COMMAND CHRONOLOGY INDEX

File: 102496_sep96_decls14_0006.txt
Page: 0006
Total Pages: 14

Subject: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY INDEX                                        

Unit: 3D BN 12T MA

Parent Organization: 11TH MARINES

Box ID: BX600025

Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 3RD BATTALION 12TH MARINE REGIMENT JAN - JUN 1991                            

Document Number:          3

Folder SEQ  #:         10


                           40        UNCLASSIFIED       0

       Force Ripper. This battalion move enabled   3/12 to position to
       support the attack on Kuwait International  Airport. During this
       move a GAS attack was reported over the battalion command net.
       The battalion immediately responded by going to MOPP level IV and
       continuing on to occupy the position. The NBC officer utiliz-
       ing a new Chemical Agent Detector (CAM) detected a '(I' nerve
       agent. Twenty minutes later an all-clear was sounded after
       subsequent readings were negative. The heavy smoke from burning
       oil wells produced total darkness and made the night occupation
       of firing positions extremely difficult. The battalions two
       PADS teams were used to lead the batteries into firing positions.
       During this move the SYSCON Five-Ton vehicle became disabled when
       the right front tire crashed through an enemy command bunker. A
       battalion wrecker was rushed to the scene and a difficult recov-
       ery operation was conducted. While at this position, several
       bunkers were cleared. Top Secret Iraqi documents, weapons, and
       radios were recovered from a recently vacated Iraqi battalion
       FDC.


            On the evening of 25 Feb, the battalion's mission changed
       from Direct Support of Task Force Grizzly to reinforcing 3/11's
       fire. That night the CO, S-2, and S-3 led the battalion's
       liaison team to 3111's position 7 kilometers away in order to
       drop off the liaison team and obtain target lists and overlays.
       While returning to the battalion's position at approximately
       2330, the CO's party was fired on by multiple small caliber
       weapons that turned out to be from a friendly unit. No damage or
       injuries were incurred.


            The plan called for 3d Bn, 12th Marines and 3d Bn, llth
       Marines leapfrogging in support of T.F. Ripper's attack on Kuwait
T. F. Ripper and
       occupying a position approximately 8 kilometers from the LOD,
       3/12 then displaced 16 kilometers and occupied a position within
       14.7 Km range of the airport. This was accomplished while Task
       Force Papa Bear was still clearing the flanks of the new posi-
       tion.Iraqi mechanized units were so close that the battalion
       Commander gave the order for Batteries B and I to occupy hasty
       positions and prepare for direct fire to support the close bat-
       tle. Interim heat, dust and heavy smoke from burning oil wells
       obscured targets, preventing direct fire employment. During the
       middle of the day it was almost pitch black because of obscure-
       tion from numerous burning oil wells. The battalion then pro-
       ceeded forward another 1 Km and occupied surveyed positions
       placing them 14 Km south of Kuwait International Airport. While
       at this position a BRDM-2 with SA-9 missiles was recovered along
       with numerous AX-47 rifles and large amounts of ammunition.

           At this position, the battalion captured its first EPWA with
       one of the EPWA being an Iraqi captain. With assistance from an
       interpreter with a Radio Battalion Team attached to the battal-
       ion, the EPW was interrogated about the Kuwaiti International
       Airport. Valuable information was obtained and reported to llth
       Marines. Overall, the battalion took 32 EPWE during the opera-

                                                            ENCLOSURE (1)
                                      -3-

                                     UNCLASSIFIED

Document 14 f:/Week-38/BX600025/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 3RD BATTALION 12TH MARINE REGIMENT JAN - JUN 1991/command chronology index:10119615450415
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-38
Box ID = BX600025
Unit = 3D BN 12T MA
Parent Organization = 11TH MARINES
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 3RD BATTALION 12TH MARINE REGIMENT JAN - JUN 1991
Folder Seq # = 10
Subject = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY INDEX
Document Seq # = 3
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 = 11-OCT-1996