3AD HISTORY OF OPERATION DESERT STORM AND SPEAR

File: 081996_jul96_decls1_0068.txt
Page: 0068
Total Pages: 269

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  









         1. ACTivrTY/EVENT: THE RFCT CONTINUES THE ATTACK VICINITY PL BULLET
         TO OBJECTIVE MINDEN


         I
         @. DATE/TIME: 270300CFEB91 TO 280800CFEB91

         3. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY/EVENT:

             At approximately 270350CFEB91, the RFCT CDR chapped the PYSOPS Team to TF
         3-5 CAV with a mission to be broadcasting NLT 0600 hours. Though initially
         misoriented, it finally made its way up to the FLOT and C/3-5 CAV. TF 4-32 AR,
         still in the north, adjusted its formation by positioning its two tank pure
         companies forward, Alpha & Charlie (right & left respectively). The RFCT
         began its movement toward PL Bullet (75 north-south grid line) by battalion TF
         bounds at approximately 0630 hours. The RFCT's initial bound was conducted by
         TF 4-ZS4 AR in the south. Its two tank companies moved forward on line, while
         the two Co/Tm*s, Delta Mech & Bravo Tank, trailed left and right respectively.
         As TF 4-34 bounded forward it "reconned by fire" using its coax machine guns.
         This move put the TF about two to three kilometers to the east, vicinity PU
         7612 and PU 7611.
              It was during this initial bound by TF 4-34, that it's S-3 observed to
         his front the tops of enemy tank turrets and engaged with his 50 @iber in an
         attempt to mark them. These enemy vehicles soon departed from sight and
         departed the TF's sector. At 065B hoursl TF 4-34 AR through reports from its
         fire support channels, indicates that EPWs are "coming out of the woodwork".
         The TF lead elements continue to move -Forward, by-passing the surrendering
         Iraqi's. During this period, TF 3-5 CAV and TF 4-32 AR remained in overmatch
         vicinity of the 71/72 north-south grid line. TF 3-5 CAV had priority of
         artillery fires. From their overmatch positions, both Alpha and Charlie Teams
         from TF 3-5 CAV captured 17 Iraqi soldiers. The PYSOPS Team moved forward of
         the FLOT on its own without security. The team was later "rescued" by a M2
         Bradly crew when a squad of Iraqi soldiers began to take aggressive/offc?nsive
         action against it.
               The second TF bound by TF 4-32 AR was made at approximately 0700 hours.
         This resulted in almost immediate contact with Iraqi forces. The TF led with
         tl,ree companies forward. Alpha in the north, Charlie in the center, and Bravo
         in the south. The TF commander traveled approximately 200 meters behind the
         Cliar'ie Company commander. As Charlie Company crested a small hill it
         reported to the TF commander that they were observing "about a hundred"
         vehicles: tanks, armored personnel carriers (APC), wheeled vehicles amongst a
         buni,,.er complex occupied by dismounted infantry (vicinity PU 725160 extending
         eastward to PU765160). A more accurate number of enemy vehicles was later           put
         at approximately 15 tanks, 20-25 APC'S, and numerous Wheel vehirles. The TF
         commander upon moving forward, quickly ordered all of his tanks (43) to come
         on line with Charlie who had already begun to engage to its front. The M-2's
         with Bravo Tank occupied the TF*s right flank and began to engage long range
         targets with TOM fires; one of its engagements destroyed a vehicle at 4,000
         meters, which subsequently acted as a TF TRP.
                The Iraqi's response was disorganized as it appeared they were caught by
         surprise: some vehicles moving about, with others moving into or already in
         their fighting positions. Their indirect and direct fire was ineffective and
         failed to produce any friendly casualties.
                TF 4-32 AR had the use crf b@tis A-10s armt @t:tm* l@li@upt@         i#F4 ti,@
         engagement as well as being given priority of fires. The RFCT CDR
         established an informal ACA: air was restricted to the north of the 15
, while artillery was to -Fall south of it. As this fight began


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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