Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search

Incirlik AB.  During the coming weeks, he would focus his attention primarily 
on tow main objectives:  establishing and facilitating the process for ES&ABO
efforts (beddown requirements, equipment issues, operational requirements,
etc.)  :  and developing alternative plans and solutions for ES&ABO projects
(contingency parking plans, troop facilities, etc.).  Every other staff 
element sought support from the ESD&ABO people at some point during 
the deployment, often stretching Colonel Craddock's days 24-hour shifts 
through the wind-down of combat operations in February.

When Colonel Craddock stepped off the aircraft at Incirlik AB, the Department 
of Defense (DOD) -directed evacuation of dependents had just begun, the first 
wave of fighter aircraft hand launched from bases n Saudi Arabia to attack 
targets in the Kuwait Theater of operation (KTO) , and preparations were
underway to launched the first wave of combat aircraft from Incirlik AB.  
Everything was critical--fuel, billeting, messing, even space to park and turn 
aircraft.  Within hours, the first PROVEN FORCE  combat package would have to 
be in the air and on its way t9 Iraq.  Preparations were made fast and
furious, due to the last-minute authorization from the Turks, but within 24
hours an operation consisting of three waves of combat aircraft per day was
 established.  Through many convulsions, the support infrastructure would 
sustain operations over the next six-plus weeks, targeting strategic sits in 
Iraq including communication sits, air bases, and Scud missile launchers.

Among the countless important ES&ABO issues Colonel Craddock worked were 
domestic  water supply and storage security concerns, Rapid Runway Repair (RRR)
capability, target structural evaluation, bomb damage assessments, contingency 
billeting and messing requirements, access to WRM, emergency repair 
procedures.  He found his experience at HQ USA to be especially valuable 
in expediting approvals for needed equipment and material an liasing 
between USAFE and the COMAFFOR on ES&ABO  requirements.

Within days it became obvious that coalition forces had established and would 
keep undisputed air superiority over Iraqi forces.  As the number of combat 
missions flying out of Incirlik AB was trimmed, the staff began cutting back
 support forces.  When Colonel Craddock stepped back onto the aircraft to 
Ramstein AB on 8 February, he could look over his shoulder at a base that was 
capable of sustaining a sortie rate twice that of its peace time rate.  Fuel, 
aircraft traffic, meals, and shifts were all flowing s smoothly.  The massive 
effort had been successful, and PROVEN FORCE showed the composite wind, only 
recently envisioned, would indeed work.

Lieutenant Colonel William Carson of HQ USAFE'S   Acquisition Division, 
Directorate of NATO Infrastructure, an expert on Turkish operations, deployed 
on 7 January 1991 inn anticipation of TGS approval for operations.  He served 
as the ES&ABO representative on the JTF staff, heading up the J4 ES&ABO Cell 
staffed by Captains Robert Dosee of the AFRCE Division, Central European 
Region, Directorate of Engineering and Construction, William Harris of HQ 
USAFE's Technical Division, Directorate of NATO Infrastructure, and William 
Thornberry of HQ USAFE'S Community Services Division, Directorate of Housing 
and Community Services.  Captain Thornberry deployed on 11 January , the first 
Services officer deployed to Incirlik for Operation PROVEN FORCE, and Captain 
Harris followed on 16 January.

Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search