COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY TO 28

File: 092396_aug96_decls3_0005.txt
Page: 0005
Total Pages: 19

Subject: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY TO 28               

Box  ID: BX600007

Document Number:          1

Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 7TH MARINES 1 JAN - 28 FEB 1991                                              

Folder Seq #:          7

Unit: 7TH MARINES 

Parent Organzation: 7TH MEB     



                                                            UNCLASSIFIED





                                         SECTION 2


                                     NARRATIVE SUMMARY

                1 January 1991, Task Force Ripper (TFR) moved out of the
            ItTriangle" (triangular area north of Aba Hadriyah, TL 990220)
            which had been Rippers home and training area since September
            1990. TFR was moving north vacating the Triangle for British
            forces and follow on USMC units. A live fire Breach Exercise was
            planned on the "Devil Dog Dragoon" range (area east of Aba Hadiyah
            to the Gulf). The Breach Exercise was Sand Tabled on 3 January,
            rehersed on 4 January and conducted on 5 January (Tab A, Sec 4).
            On 6 January, TFR established their new position north of the
            Triangle, TL 556761 (Tab B, sec 4) With combat operations more
            imminent each day, remaining equipment shortages were identified
            and passed to First Marine Division (Ist MarDiv) (Tab B, sec 4).
            On 13 January, a Command Post Exercise (CPX) was conducted of the
            current Ripper counter attack plan. 15 January marked the much
            anticipated K-day, Iraqs deadline to vacate Kuwait. On 17
            January, 0330, TFR went to air defense condition red as operation
            Desert Shield became Desert Storm and the coalition air campaign
            began. 18 January, TFR was planning for movement to assembly
            areas for breaching the Iraqi obstacle belts. On 19 January, a
            Communication Exercise (COMEX) was conducted, again rehersing the
            Breach scenario (Tab D, sec 4). The work pace quickened as
            Marines continued to take care of their own and make the best of
            sparten living conditions (Tab E, sec 4). On 22 January, the
            operation Order (OPORD) for movement north to the Ripper Assembly
4). On 26 January, OPORD
            4-91 was briefed to all TFR Commanders which was ultimately
            modified prior to G-Day (Ground Day) (Tab G, sec 4). A Laser
            Guided Bomb (LGB) test was also conducted on the 26th to determine
            the affects of precision guided munitions on a sand berm. The
            negative results settled this controversial issue. TFR conducted
            a Sand Table on the 29th to re-brief Breaching and Passage of
            Lines (POL). The actual concept was eventually modified and the
            POL omitted with TFR in the lead all the way through Kuwait. A
            Tactical Exercise without Troops (TEWT) was conducted on 31 Januay
            to reherse the TFR counter attack plan to the east (Tab N, sec 4).
            TFR initiated a two day move north to the "heel area" on 3
            February establishing an AA to facilitate movement to eventual
            attack positions (Tab H, sec 4). 4 February, TFR arrived at their
            AA, QS 508122. 9 February, a Sand Table brief refining the
            Breach concept was given and the Ripper staff began planning for


                                             2-1


                                                              UNCLASSIFIED

Document 19 f:/Week-34/BX600007/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 7TH MARINES 1 JAN - 28 FEB 1991/command chronology for the period 1 january to 2:0906961537153
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX600007
Unit = 7TH MARINES
Parent Organization = 7TH MEB
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 7TH MARINES 1 JAN - 28 FEB 1991
Folder Seq # = 7
Subject = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY TO 2
Document Seq # = 3
Document Date =
Scan Date = 29-AUG-1996
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 06-SEP-1996