OPERATION DESERT STORM TASK ORGANIZATION TASK ORGANIZATION

File: 120396_aug96_decls18_0013.txt
Page: 0013
Total Pages: 13

Subject: OPERATION DESERT STORM TASK ORGANIZATION  TASK ORGANIZATION     

Unit: ARCENT      

Parent Organization: CENTCOM     

Box ID: BX000473

Folder Title: COMMAND REPORTS 11TH ADA BDE AAR- 1 OF 3  PERMANENT DESERT SHIELD-STORM                         

Document Number:         31

Folder SEQ  #:          1






         e. Patriot/Hawk Ope2-ation'g. High to Medium Altitude Air
         Defense (HIMAD) operations involving both the Hawk and Patriot
         weapons systems were overshadowed by the successes of Patriot in
         the Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile (ATBM) role. Much experience
         was gained in the 'newest' air defense mission area! ATBM
         operations. Patriot units were the only combat forces to engage
         the enemy in sustained combat operations. Of 43 Seuds launched
         against Saudi Arabia, 35 out of 36 eligible for engagement were
         intercepted by Patriot. Most significantly, no defended military
         asset was damaged by an Iraqi Scud. While Patriot was everpresent
         in the limelight and press, Hawk was aggressively employed as
         well. Pure Hawk battalions and Hawk/Patriot task forces were
         significant contributors to the overall success of air defense
         operations in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Again
         much was learned in pure Hawk units, Hawk/Patriot task forces,
         and composite defense operations. In short, HIMAD was highly
         effective.


             As might be expected, the majority of lessons learned were of
         Patriot in the ATBM role. Some valuable lessons were also learned
         in Hawk and Hawk/Patriot operations. Although many lessons were
         learned, some are more significant than others. Among the most
         important lessons learned in Patriot ATBM operations are: 1)
         Patriot tactical power (EPP) and reload (GMT) equipment must be
         realistically reassessed and improved. 2) Patriot ATBM asset
         defense design must be improved to enhance the flexibility of the
         defense. 3) The requirement for a Patriot area ATBM defense
         (defense of cities) must be assessed doctrinally and technically.
         4) Patriot false/spurious target sources and solutions require
         further research. 5) Patriot requires a kill assessment process
        to classify kills and discriminate debris. 8) Patriot and Hawk
         require a mission recording and playback capability for post
         mission/attack analysis. Hawk lessons learned include' 1) Hawk
         IIA/IIIA tactical utility must be reassessed. 2) Hawk
         interoperability with Patriot must be improved. 3) Hawk ATBM
         capability must be realistically assessed.

             HIMAD was highly effective in Operations Desert Shield and
         Desert Storm and provided the theater and corps commanders the
         freedom to execute their plans on their timeline. HIMAD
         thoroughly blunted the enemy's only offensive action. Finally,
         HIMAD employment in Operation Desert Storm provided the
         opportunity for the Air Defense branch to prove its motto, 'First
         to Fire', and its value to the brethren of combat arms branches.
         By improving HIMAD as identified in the lessons learned, the HIMAD
         contribution in future conflicts will be made even more valuable.

Document 13 f:/Week-33/BX000473/COMMAND REPORTS 11TH ADA BDE AAR- 1 OF 3 PERMANENT DESERT SHIELD-STORM/operation desert storm task organization task o:11229616374547
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-33
Box ID = BX000473
Unit = ARCENT
Parent Organization = CENTCOM
Folder Title = COMMAND REPORTS 11TH ADA BDE AAR- 1 OF 3 PERMANENT DESERT SHIELD-STORM
Folder Seq # = 1
Subject = OPERATION DESERT STORM TASK ORGANIZATION TASK O
Document Seq # = 31
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