Page 68 - 100 Hours to Destiny

DELTA STANDS TO

2/24/1991 @ 0415 hours

“Delta Company, Delta Company, this is Delta 6, be advised Delta
that we are two mikes out from the FLD (aka the final line of departure).
Platoons prepare to move into a Company screen line. Headquarters fall into
secondary protective position, center mass of screen line 75 meters back
from American Hero. Fall in Delta, on me….Move!” And 26 LAV-25s, along
with the 1Sgt’s Humvee and two 6x6 trucks fell into their predesignated
positions.
“OK Delta, we are going to stand to here for one hour, War dogs
relieve yourselves… if you need to take on water, do so….pray….stretch your
legs…Devil Dogs we have one hour until we depart the FLD and invade….One
hour Gents, make the most of it. LAV-25 vehicle Commanders 50% turret
watch at all times. TOW Platoon send one-half of your assets up 400 meters
north and assume forward screening. Missile turrets up 50% gunners on
sights. No Marine leaves his vehicle without his personal weapon, each
Marine check your safety on your personal weapon with your red chem light,
that is a DIRECT ORDER. Verify and sound off to your vehicle Commander or
scout team leader that you are on safe. Gunners of the 25mm gun turret
check your ammo, verify your high explosive rounds and armor-piercing
rounds are uploaded into the chain gun. Further, verify 7.62mm coax
machine guns are uploaded and chambered. Further, verify vehicle
Commander's personal pintle mounts 7.62mm Commander's gun uploaded
and chambered.”
Four TOW vehicles, Silver Two, African Queen, Caligula, and Desert
Crow all pushed forward 400 meters like a blazing bolt of fury from Deltas
lines. They broke off into a twin echelon left, echelon right Platoon online
formation to cover Delta in the case of a surprise attack from heavy enemy
contact. I will always remember the incredible courage and bravery from the
TOW vehicle crewmen. At every instance called upon, they never wavered.
Though they were sitting on top of enough high explosive TOW missiles to
incinerate 14 heavy battle tanks they laughed it off and kept up a good
humor…. these men were in the category of most unique bravery and
courage under fire.
Back on Delta’s line, the turbos as so many times in the past of 26
LAV-25s and various variants were continuing to wind down…. “Gunny,
request permission to debark the Log. I need to step down Gunns, I need to
stretch my legs.”