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

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

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heat I received from the families because the battalion<br />

was directed to draw cold weather gear from the Mannheim<br />

Cloth<strong>in</strong>g Issue Facility on Thanksgiv<strong>in</strong>g Day. Despite my<br />

opposition, I was overruled by USAREUR and 21st<br />

TAACOM senior leaders. As an early deployer, the unit had<br />

to meet this issue schedule. With flack vest on, I took every<br />

heat-round the families delivered dur<strong>in</strong>g the family support<br />

group meet<strong>in</strong>g that followed the next week. A memorable<br />

experience!<br />

OJE DEPLOYMENT<br />

December 1995 was a busy time for the battalion and<br />

soldiers. Every day we had 10-15 trucks haul<strong>in</strong>g cargo along<br />

EAGLE EXPRESS. The CSCs were fully manned and<br />

operational with battalion personnel. Operation CONVOY<br />

ESCORT was <strong>in</strong> the capable hands of the 109th TC. The<br />

69th TC and 15th TTD were fully engaged at the A/DACG<br />

APOEs, and the 70th TC and 260th TTD were <strong>in</strong> the<br />

Balkans, fight<strong>in</strong>g the harsh w<strong>in</strong>ter environment.<br />

What were the rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g units of the battalion do<strong>in</strong>g?<br />

The 66th TC and the short-handed 68th TC (which I used as<br />

a personnel filler for the 70th TC) were fully employed as the<br />

Holiday surge <strong>in</strong> Christmas mail was <strong>in</strong> full sw<strong>in</strong>g. The<br />

battalion staff was work<strong>in</strong>g 24-hour shifts, ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />

watch over a hectic operational program. My executive<br />

officer, battalion S3, command sergeant major, and I split<br />

our time among the numerous sites where battalion soldiers<br />

were work<strong>in</strong>g. Everyone was engaged and busy!<br />

Arrival/Departure Control Group <strong>Operations</strong>.<br />

The A/DACG mission was planned for, but not<br />

considered likely to be executed to the degree it ultimately<br />

was. Dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>itial plann<strong>in</strong>g, 90 percent of 1st Armored<br />

Division, V Corps, and echelons above corps (EAC) assets<br />

would rail and/or convoy to the ISB at Taszar, Hungary. The<br />

orig<strong>in</strong>al transportation concepts for deployment of<br />

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