COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JAN TO 13 APR 91

File: 100896_sep96_decls8_0003.txt
Page: 0003
Total Pages: 31

Subject: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JAN TO 13 APR 91            

Unit: 2ND MARDIV  

Parent Organization: 2 MEF       

Box ID: BX600014

Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 2ND MARINE DIVISION 1 OF 10  JAN - APRIL 1991                                

Document Number:          3

Folder SEQ  #:          4


                                  UNCLASSIFIED 0
       It should always be kept in mind that the success of the 2d Marine
       Division was a result of the courage and initiative of the individual
       Marines, sailors and soldiers who served in the division.


       2. MOVEMENT

           The 2d marine Division formally established its presence in Saudi
       Arabia on 14 December 1990, when the Commanding General arrived and
       his flag was transforred.(I) over the next several weeks units
       continued to arrive and join up with the division. They retrieved
       their equipment, which was arriving aboard ship or by airplane, or
       refitted with new gear from the MPS squadrons.

           Even as the units were arriving, the Commanding General foresaw
       that his two most important and immediate concerns were to train all
       units for the combat to come and to move the division forward in
       preparation for offensive operatiohs.(2) This latter intention was
       in some ways the more difficult to execute since it had to be done
       within the context of the division's assigned defensive missions.
       Nevertheless, at every opportunity the division displaced forward.
       Its elements were nearly continuously on the move over a period of
       two months.

           The NEF's Frag order number 006, dated 20 December 90, tasked the
       division with providing one battalion for the security of "critical
       facilities" at Al Yubayl, and with preparing for offensive operations
       by 15 January 1991.(3) The Commanding General took this opportunity
       to issue the division's first order of Operation Desert Shield on 25
       December. The division's forward command post would displace on 27
       December and then coordinate the displacement of subordinate units by
       echelon.(4) By 7 %Tannery 91, the division's main command post had
       moved north to the area known as the "Triangle," with other elements
the division's units were still
       --riving and joining up with their equipment. The last unit to
       offload its equipment and leave the Al Jubayl area was the 2d Tank
       Battalion, which was assigned the mission of division reserve.(6)
       Company B. 4th Tanks had arrived at Al Jubayl on 17 January, and
       joined 2d Tank Bat@-'4,on at Thunderbolt Range on the 19th. -ampany
       Cp 4th Tanks arrived at Al Jubayl on 19 January, but did not join 2d
       Tank Battalion until 23 February, at which time it was immediately
       detached to the Stb Marines.) Even as 2d Tank Battalion conducted
       training at Thunderbolt Range, the division was already taking its
       next stride across the desert.

           On 9 January, I NEF issued Frag order 003 to I MEF Operation
       Order 006, setting a mission to "defeat enemy forces as far forward
       as possible and to protect vital facilities in the vicinity of Al
       Jubaylll.(7) The 2d Marine Division was tasked to "defend in zone
       using supporting arms; screen to west of EPAC TAOR to provide early
       warning of attack; ... (and) establish a forward operations base,
       approximate Vic. 28.55N 047.25E,..."(S) By 12 January,, the division
       had issued warning order number 1-91, by which the division would
       displace to "establish defensive positions in sector in order to
       protect Al Jubayl vital facilities from indirect fire; ... conduct


                                        II-3


                                  UNCLASSIFIED

Document 31 f:/Week-35/BX600014/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 2ND MARINE DIVISION 1 OF 10 JAN - APRIL 1991/command chronology for the period 1 jan to 13 ap:100196125355
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-35
Box ID = BX600014
Unit = 2ND MARDIV
Parent Organization = 2 MEF
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 2ND MARINE DIVISION 1 OF 10 JAN - APRIL 1991
Folder Seq # = 4
Subject = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JAN TO 13 AP
Document Seq # =
Document Date =
Scan Date =
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 = 01-OCT-1996