24TH MECH INF DIV OPERATION DESERT STORM AFTER ACTION REPORT

File: 080596_jun96_decls21_0156.txt
Page: 0156
Total Pages: 253

Subject: 24TH MECH INF DIV OPERATION DESERT STORM AFTER ACTION REPORT    

Box  ID: BX001437

Document Number:          2

Folder Title: 24 MECH INF DIV AFTER ACTION REPORT                                                             

Folder Seq #:        785

Unit: 24TH ID     

Parent Organzation: XVIII CORPS 







                                          UNCLASSIFIED
                                                                             05/3
                                       JULLS LONG REPORT

            1. (U) @LS NTMER- 52960-72002 (00022), submitted by            24 ID,
            870-5516, (912)767-5516.

            2. (U) No type OPN DESERT STORM NOTES conducted by 24 IN DIV (I
            on 03/05/91.

            3. (U) KEYWORDS: ICM, FIELD ARTILLERY, FIRE SUPPORT.

            4. (U) TITLE: IMPROVED CONVENTIONAL MUNITIONS

            5. (U) OBSERVATION: In areas where improved conventional
            munitions (ICM) were used, many more undetonated munitions were
            found than were expected.

            6. (U) DISCUSSION: The ICM used in cannon artillery and in =S
            produces bomblets that are designed to explode when they land or
            strike an object (i.e., when velocity goes to zero). The desert
            where these munitions were used was nearly the perfect target
            area, flat with no vegetation. Yet, so many malfunctions
            occurred that the area into which ICM was fired was extremely
            dangerous for vehicles and infantry to enter. The rounds
            certainly performed well in destroying the vehicles and
            equipment they were designed to destroy. However, the dud rate
            was high.

            .7. (U) LESSON LEARNED: In Vietnam, areas into which ICM had
            been fired were placed off limits to units to avoid fratricide.
            There the problem was, of course, compounded by the thick
            vegetation. Perhaps the same prodedure needs to become the
            standard for all ICM areas.

            B. (U) RECOMMENDED ACTION: The solution to this, although
            expensive, is to place a timer in each ICM boinblet that will
            cause detonation if the borablet does not explode after velocity
            goes to zero. This will save many injuries in future conflicts
  where our soldiers have to scout an area cleared by fire with
            ICM.




                 (U) SUBJECT: OPERATIONS

                 (U) INTEROP     ILITY: MATERIEL

                 (U) Lesson distributed by: 24TH IN DIV.








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                                          UNCLASSIFIED

Document 253 f:/Week-22/BX001437/24 MECH INF DIV AFTER ACTION REPORT/24th mech inf div operation desert storm after a:08029615062350
Control Fields 17
File Room = jun96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-22
Box ID = BX001437
Unit = 24TH ID
Parent Organization = XVIII CORPS
Folder Title = 24 MECH INF DIV AFTER ACTION REPORT
Folder Seq # = 785
Subject = 24TH MECH INF DIV OPERATION DESERT STORM AFTER A
Document Seq # = 50
Document Date =
Scan Date = 12-JUN-1996
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 02-AUG-1996