discuss a transfer but the offer was, politely, declined until
    life returns to normal. 
    
    I hate the prospect of war and I've certainly enough to worry about at
    home at the moment but I feel I have to do something, to contribute
    in some way. A lot of my colleagues ask why I'm still here ( hidden
    messages maybe) and that's bugging me as well.
    
    (When I left the TA I decided to join my present Regiment but 4626 were
    next in line). 
    
    Anyone else feel the same?
    
    Dave
     
    

    
    
    Did you read in the papers that the US have enlisted the help of 3
    British ( female ) strippers, to cheer up the troops. The ladies can
    only do their thing on board a ship outside territorial waters though.
    
    Let's see now, 3 strippers and a zillion troops.......
    
    Dave
    

    Re -1
    
    I forgot to add the ladies will only be entertaining American forces.
    

    Announced Sunday:
    
    Another Colorado Army National Guard unit called up: 193rd Military
    Police
    
    Fort Carson, CO (4th Infantry Division (M), and mobilization station
    for a large part of the western/central US) has increased security
    by closing several entrances to the post. Positive ID now required
    for entry.
    
    Note that the 4th ID (M) is NOT alerted for deployment.
    
    It's just about time to "lean forward in your foxholes," folks...
    
    Daily "stand-to" at 0530   :)
    
    John B.

    As one reporter put it ( badly in my opinion), "from 0500 GMT Wednesday
    16th January 1991 it becomes the open season on Iraq". 
    
    And I always thought it would be an East-West war that would round up
    the century. What with the terrorism that will be included and follow
    any war, organisations like the IRA must be smiling to themselves at
    the prospect of the support they'll receive from SH.
    
    Dave
    

    Not wanting to be sanguine, or to spread rumors, it
    is probably a good time for those of us in Reserves and with 
    some visibility to review personal security and counter-terrorism
    information.
    
    Some of the unclassified possible targets for terrorism in the US include:
    
    Power transmission towers
    Microwave relay towers
    Armed forces recruiting stations
    Air, rail, and bus terminals (be watchful for unattended packages
                                  in corners, under seats, etc)
    There are, of course, many others. Your local unit might be able
    to give you a "threat" update for your area. 
    
    If you feel you have a particular vulnerability, be more alert around
    your home neighborhood, vary your routes and schedules to work,
    and watch for front and/or rear surveillance while driving.
    
    Good luck to all...we haven't much longer to wait...
    
    John B.

Headers have been deleted. 

From:	NAME: STEPHEN FOX @AKO 	FUNC: GIA Export 	TEL: 508-264-6003      
              <FOX.STEVE AT AKOV12A1 AT AKOMTS AT AKO> Date:	10-Jan-1991
Posted-date: 10-Jan-1991 Precedence: 1 Subject: PERSIAN GULF/UPDATE FROM GIA
SECURITY To:	See Below 



         Attached from GIA Security Manager, Rich Rowan, is FYI.
         Rich maintains close contacts with various US Government 
         security agencies (formerly employed by State Dept.), 
         and provides the attached from those sources.
         
         Regards,
         


From:	NAME: RICHARD ROWAN @AKO            
	FUNC: Security                        
	TEL: 244-7584                         <ROWAN.RICHARD AT
AKOV12A1 AT AKOMTS AT AKO>
Date:	10-Jan-1991
Posted-date: 10-Jan-1991
Precedence: 1
Subject: PERSIAN GULF - SITUATION REPORT
To:	See Below
CC:	See Below




    
                    *** DIGITAL INTERNAL USE ONLY ***
    
    
         SOURCES, who have provided me with reliable information in 
    the past, continue to believe that Iraqi strongman, SADDAM 
    Hussein, will, at the last minute, begin at least a partial 
    withdrawal from Kuwait -- before the U.S.-led forces on his border 
    can initiate hostilities, though the call as to war or peace is 
    very, very close.  While they hold to a conviction that war may be 
    averted, prudence dictates that managers plan for a worse-case 
    scenario -- a commencement of hostilities, following January 15th.  
    It seems unlikely that war would begin precisely on January 16th, 
    but it certainly could come by the 19th.
    
         In the event of hostilities, said SOURCES look for an 
    outbreak of anti-American rioting in the following areas:  Jordan, 
    Israel's occupied territories, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, 
    Pakistan, Sudan, Yemen and Mauritania.  They're particularly 
    concerned about the ferocity of rioting in Jordan and Pakistan.  
    Personnel should be drawn down to the bare minimum in Jordan, and 
    there, and in the other potential trouble spots, Westerners should 
    lay in supplies and curtail circulation at the first report of 
    Persian Gulf hostilities.
    
         They also anticipate a surge of Iraqi-sponsored terrorism in 
    Europe, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and Southeast 
    Asia, with attacks also possible in Latin America, Africa, Canada 
    and the United States.  Attacks probably will focus in large part 
    on U.S. Government entities and commercial aviation -- airline 
    offices, airports and aircraft.  There is also a possibility, 
    outside of the United States, of bombings at private American 
    schools and at prominent U.S. corporate facilities.  They cannot 
    exclude the possibility of attacks upon American university 
    extension programs, but, in their judgment, those targets would be 
    somewhat lower on Iraqi lists.
    




    
         They believe that corporations should curtail non-essential 
    foreign travel and, in the event of hostilities, corporate 
    employees should select air carriers carefully and limit the 
    amount of time that they spend in airline ticket offices and 
    airport lobbies.
    
