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                                    Chapter 1I
             Challenges, Saudi Interaction, and the Terrorist Threat
       
        	Setting up the defenses for the base and compound
        areas proved to be quite a task. Security forces faced many
        challenges in achieving this goal. First and foremost, the arrival
        of forces to extreme desert beat and conditions, proved by far to
        be the most difficult challenge. Arriving in Saudi Arabia in mid-
        August 1990 tested the mettle and determination of the security
        personnel. With temperatures on the flightline reaching 138
        degrees Fahrenheit, trying to stay cool became a never ending
        battle. Captain James E. Chambers Jr., the SPS Logistics officer,
        described the contest of man against the elements:
             "We had to drink lots of water, and use any available
             shade, including aircraft wings. It was very impor-
             tant that we looked out for each other, making sure
             we ate properly, drank plenty of water, and watched
             each other for signs of heat prostration or stroke." 
       
        In addition to the personal battles against the heat,
        the test of trying to keep equipment cool also challenged the
        security team. Desert camouflage netting,  which lowers the
       

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