Warriors in Peace Operations - Strategic Studies Institute - U.S. Army

soldiers who deployed into an area with inadequate
facilities for coping with the Bosnian winter. Although the
American soldier triumphed, it did not have to be this
difficult.
There were some major success stories in the deployment.
The C-17 aircraft that deployed essential forces to
Tuzla for employment in the early days was an unexpected
success. The movement control board eventually developed
into a functional and reliable entity. The communication
system that allowed us to talk to Task Force Eagle in Tuzla
and USAREUR Forward in Hungary was excellent. The
rapid development of the division Deployment Operations
Center (with three successive reinforcements by the
battalion) was a marvelous thing to watch. Lieutenants and
sergeants, never trained in deployment systems, used their
basic troop leading procedures, initiative, and versatility to
develop and manage systems to control the deployment.
Finally, the indefatigable will of the task force soldiers to
overcome all obstacles in achieving the mission is a
testament to a great Army, even though the deployment
command and control were not.
It took about 10 days for the DOC to develop satisfactory
systems for controlling all methods of deployment.
Eventually, four systems were developed, one each for
trains, air, busses, and convoys. We were able to accurately
track preparation and execution of movement of all four
modes and to solve the problems that surfaced along the
way. Interface with 21st TAACOM and USAREUR Forward
improved, and by Christmas there were well established
procedures and trained personnel in place. The first days
had been extremely hectic. I was working about 20 hours a
day for the first 10 days or so. By Christmas, I was able to cut
down to about 16-18 hours a day. I remember for Christmas,
Pat came down with some treats for the troops. I remember
a green plastic cookie plate shaped like a tree was pinned to
the wall as our Christmas tree for that year. We got to share
a couple hours together before I got so tired, I fell asleep. By
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