         Corporations should review and, if necessary, upgrade bomb 
    control measures.  Additionally, said SOURCES would not quarrel 
    with the idea of parents keeping children home from overseas 
    American/International schools, for several days, in the event of 
    hostilities and until terrorism prospects can be clarified.
    
         In the Middle East, they are especially concerned about 
    attacks in Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Bahrain and the United 
    Arab Emirates.
    
         In Europe, they are particularly concerned about five cities 
    with a long history of operations by Palestinian extremists:  
    Athens, Brussels, Rome, Vienna and Istanbul.
    
         In Asia, they are concerned about Karachi and other points in 
    Pakistan, Thailand and Manila.
    
         In Latin America, they are concerned about Lima, Santiago and 
    Montevideo.
    
         There is a high probability that an outbreak of hostilities 
    in the Persian Gulf would spur terrorist attacks in the United 
    States and Canada, by Palestinian terrorists aligned with SADDAM.  
    They would not be surprised to see an attack or two come early, 
    perhaps within five or six days of the beginning of the war.
    
         Initial Palestinian attacks probably would be designed to 
    attract maximum publicity, at minimum risk, and could take the 
    form of a bombing at an airport lobby or some other public 
    gathering place.  The most likely locations for an attack, in the 
    U.S., are the following:  New York, Washington, Los Angeles, 
    Chicago, and Detroit, which has a very large Arab population.
    
         They cannot exclude the possibility of an in-flight bombing 
    aboard a domestic commercial aircraft, especially in light of the 
    relatively lax security arrangements in effect at most domestic 
    airports, but they are inclined to believe that assailants, 
    initially at least, will opt for relatively simple and relatively 
    low-risk assaults.
    
                    *** DIGITAL INTERNAL USE ONLY ***




    
    
         They have no basis, at this time, for recommending the 
    curtailment of domestic air travel, though they would suggest that 
    travelers limit the amount of time that they spend in open-access 
    areas of airports and otherwise comport themselves in accordance 
    with safe-travel guidelines.
    
         Attacks against public utilities, telecommunications 
    facilities, as well as oil production and transportation 
    facilities also are possible, but, again, they are more concerned 
    about unprotected targets.  It is a good time to review and, if 
    necessary, upgrade bomb-prevention measures.
    
         They do not anticipate a high volume of attacks in the early 
    stages of a campaign in the United States, but they do expect that  
    terrorists will strive for maximum publicity impact in hopes of 
    sowing panic.  The media will give them tremendous publicity, so 
    it will be awfully important for persons, with Security 
    responsibilities, to anticipate the problem and, when it comes, to 
    stay cool.
    
         Regards,
    	    Rich
    
                    *** DIGITAL INTERNAL USE ONLY ***
    
    

    Can anybody bring me up to date with the call-up of British Reservists?
    
    I read in the newspaper yesterday that the SAS went into Kuwait about
    a month ago to find out about a new guidence system for a rocket 
    (it didn't say which) , maybe this note belongs in the 
    "FUNNY STORIES" file because they managed to steal not only the 
    guidence system but also the rocket AND crew (8 man)!!
    Apparently they were picked up by helicopter and dropped in Saudi.
    Has anybody heard about this ? Can someone confirm it?
    
    It seems time has run out, good luck to ALL our allies!
    
    Paul

    <chuckle> 
    
    That sure SOUNDS like the SAS! I am rather surprised
    that such a thing would be reported so soon, but...
    
    Keep your powder dry...
    
    John B.

*officially* there is no SAS presence in Operation Desert Shield. There *were* 
SAS in Cyprus, and both SAS and SBS in the United Arab Emirates, but, 
officially they are not operational in Kuwait...

of course that is the official story - I doubt that any details - especially 
not confirmation of the story a few back - will appear soon, but then how long 
did it take for details of the work done in the Falklands to get out 
officially?

After all if it were true then the multinational force would have taken action
before the UN ultimatum expired. And that would be naughty, wouldn't it?

/. Ian .\

    Taken from the front page of the Daily Mail 17th January. This is
    edited (but only a bit)
    
        When 6 Soviet built Mil-6 helicopters landed in SA they were carrying 
officers of the SAS and the Delta Force on their way back from a 
mission to capture an Iraqi missile.

The SA-8 Gecko anti-aircraft missile and its crew were lifted...and 
flown low and fast, under cover of darkness, back across the Kuwait 
border.

The helicopters were from another Arab country and flew into Iraq to an 
SA-8 site. Four-man teams then fanned out to find a launcher vehicle.

    
          Dave

    I've got a copy of the article that appeared in the paper here,
    it also referes to the Sunday Times, London.
    Has anybody seen this article?
    
    Paul

    I asked some time ago for a bit of info. on British Reserves being
    called up or voluneering, can someone bring me up to date on that?
    Use my personnal account owing to security.
    Under the same heading can anyone tell me if T.A. units have been put 
    on standby or called up?
    
    Thanks in advance
    
    Paul

    Paul,
    
    All of 4624 Squadron and part of 4626 Squadron of the reserve Air Force
    have been called up.  I reckon No 1 MHU might be involved as well.
    
    I believe some TA medical units have supplied some volunteers but I
    couldn't tell you more than that.  There are undoubtably some
    intelligence people involved ( re: the Colonel's comments....) and at a
    guess, the part-time special forces are in there - somewhere!
    
    Dave