USMC

USMC

--"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a

difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." --

Ronald Reagan

6th Communications Battalion operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm

MARINE COMMUNICATIONS 45

U.S. Marines in the Persian Gulf, 1990-1991

Marine Communications in Desert Shield and Desert Storm

…..In order to accomplish this unusual mission, Lieutenant Colonel

Bradley’s 8th Communication Battalion would itself require significant augmentation.

The dispatch of Company A in August as part of the 4th MEB had been

done under a “first out, best dressed” policy that seriously depleted the capabilities

of the remaining units. To make up this shortfall, a sizeable portion (425 officers

and enlisted personnel) of the Marine Corps Reserve’s New York City-based

6th Communication Battalion was activated for duty in Southwest Asia. Manning

priority first went to rounding out the depleted Company B and Support

Company, and Company C was formed from the remaining Reservists pending

their further reassignment within I MEF. The main body of the battalion landed

at Jubayl NAF on Christmas Day 1990.112

By early January, there would be more than 770 Marines from the 8th and

6th Communication Battalions in theater under the command of Lieutenant

Colonel Bradley. The battalion retained its basic organization in Saudi Arabia,

less Major Rusch’s Company A afloat with 4th MEB. Headquarters Company

was commanded by Captain Paul G. Wesley, Company B by Major William M.

Ciaston, and Support Company by Major Edward S. McMillan. The executive

officer was Captain Carl E. Rodgers, and the principal staff consisted of Major

Rudy B. Kowalcyk, the S-3; Major Beverly G. Lee, the S-4; and Captain Lisa R.

Schade, the S-1.113