UPDATE ON VII CORPS DENIAL OPERATIONS

File: 121096_sep96_decls5_0001.txt
Page: 0001
Total Pages: 1

Subject: UPDATE ON VII CORPS DENIAL OPERATIONS                           

Unit: VII CORPS   

Parent Organization: ARCENT      

Box  ID: BX000269

Folder Title: DAILY STAFF JOURNALS-15 MAR 91-2                                                                

Document Number:          2

Folder Seq  #:         27









               FRANKS SENDS


               PERSONAL FOR COMMANDER U.S. ARCENT


               SUBJECT: Update on VI I Corps Denial Operations

               1. Corps continues denial operations in sector. To date, have
               destroyed 2073 tactical vehicles, 1932 combat vehicles, 420 ammo
               dumps and 534 bunkers. Destruction of vehicles at 97% (556 MBT's
               610 APC'S, 384 Artillery pieces, 382 ADA weapons and 107 engineer
               vehicles).


               2. Corps expedts no problems in mission accomplishment except in
               2d Brigade-, 3AD sector (VIC QU 168732). Recent occupation
               reveals significantly large ammunition storage areas. To date
               have found several large bunker complexes housing 150,000 to
               200,000 tons of ammo. (EOD estimate)

               3. Ammunition is varied: large artillery, missiles and mostly
               packed in containers. Storage is in both open areas and in
               camouflaged bunkers. There is also considerable unexploded
               friendly ordnance in the area. Recent EPW detainees indicated
               possible chemical munitions, although to date, none have been
               f ound.


               4. ARCENT EOD estimates up to three days to survey each large
               bunker, a combat engineer battalion to uncrate and prep
               muni tions, and wi I I requi re at I east two weeks f or 50%
               destruction in  a safe and ef f icient marner; over a month to
               approach 100%.  other considerations are moving f riendl y forces
               to safe areas,  closing Highway 8 and al I MSRs in area. Have
               suf f 4-cient EOD personnel (10 teams), combat engineers and
               demolitions on  site to work mission. EOD states increase in EOD
               personnel wil I not substantial I y decrease destruction time.
               Hazards include unexploded friendly munitions (some covered now
    by sand) and friendly forces in sector with assigned operational
               mission.


               5. An EOD recommended option is to use tactical air assets once
               f riendl y forces have been removed from the area. This option
               minimizes risk, can be accomplished in very short time period,
               and results in a level of destruction that will significantly
               deny enemy use of majority of munitions.


               6. VII Corps continues maximum ef fort on destruction with
               priority on newly found complex in 3AD sector. Recommend
               consideration of air assets to complete mission when Corps moves
               from this sector.


               FREDERICK M. FRANKS, JR. , LTC, CO.4MANDING

Document 1 f:/Week-42/BX000269/DAILY STAFF JOURNALS-15 MAR 91-2/update on vii corps denial operations:12069615462928
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-42
Box ID = BX000269
Unit = VII CORPS
Parent Organization = ARCENT
Folder Title = DAILY STAFF JOURNALS-15 MAR 91-2
Folder Seq # = 27
Subject = UPDATE ON VII CORPS DENIAL OPERATIONS
Document Seq # = 2
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 = 06-DEC-1996