This week on January 16, 1991, exactly ten years ago, over half a million allied troops were deployed to Saudi Arabia and throughout the Gulf region to fight in the Persian Gulf War. Allied forces began the devastating bombing of Iraq and their forces in Kuwait on that same day. The action of the United States and allied countries stemmed from an Iraq invasion in Kuwait in August 1990 killing thousands. The United States and allied armies launched the ground war on February 23, 1991 and only four days later, on February 27, 1991 former President Bush ordered a cease-fire. On March 3, 1991, Iraq accepted the terms of the cease-fire and the fighting ended.

For Army Specialists (SPC) Brandon Doyel, 18, Jason Knueven, 21, and Chris Wegner, 18, they were almost too young to remember the details of this first major conflict involving the United States since Vietnam. Now for the three, this week will probably be like no other they have had before in their lives.

The Manning graduates will be boarding a military airplane and will begin their eighteen-hour trek deep into Kuwait to assist with duties of the border patrol in the "no-fly zones" over northern and southern Iraq and to enforce and require compliance in the no-fly zones areas.
"We will be in charge of securing the areas and providing security for the U.S. communications sight. We will also be checking U.S. equipment to protect it from terrorism," said Brandon and Jason.
The three, part of the Company C, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry based in Denison, volunteered for active duty to support other U.S. forces in Kuwait about seven months ago. Since then they have been filling out a lot of paperwork and have had quite a bit of training, most of which has been done at night to get used to the time change, about a nine hour difference.
We have done six months or more of weekend training as a unit and the last two weeks we have spent in Des Moines at Camp Dodge doing simulated missions along with two more weeks in Wisconsin at Fort McCoy doing the same. Over all we have gotten to know each other very well and have learned some important things at the same time," said Jason.

The men have been vigorously trained in infantry and as rifleman on M16 AZ rifles. They will be stationed outside of Kuwait City for approximately five months where they will be on duty for twenty-four hours a day during their deployment. This will be quite different from the one-week end a month and two weeks a year the National Guard men are used to doing to keep up their status in the military.

After their official send off on Thursday, January 18 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the entire infantry company at the Denison Armory, the three will be joining one hundred and seventeen other servicemen and women stationed throughout southwest Iowa who have also been deployed to Kuwait.

Their first, stop will be to Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin where the soldiers will be split into two shifts. The first shift of Iowa personnel will arrive in Kuwait City to replace half of the Illinois National Guard units, who have been assisting in maintaining the border for the previous five months. The other half of Iowa personnel will arrive in Kuwait a few days later when the first group is trained and adjusted to the southwest Asia country. Once all the Iowa National Guard Units arrive in Kuwait they will release the Illinois National Guard of the duty entirely so they can return to their family and friends.

Brandon Doyle, 2000 MHS graduate, joined the Army National Guard in January of 1999 for an exciting adventure and for a way to help pay for college. Brandon is looking forward to his deployment to Kuwait for an excellent chance to travel and to learn more about the cultures in Asia. Brandon also said it would probably be hard for him to adjust to the mild weather. Right now the average temperature is about 70° in Kuwait City, a stark contrast to January in Iowa. By June, the average temperature in Kuwait City will rise to a sweltering 109° and all military personnel are advised to cover arms and legs completely and wear a shirt with a collar.

Although there are many differences in the cultures between the two countries one thing about the Kuwaiti society, which closely resembles American life, is the strong family bonds of the people where the old values are retained and cherished.
Jason Knueven, having the most seniority in the National Guard of all three, said that it would be hard for him to leave Iowa on his deployment. "I will miss everyone here but I have confidence that I will be home shortly with no problems at all," he commented. Jason said the list goes on and on for being advised on way of conducting themselves differently in the eastern country being careful not to offend the citizens of Kuwait. Being left-handed will pose a challenge for him.
Jason said it has been recommended that he try and not use his left hand as much as possible while there because they find using your left hand a offensive manner.
In Kuwait, the people do not utilize toilet paper instead they use their left hand and water to cleanse themselves after using the restroom. Therefore shaking hands and eating with your left hand is a very offensive manner to the Kuwaitie people.

For these three men it will also be encouraging to have other Manning faces in the company. "Having other closer friends with me over there will make the time much easier and more fun," commented Knueven. "I feel really good about Jason, Chris and I going over together. They will be good support and there will be someone there that I can relate to," said Doyel.

The Nebraska National Guard sometime around June 16 will relieve their Battalion and the three are looking forward to returning to their jobs and college when they arrive back home.

Brandon Doyel, son of Tom and Denise Doyel; Chris Wegner, son of Craig Wegner and Jason Knueven, son of Gary and Linda Knueven will all be in attendance at the community send off on Thursday, January 18 from 8 to 10 a.m. with the public invited to attend.