Chapter 13- Operation Desert Storm -Lonesome Dove Extracts from Marines in the Persian gulf 1990-1991 barely mentions the construction of the Lonesome Dove Expeditionary Airfield liken to the absence of reporting the highlights of the Tuskegee Airman in World War II. I gather here some other evidence of its existence but the true story of how the field was built is in my book Annapolis Creed.
Extracts from...US Marines in the Persian Gulf In December 1990, MAG-26 relocated in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, and to expeditionary airfield Lonesome Dove to support the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and the 2d Marine Division in the liberation of Kuwait during Operations Desert Shield/Storm. The composite squadron included nine squadrons from MAG-26, MAG-29 and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. Al Khanjar Engineer Support Battalions (Reinforced) departed Kibrit westbound to begin construction of a huge support base located about 35 kilometers southwest of the corner of the heel of Kuwait. The battalions' many feats of construction over the next 14 days included 38 kilometers of blastwall berm which contained among other things the Marine Corps' largest-ever ammunition supply point, 151 cells in 768 acres, a five-million-gallon fuel farm, and a naval hospital with 14 operating rooms. The complex also included two 5,700-foot dirt airstrips capable of handling C-130 turboprop transports. The area was so remote from any settlement or feature that it had no name or designation on maps except "gravel plain."' General Krulak's staff dubbed the place "Al Khanjar," Arabic for a type of short sword, to the delight of Arab officers attached to the force. By 12 February Al Khanjar was providing combat service support to the divisions. A few kilometers west of the base was Landing Zone Lonesome Dove, the new home for the helicopters of Marine Aircraft Group 26 and a forward command post for the wing. Because of the distance from 3d Marine Aircraft Wing headquarters at Jubayl, Major General Moore sent his assistant wing commander, Brigadier General Granville R. "Granny" Amos, to Lonesome Dove to set up a helicopter Tactical Air Command Center. Below is the design of Lonesome Dove designed and orchestrated by Major Jordan B. Smith, Jr. in 1991.
6 Comments
Doug Rathbun
12/30/2020 07:07:08 pm
I was stationed at Lonesome Dove with the Nomads. Thanks for the acknowledgment.
Reply
LtCol Edward Burris (ret)
3/26/2021 11:32:14 pm
I was a Captain in G3 on Gen Moore’s Staff in Jubail, later moved to Lonesome Dove with Granny Amos in the HTACC.
Reply
Richard Solether
7/14/2021 05:24:27 am
Was at Lonesome Dove..Semper Fi!
Reply
John Snyder
8/28/2021 02:59:28 pm
The caption on your picture of Lonesome Dove states that CH-53D helicopters operated out of Lonesome Dove. With all due respect sir, I was stationed at Lonesome Dove during Desert Storm as a member of HMH-464. We were, and they still are, a CH-53E "Super Stallion" squadron. The CH-53E was the replacement for the CH-53D and our squadron received the firs fleet delivery of the aircraft in 1981. I also deployed with the CH-53E on its first cruise aboard the USS Iwo Jima in 1983 to Beirut Lebanon. Sadly I was a member of the recovery team that recovered bodies from the October 23rd bombing of the Marine barrack. I hope this clears up any misunderstanding about which aircraft were stationed at Lonesome Dove during the 1991 conflict. Thank you for your wonderful writing. Take care, God bless, and as always, Semper Fidelis - John M. Snyder, GySgt. USMC Retired
Reply
David A. Wiles CWO3 USMC Retired
3/26/2023 04:56:01 pm
The arrogance of a Marine Aviator never ceases to amaze me. The complete lack of understanding logistics as if things just magically appear without regards the the back breaking sweat bore by Marines that make things happen for Marine Aviation. “Lonesome” Dove, was constructed by the Marines of Marine Wing Support Squadron 273. More than 862,000 sqft of AM-2 Matting was used to build the Expeditionary Airfield. The 12 ft sheets of the Matting weigh 144lbs. Each sheet is placed and connect by Marines not machines. It’s back breaking work and it took 15 days to build. To put this “LZ” in to perspective, 862,000 AM-2 is enough to build a 12 ft wide road 13.5 miles long. Not quite an LZ and to call it that is and insult to those Marines efforts, not to mention after the ground war was over that “LZ”, had to be picked up and packed for the next war.
Reply
paul francis pavilonis
7/23/2023 06:26:18 pm
i was there building lonesome dove with mwss 273 from mcas Beaufort SC
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Dr. Jordan B smith jr.I attended the U. S. Naval Academy from 1972-1976 earning a B.S. in Mathematics. Served 20 years both active and reserve in the US Marines. Veteran of the Desert Shield/Storm. I earned a MAED and Ed D. specializing in curriculum and instruction from the University of Phoenix in 2015. I graduated from CBC High School in Clayton, MO in 1972. Archives
June 2023
Categories
All
|