3AD HISTORY OF OPERATION DESERT STORM AND SPEAR

File: 081996_jul96_decls1_0167.txt
Page: 0167
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 4th Battalion, 82d Field Artillery, commanded oy LTC M. Thomas Davis,
                and CSM Francisco Flores, began Operation Desert Storm in Tactical Assembly
                Area (TAA) Henry. The VII Corps named the TA@, as with all the other
                divisional TAAs and corps phase lines, for VII Corps Medal of Honor Winners.
                The Battalion began its deployment there with the arrival of our advance party
                led by the Battalion Executive Officer, Major David S. Henderson, and First
                Sergeant Roger Pennel, of Battery A, on 30 December 1990. Most of the Firing
                Batteries arrived in the TAA on 14 January 1991, Headquarters Battery on 18
                January, and finally Service Battery on 26 January 1991. Initially the .
                Batteries were located within a few kilometers of each other. However the 2nd
                Brigade, to whom we were direct support, had the mission of countering any rear
                area threat. Following the 15 January 1991 report of a possible Iraqi spoiling
                attack into Saudi Arabia, later proved false, the S-@ dispersed'the Firing
                Batteries across the Brigade area. Each one positioned near a task force.
                Headquarters and Service Batteries were colocated. We established a desert
                garrison witi,. field showers, latrines and tents, opened logistical lines of
                communication, and conducted training from individual through Division levels.
                The Firing Batteries practiced and perfected the desert movement formation and
                the occupation from the march drills. in a series of missions, the Ammunition
                Platoon eventually delivered over 6800 projectiles and fuzes and over 7400
                powder charges to the Battalion. The Division established the Spearhead Range
                for both direct and indirect fires. All the Batteries test fired their crew
         served weapons and fired AT-4 Anti-Armor Rockets.

                    We conducted Battalion training exercises focused on gunnery. On 25
                January i991, at 1253 hours the Battalion fired its first round. Our firing of
                Dual-Purpose Improved Convent,.anal Munitions (DPICM) on 25 January 1991, the
                first in VII Corps, validated the computational procedures for DPICM. On 29
                January '991 the Battalion conducted a base piece shoot. On 31 January 1991
                the Battalion conducted night movement/occupation training. In addition, each
                Battery f4red one Copperhead laser-guided, anti-armor projectile at Spearhead
                Range.on   February 1991. The Copperhead fired by Battery B, and lased by SST
                Phillip S. Coe of the CGLT scored a target hit. SGT Coe was given a Spearhead
                Coin by the 3rd Arnored Division Commanding General, MG Paul Funk. The
                Battalion fired a total of 3 Copperhead, 6 White Phosperous, 117 High
                Explosive, I Iliumination, 33 DPICM, 50 Green Bag, 53 White B;g, and 59 Red Bag
                while in TAA Heiry.
                    Da4ly li'@e in the TPA started with s@land-to at 0530 hours.   Breakfast and
                                                        (MREs). At 0730 hours the staff update4
                ounce consisted of leals Ready to Eat
                the B:kttalion Commander @n issues and concerns. Immediately afterward the
                Executive Officer and Battalion Command Sergeant Major met with the Battery
                First Sergeants to address logistical and soldier issues. Every other day or
                so, the Commanders and Staff would meet at 1630 hours. At 1800 hours the
                Brigade 4*:N sponsored a meetirfg attended by Liaison Officers or Executive
                Officers.@fn-each Battalion in the Brigade. The Division Artillery Staff
nders in a meeting at 1900 hours. Each
                day's training or maintenance was scheduled as much as three days in advance.
                    In preparation for the expected drive to Iraq, the 2nd Brigade developed a
                wedge formation for movement during the attack. Task Force 4-8 led the Brigade
                with three organic tank and one mechanized infantry company. Third Battalion,
                Eighth Cavalry moved on the Brigade's right flank with its four organic tank
                companies. lest@ ForC? 4-'a moved on the Brigade's left flank with three

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