XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS CHRONOLOGY

OPERATION DESERT STORM

16- 31 January 1991


16 January (C+159; D-1)

1825Z ARCENT issues guidance on rules of engagement during hostilities.

17 January (C+160) (D DAY)

----- Final vehicles (one M-577 and one M-113A3) for XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post unloaded from

American Condor. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 144 (19 Jan 91)]

----- Task Force 2-1 Air Defense Artillery and 5th Battalion (-), 62d Air Defense Artillery, assume battle

stations. [Task Force 2-1 Air Defense Artillery SITREP 72 (17 Jan 91)]

----- 18th Aviation Brigade reports all flyable aircraft dispersed from Dhahran West Heliport. [18th

Aviation Brigade SITREP 101 (17 Jan 91)]

----- 525th Military Intelligence Brigade detaches the 142d Military Intelligence Detachment (Utah Army

National Guard) for transfer to VII Corps. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 107 (17 Jan 91)]

----- 525th Military Intelligence Brigade implements brigade OPORD 91-01. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade

SITREP 107 (17 Jan 91)]

0001 VII Corps goes to Mission Oriented Protective Posture level 1 (MOPP-1).

0152 ARCENT orders OPLAN DESERT STORM put into effect on verbal orders of CINCCENT. ARCENT reports US Navy

launches 100 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

0130 XVIII Airborne Corps DESERT SHIELD FRAGO #69 issued announcing transfer of defense in sector

responsibilities to I Marine Expeditionary Force. [Also see 101st Airborne Division SITREP 162 (17 Jan 91) which adds that division's 1st Brigade Task Force immediately begins redeployment to Camp EAGLE II]

0200 ARCENT issues FRAGO #4 to OPLAN DESERT STORM 001.

0203 XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #1 issued placing XVIII Airborne Corps Operations Plan DESERT STORM in

effect at 0152C [2252Z on 16 January], and announcing that COMUSARCENT DESERT STORM Operations Plan 001 went into effect at the same time. [Initially numbered FRAGO #70.] [NOTE: 101st Airborne Division SITREP 162 (17 Jan 91) states that Corps G-3 informed division at 0200]

0300 H-HOUR, D-DAY [162400Z February 1991]

0300 ARCENT headquarters goes to MOPP-1.

0001Z CINCCENT message to all troops announces initiation of hostilities.

0315 XVIII Airborne Corps Air Defense Warning and Status changed to YELLOW HOLD.

0410 XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #3 [initially FRAGO #71] accepts tactical control (TACON) of the 6th Light

Armored Division (French) effective 0300Z; returns the 2d Brigade Task Force of the 101st Airborne Division to corps control effective 0900Z on 20 January 1991; and directs the establishment of Logistical Base CHARLIE. [Also see 101st Airborne Division SITREP 162 (17 Jan 91)]

0413 ARCENT reports possible Iraqi launch of three SCUDs.

0505 Iraqi ENDTRAY radar reported active southwest of Az Zubayan.

0524 Three Iraqi artillery rounds reported to have impacted vicinity Kafji.

0533 75th Field Artillery Brigade reports 25% of its strength has closed into VII Corps tactical

assembly area.

0600 Oil refinery at Kafji reported on fire.

0600 Desalinization plant near Khafji reported under artillery and rocket attack.

0300Z XVIII Airborne Corps receives 6th (French) Light Armored Division under tactical control (TACON).

[XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 0900Z 17 Jan 91<1>]

0330Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #3 [initially FRAGO #72] specifies that D-Day was 16 January 1991 and that

H-Hour was 2400Z.

0430Z Advance detachment of XVIII Airborne Corps Main Command Post deploys to Rafha in four CH-47D Chinooks from

18th Aviation Brigade. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 0900Z 17 Jan 91; 18th Aviation Brigade SITREP 101 (17 Jan 91)]

0730Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #4 renumbers FRAGOs #70-72, and relieves all corps units from DESERT SHIELD I

defense in sector responsibilities effective with the start of DESERT STORM.

1355 XVIII Airborne Corps (Forward) at Rafha reports arrival of 327th Signal Battalion and military police

battalion, and that the establishment of the new headquarters location has begun.

1400 1st Cavalry Division starts moving north across Tapline Road.

