8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91 12 APR 91

File: 970107_aug96_decls2_0007.txt
Page: 0007
Total Pages: 60

Subject: 8TH TANK BN  COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91  12 APR 91     

Unit: 8TH TANK BN 

Parent Organization: 2 MARDIV    

Box  ID: BX600007

Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991                                           

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:          5





                                              UNCLASSIFIED


              modifications, the TOW systems were all daylight only TOW I systems and had to
              be brought up to TOW II standard in country. This required considerable time
              and effort. The vehicles generally suffered from the normal problems
              associated with prolonged storage. These included dry and cracked seals, dry
              rotted canvas and fuel system contamination problems. All the vehicles had to
              be painted in desert camoflage. Both paint availability and available
              painting equipment proved to be a problem here.
                 None of the MPS tanks had been equipped with the necessary brackets
              required to accept reactive armor. Based on a promise from higher
              headquarters that reactive armor would be forthcoming, a massive effort was
              made to prepare the battalion's tanks with t                 ifications to
              accept the armo







                 Although the battalion's communications electronic Situation improved while
              at Camp 15, the battalion still found itself critically short of assets. This
              is elaborated on further in the communication and logistics narrative
              sections.
                 During the battalion's stay at Camp l@, supply received large quantities of
              supplies and equipment. Some of the material was embarked by this unit at
              Camp Lejeune. Other gear arrived from 2d Marine Division and the MPS
              shipping. A great deal of effort was made at this point to put the
              battalion's shortages on order in the supply system in anticipation that some
              would arrive before the battalion was committed to combat.
                 While the battalion received and prepared its equipment at Camp 15, the
              battalion command and staff were involved in daily meetings and liasons with
Marine Division counterparts and appropriate staff personnel in 1/6,
              1/8, 2nd AAV Battalion, 2nd Combat Engineers and Ist FSSG. These meetings
              were invaluable in establishing working relationships and coordinating
              plans. As of 27 December 1990, the battalion mustered 871 total personnel and
              was still considered a 2nd Marine Division asset.
                 The Sth Tank Battalion's movement out of Camp 15 north to the Thunderbolt
              Range complex in the "Triangle" was predicated on 3rd Tanks and other First
              Marine Division elements clearing the training area and moving north. The
              battalion was scheduled by 2nd Marine Division to occupy the complex for
              training between 7 and 17 January 1991. The division training schedule called
              for the battalion to conduct boresighting and zeroing, tank gunnery tablesv
              unit and battalion level training, staff training to include aviation and fire
              support exercises and go through a mobile assault course,
                 The battalion began its movement north to its first assembly area (vic
              179940) with an advance party on 30 December 1990 and was entirely in its   new
              position by 5 January 1991. The battalion moved by echelon, sending platoon
              size and larger elements as their preparations at the port (painting,
              modifications, reactive armor) were completed. The movement was conducted in
              good order and without serious incident.
                 While 8th Tank Battalion was in its training cycle in the "Triangle", it
              completed all training mandated by division. In addition, the battalion's
              subordinate companies were able to conduct extensive platoon and company
              training operations.
                 On 17 January 1991, Bth Tank Battalion was attached to 6th Marine Regiment.
Battalion conducted a road march on 18


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                                              UNCLASSIFIED

Document 60 f:/Week-34/BX600007/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991/8th tank bn command chronology nov 90 to mar 91:01029709504317
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX600007
Unit = 8TH TANK BN
Parent Organization = 2 MARDIV
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991
Folder Seq # = 5
Subject = 8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91
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