OPERATION DESERT STORM AAR AND SIGNIFICANT EVENTS 6 MAR 91

File: 971208_sep96_decls8_0004.txt
Page: 0004
Total Pages: 13
Subject = OPERATION DESERT STORM AAR AND SIGNIFICANT EVENTS  6 MAR 91     

Box ID = BX001706

Folder Title = OPERATION DESERT STORM AAR AND SIGNIFICANT EVENTS 6 MAR 91                                      

Unit = 2D ACR      

Parent Org = VII  CORPS  











                                  PLANS AND OPERATIONS


          Operations

          ISSUE: Attachment Of 172D Smoke Company

          DISCUSSION: The 172D Smoke Company arrived in theater without a
          parent organization to orchestrate their arrival and their deployment
          needs. The lack of a parent organization resulted in the slow
          deployment of the unit and it resulted in several logistical,
          personnel and operational problems.
          RECOMilENDATIO'N: The unit should have been attached under the 2D
          Chemical Smoke Battalion and the battalion should have been tasked to
          orchestrate the company's deployment. The battalion has the
          personnel, logistical and operational base to support a company with
          a similar mission. The recommendation was submitted to VII CORPS NBC
          and for redeployment will 172d Smoke Company to the 2D Chemical
          Battalion.

          ISSUE: Mechanized Smoke Operations During Operation Desert Storm,
          2dACR


          DISCUSSION:


          1. The task organization for 2d ACR was Smk/87 CM CO (GS) and 172d
          CM CO (OPCON)- with two smoke platoons attached to the two leading
          squadrons. Smk/67 CM CO had an on order mission to provide smoke
          support during the initial breach of the border berm and to the
          reserve squadron once the regiment maneuvered with three squadrons
          abreast.


           a.  i i bi ati i., , dt2i if     414a be&-M,                      ap


          Enemy observation points had been attacked and eliminated prior t@o
          the breach beginning at 1330 hours. Upon completion of the mission
          the platoon joined with 87th CM CO (-) and remained with it's parent
          unit in the RSS maneuver formation for the duration of the battle.
          Smk/87th was ordered-to link-up with the reserve squadron once
          refueling operations began vicinity south of PL Lonestar. However,
          because of poor command and control measures the platoon never
          effected linkup. The regiment remained in two squadrons leading
          until it occupied hasty defensive positions vicinity PL Black Top
          oriented NE.

           b. Smoke platoons from 172d CM Co (-) were attached to each lead
          squadron prior to conducting offensive operations. This enabled the
          platoons to effectively integrate platoon smoke concepts/plans with
          each squadron. Generally, the mission of each platoon was to screen