1100Z 35th Signal Brigade's ALPHA Package (Corps Main Command Post communications support) closes into Rafha and

begins setting up. [35th Signal Brigade SITREP, 17 Jan 91]

1100Z XVIII Airborne Corps strength: 105,342. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 2200Z 17 Jan 91]

1130Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #5 assigns screening responsibilities along Phase Line RAZOR not later

than 1200C on 18 January 1991, and procedures for handing over responsibilities from the 6th (French) Light Armored Division to the 3d Armored Cavalry between 1200C on 19 January and 1200C on 20 January.

1226Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #6 places XVIII Airborne Corps Fire Support Coordination Line #1 in effect

as of 1500C on 17 January 1991.

1800 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, partially relieved of mission to secure Camp EAGLE II by Task Force

TANT (the division's rear detachment). [101st Airborne Division SITREP 162 (17 Jan 91)]

2040 24th Infantry Division Tactical Command Post closes into Assembly Area WALNUT. [24th Infantry

Division SITREP, 17 Jan 91, says time was 1540]

2208 ARCENT G-2 sends a spot report to XVIII Airborne Corps G-2 passing information from human intelligence

sources that Iraq will fire short range ballistic missiles at Israel before 2300 hours, and that MARCENT had reported multiple launch rockets impacting near Al Kafji.

----- 390 M-998 cargo HMMWVs arrive in port of Dammam for distribution to XVIII Airborne Corps. [XVIII

Airborne Corps SITREP, 2200Z 17 Jan 91]

----- 82d Airborne Division strength (excluding 3d Brigade Task Force detached to ARCENT) is 10,869. [82d

Airborne Division SITREP 163 (17 Jan 91)]

----- In evening first serial of 82d Airborne Division quartering party departs King Khalid Military City

for Tactical Assembly Area PLUM. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 163 (17 Jan 91)]

----- 35th Signal Brigade deploys corps area signal center to Logistical Base CHARLIE. [35th Signal Brigade

SITREP, 17 Jan 91]

----- 525th Military Intelligence Brigade reports accomplishing the Army's first mid-level intensity

combat missions (one each) of the OV-1D SLAR, RV-1D QUICKLOOK, and RU--21 GUARDRAIL. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 107 (17 Jan 91)]

----- First twenty-seven personnel of 360th Civil Affairs Brigade arrive, starting flow of brigade into

theater. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 18 Jan 91]

----- 24th Infantry Division Tactical Command Post moves to Assembly Area WALNUT. [XVIII Airborne Corps

SITREP, 2200Z 17 Jan 91]

----- Troop B, 4th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, AH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters attached to the USS Nicholas

(FFG-47) conduct night reconnaissance of Dorra offshore oil field; are denied permission to engage oil platforms. [Memorandum, 4th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, to 18th Aviation Brigade, subj.: Warrior OPSUM 1-91, 13-19 Jan 91, undated]

18 January (C+161) (D+1)

0030 Airborne Command and Control Center reports that Iraqi forces have achieved a major breakthrough five

minutes earlier at 290301N 463653E with follow-on forces positioned to the northeast. This report is later determined to be unconfirmed.

0300 Iraq launches SCUD missile. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 337 states that 0259-0327 eight SCUD

missiles were launched; at least three proceeding towards Israel, one falling short in Jordan, one having catastrophic failure one minute into flight, and at least one aimed towards Dhahran being intercepted]

0303 Iraq launches first of seven SCUD missiles southwest towards Israel.

0330 Iraq launches SCUD missile.

0340 Three SCUD missiles impact in Israel.

0435 Battery A, 2d Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery destroys SCUD with a Patriot missile. [Also

reported with a time of 0428; 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade SITREP 146 (18 Jan 91) reports that the 2d Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery expended one missile defending Dhahran on this day]

0500 101st Airborne Division begins air movement to Rafha; by 2000Z eighty-five C-130 sorties had landed at

Rafha. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 18 Jan 91]

0530 XVIII Airborne Corps NMIST reports a visual sighting of a SCUD missile heading south.

0532 XVIII Airborne Corps receives FLASH message that three SCUD missiles hit Al Khobar and the southeast

corner of the Dhahran Air Base.

0540 Nuclear-Biological-Chemical alarms go off at King Fahd International Airport; 101st Airborne Division

dons protective masks until all-clear sounded at 0600.

0540 ARCENT G-3 relays to XVIII Airborne Corps G-3 a FLASH message sent by the 513th Military Intelligence

Battalion at 0215Z confirming that two SCUD missiles were aimed at Dhahran, that one was engaged by a Patriot but that the other landed at Al Khobar, and that three large explosions were reported in Dhahran. The message also identified that Dhahran forces were at MOPP-4.

