Desert Shield Adds Nearly 7,000 Reservists, Guardsmen

The Army and the Air Force today called to active duty about 7,000 reservists to support Operation Desert Shield, increasing by one-half the number of National Guard and reserve members involved in the Persian Gulf buildup.

The Navy activated three reserve units Wednesday.

Pete Williams, the chief Pentagon spokesman, said the call-up today of Army and Air Force reserves brought to 21,653 the total number of reserves from all services that have been activated for combat support and other roles in Desert Shield.

The Pentagon had some good news for the more than 150,000 U.S. soldiers, sailors and airmen already in and around Saudi Arabia. Defense Secretary Dick Cheney approved “imminent danger pay” of $110 a month for them, retroactive to Sept. 1.

“In recognition of the sacrifices our military men and women are making, I have directed the payment of this supplemental benefit to the troops on the front lines,” Cheney said. “This is an appropriate step given the risks they face and the harsh conditions in which they serve.”

Cheney had been pressed by many members of Congress to improve benefits for the troops, noting complaints from soldiers in Saudi Arabia that they lost their subsistence pay of about $150 a month when they were shipped out of their home bases.

Cheney made no mention of restoring the subsistence pay.

Williams said he could not say exactly how many reserve members were affected by today’s call-up. But by comparing previously reported call-up numbers to the overall total provided by Williams today, it appeared that about 900 Air Force Reserves and 6,200 Army National Guard and Army Reserve members were called up today.

The Air Force Reserves in the latest call-up are from units in South Carolina, California, Washington state, Delaware and New Jersey. The California units involved are the 349th Military Airlift Wing at Travis Air Force Base and the 445th Military Airlift Wing at Norton Air Force Base.

The Army said 28 Army National Guard units and 34 Army Reserve units were being activated today. California National Guard units affected are the 224th Transportation Detachment at Los Alamitos and the 2668th Transportation Co. at Fresno. California reserve units to be activated are the 419th Quartermaster Battalion, Headquarters Detachment at Van Nuys and the 316th Quartermaster Co. at San Diego.