Retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel on 31 August, 2016. Currently working at the Naval Network Warfare Command.
Other Comments:
I was honorably discharged from the USMC in 1991, and commisioned in the US Army 1994. You can follow my US Army career at this link: http://army.togetherweserved.com/profile/199998
Training Exercise - Display Determination '88
From Month/Year
January / 1988
To Month/Year
December / 1988
Description Display Determination, a NATO exercise deployment of AMF-L and US Airborne units from the US. The operation, involving ships, aircraft, and personnel from eight NATO countries, was designed to practice rapid reinforcement and resupply of the southern European region in times of tension or war.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
January / 1988
To Month/Year
December / 1988
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
People You Remember CPL Mark Davis (Now Major)
Memories This was some NATO Exercise in Turkey. I was sent with two squads of Marines from 9th Comm to provide FM Communications to an AF unit at Balikisir. I was a squad leader.
Mark stayed on a ship the entire exercise. The Exercise was 29 days long, and someone said that if it lasted 30 days we would be paid more. I remember the long flight on a C130, from California, stopping for a meal at Dover, Delaware, then somewhere in Spain. We were on the aircraft (or travelling, I thinkg) for about 24 hours. I also remember how well the USAF lived. They provided us with tents that had floors and air-conditioning. Initially the AF bussed us out to ancient Turkish baths for our hygiene, but after our first week the AF set up showers and brought out a portable PX.
We were given a briefing about how the Turkish were using conscripts as armed guards around the airfield. The consripts had no formal training and were armed with live rounds. We were told that one Air Force Staff Sergeant had been shot while running around the airfield becuase he didn't stop when the guarded shouted "DUR". We all quickly learned the Turkish word for stop and I have never forgotten it.