0600 Both 89th Military Police Brigade and ARCENT Support Command report no evidence of a SCUD missile

impacting.

0600 101st Airborne Division movement from Camp EAGLE II begins with Rear Command Post remaining

operational while Main Command Post deploys. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 163 (18 Jan 91)]

0618 Two XM-93 Fox NBC reconnaissance vehicles depart CHAMPION MAIN for DRAGON MAIN. [Also see 82d

Airborne Division SITREP 168 (18 Jan 91; corrected copy) which states that these did reconnaissance of the vapor area of morning's SCUD engagement and therefore became the first XM-93 Fox vehicles used in combat]

0645 101st Airborne Division crosses its convoy start point.

0646 First XVIII Airborne Corps C-130 lands at Rafha.

0745 2d Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery reports possible SCUD launch.

0750 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Tactical Command Post at King Khalid Military City projects the

impact point of the 0745 launch as being King Khalid Military City.

0822 Further information indicates that the SCUD launch reported at 0745 was a false alarm.

0830 3d Armored Cavalry crosses its convoy start point.

0944 XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post starts deployment to Assembly Area MAPLE (MT 473086) with

anticipation of arrival at 1000 on 19 January. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREPs, 2200Z 17 Jan and 18 Jan 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 144 (19 Jan 91) states time as 1222 and that movement of 32 officers, 2 warrant officers, and 237 enlisted personnel, plus 104 vehicles was accomplished in four serials, the first of which crossed the Corps Start Point for convoys at 1758 for a 373-mile motor march]

1200 Requirement for XVIII Airborne Corps to furnish guards for the Theater Ammunition Supply Point is

rescinded.

1200 Battery B, 2d Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery, drops readiness status. [Task Force 2-1 Air

Defense Artillery SITREP 73 (18 Jan 91)]

1345 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, relieved of ammunition supply point security mission and

begins movement. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 163 (18 Jan 91)]

1445 18th Aviation Brigade advance detachment departs for Assembly Area PALM. [18th Aviation Brigade SITREP

102 (18 Jan 91)]

1500 Company D, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry (197th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Division) closes into

Assembly Area WALNUT.

1520 101st Airborne Division Assault Command Post under BG Shelton (Assistant Division Commander for

Operations) assumes command and control of Tactical Assembly Area CAMPBELL. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 163 (18 Jan 91)]

1600 Company C, 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation (24th Infantry Division) closes into Assembly Area WALNUT.

1730 XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery Tactical Command Post departs for tactical assembly area. [XVIII

Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 18 Jan 91]

1745 2d Battalion, 52d Air Defense Artillery (11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade) reports detecting

multiple aircraft coming out of Talil Air Base.

1515Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #7 announces the publication on 18 January 1991 of Change 2 to XVIII Airborne

Corps Operations Plan DESERT STORM with changes to Appendix 16 (Operations Overlay) to Annex C and Annex K (Command and Control Systems).

2026 Two AH-58D Kiowa Warriors from Troop B, 4th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, flying off the USS Nicholas (FFG-47)

under US Navy operational control engage the eleven platforms of the Dorra offshore oil field with HELLFIRE missiles and 2.75" high explosive and flechette rockets in several passes; Iraqi occupation of the oil field eliminated; final evaluation of results is that 5 Iraqis were killed and 23 captured (some severly wounded). [Journal entry states time as 2314 and results as 4 killed and 17 captured; Also see Memorandum, 4th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, to 18th Aviation Brigade, subj.: Warrior OPSUM 1-91, 13-19 Jan 91, undated. NOTE: Initial report claims that only US Navy SEALs were involved]

2138 Warning issued of SCUD launch; all-clear sounded at 2150 and alert cancelled at 2155.

2330Z Last elements of 6th (French) Light Armored Division close into Assembly Area OLIVE. [XVIII Airborne

Corps SITREP, 19 Jan 91]

----- 24th Infantry Division forms Task Force VICTORY under command of LTC Cabell at MT 72260522, consisting

of: the division Tactical Command Post; the division long-range surveillance detachment; one dismounted infantry company (73 personnel) from the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry; one air cavalry troop; one AH-64 Apache company from the 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation; the 24th Military Police Company (-); two platoons of Vulcans; and combat service support "slices." Task Force with BG Scott provides command and control for movement into sector. A second AH-64 company will be added to the task force on 19 January. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 18 Jan 91]

