August 8, 1990: The U.S. sends the first troops to Saudi Arabia, but does not activate the press pool. Because reporters could not independently obtain Saudi visas, no journalists accompanied the troops. In response to criticism from the press, the Pentagon activates a 17-member national media pool and sends it to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The group arrives on August 13, two days after the first U.S. F-15s but ahead of General Norman Schwartzkopf.