WrTH THE 2D MARINE DIVISION IN DESERT SHIELD AND DESERT STORM             27


                                                              Photograph by author
On 17 Februaiy 1991, LtCol Mark E. S~anstrnm, division engineer staffofficer,facing,
and Maj Rodney J. Gerdes, militaiy police staff officer, identj~ areas of the berm for
later excavation.

forward. The 6th Marines would remain in the division's center, with the 8th
Marines coming into position on the right, along the joint boundary with the 1St
Marine Division. The Tiger Brigade, with its heavy armored strength, was
specially chosen to move on the division's left flank, which was the most
exposed to an enemy armored counterattack. This boundary was shared with
coalition Arab forces, which actually operated farther to the west, leaving this
flank open. Also, this position would allow the brigade to move rapidly to block
any retreat of Iraqi forces to the west. The 2d Tank Battalion, commanded by
Lieutenant Colonel Cesare Cardi, was assigned as the division's reserve; with
its newly received MiAl tanks and its Antitank (TOW) Company it would be
able to react rapidly and aggressively to any threat.
    Tank companies were attached to the infantry regiments to give them an
extra armored "punch." Companies B and C of the 4th Tank Battalion were
assigned to the 8th Marines. The 8th Tank Battalion, under the command of
Lieutenant Colonel Michael D. Cavallaro, was assigned to the 6th Marines;
Company A was assigned to the 2d Battalion, 2d Marines, and Company C was
assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines.  Company B and Headquarters
Company, 8th Tank Battalion, served as the reserve for the 6th Marines.107
    The units of the 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant
Colonel Robert L. Williams, were also divided among the division's elements.
The battalion's 248 AAVs provided needed mechanized lift to the two Marine
regiments  and the combat engineer task forces.   Company B,      1st Assault
Amphibian Battalion, was attached to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines; Company
B, 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion, was attached to the 2d Battalion, 2d
Marines; Company B, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, was attached to the 2d
Battalion, 4th Marines; and Company D, 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion, was
attached to the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines. A provisional General Support