----- 3d Battalion, 8th Field Artillery, completes guard duty at Ammunition Supply Point SKIBBIE. [XVIII

Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 18 Jan 91]

----- 519th Military Intelligence Battalion deploys one interrogation of prisoners of war team and one

AN/TLQ-17A(V3) jammer to support 3d Armored Cavalry. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 108 (18<2> Jan 91)]

----- 1st Cavalry Division reports all forces have closed

into locations north of the Trans-Arabian Pipeline Road. [1st Cavalry Division SITREP 115 (18 Jan 91)]

19 January (C+162) (D+2)

----- Nine-member 82d Airborne Division liaison team joins 6th (French) Light Armored Division. [82d

Airborne Division SITREP 165 (19 Jan 91)]

----- Quartering parties for the 82d Airborne Division Rear Command Post and all division major subordinate

commands arrive in Tactical Assembly Area PLUM, with the Rear Command Post starting site construction at LT 613594. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 165 (19 Jan 91)]

----- 82d Airborne Division intratheater C-130 flow from Ab Qaiq to Rafha is only able to launch 3 of 24

planned flights before bad weather at Rafha halts flow. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 165 (19 Jan 91)]

----- This evening 82d Airborne Division receives its first 167 replacements under the Combat Replacement

Center system. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 165 (19 Jan 91)]

----- All elements of the 12th Aviation Brigade except the 5th Squadron, 6th Cavalry, have closed into

Assembly Area SPRUCE. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 19 Jan 91]

----- Advance detachment of 18th Aviation Brigade arrives in Assembly Area PALM. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP,

19 Jan 91; 18th Aviation Brigade SITREP 103 (19 Jan 91)]

----- Advance detachment of 18th Field Artillery Brigade departs for Assembly Area OLIVE. [XVIII Airborne

Corps Artillery SITREP, 19 Jan 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 19 Jan 91]

----- First of two C-5s arrive in theater with 50 personnel and 11 vehicles of the advance detachment from the

196th Field Artillery Brigade. [XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 19 Jan 91]

----- 16th Military Police Brigade identifies the 759th Military Police Battalion as furnishing two

platoons to augment security at the XVIII Airborne Corps Main and Tactical Command Posts. [16th Military Police Brigade SITREP 124 (19 Jan 91)]

----- 519th Military Intelligence Battalion deploys one interrogation of prisoners of war platoon to 6th

(French) Light Armored Division. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP {109} (19 Jan 91)]

----- Headquarters Company, 360th Civil Affairs Brigade, closes into theater; lead elements of 422d Civil

Affairs Company begin arriving. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 19 Jan 91]

----- 422d Civil Affairs Company (Greensboro, North Carolina) attached to the 24th Infantry Division.

[Permanent Orders 248-10, XVIII Airborne Corps, 16 Jan 91 as amended by 250-04, 20 Jan 91]

0504 First XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post convoy arrives in Assembly Area MAPLE (MT 465086). [Also

see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 144 (19 Jan 91)]

0700 Batteries B and C, 2d Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery and Battery E, 3d Battalion, 43d Air

Defense Artillery, drop readiness status to prepare for movement. [Task Force 2-1 Air Defense Artillery SITREP 74 (19 Jan 91)]

0750 Last XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post element closes into Assembly Area MAPLE (MT 473086).

[Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREPs 144 (19 Jan 91) and 145 (20 Jan 91) which also state that the command post augmented on 20 January by a Small Emplacement Excavator and two additional enlisted personnel]

0816- Iraq launches three SCUD missiles from the Wadi Amij 0829 fixed launch complex (FS 86855312) toward Israel.

[Also see XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 339 which says 0814 was launch time and that they impacted near Tel Aviv]

0821 Notification received that Iraq launched three SCUD missiles toward Israel.

1000 82d Airborne Division Rear Command Post reports closing into Assembly Area PLUM (LT 613594).

0815Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #8 places the 96th and 644th Transportation Companies (received from USARCENT

SUPCOM) under the operational control of the 1st Support Command (Corps) effective 0900Z on 18 January 1991.

1300 3d Armored Cavalry makes contact with 6th (French) Light Armored Division.

1400 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, closed into Camp EAGLE II to prepare for further movement. [101st

Airborne Division SITREPS 164 (19 Jan 91) and 165 (20 Jan 91), giving corrected time; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 19 Jan 91, says 1130Z]

1548 Two unidentified individuals in SCUBA equipment are observed in the water near Warehouse #20 in the

Port of Dammam; they disappear after being engaged by military police.

