Operation Desert Shift

Operation Desert Shift is an USCINCCENT-directed, USCENTAF-implemented force protection initiative in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to move CENTAF assets from Eskan Village to Prince Sultan Air Base. An initial objective of Operation Desert Shift was to consolidate Operation Southern Watch coalition forces at Prince Sultan Air Base. By relocating Headquarters joint Task Force South West Asia, establish a Combined Air Operations Center, and improve theater coalition partner operations. This $48 million project involved installation of over 128,000 feet of Category 5 cable, 125,000 feet of cable tray, 160,000 feet of fiber optic zip cord, and over 12,000 feet of exterior copper cable. These changes created the most advanced ops center and changed the next generation of warfare.

The 215th is an Engineering and Installation Squadron (EIS) of 130 members serving in the Washington Air National Guard. This squadron is located in Everett, Washington, and served as the lead unit during the Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) rotations 1 & 2, deploying to Southwest Asia. Through this deployment, the 215th EIS made a significant difference on the world stage of modern advances in technology in the Air Force environment. A total of 37% of the squadron?s members volunteered to support Operation Desert Shift from 17 November 2000 through 28 February 2001. Rotations for 215th EIS personnel ranged from 19 days to 107 days, amazingly serving an equivalency of four man-years during this time frame.

The 59th Military Police Company deployed from Fort Carson to Saudi Arabia in early September 2001 as part of Operation Desert Shift. The unit was scheduled to deploy with nearly 200 soldiers for approximately three months. While in Southwest Asia the unit was responsible for providing force protection to U.S. Forces in the region.