1 31 JAN CMD CHRONOLOGY

File: 970530_dec96_decls36_0005.txt
Page: 0005
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



       of 12 January and continued through 14      January. 36 straight hours
       the rain fell, resulting in a record rainfall of 1.6 inches. The
       previous record was I inch.
            On L@@ January forty one   ACIV's from Bravo company Pnd ARV Brt
       arrived to work with the Bn. With 10 PAV$s per line company, the
       companies conducted AAV training while perfecting their SOP'S. On 14
       January a Bn obstacle broeching TEWT, employing AAV'S, was conducted
       at the DMAG range. This was the first time the Bn, as a unit, had
       worked with the AAV'S. Problems with command and control, AAV
       movement and placement, as well as communication, surfaced. A second
       TEWT was conducted on the 15th and problems discovered the previous
       day were corrected. At 1400 on the 15th the Regimental Commandinn
       Officer visited the Bnls area and informed the command that the
       movement to the 2nd Division's assembly area (DAA) had been moved up;
       Ist Battalion 8th Marines was directed to be in the DAP by 20 January
       vice P3 January. The Regimental obstacle breaching exercise,
       scheduled for the 16th,17th and 18th of January, was cancelled.
       While the line and weapons companies conducted training the 6-3          and
       co-4 prepared the Bn for its third move in as many weeks. .
             Our presence in Saudi Arabia took an a new dimension when,
       during the predawn hours of 17 January, coalition forces struck          at
       Bagdad in a series of lethal airstrikes. Although the moral was high
       ol.tr training took -in an even more serious time as the Dn prepared       for
       possible conflict.
            On the lgth the Bn commenced it's move to the new DAA. AAV's
       shuttled Marines and equipment to a staging area. From here the
       Marines loaded buses or convoy vehicles and proceeded to the DRA.          By
       1900 the entire Bn was set in at it's new position (OR'157689).
       Immediately the Bn prepared defensive positions; indivual Marines
       prepared indivital positions while engineering assets from Charlie
       company 2nd Combat Engineer Dn (CEB) prepared reventments for the
       COC, LUC and vehicles bunkers. When completed the Dn was three line
       companies abreast, covering a frontage of 8000m, tying in with 2/4 on
       our left flank. Once in place the companies continued with indivual
       training. Iraqi style defensive trenches were dLtLi and the companies
       practiced their trench clearing techniques. LtCol Gombar took this
       time to address the troops, detailing the current military situation
       and answering the questions of the Marines.
             On the 21st of January the 2nd TOW Section of Headquarters
       Compan, 8tli Marines, with 9 TOW vehicles and its compliment of 23
       Marines, arrived. These assets were assigned to Weapons company and
       were quickly implemented into the Bnls defense. On 22 January a
       sandtable brief was conducted for all priciples. In attendance were
       all company commanders, all FSC members, the engineering and AAV
       commanders, and the Bn CO and XO. Each element briefed their
       respective mission during the breaching operation. After much
       discussion ,tii internal task force was designated in order to monitor
       the progress of the breech and to control both the breaching assets
       as well as the follow on exploitation force. This task force, Task
       Force Wilkv would be commanded by the Sn XO Major Wilk. Another
       sandtable brief was conducted on the 23rd for all platoori commanders
       and above. At this brief all units walked through their assignments,
       clearing Lip any confusion. A Regimental CommEx was conducted on the
       '@4th of January. The air war heated up on this day when the rra@i



                                         UNCLASSIFIED