TAB D UNITS ENCLOSURE 1 COMMANDERS REPORT

File: 970815_sep96_decls59_0015.txt
Page: 0015
Total Pages: 18

Subject = TAB D UNITS ENCLOSURE 1 COMMANDERS REPORT

Parent Organization = ARCENT

Unit = VII CORPS

Folder Title = MAJOR SUBORDINATE COMMAND HISTORICAL REPORTS-7TH CORPS SUPPORT GROUP 1

Document Number = 1

Box ID = BX000311

From 22 December through 16 January, direct Support maintenance units
established maintenance support relationships with nondivisional units. This
task was difficult at times due to two basic problem:

1. The task organization changed almost daily. Confusion arose as to who
would support who, when, where, and with what.

2. The deployment flow was erratic. Unit personnel were arriving in SWA
with their mission support equipment still on the way. In some cases, units
had to wait in excess of +our weeks to receive equipment. In addition, COSCOM
was unable to obtain many of the reserve unit TOES. In many case; actual unit
strengths or capabilities were not ascertained until the unit actually arrived
in part. This confusion caused the formation of Maintenance Support Teams
(MST) and their attachment to Corps field artillery and engineer battalions to
be delayed.

Once notified of the final support relationships, maintenance units
aggressively assessed support requirements and provided it. Their reaction to
last minute ever changing requirements was commendable.

Part 2: OPERATION DESERT STCRM 17 JAN 91 - 10 MAR 91

On 20 January, the 7th CSG was assigned LTF I and 6. These units were in
addition to LTF 71 and 213 which were already assigned. The Group then
assumed the mission of supporting the Ist Armored Division, 2d Cavalry
Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, and associated nondivisional units. Support
provided by the Group included: direct support and back-up maintenance,
linehaul cargo and POL transportation, and supply and services. This
multifunctional support continued from the Tactical Assembly Areas through
the ground war to their Redeployment Assembly Areas (RAA) and assistance in
preparing for redeployment.

The addition of LTF 1 and 6 caused the section to revise its planning and
reassess the capabilities of the group. This was also the first time the
group had ever been assigned a transportation battalion. In the past, the
Group had been assigned transportation companies during exercises, but nothing
as significant as this the number of linehaul and POL transportation
companies.

On 25 January, personnel assigned to the Group departed to 2d ACR, IAD, and
3AD to perform duties as LNOS. Theses LNOs worked well, but the MSCs often
misunderstood their roles. The divisions/ACR would at times forget that LNOs
were group representatives and not part of their staff. On several occasions,
the LNOs were used to relay messages and resolve issues that were related to
the COSCOM Material Management Center (MMC) and ASCMAT. The LNOS essentially
became the spokesman for the DMMC or RSS. The Divisions/ACR would pass all
their commitments and complaints to the LNO and expect the LNO to resolve
their problems. The divisions/ACR had to be reminded they also had a staff to
resolve those issues with the COSCOM.

The VII Corps ground plan called +or a rapid violent offensive strike deep
into the Iraqi Army's rear. To support the defeat of the enemy, the 7th CSG
tailored logistical packages (LOG PACs) that would sustain this highly mobile