3RD BN PATRIOT 43RD ADA RGMT AAR OPN DES SHIELD

File: 970924_aug97_decls1_0003.txt
Page: 0003
Total Pages: 24

Subject = 3RD BN PATRIOT 43RD ADA RGMT AAR OPN DES SHIELD

Parent Organization = CENTCOM

Unit = ARCENT

Folder Title = 3-43D ADA AAR OPERATION DESERT SHIELD

Document Number = 1

Box ID = BX000545

ISSUE! Lack of specifics about actual deployment parameters (who, when,how,
Aere), resulted in 'best guess' approach to balancing necessary pre-deployment
training and the specific tasks associated with the actual deployment.

DISCUSSION: When notification of alert arrived in early August, this battalion
was in the midst of PDB-3 training. A field test of the software was scheduled for
the end of August in conjunction with a two week field training exercise. Since the
limited early information about our contingency mission indicated that the new
software, in conjunction with PAC-2 missiles, would be essential for mission
accomplishment, that training had to be completed. Since the normal pre-deployment
activities (e.g. POM update) were also required, a concentrated training schedule was
the logical result. The difficulty encountered was the uncertainty on whether we
would actually deploy, with how many units, the method of deployment, and, perhaps
most critical, when we would deploy.
The crucial nature of 'when' especially affected the forecasting of training.
The new software absolutely demanded training before we could introduce new soldiers
relying on that software into a combat zone. Yet the fuzziness of any specific date
for deployment made planning for the proper depth of training extremely difficult.
Recognized deficiencies in unit deployment preparations could be prioritized, but the
new PDB-3 training was essential in its entirety. go there was quite a bit of guess-
work involved in determining how concentrated the training schedule had to be.

LESSON LEARNED! The old military rule of 1/3 for higher headquarters and 2/3 for
subordinate units in terms of planning time isn't much help If certain specifics
-@bout the mission are not forthcoming. The result was a lot of uncertainty at a time
hen a concise mission statement was needed. Without specifics, this unit fell 'back
on a basic objective for each battery! be prepared for combat upon hitting the
ground. There was not much that we could do about the open-ended nature of the
'when' factor.

RECOAGENDED ACTION: OPLANS and TPFDDs must be completed and properly staffed.
Assumptions as to aircraft/ship availability and capability nius* be reasonable. The
OPLA,L in effect must then be followed. Don't allow on-the-fly changes to be made.
The uncertainty that such changes bring affect all other deploying units.. Ensure
tha+ the mission statement is concise and complete. (NOTE! These comments apply
generally to the unified and specified command level).

Document 24 f:/Week-32/BX000545/3-43D ADA AAR OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/3rd bn patriot 43rd ada rgmt aar opn des shield:09229712012712
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug97_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-32
Box ID = BX000545
Unit = ARCENT
Parent Organization = CENTCOM
Folder Title = 3-43D ADA AAR OPERATION DESERT SHIELD
Folder Seq # = 36
Subject = 3RD BN PATRIOT 43RD ADA RGMT AAR OPN DES SHIELD
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date = 11-AUG-1997
Queued for Declassification = 18-AUG-1997
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 = 22-SEP-1997