ANTHOLOGY AND ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY                                          5


the 26th MEU(SOC) on 6 August was a scheduled rotation that had nothing to
do with the Gulf crisis.  The 26th MEU(SOC) was to relieve the 22d
MEU(SOC) on station near Liberia on 20 August.              Meanwhile, the 22d
MEU(SOC) had begun evacuation operations and had put a reinforced rifle
company ashore to protect the U.S. Embassy.
   On 1 August, JCS Chairman Powell, as directed by Secretary of Defense
Dick Cheney, ordered the first actual deployment of forces for Operation Desert
Shield.  By definition, this was C-Day--Commencement Day.         The clock for
Desert Shield had begun to tick.
   In the case of the Marine Corps, the 1st MEB in Hawaii, the 7th MEB in
California,  and the 4th MEB on the East Coast were alerted for possible
deployment. 12


                                                                 Abadan


                                  Rumaila Oil Field                  IRAN

                                                          Fac Peninsula


                                               Ar
                                                Oil Field


                                        Ash Shuway:kkh~ ..........
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