Amateur radio operators commemorate 25th anniversary of Desert Storm

“Kuwait is liberated. Iraq’s army is defeated. Our military objectives are met…May God bless our valiant military forces and their families, and let us all remember them in our prayers.”

Twenty-five years ago President George H.W. Bush used those words to announce the end of Operation Desert Storm.

Last Saturday members of Clay County Amateur Radio Service (ARES) and the Florida Military Auxiliary Radio System established radio operations at Camp Blanding to commemorate the anniversary. At the invitation of the Camp Blanding Museum and Memorial Park an amateur radio special event station, call sign N4G, was used to make one hundred twenty-six radio contacts. Using personal amateur radio equipment operators talked with other radio operators from Belgium to Hawaii. Stations contacting N4G will receive a certificate honoring “…the valiant military forces…” that liberated Kuwait.

“Thousands of hams covet certificates from special events, particularly those that recognize military service, such as N4G. It was an honor to be asked to commemorate the sacrifice made by the ladies and gentlemen that served in Desert Storm,” said Scott Roberts, one of the participating radio operators.

Clay County ARES provides communication support for charity and community events and sponsors the Boy Scout amateur radio station KB4SA. Florida Army MARS is a Department of Defense sponsored program which utilizes Amateur Radio operators to contribute to the mission of the Department of the Army. Ham volunteers provide emergency communications for thousands of state and local emergency response agencies, all for free.

— Story by Joe Bassett, W1WCN