Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search
File: 120396_aug96_decls15_0008.txt
Subject: CHAPTER SEVEN DEFENSE OF THE WADI AL BATIN
Unit: ARCENT
Parent Organization: CENTCOM
Box ID: BX000461
Folder Title: COMMAND REPORTS - ARCENT AARS- G6-HQCMDT-OTHER MISC
Document Number: 62
Folder SEQ #: 6
materials, including XVIXI Abn Corps code books and
related items, were destroyed.
On the morning of 22 Jan, Ist Cay returned to its
forward defensive positions. A VII Corps spot report at
1420 told of a possible Iraqi brigade defecting just west
of the division sector. In addition, SOCCENT reported
Iraqi forces had captured a town on the Saudi side of the
border. AVN Bde launched three AH-64 Apaches and one UH-
60 Blackhawk to investigate. They found nothing and
returned an hour later. At 16077 1-7 Cav launched three
OH-58Cs and four AH-1 Cobras to follow up. They too,
found nothing. The SOCCENT report was changed to reflect
several Iraqi EPWs in the objective area. 1-7 Cav
remained in the area until almost EENT trying to link-up
with SOCCENT helicopters that had been dispatched to pick-
up the EPWS. The C(3 ordered them to return as daylight
faded. Upon returning in the darkness, one Cobra rolled
over while landing at the FAARP. Fortunately, no one was
hurt, but the helicopter was heavily damaged (Class B
accident). There was no further report on the EPWS. The
mysterious defecting brigade never materialized.
The lst Cav defensive lines began their methodical
"creep" forward toward the border on 23 Jan, with 1-7 Cav
moving their ground and aerial screens up to the NT/PT 00
grid line. Their efforts were rewarded by the capture of
the division's first defector. At 1448, an OH-513C in the
aerial screen spatted a lone soldier walking south. The
defector saw the helicopter, threw down his weapon, and
raised his hands in the air. When the helicopter did not
, the defecting soldier sat
down on the ground. An MSA2 CFV went forward to pick him
up, and took him into custody at 1615 hours.
Later that evening, two B Troop CFVs patrolling the
1-7 Cav screen line received small arms fire. Both crews
immediately buttoned up, and no one was hurt. A quick
check with the Special Forces LNOs revealed that a recon
element of the 4th RSLF Mech Bde had fired one shot at
some unidentified vehicles. The Saudis dispersed ten
minutes after firing.
A day rarely passed without some type of incident,
and 24 Jan was no exception. A gate guard from Pnd Bde,
101st Abn (AIR ASSLT) at the Al Gaysumah airfield spotted
a civilian truck coming towards his gate, passing other
vehicles, travelling 50 to 60 kph. The guard shouted
UNCLASSIFIED
93
Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search
Document 13 f:/Week-31/BX000461/COMMAND REPORTS - ARCENT AARS- G6-HQCMDT-OTHER MISC/chapter seven defense of the wadi al batin:11229616374244
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-31
Box ID = BX000461
Unit = ARCENT
Parent Organization = CENTCOM
Folder Title = COMMAND REPORTS - ARCENT AARS- G6-HQCMDT-OTHER MISC
Folder Seq # = 6
Subject = CHAPTER SEVEN DEFENSE OF THE WADI AL BATIN
Document Seq # = 62
Document Date =
Scan Date =
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 = 22-NOV-1996