OPERATION DESERT STORM AAR AND SIGNIFICANT EVENTS 6 MAR 91

File: 971208_sep96_decls8_0007.txt
Page: 0007
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  








          6. Coordination of Smoke Missions with Adjacent Units and
          Divisions: Although no smoke missions were executed the NBCE was
          prepared to notify higher and adjacent divisions that smoke was being
          employed. This would ensure that friendly elements were not
          unnecessarily disoriented or confused by friendly smoke.
          7. Integration of Artillery Delivered Smoke and Smoke Pots:
           a. Artillery smoke fires were on order to fill the gaps during the
          berm breaching smoke mission. Squadrons integrated artillery
          delivered smoke into their planned missions.
           b. The regiment was authorized it's basic load of smoke pots based
          an it's GDP mission in Germany. During the initial planning of smoke
          operations it was discovered that the Regiment had only smoke pots i 'n
          class V. These could work in the desert environment provided that
          they were vented for five minutes prior to use. Given the minimal
          requirement for the use of smoke within the Regiment and the assigned
          and OPCON unit, there was no requirement to increase the basic load.
          However, had the Regiment not received additional smoke support more
          smoke pots would have been required for hasty smoke screens.

          RECOMMENDATIONS:

          1. That an executive/operations officer is added to the curren %t MTOE
          for 87th CM CO. This would enable the commander to command and
          control his platoons in a combat environment.
          2. Attach smoke assets to the squadron an what is potentially
          determined to be a fast paced covering force operations. This would
          facilitate ease of execution of smoke employment.
          3., Co-locate the chemical company commander with the RTOC/TOCIJTOC
          for combat operations.

          4. That additional VINSONs are added to 87th CM CO's current MTO E
          for company internal, O/I, and smoke platoons internal and company  FM
          communications.

          5. Provide each smoke platoon with a secondary mission of security
          to assist attached units when not engaged in smoke operations."
          ISSUE: NBC Reconnaissance During Operation Desert Storm

          DISCUSSION:

          1. Concept a+ Operations. An estimate of the plan suggested that
          the greatest threat to the Regiment, and ultimately the +allow on
          divisions of VII Corps, was to the left and right flanks. This was
          because of the mission to bypass defenses and make contact with the
          Republican Guards. One squad (two