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File: 970107_oct96_decls6_0002.txt
Subject: SUMMARY OF ACTION FOR OPERATION DESERT STORM 24 27 FEB 1991
Unit: VARIOUS MC
Parent Organization: VARIOUS MC
Box ID: BX600054
Folder Title: OPERATION DESERT STORM SUMMARY OF ACTION 24-27 FEB 1991
Document Number: 1
Folder Seq #: 15
UNCLASSIFIED
PRE-G DAY OPERATIONS
Task Force Papa Bear was activated in Saudi Arabia
31 December 1990 to defend against Iraqi aggression. The major
units which made up the Task Force were ist Marines' Regimental
Headquarters; ISt Battalion, ist Marines; 3rd Battalion, 9th
Marines; ist Tank Battalion; an Engineer Task Force comprised
of A Co Ist CEB and A Co 7th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB);
and B & C Co, 3d AA Bn. Because lst Tank Bn had earlier been
directed to attach one tank company to TF Ripper, there were
three tank companies in the Battalion instead of the tradi-
tional four companies. lst Plt, B Btry, 3d LAAD Bn and 1/11
were in direct support. Task Force Papa Bear was further task
organized by attaching B Co, lst Tanks to 3/9, I Co, 3/9 to Ist
Tanks, and a TOW Plt to each mechanized battalion. 1/1
consisted solely of mechanized infantry. obstacle Clearing
Detachments were organized from elements of the Engineer Task
Force and attached to 3/9.
During operation Desert Shield, Task Force Papa Bear
conducted defensive operations and trained in preparation for
liberating Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. This training
included three vehicle TEWTS and one full scale breach
rehearsal conducted on 15 January.
With the initiation of operation Desert Storm on 17
January 1991, Task Force Papa Bear continued its intensive
training focused on obstacle breaching. As directed in the
Division Operation Order 1-91, the Task Force was to conduct
two deliberate breaches of Iraqi defenses to secure a breach-
head line in order to conduct further offensive operations;
on order the Task Force would attack north in zone to seize
subsequent Division and MEF objectives.
Task Force Papa Bear occupied its tactical assembly area
(vic QS 653473) on 21 February 1991. 3/9 was positioned
to the northwest, and 1/1 was positioned to the northeast,
while ist Tanks occupied the zone to the south. LAAD platoon
provided 360-degree air defense to the Task Force.
At 0700 on 23 Feb 91, 3/9 dispatched its two fire support
vehicles, code named "Wolf" and "Badger" along with STA teams
to reconnoiter the route to the berm located near the
Saudi/Kuwait (SA/KU) border. STA teams continued to
reconnoiter movement routes, battle positions, and mark the
lanes and breach locations at the first Iraqi obstacle belt.
At 1300, 1111's Jump COC and battery advance parties
crossed the SA/KU border to establish firing positions
(vic QS 7466) in order to support the attack of Task Force Papa
Bear from the line of departure through the first breach. 1/11
was in position and ready by 2200.
Meanwhile Task Force units made final coordination and
preparation for the move north. Ist Division froze all
frequencies and crypto changes for seventy-two hours. At 1700,
the Task Force donned NBC suits, went into a MOPP 2 status, and
rested the remainder of the evening.
UNCLASSIFIED
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Document 11 f:/Week-42/BX600054/OPERATION DESERT STORM SUMMARY OF ACTION 24-27 FEB 1991/summary of action for operation desert storm 24 :01029709504114
Control Fields 17
File Room = oct96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-42
Box ID = BX600054
Unit = VARIOUS MC
Parent Organization = VARIOUS MC
Folder Title = OPERATION DESERT STORM SUMMARY OF ACTION 24-27 FEB 1991
Folder Seq # = 15
Subject = SUMMARY OF ACTION FOR OPERATION DESERT STORM 24
Document Seq # = 1
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 = 02-JAN-1997