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

File: 970107_aug96_decls2_0054.txt
Page: 0054
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
               vehicles were painted. 31 Dee - Company dropped sea bags at Camp 15. TOW
               Company provides four hardback HMMWV's to battalion for use as: trail
               command/control (two vehicles), to move the battalion XO and S-3A (two
               vehicles).

               I San 1991 - TOW Company deployed for field training at Thunderbolt Range,
               Saudi Arabia. TOW Company performed two weeks of intensive night combat
               operations to include FARPS (Forward Area Arming and Refueling point). During
               this time period, it was realized that logistical support for the subordinate
               elements of TOW Company would be difficult. The Company's three platoons and
               none sections could conceivably each operate independently but still require
               support from the company. An internal system of combat service support began
               to be developed. The problem was to provide food, fuel, water, and ammunition
               resupply to nine widely scattered sections without negatively affecting the
               ,tempo of combat operations. The support system slowly took shape. Finally
               the logistical element of the company was split into two groups. The field
               .trains would remain with the battalion's logistical element. It was tasked
               with procuring necessary supplies for future use. The other element, called
               combat trains was outfitted with armored variant vehicles and combined a
               supply and maintenance function. Mechanics and technicians formed mobile
               contact teams which were able to move rapidly to any point on the battlefield
               to effect repair of equipment. Other vehicles carried quantities of fuel,
               food, and water. Each vehicle in the combat trains was armed with a .50
s secondary
               mission was to provide security for the company command element.

               7 Jan - Captain Pagel assigned to TOW company as Motor Transport Officer,
               .Maintenance Management Officer, Nuclear Biological and Chemical Defense
               Officer, and Headquarters Platoon commander.
               9 Jan - One of TOW CoRpany's HMMWV's rolled off of an escarpment. No Ma@ines
               were injured. An investigation revealed that the accident was contributed to
               by the serious shortage of night vision equipment (NVGS) held by TOW Company.
               TOW ComDanv ra                of NVGs and had on hand three sptq.


               17 Jan - Operation Desert Storm commences. TOW Company prepared for missile
               and chemical attack by the Iraqi forces.
               20 Jan - TOW Company moved with the battalion north, on a 130 mile road march,
               to join the other elements of the Sixth Marine Regiment. TOW Company moved
               .first providing guides for the entire battalion during the march. TOW Company
               continued its own schedule of maneuver training (COMMEX's and Night Resupply
               (FARP)). Company painted the battalion C-7 command and control vehicles at
               Thunderbolt before the one hundred and thirty mile move.

               23/24 Jan - TOW Company led the entire battalion and provided guides in a 25km
               night road march to a position east of hill 243. TOW Company helped modify
               all of 2d Marine Division's TOW assets to allow the firing of all types of
               .TDWs missiles and to defeat enemy tank mounted missile jammers. This was a
               massive effort involving over two hundred and fifty TOW systems, Missile
               Guidance Systems had six circuit boards rewired and Laser Hardened Optics were
               installed in some optic sights. All seventy-six TOW weapon systems held by
 TOW Company was involved in two battalion TEWTs
               held north of hill 243 in Gth Marines zone of action. TOW Company detached 3


                                                    53
                                             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