24TH MECH INF DIV OPERATION DESERT STORM AFTER ACTION REPORT

File: 080596_jun96_decls21_0161.txt
Page: 0161
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-.
                                    JTTLLS LONG REPORT

            1. (U) J=S NLTMBER: 51975-28966 (00004), submitted by ADE, 24
            870-5516, (912)767-5516.

            2. (U) No type OPN DESERT STORM NOTES conducted by 24 IN DIV (I
            on 05/20/91.

            3. (U) KEYWORDS: COMBAT TRAILS, ENGINEER,
            140BILITY/COUNTERYOBILITY, .

            4. (U) TITLE: COMBAT TRAILS

            5. (U) OBSERVATION: Combat trails need to be clearly marked to
            allow units to follow during day and night operations.

            6. (U) DISCUSSION: Three combat trails were identified and
            marked from the line of departure to brigade battle positions.
            Engineers formed trail marking teams which followed the lead
            maneuver elements. The trails were marked using three U-shaped
            pickets forming a tripod and having a yellow highway flashing
            light hanging from the top. The lights were battery-operated
            and had a photo cell so they flashed in the dark and were off
            during daylight hours. For daylight marking, the tripods had
            brightly colored cloth with GPS coordinates marked on them. The
            rule of thumb for placing the trail markers was that you should
            be able to see the one behind and the one in front. Follow-on
            engineer units placed larger more permanent signs with the trail
            name clearly marked.

            7. (U) LESSON L    ED: Combat trails need to be clearly marked.
            It is essential especially for CSS units to be able to follow
            the trails to ensure timely delivery of critical classes of
            supply.

            8. (TJ) RECOMMENDED ACTION: All units should incorporate as SOP
            this system used for marking combat trails.

nders
            commented that this system used for identifying and marking
            combat trails was one of the keys to the success enjoyed by this
            division.


                (U) SUBTECT: OPERATIONS

                (U) INTEROPERABILITY: DOCTRINE

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






                                         Page   6

                                       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