File: aacwr_29.txt
Page: 29
Total Pages: 49

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Possible Iraqi or Iranian reaction was on everyone's minds as the first sorties left Incirlik at 0900Z Sunday, so the mission was planned and conducted as a combat operation. Fighters were ready to respond to Iraqi interference and the E-3, an EC-130, an KC-135, and two KC-135As provided additional support. Two C-130s dropped 32,000 pounds of MREs (meals REAdy to eat) just inside the Turkish border; two C- 130 gunships crossed into Iraq before dropping 8,000 pounds of MREs and water. The C-130s returned that afternoon to drop ore MREs inside Iraq. General Jamerson reported "no hostile reactions during either morning or afternoon package."

There were "no hostile reactions" again on Monday as the JTF flew 9 airdrop, 48 fighter, and 13 support sorties. In addition, two French and one British cargo plane made their first drops. (Arrival of multinational forces led General Jamerson to redesignate the JTF a combined one, a CTF.) It quickly became evident that dropping supplies to the refugees from airplanes and helicopters would not be enough to save the situation. without westerners on the ground to provide feedback, effort could be wasted dropping the wrong supplies or dropping the right ones in the wrong places. If Provide Comfort was to succeed, Americans would have to go in on the ground.

After the American government warned Baghdad on 10 April not to make military moves in northern Iraq, the Joint Chiefs authorized U.S. ground forces to enter Iraq. within a few days, it became clear that even this expanded operation was not enough. On 16 April the CS concluded that the refugees' lot had "continued to rapidly deteriorate because of the extreme terrain and weather." USCINCEUR's new mission became "erecting temporary living facilities for the Iraqi refugees in northern Iraq in order to save lives." This meant moving the Kurds out of the mountains to newly constructed camps at lower elevations. To persuade the Kurds to move, the Americans would have to create an area within Iraq where the refugees would be safe from Iraqi reprisals. This expanded operation might lead to clashes with Iraqi ground forces, so u. s. Army Lieutenant General John M. Shalikashvili assumed command of the CTF on 17 April, with General Jamerson becoming his deputy.

Within Iraq, General Shalikashvili supervised the extension of the security zone, construction of additional camps, and transfer of the refugees to them from the mountain camps. There were some tense moments as coalition forces pushed the reluctant Iraqis out of the Security zone. A U.S. Army report noted that U. S. "Attack aircraft provided

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