1600 Main body of 525th Military Intelligence Brigade departs for north leaving brigade command and

control element at King Fahd International Airport. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP {109} (19 Jan 91)]

1305Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #9 accepts Company B, 96th Civil Affairs Battalion, from USARCENT and

attaches it to the 6th (French) Light Division with the additional specification that it is to provide direct support civil affairs teams to the 46th and 171st Support Groups during Phase II of Operation DESERT STORM.

1330Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #10 directs the transfer of part of the Phase Line RAZOR screening

responsibility from the 6th (French) Light Armored Division to the 3d Armored Cavalry effective 1200C on 21 January 1991.

1825 212th Field Artillery Brigade begins receiving jamming on the XVIII Airborne Corps Radio Teletype [RATT]

net which lasts past 2217.

2145 XVIII Airborne Corps Main Command Post receives notification from CINCCENT of SCUD launches

towards Dhahran from two points.

2155 XVIII Airborne Corps Main Command Post receives notification from CINCCENT of a third SCUD being

launched.

2259 20th Engineer Brigade reports that the 20th Engineer Battalion has closed into Logistical Base CHARLIE.

2100Z Intratheater airlift C-130 Hercules sorties to date: 2 for the 82d Airborne Division, 84 for the 101st

Airborne Division. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 19 Jan 91]

20 January (C+163) (D+3)

----- Six M-551 Sheridans from war reserve stocks are prepositioned at King Khalid Military City. [82d

Airborne Division SITREP 166 (20 Jan 91)]

----- 724th Support Battalion (-) and advance detachment of 327th Chemical Company close into Assembly Area

HINESVILLE. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 20 Jan 91]

----- Remainder of 196th Field Artillery Brigade advance detachment closes into theater and moves to SANG

Compound in Dammam. [XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 20 Jan 91]

----- 18th Aviation Brigade returns aircraft to centralized location at Dhahran West Heliport in preparation

for main body deployment to Assembly Area PALM on 22 and 23 January. [18th Aviation Brigade SITREP 104 (20 Jan 91)]

----- 35th Signal Brigade establishes communications with Logistical Base CHARLIE. [35th Signal Brigade

SITREP, 20 Jan 91]

----- 422d Civil Affairs Company closes into theater. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 20 Jan 91]

0645Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #11 amends FRAGO #2 to make the release of the 2d Brigade Task Force of the

101st Airborne Division from the tactical control of VII Corps an on order mission. Also amends the boundaries of Assembly Area MAPLE.

1130Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #12 assigns screening

responsibilities along Phase Line RAZOR to each major maneuver subordinate command as the element closes into its area of operations.

1520 One OH-58C Kiowa and one UH-1 Iroquois from Troop D, 4th Cavalry, join Task Force VICTORY. [24th

Infantry Division SITREP, 20 Jan 91]

1930 AH-64 from Company C, 3d Battalion, 227th Aviation (12th Aviation Brigade) has a hard landing in

Assembly Area SPRUCE (LT 708504) resulting in two minor injuries.

2145 Notification received from CINCCENT that Iraq launched two SCUD missiles toward Dhahran. [Also see XVIII

Airborne Corps INTSUM 342 which says that launch was 1845Z, that four probable Al Husseyn missiles were fired at Dhahran from southern Iraq, and that all were shot down]

2155 Notification received from CINCCENT that Iraq launched third SCUD toward Dhahran.

2157 XVIII Airborne Corps Main Command Post hears nearby explosions.

2211 Report received that one SCUD destroyed by air defense artillery.

2218 XVIII Airborne Corps Air Defense Element informed that Batteries A and B, 2d Battalion, 7th Air Defense

Artillery, fired three and two Patriot missiles (respectively), resulting in the destruction of all three SCUDs.

2250 XVIII Airborne Corps Air Defense Element reports that three Patriot missiles were fired, resulting in

the destruction of three SCUDs.

