Up From The Bottom: A Memoir by Isaac Ford

Author:Isaac Ford
Format: epub

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

OPERATION DESERT SHIELD AND STORM

THE FEAR OF dying, either as a cop on the beat or in a war zone, gives you a unique perspective on life. You become keenly aware of your mortality and appreciative of things that most don’t. On August 1, 1990, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein shocked the world when he brazenly invaded his oil-rich neighbor, Kuwait, prompting President George H. W. Bush to form a coalition to remove his forces. We watched CNN coverage from home as a massive buildup began in September, and in December of 1990, my Marine Corps Reserve unit was called up. This was the largest buildup of military forces since Vietnam, and as a result, Reserve and National Guard units were called at record levels. My wife and mother watched CNN nonstop, worried to death as most families were. We reported to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina within days and after another week, we deployed to Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia in January 1990.

We hit the ground just after the Christmas holidays and quickly prepared for what was billed as the “mother of all wars.” The military quickly deployed hundreds of thousands of troops to the region to fight Saddam Hussein’s aggression and liberate the Kuwaiti people. I was struck by the irony of being sent eight thousand miles from home to fight for Kuwaiti liberation and oil, when just months earlier, I was fired and persecuted for standing up for the citizens of Augusta. I didn’t exactly feel free or liberated. I was a U.S. Marine, and I loved my country, but like many who served before me, I was conflicted. Back home, I was still “less than” in the eyes of some. The military buildup was so fast, that commercial airlines were utilized to transport troops to the war zone. Once we were in Saudi Arabia, we quickly constructed and reinforced our position with what seemed like a million sand bags. We were positioned about 100 yards from the port of Al Jubail.

A mile in the other direction, Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft were staged and made day and night sorties, bombing the hell out of Saddam’s troops. We could hear the nonstop naval gunfire off in the distance as well. Saddam Hussein returned the favor by sending Scud missiles in our direction, day and night. Because of the aircraft, ships, and supplies outside of the port city of Al Jubail, a disproportionate number of Scud missiles were launched in our direction. Saddam Hussein especially enjoyed the time between 11:00 p.m. and midnight. This earned Al Jubal the nickname “Scud bowl.” There were several Patriot missile batteries located within a hundred yards of where we ate and slept. The constant threat of Scud missiles hitting our position carrying chemical weapons loomed in our minds 24/7. We were trained to be able to put on our MOPP (Mission Oriented Protective Posture) gear within nine seconds of hearing air raid signals and Patriot missiles being launched.

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