Thirty-Five Years Ago – Part 3 

The build up of military forces in Saudi Arabia was code named Desert Shield. This build up was remarkable as troops from countries that had previously been sworn enemies teamed up to throw the Iraqi army out of Kuwait. The Dhahran airport had been packed with people trying to leave Arabia and Aramco did not want the expat labor force to depart the Kingdom. Many companies arranged evacuation flights for wives and children. Exit visas were being issued at the airport instead of the traditional three days at the government offices in Al Khobar. Aramco was late to the party and there was no sign of an evacuation. There were stories that the President of Aramco was away on business and flights had been arranged for wives and children. Then the man that had been left in control cancelled the flights due to costs. As soon as the president landed the evacuation began and I’m confident that one Vice President regretted the decision to cancel the evacuation.