SUMMARY OF ACTION FOR OPERATION DESERT STORM 24 27 FEB 1991

File: 970107_oct96_decls6_0009.txt
Page: 0009
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


           airport from the south and west, while TF Ripper blocked to the
           northwest. TF Shepherd was tasked with isolating the airport
           from the east. At 1430, the Task Force held an orders group to
           issue the frag order to its subordinate units. On order, 3/9
           would lead across PL Dianne followed by 1/1 and lst Tanks. once
           across PL Margaret, 3/9 would continue north and 1/1 would move
           east. This would put 3/9 to the west of the runway, 1/1 south
           of the runway, with ist Tanks isolating the divided highway
           south and east of 1/1. The Task Force also had a "be prepared"
           mission to clear the airfield the next morning.

                At approximately 1500, 1/11 reported taking incoming
           chemical rounds. Apparently, someone observed yellow smoke
           and mistook it for chemical agents. The Task Force was placed
           in MOPP 4 until the CAMS and FOX vehicle could verify the
           absence of chemicals. No chemical agents were detected and the
           "all clear" was given approximately 10 minutes later.

                At 1615, TF Ripper requested assistance from TF Papa Bear
           as its right flank unit (1/7) had become heavily engaged.
           Division granted permission for Papa Bear to cross PL Dianne in
           order to relieve the Iraqi pressure on Ripper's flank.

                At 1630, 3/9 moved out towards the airfield. Visibility
           was extremely poor and getting worse due to  the heavy
           concentration of smoke and oil in the air.   The Task Force
           by-passed most Iraqi positions and directed  EPWs to move to the
           rear towards follow-on units. PLRS and GPS   were ineffective
           due to no PLRS master station and the heavy  smoke overhead
           blocking the GPS signal. This required use   of compasses and
 two
           substantial wire obstacles. At approximately 1800, 3/9 moved
           into the agricultural area (vic QT 8533) southwest of the
           airfield that contained scores of bunkers, APCS, and fighting
           positions. The defending enemy force was the 20th Infantry
           Regiment, 3rd Armor Division. 3/9 received sporadic automatic
           weapons fire and pushed straight through. Progress was slow
           due to zero visibility and the unclear enemy situation. By
           2300, 3/9 breached the Kuwait International Airport perimeter
           fence and occupied a battle position (vic QT 8738).

                At 1815, 1/1 crossed PL Margaret and began to push east
           towards the radio station (vic QT 8733). There were numerous
           tanks and APCs in the area and several fire fights occurred.
           At 1830, the first of two firefights with civilian vehicles
           occurred. These vehicles carried fleeing Iraqi forces and were
           subsequently destroyed. Closer to the airport, an APC bolted
           from a building and got to the hard surface road. It was
           engaged and hit by TOWS. Enemy troops dismounted and were
           killed by D Co 1/1. Because of the APC's location between
           1/1 and the Task Force Headquarters, both units received
           friendly and enemy fires while engaging the target. By 2200,
           all significant fires had ceased.

                ist Tanks moved in trace of 1/1 and occupied a BP (vic QT
           9930). Progress was slow due to oilfield pipelines
           crisscrossing the route of movement. lst Tank Battalion
           encountered numerous tanks and APCs and (1) 122mm SP Howitzer
                                     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