European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 17, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 2 a a a the stars and stripes saturday november 17,1990crisis in mis a  explains freeze on Transfer expects it to last through Christmas by Rosemary Sawyer staff writer Heidelberg Germany a the . Army in Europe issued a Blanket halt to transfers out of the theater to ensure that a stable Force is deployed for operation desert shield and to reduce turbulence usage urn Stop general said Friday. Commanders will sort out personnel requirements necessary to their missions during the Stop loss period which began last week. In some cases this Means postponing or altering assignments and retirements of experienced Usa eur soldiers. A it does no to make Good sense to deploy to what could turn into a combat zone with new people Quot said Gen Crosbie e. Saint commander of . Army Europe and 7th army. A the people who have trained together you want to hold them  likewise it would not make sense to Send soldiers Oliver North playing Santa to Gulf troops Sterling a. Up Iran Contra figure Oliver North is sending 100,000 Christmas care packages to . Troops serving in operation desert shield. North a retired Marine lieutenant colonel convicted of three criminal charges in the Iran Contra scandal is president of the Freedom Alliance which initiated project a operation Home front to show support for . Troops serving in the Gulf Region. The group said it is paying for the gift packages through individual and corporate contributions. Each gift package contains items such As lip Balm toothbrushes toothpaste deodorant shampoo Boot aces skin lotion playing cards disposable razors sunscreen Eye drops letter writing materials and magazines. It also has a Christmas card that reads a dear american hero America is thinking of each and every one of you who Are sacrificing so much to guard our freedoms. I Hope this gift package helps make a Tough Mission a Little easier for you. You Are in my thoughts and prayers for All that you mean to us Back Home in America. God bless  a former National Security Council staff member North was convicted May 4, 1989, of three criminal charges stemming from his involvement in the Iran Contra scandal. However two of the convictions were suspended and one overturned july 20,1990, by a 2-1 vote of the . Circuit court of appeals in Washington. Army names sergeant found dead in Shower Washington a amps the name of the army sergeant found dead in a Shower stall in saudi Arabia has been released. Sgt. James Wilcher was found dead on nov. 8. He was assigned to the 118th Ord det 11th air defense arty brigade at fort Bliss Texas. The 25-year-Olcf Crystal Springs miss., native repaired Vulcan air defense guns for the army. Wilcher is survived by his wife Carol and his parents Lanier w. Wilcher and Beatrice Wilcher. The cause of death is still under investigation. However officials said there was no indication the death was the result of foul play. Back to the states Only to turn around and have to Fly them Back Saint said. A i can to Tell you How Long the Stop loss will be in effect. Probably it depends specifically on what happens in Southwest Asia a he said. However Saint said he expected it would still be in effect at Christmas. Commanders must review whether sufficient replacements Are coming in to support the european Mission he said. And they also must look at How to pull out 30,000 troops in the next year As called for by defense Secretary Dick  we need to clarify exactly How we re going to do that in the time Frame because some of the units that i have identified to draw Down Are going to Southwest Asia Quot Saint said during a news conference marking the 30th anniversary of natos Central army group. A you have to determine whether that draw Down is inclusive or you still have to take More soldiers  although a final decision has not been made Sai said he expected the units selected for draw Down we have to return to Germany from the persian Gulf of going to the states. A if i were a betting individual i would say that the will probably be withdrawn when they come Back to in up their belongings and help close out some things said. A it depends on How the solution in Southwest As is arrived  however despite the desert deployment of an esl mated 100,000 troops from Europe Saint said he w confident of the residual forces ability to maintain nato Mission commitments. A the Force that will stay Here will continue to trained a Saint said. He also noted that troops have been training in ire tactics that Are based on defending a larger fare with fewer forces. Six it s r1"�?T a a a it v it a % passing time at Hong a Ataklt Timex ?5 a a a he age c 141b trans the airmen came a the Mideast from q for a game of foot Quot part plane a the saudi arabian desert. Mcguire fab in new Jersey. . Ship saves Sailor afloat in Gulf t no next am a u i _ no. London a overboard from a a Sailor who fell British Navy mine t0 a pm Ece Wood alternatively survival course. He was not wearing a sweeper on patrol in the Gulf said Quot thurs describing he in Bis Back it. Jacket when he fell in. Day he Wasny to afraid during the 21 hours Dent a  5 l a Acci a it was a genuine Freak Accident and he bobbed in the sea. Bsh was Quot of afraid of a extremely Lucky that the Blue rid and a poisonous sea snakes radar track came across him Quot soles Sai Ano snares that swim m tax. . A Petty officer Chris Boorman 29, fell and Sharks that  Rad track came across him Quot Scote f the Catt Istock on monday and was res he said he could see a amp Etc n a t a Catt Istock s chaplain ban. Be Coria see lights on the. Hnz ton said it was a one in a million Chanc off the Catt Istock on monday and was res he said he could see lights on to Hori cued tuesday night by . Amphibious Zon while he was in the water and it was command ship Blue Ridge the ministry his goal to swim toward them of defense said. Sneaking to Ren Notars a it to Quot a a a a a that Boorman  defense said. Speaking to reporters at fdrohltswin1 i a i a the enormity of what has happen a Bahrain Hospital Boorman said he Al investigation Toto the 5n� him has not it sunk a but to ways knew he Quot would to rescued As he a a Tawa Quot a a a p ers