DESERT SHIELD STORM AAR 27 JUN 91

File: 971208_sep96_decls4_0011.txt
Page: 0011
Total Pages: 24
Subject = DESERT SHIELD STORM AAR  27 JUN 91                              

Box ID = BX001444

Folder Title = DESERT SHIELD STORM AAR                                                                         

Unit = 24TH ID     

Parent Org = XVIII CORPS 


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               ISSUE: FOk   (NBCRS) Employment

               DISCUSSION:  When the  platoon entered the  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  they 4ere employed in the XVIlIth Airbornr,. Corps rear'area. Contingency
  missions included Main Supplv Routes in tlte Dammam - Dhahran - Al Khobar area,
  the Port of Dammam-and the Di'iahran.Internettion'al'Airport/King Abdul Azziz
  .Airbase. The day after Christmas brought hew challenges. The platoon was now
  responsible for the 24th ID (M) sector of operations and contingency missions
  here included the all encompassing MSRs and an integral part in the division's
  counterattack plan in case of an Iraqi invasion into the Kingdom of Saudi
  Arabi.a. Essentially one team of FOX (NBCRS) vehicles was to be attached to the
  ,division's lead battalion of the lead brigade to ensure any enemy employment
  of NBC warfare could be quickly identified and dealt with. Working with the
  division's cavalry squadron became a reality shortly before the new year. The
  air war brought with it a little over a month of sq   'reen line duty "sniffing"
  for chemical warfare agents and contingency missions to confirm or deny the
  presence of agents in suspected attack areas. After crossing the line of
  departure, up until the official.temporary cease fire for Operation Desert
  Sto= and beyond,-the platoon worked exclusively with the scouts of the
  divisional cavalry squadron and maneuver task forces.

               RECOMMENDATION: Continue to employ the FOX (NBCRS) from the COMMZ
  to the FEBA in both training and in wartinie.-sceriarios. This system is
  .probably one of the'mbst unique and versatile tactical vehicles in the Army
  inventory. We need solid doctrine now thc%t recognizes    that this system is
  truly a passive vehicle and only becomes E!ngaged as a last resort. Therefore..
  commanders must be aware that security forces for the FOX (NBCRS) impact
  significantly on the.planning scheme. SoJ.id employment doctrine would also
  make maneuver commanders better.informed on the capabilities of this system
  and its limitations. In order for the coiianander to-be better informed his
  .chemical.officer and chemical noncommissioned officer needs to be smarter.
  Start impl ementing more instruction on thei FOX (NBCRS) at the United States
  Army  Chemical School.. 'Make i3.n honqE:s-@ effort to give NBC reconnaissance as
  much air  time as are currently allocated f'or smoke and decon.









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