1 31 JAN CMD CHRONOLOGY

File: 970530_dec96_decls36_0004.txt
Page: 0004
Total Pages: 8
Subject = 1  31 JAN CMD CHRONOLOGY                                        

Parent Organization = VARIOUS MC  

Unit = 3-8         

Folder Title = 1ST BATTALION 8TH MARINES - COMMAND CHRONOLOGY   1-31 JANUARY 1991                              

Document Number =          1

Box ID = BX600130




                                  UNCLASSIFIED


                                     Section 2
                                 Narrative Summary

            January 1 1991 found the ist Btttalion Sth Marines headquarters
       situated at Camp 15A (UK 5308'95) while the line companies performed
       security duties throughout the I MEF area. From 28 December through
       10 January Alpha company provided security  at the Thunderbolt Range
       Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) (UK 145970). Bravo company guarded the
       I MEF HO forward (TL 745976) while Charlie  company guarded the X MEF
       HO (UK 541944). The Battalion's advance party, scheduled to depart
       on January 6 for the unit's new bivouac site at the Rock Quarry 4 ('['L
       301029), was postponed until 7 January due to the lack of motor
       transport assets. This lack of assets would continue to hinder    the
       Bnls movement, both to the Rock Quarry as well as to the follow   an
       training area bivouac site. By 9 January H&S, Bravo, Weapons, and
       two platoons from Alpha company were dug in at the new site. Guard
       duty relief of Alpha company, by 2/P4, was postponed two days and was
       not complete until 10 January. Relief was hindered by P/24's lack of
       equipment, inbound on shipping, and the lack of external MT assets.
       While the 13n was moving into the Rock Quarry the CBS program "4(3
       HOURS" aired, in the United States', the episode that documented Ist
       Battalion Bth Marines movement form Camp Lejuene to Saudi Arabia.By
       10 January the entire battalion was dug in at the Rock Quarry. On
       this day the Bn conducted a Mass Casualty drill; injury cards were
       distributed throughout the Bn and the "injliried" were bought to the
       SAS for treatment. Following the exercise the Y3n9s commanding
       Officer, LtCol Gombar, held an all officers' meeting to discuss the
       current military situation and possible missions. This was followed
       by a mechanized operation class given by Alpha company, which had
       been the designated mech company for the LFGF and the most
       experienced company in the Bm in mechanized operations. On 11
       September the Bn conducted another Mass Casaulty drill in conjunction
       with an NBC drill. For two and a half hours the Bn worked in MOPP 4
       (simulated) while casaltlties were brought to the BAB. On the evening
       of the llth the Sn received a trench clearing class from Charlie
       company.
           While the Bri was conducting this training Weapons Company
       departed the Rock Quarry, on 9 January, for the Bnls next bivouac
       site near the Division Mechanized Assault Course (DMAC) range. On 11
       January the CAAT teams fired and battle sight zeroed (BZO) 12 new M2
       .50 Cal machineguns recently aquired from MPS. 60 mm and 81 mm
       mortar team training was also conducted. On l.@ January Mkl9 40 mm
       grenade launchers and M61DE3 machineglins were fired. Also on this day
       the Bnls TACP participated in a He.llfire missile demonstration.
       Using AH-IW's from HMLA 369 the FAC teams briefed 5 missions and
       designated targe@ts for 5 missiles. Also on the 12th the Bn commenced
       its move from Rock Quarry 4 to the training site (UL 035099). With
       little external support the Bn moved the companies via organic MT
       assets. A move that Would have taken a c.csuple hours, with the
       proper support, took almost 2 days. By 2000 12 January H&S, Alpha,
       Bravo, and Weapons companies,were set in a defensive positions at the
       new location. Charlie company arrived in the morning of 13 January.
       Hindering the movement was a steady rain that started in the evening




                             UNCLASSIFIED