3AD HISTORY OF OPERATION DESERT STORM AND SPEAR

File: 081996_jul96_decls1_0135.txt
Page: 0135
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  












                                        THE MORTARS


                                       HVY MTR/4-SCAV



           The Mortar Platoon is travelling east in a combat column, with one gun

       section left and one right. The lead track is 50m from th       o trail element

       of C Company's combat trains, 800 to 1000m -From the tanks. T@e mortar FDCS

       are maintaining      nets; the platoon, task force, and either the scouts or

       C Company internals.

           On initial contact reported by the scouts, the mortar's 2nd Section

       sets and lays their guns. The lst Section continues to move behind C

       Company and sets 500 to 700m past the 2nd Section. The Mortar Platoon

       Leader, ILT Harper, intends to leapfrog the sections to provide the task

       force with continual mortar support as the attack advances.           0

           The plan to fire mortars is to first mark the center of the task force

       sector with an illumination round, adjust with ilium, and fire lethal

       rounds for effect. The company FISTs will give direction and distance for

       the mortars to fire, knowing their approximate location within the task

       force formation. Without accurate navigational aids, this method will give

       as accurate, safe, and timely fires as possible.

           At 1720, the 2nd Section of the Mortar Platoon receives a request by

       the scouts to mark the center of sector. Brigade requirements mandate

       firing illumination to ignite 100ft above the ground. This makes for

       unst able delivery. The round fired by the mortars hits between the tracks
       Of the Scout Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant, igniting on impact. An

       Immediate chockfire ensues.

           As   the Ist Section starts setting up to .ay the gains, eneri-,-

       'ncr
                          airbursts explode to the front. ILT Harper sees 6 strings

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