OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD 82D ENGINEER BATTALION 28 AUG 91

File: 971208_sep96_decls2_0003.txt
Page: 0003
Total Pages: 57
Subject = OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD    82D ENGINEER BATTALION  28 AUG 91   

Box ID = BX000301

Folder Title = 82D ENG BN AFTER ACTION REVIEW COMMENTS  5 APR 91                                               

Unit = VII CORPS   

Parent Org = ARCENT      






             Because of the 2ACR's decision to delay deploying its
        personnel, the Battalion was directed to move up their departure
        dates. Flying from three different APOEs on five different days, the
        Battalion became the first VII Corps combat unit to deploy and close
        in SWA under the reinforcing buildup.

        Operation Desert Shield.

             The Battalion spent the next three months moving across Saudi
        Arabia. During this time, we trained for offensive operations with
        the 2ACR and performed general engineer work in support of VII
        Corps. At the port city of Dharan, the Battalion waited two weeks
        for its equipment to arrive. Once out of port, the Battalion moved
        from base camp to base camp, each less engineered and further west.
        This period was marked by the desert severity: heat, cold, rain,
        sandstorms. lack of support facilities, isolation, no electricity,
        field latrines, B-C-C ration cycles, bottled water, and the ever
        present threat of enemy action. After moving through four base
        camps and changing SSAs seven times, the Battalion found itself on
        24 February poised with the 2ACR to lead the VII Corps attack north
        into Iraq.

        Operation Desert Storm.

            The 'Blue Babe' 82nd Engineer Battalion (C)(M). commanded by
        Lieutenant Colonel Patrick J. Slattery and assigned to the 7th
        Engineer Brigade was placed under the Operational Control (OPCON) of
        the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (2ACR) throughout Operation Desert
        Storm. The Battalion, combined with the 2ACR's organic 84th
        Engineer Company commanded by Captain Larry Kinde, formed the over
        900 man Dragoon Engineer Group (DEG). The mission was to provide
        mobility, countermobility, survivability and general engineering
        support to the 2ACR, the VII US Corps spearhead unit for the
        ARCENT's main attack into Iraq. Prior to the start of Operation
            Desert Storm, the Dragoon Engineer Group linked up and
        reestablished traditional command and control relationships with the
        2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. The 84th Engineer Company; A Company,
        lead by Captain Mike Clark; and C Company, commanded by Captain Tim
        Brown; were placed OPCON to the Regiment's Ist, 2nd, and 3rd
        Squadrons respectively. C Company and the 84th Engineer Company
        generally travelled with their platoons tasked out to support the
        squadron's troops, with the commander retaining the Armored Vehicle
        Launched MICLIC (AVLM or better known as the MICLIC Monster). Combat
        Engineer Vehicle (CEV), and two Armored Combat Engineer (ACE)
        vehicles under his direct control. Alpha Company travelled as a unit
        and tasked out its platoons as the situation dictated.

            B Company, commanded by Captain Andrew Goetz, and D Company lead
        by Captain John lienshaw remained under the direct control of the
        82nd Engineer Battalion(-). These two companies, combined with
        Headquarters and Headquarters Company (IIHC) commanded by Captain
        Pete Joplin, were task organized to provide general mobility and
        survivability missions for the entire Regiment. B Company, who had
        the mobility and countermobility missions, was given all but one of
        the DEG's Ground Emplaced Mine Scattering System (GEMSS), while D
        Company, organized with all DEG's heavy equipment. conducted
        survivability and general engineering missions. The Battalion(-)