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File: 081996_jul96_decls1_0028.txt
Subject: 3AD HISTORY OF OPERATION DESERT STORM AND SPEAR
Box ID: BX001301
Document Number: 3
Folder Title: OPORDS AND COMMAND AND CONTROL
Folder Seq #: 4
Unit: 3D AD
Parent Organzation: VII CORPS
vital link, and the nearest Corps CASC node was 35 - 4C, km sout:t- c;,'
the LD. Consequently, we couldn't place the DMAIN well forward
initially to provide solid communications with the division in tlic
early stages of the attack. We had to place it near the CASC an@
hard wire our devices into their switchboard. Without I-.is
constraint, we would have positioned the DMAIN withir. 10 ;,,tr. 04 tle
border. The cost of this constraint proved very hioh.
The DREAR planned to put a Jump REAR.CP well-forward behnd the
trail maneuver brigade. The DREAR displaced with the DISCOM C:ass
111, V, and !X package which accompained the division across the LD.
We also had four (two more than presently authorized) FM
retransmission teams. One pair moved with and were eriplaced by 'he
ADC-M in the DTAC. The other two were moved and emplaced by the G--,
in the Jump MAIN. Each pair retransmitted the Division Command Net
and the Division Operations/Intelligence Not.
We also had Improved High Frequency (AM) radios in each division
and major subordinate command post, and planned to use them as an
alternate Division Command Net, but despite our best efforts, we were
never able to get more than 50% of the stations operational at any
given time prior to crossing the LD.
Prior to battle, MG Funk, BG Blackwell, and BG Yates each had a
single-channel TACSAT radio which proved very reliable and
indispensable. They were used to talk to the VII Corps Commander,
adjacent division commanders, and coordinate with the Corps staff.
We expected LTG Franks and the VII Corps staff to use this radio as a
primary means of communications during the attack, knowing it would
be many hours, if not days, before Corps signal nodes would displace
-Forward and re-establish the PCM network.
That was our plan. Here's how we actually did it.
-'OPERATION DESERT STORM -
On 23 Feb, CI, the Jump TAC, with BS Blackwell, moved forward
and co-located with the 2d ACR TAC CP. 2d ACR was performing a
covering force mission forward of Ist AD and 3d AD up to OBJ
COLLINS. The DTAC was set just behind the 2d Sde MAIN CP about '@o km
from the Jump TAC. The Jump MAIN and DMAIN were co-located at Corps
CASC 93 as shown. Our orders were to attack at BMNT, 25 Feb,
-following the trail elements of 2d ACR at a distance of 10 - 15 km.
2d Ar-R cut numerous lanes in the border berm and pushed its 2d and 3d
Squadrons about 15 km into Iraq.
- DAY I -
24 February 91
On G-day, 24 Feb, based on the unexpected success of MARCENT in
the east and XVIII Airborne Corps in the west, ARCENT ordered VIT
7
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Document 269 f:/Week-28/BX001301/OPORDS AND COMMAND AND CONTROL/3ad history of operation desert storm and spear:0816961333481
Control Fields 17
File Room = jul96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-28
Box ID = BX001301
Unit = 3D AD
Parent Organization = VII CORPS
Folder Title = OPORDS AND COMMAND AND CONTROL
Folder Seq # = 4
Subject = 3AD HISTORY OF OPERATION DESERT STORM AND SPEAR
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date = 18-JUL-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 = 16-AUG-1996