Storming the Desert

On December 15, 1990, Lieutenant Sean T. Coughlin left Norton Air Force Base, California. His destination: Saudi Arabia. For nearly six months, he served as a special staff officer with Marine Wing Support Group 37 (MWSG 37), Headquarters element.

Throughout his deployment, Lieutenant Coughlin kept a detailed diary of his thoughts and actions. The boredom of the waiting, the dread of Scud attacks, the anticipation of the impending air and ground war, the camaraderie of the troops in the field, and the anticipation of going home--all are revealed. As a part of MWSG 37, the lieutenant gives a firsthand account how the unit set up air bases throughout Saudi Arabia.