2254 All-clear given at XVIII Airborne Corps Main Command Post.

2100Z Intratheater airlift C-130 Hercules sorties to date: 2 for the 82d Airborne Division, 137 for the 101st

Airborne Division. Air flow is slowed by weather problems at Rafha. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 20 Jan 91]

21 January (C+164) (D+4)

Battalion, 24th Aviation; 327th Chemical Company; and the personnel of Company B (-), 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 21 Jan 91]

----- Rear detachment of Headquarters, 18th Personnel Group, and the 425th Personnel Service Company begin

moving into Building 204, Khobar Towers. [18th Personnel Group SITREP 112 (21 Jan 91)]

----- 2d Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery (Headquarters and Headquarters Battery and Batteries B and

C),Battery E, 3d Battalion, 43d Air Defense Artillery, and 34th Ordnance Company complete Phase II movement. [Task Force 2-1 Air Defense Artillery SITREPs 75<3> and 76 (20 and 21 Jan 91)]

0042 XVIII Airborne Corps receives notification that Iraq launched six SCUD missiles at Riyadh; subsequently

receive notification that Batteries C, D and F, 3d Battalion, 43d Air Defense Artillery engaged those missiles directed toward Riyadh with 8, 13 and 11 Patriot missiles, respectively, claiming 5, 3 and 6 "kills." Battery A, 2d Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery additionally fired three Patriots as two SCUDs heading toward Dhahran and "killed" both although debris fell on the runways and in Khobar. One remaining SCUD was not engaged as it was falling harmlessly into the sea between Dhahran and Bahrain. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUMs 342 and 343 which state a total of ten SCUDs were launched, five each against Dhahran and Riyadh, and that all were destroyed except one that landed off Bahrain; gives launch time as 2138Z on 20 January]

1000 525th Military Intelligence Brigade closes into Assembly Area APPLE (LT 597708). [Also see 525th

Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 111 (21 Jan 91)]

1200 XVIII Airborne Corps receives word that the 6th (French) Light Armored Division went to MOPP-4 at

0525Z due to the triggering of a detector alarm. It is assessed that this represented merely downwind traces from the destroyed storage site at As Salman. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 22 Jan 91]

0900Z 3d Armored Cavalry assumes responsibility for screening along part of Phase Line RAZOR from the 6th

(French) Light Armored Division. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 21 Jan 91]

1200 XVIII Airborne Corps elements assume guard responsibilities for Ammunition Supply Points

SKIBBIE (2d Battalion, 18th Field Artillery from Corps Artillery) and HEISER (3d Battalion, 15th Infantry from 24th Infantry Division). [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 21 Jan 91, which says that 2d Battalion, 18th Field Artillery, started movement at 0800; 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 21 Jan 91, which says that 2d Brigade assumed HEISER responsibility at 1200]

1220 Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation (24th Infantry

Division) departs its assembly area with six AH-64 and four OH-58C helicopters.

1230 2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, intratheater air flow from Ab Qaiq to Rafha resumes. [82d Airborne

Division SITREP 167 (21 Jan 91)]

1245 Company B, 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation (24th Infantry Division) departs its assembly area with six AH-64, four OH-58C, and three UH-60 helicopters.

1340 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry (24th Infantry Division)

has dismounted infantrymen depart its assembly area in four CH-47D helicopters.

1130Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #13 detaches two XM-93 Fox NBC reconnaissance vehicles and crews from the

Reconnaissance Platoon, 92d Chemical Company, from the 82d Airborne Division and attaches them to Dragon Brigade effective 1500Z on 21 January 1991. [Also see 82d Airborne Division SITREP 167 (21 Jan 91)]

1435 Notification received (false track) of three hostile aircraft.

1230Z 18th Field Artillery Brigade closes into Assembly Area OLIVE (LT 666750). [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREPs,

21 and 24 Jan 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREPs, 21 and 22 Jan 91]

1700 Report of four to six transporter-erector-launchers (TELs) in fully erect position detected vicinity

of 30-59 North, 43-31 East. Rear Command Post directs that the northern units (Tactical Command Post and Logistical Base CHARLIE) place personnel in Mission Oriented Protective Posture Level 2 (MOPP-2); US Air Force dispatches A-10 aircraft to engage target.

1430Z 101st Airborne Division Main Command Post operational in Assembly Area PEAR. [XVIII Airborne Corps

SITREP, 21 Jan 91]

2218 Iraq launches one SCUD missile toward Eastern Province coastal area; impacts in water. [Also see XVIII

Airborne Corps INTSUM 344 which gives launch time as 1918Z and says the lone missile struck 50 kilometers east of Al Jubayl]

1945Z XVIII Airborne Corps Warning Order #1 directs major subordinate maneuver commands to plan deep

operations and to conduct those operations after coordination with Corps G-3 Plans directorate.

