SUMMARY OF ACTION FOR OPERATION DESERT STORM 24 27 FEB 1991

File: 970107_oct96_decls6_0006.txt
Page: 0006
Total Pages: 11

Subject: SUMMARY OF ACTION FOR OPERATION DESERT STORM 24 27 FEB 1991     

Unit: VARIOUS MC  

Parent Organization: VARIOUS MC  

Box  ID: BX600054

Folder Title: OPERATION DESERT STORM SUMMARY OF ACTION 24-27 FEB 1991                                         

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:         15




                                      UNCLASSIFIED


           in preparation for the next day of fighting. Thick fog made
           the four hour return journey of the refuelers to the south side
           of the belt extremely difficult and hazardous.

                The Task Force received its new mission via Division frag
           order at 2330. The mission required the Task Force to block to
           the east and northeast while the Division consolidated in zone.
           Division intended an early morning landing of TF X-Ray (1/3)
           in order to anchor the Division's right flank. Following the
           landing of X-Ray, Task Force Papa Bear had an on order mission
           to continue the attack to the northwest.


           PHASE II: BATTLE AT AL BURQAN

                Stand to took place at 0530 on 25 February. Visibility
           was extremely restricted due to dense fog. Division delayed TF
           X-Ray's helicopter landing until the fog cleared. A Task Force
           orders group was called for 0630 to discuss the Division Frag
           and Task Force plans for the day.

                At 0800, a T-55 tank and two Type-63 APCs appeared out of
           the fog and stopped approximately 50 meters from the Task Force
           CP. A group of Iraqi soldiers accompanied the vehicles and
           surrendered to the Task Force Security Platoon. Among those
           surrendering was a Regimental Commander for the 22nd Brigade,
           5th Mechanized Division, who disclosed under immediate tactical
           interrogation that elements following his surrender party
           intended to fight. Moments later, the Task Force CP came under
           tank main gun and automatic weapons fire. Headquarters Marines
           moved forward to engage the enemy with MK-19s, .50 cal, AT-4s,
           and LAAWS. After a ten minute engagement during which several
           of the enemy vehicles were either disabled or destroyed, the
to the fog.

                Meanwhile, lst Tanks had been notified of the impending
           threat and had received enemy automatic weapons fire itself.
           The Battalion quickly repositioned its forces to engage the
           enemy. D Co was re-oriented on line to the east and C Co was
           positioned on D Cols right flank. During this time, both tanks
           and APCs were engaged with Dragons and AT-4s from I Co, 3/9 in
           the fog at ranges less than 500 meters. The dense fog rendered
           the TOW screen somewhat ineffective as friendly tanks moved
           east into blocking positions. C Co engaged and destroyed over
           (18) armored vehicles, while D Co cleaned-up what leaked
           through and continued to push out. As TOWs made their shift
           north, the TAC(A) in an OV-10 reported a build up of armored
           vehicles to the northeast. Those vehicles were subsequently
           engaged by a FASTFAC controlling CAS aircraft. As fog cleared,
           TOWs engaged enemy to the southeast at extended ranges and
           registered numerous kills.

                AH-IW Cobras were called in to reinforce lst Tank's
           right flank and engaged the enemy with TOW and Hellfire
           missiles. Once the fog burned-off, fixed-wing aircraft also
           engaged targets. Fixed-wing and Cobras were controlled by the
           TAC(A) against targets farther to the east/northeast with
           excellent results. Artillery missions called in were initially
           delayed         r                 1/11 had begun its displace-

                                        UNCLASSIFIED

Document 11 f:/Week-42/BX600054/OPERATION DESERT STORM SUMMARY OF ACTION 24-27 FEB 1991/summary of action for operation desert storm 24 :01029709504114
Control Fields 17
File Room = oct96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-42
Box ID = BX600054
Unit = VARIOUS MC
Parent Organization = VARIOUS MC
Folder Title = OPERATION DESERT STORM SUMMARY OF ACTION 24-27 FEB 1991
Folder Seq # = 15
Subject = SUMMARY OF ACTION FOR OPERATION DESERT STORM 24
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