3AD HISTORY OF OPERATION DESERT STORM AND SPEAR

File: 081996_jul96_decls1_0079.txt
Page: 0079
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  





           "@UOINOnI'%9@@TrtSpSgPAeR2r (3nD attack plan) called for the 2d Brigade's
        tB MSV@ fFSffl TAA-MGNRY to FAA BUTTS at B-6. Throughout the entire
        PF@p8F&tt@n for-Combat the brigade staff continued to refine and prepare
        their battle plan% in support of this plan. On several occasions
        battalion commanders and their staffs were called to orders briefings to
        prepare +or the ground offensive.    Development of a decision support
        template for the brigada*s attack plan to OPERATION DESERT SPEAR took
        place as a coordinated staff effort during the occupation of TAA-HENRY.
        Prior to the the attack on Iraqi forces the Bde S2 templated possible
        .fr-aqi counterattack options and given the collasping enemy situation
        during the fight none wherever conducted.

             In the development of the brigade maneuver plan, the staff realized
        that unique navigational graphics would be required, some more restrictive
        than previously used. Because of the difficulty of navigation, battalions
        were issued graphics that were unlike most ever issued. Units were issued
        a series of navigation points (check points) to orient their movement, and
        phase lines were generally drawn along gridlines every lokm due to the
        lack of identifiable terrain features.
             The brigade combat wedge formation was approximately lokm across and
        extended approximately 25km in depth due to the number of attachments and
        vehicles in the brigade formation. The brigade commander intend to place
        the tracked vehicle on the outside of the formation while positioning the
        soft skinned vehicles inside the wedge to provide security. Additionally,
        the brigade commander directed that no wheeled vehicles would be forward
        of unit combat trains after crossing the LD. In preparation +or the
        conduct of combat operations the brigade conducted several rehearsals of
Formation, movement and immediate actions drills. These
        rehearsals paid great dividends during the actual fight. Planning guidance
        for the entire operation was to maintain an all around security posture
        both an the move and during halts.
             The brigade attack plan was simple. The brigade attacked in a
        brigade wedge with TF 4-B (Stallions) leading the brigade as the advance
        guard. On their left  flank was TF 4-18 (Vanguards) and to their right was
        3-8 CAV (MUSTANGES). Each of the battalion/task forces had a artillery
        battery from 4-e2 FA  (Dragons) travelling in its formation +or direct
        support. Given this   task organization and distribution of assets, the
        brigade was prepared  to react to contact using one of several immediate
        actions dril      &a; ation right, action left or action front, each
        requirin
                g on   &h     fcl:ank units to conduct counterattacks into the +lank
        of the enemy @tion.,/The intent was to use 3-e CAV, an armor
        battalion, am.@ hammer in as many situations as possible against the
        anvil of the briagde(-)(-)./'
              The original division attack plan called for a 24-48 hour continuous
        attack to seize OBJ COLLINS (approximately a 22OKM attack) and then a
        72-96 hour planning cycle to prepare for the deliberate destruction of the
        RGFC. In hind sight the time estimate for reaching OBJ COLLINS was fairly
        accurate. Due to unexpected success and a coilasping IRAQI defense,
        however, the 2d Bde engaged the RGFC early and began to destroy them as
        part of the movement to contact.

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