2100Z Intratheater airlift C-130 Hercules sorties to date: 15 for the 82d Airborne Division, 85 for the 101st

Airborne Division. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 21 Jan 91]

22 January (C+165) (D+5)

----- Five UH-60 Blackhawks and four OH-58D Kiowas from the 3d Battalion, 24th Aviation and Troops C and D, 2d

Squadron, 4th Cavalry, close on Task Force VICTORY. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Jan 91]

----- Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, helicopters begin self-deployment to tactical assembly area.

[101st Airborne Division SITREP 167 (22 Jan 91)]

----- 264th Engineer Battalion and the 362d Engineer Company (both elements of the 36th Engineer Group) close

on Task Force VICTORY. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 21 Jan 91]

----- 35th Signal Brigade establishes tactical telephone communications to the tactical assembly area

locations of the 12th Aviation and 44th Medical Brigades. [35th Signal Brigade SITREP, 22 Jan 91]

0001- Iraqi forces destroy Saudi border post at Nisab (29-11 0400 North, 44-43 East) by indirect fire and machine

gun fire.

0021 Iraqi artillery begins firing twenty rounds at 29-05 North, 46-38 East.

0341 Iraq launches two SCUD missiles toward Riyadh. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 344 which says two

missiles launched at 0041Z towards Riyadh]

0047 Iraq SCUD missile impacts 25-10 North, 46-50 East.

0702 Iraq launches four SCUD missiles towards Dhahran.

0709 Iraq launches SCUD missiles from vicinity of Qurna

(31-04 North, 47-18 East). [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 345 which reports two missiles launched at 0709 and one at 0710]

0739 Battery A, 2d Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery reports one SCUD missile destroyed and that three

overflew area.

0920 Battery A, 2d Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery reports possible SCUD impact on back side of

Dhahran Air Base; nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) team dispatched to vicinity of VK 147018.

0950 Nine Iraqi SCUD missiles located vicinity 32-12 North, 40-10 East. Air strikes initially destroy three.

1040 Unidentified Iraqi infantry element overruns Saudi border post at NT 840240.

0750Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #14 directs the 18th Personnel Group to attach a postal detachment to

the 3d Armored Cavalry not later than 1500Z on 22 January 1991.

1114 Unidentified Iraqi infantry element crosses border vicinity NT 840240.

1248 First ground serial of 2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, departs Ab Qaiq. [82d Airborne Division

SITREP 168 (22 Jan 91)]

1200Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #15 directs XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery to place one Multiple Launch

Rocket System battery in general support reinforcing to the 101st Airborne Division Artillery upon the closure of the unit into Area of Operations PEAR (but not later than 1800C on 26 January 1991).

1549 FROG (Free Rocket Over the Ground) site located vicinity MT 949272 and possible command post

vicinity MT 947285.

1600 Saudi Arabian guard post at QU 088281 reported under fire. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 346]

1620 100 Iraqi armored personnel carriers reported moving south vicinity 29-15 North, 45-45 East.

1815 Platoon-sized element of 3d Armored Cavalry engages platoon-sized Iraqi border patrol, resulting in

two American wounded in action and six Iraqi prisoners of war. [First ground combat by XVIII Airborne Corps element.] [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 346 which says that the 3d sent a troop which opened fire at 1830 from their Bradleys and then dismounted; reports American loss as three slightly wounded and that six Iraqis were from border guards]

1900 Lead serial of advance detachment of XVIII Airborne Corps Main Command Post departs Dragon City for

Assembly Area OAK (New terminal at Rafha Airport). [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 22 Jan 91]

1630Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #16 assigns XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery, the 6th (French) Light Armored

Division, and the 12th Aviation Brigade the on order mission to conduct an artillery raid on an Iraqi electronic warfare and direction finding site at 29-52 North, 43-57 East.

1827Z Two SCUDs launched towards Israel; one intercepted, other impacted five miles south of Tel Aviv.

[Also see XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 346]

2100Z Intratheater airlift C-130 Hercules sorties to date:

45 for the 82d Airborne Division, 202 for the 101st Airborne Division. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 22 Jan 91]

----- 1st Battalion, 3d Aviation (1st Cavalry Division) is

at the forward operating base at Al Qaysumah where the 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division is located. [1st Cavalry Division SITREP 119 (22 Jan 91)]

23 January (C+166) (D+6)

----- Team 130, XVIII Airborne Corps History Office, departs Dragon City to provide historical support to the

82d Airborne Division, with on-order mission to provide historical support to the 6th (French) Light Armored Division. [XVIII Airborne Corps History Office Files]

----- Company D, 3d Battalion, 69th Armor, joins 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 23

Jan 91]

----- Aviation Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, tactical operations center established in Assembly Area

GINGER (MT 367111). [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 23 Jan 91]

----- 1st Battalion (-), 18th Infantry, closes into Area of Operations TEAK. [24th Infantry Division SITREP,

23 Jan 91]

----- 82d Airborne Division informed that the 6th (French) Light Armored Division assesses Iraqi forces along

Main Supply Route TEXAS as being larger than templated in the XVIII Airborne Corps plan. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 169 (23 Jan 91)]

----- 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, receives 1044th Transportation Company, raising the total of

light/medium truck companies under the operational control of the division to four. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 169 (23 Jan 91)]

----- 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division closed into tactical assembly area. [101st Airborne Division

SITREP 168 (23 Jan 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 23 Jan 91]

----- 759th Military Police Battalion accepts six enemy prisoners of war (one noncommissioned officer and

five enlisted men) from the 3d Armored Cavalry in temporary battalion facility at NR 582765. [16th Military Police Brigade SITREP 128 (23<4> Jan 91)]

----- 35th Signal Brigade establishes tactical telephone communications to the tactical assembly area

locations of the 101st Airborne Division, 3d Armored Cavalry, 525th Military Intelligence Brigade, 20th Engineer Brigade, and the 46th and 101st Support Groups; also establishes communications to the XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post. [35th Signal Brigade SITREP, 23 Jan 91]

----- First flight (72 personnel) of 489th Civil Affairs Company arrives in theater. [XVIII Airborne Corps

SITREP, 23 Jan 91]

----- 489th Civil Affairs Company (Knoxville, Tennessee) attached to the 101st Airborne Division effective

upon arrival in theater. [Permanent Orders 248-11, XVIII Airborne Corps, 16 Jan 91]

0700 Last 2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, ground element departs Ab Qaiq. [82d Airborne Division SITREP

169 (23 Jan 91)]

1630 Final (third) serial of the XVIII Airborne Corps Main Command Post advance detachment closes into Rafah.

1800 2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, placed under the operational control of the 6th (French) Light

Armored Division by 82d Airborne Division FRAGO 3 to OPORD 1-91 (AJAX); by this effective time the brigade commander and two of his three battalion task force commanders are in the forward assembly area). [82d Airborne Division SITREP 169 (23 Jan 91)]

2257 SCUD alert after six missiles launched; no damage.

[XVIII Airborne Corps Main Command Post Significan Activities Chart]

2100Z Intratheater airlift C-130 Hercules sorties to date: 85 for the 82d Airborne Division, 285 for the

101st Airborne Division. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 23 Jan 91]

24 January (C+167) (D+7)

----- Team BRAVO, XVIII Airborne Corps History Office, organized at Dragon City to provide historical

coverage to corps troops. [XVIII Airborne Corps History Office Files]

----- Aviation Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, closes completely into Assembly Area TEAK. [24th

Infantry Division SITREP, 24 Jan 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 24 Jan 91]

----- 101st Airborne Division Artillery fully operational in tactical assembly area with arrival of 2d

Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, and operational mission status of two AN/TPQ-36 and two AN/TPQ-37 radars. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 169 (24 Jan 91)]

----- Last aircraft of 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, arrive in tactical assembly area; only Aviation Brigade,

101st Airborne Division, major elements still with 2d Brigade task force are 9th Battalion, 101st Aviation, and 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 169 (24 Jan 91)]

----- CW3 Dudley Carver with two AH-58D Kiowa Warriors from Troop B, 4th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, flying off

USS Curts (FFG-38) under operational control of US Navy engages Qaruh Island off Kuwaiti coast with 2.75" rockets and .50-cal. machine gun fire, then lands to accept surrender of 51-man Iraqi garrison; this is liberation of first Kuwaiti territory in war. [Memorandum, 4th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, to 18th Aviation Brigade, subj.: Warrior OPSUM 2-91, 20-26 Jan 91, undated]

----- 15th Evacuation Hospital arrives in Logistical Base

CHARLIE. [1st Support Command SITREP 177 (24 Jan 91)]

----- Last elements of 12th Aviation Brigade close into Assembly Area SPRUCE (Brigade Command Post at LT

790573. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 24 Jan 91]

----- 759th Military Police Battalion transfers six enemy prisoners of war to 400th Military Police

Battalion. [16th Military Police Brigade SITREP 129 (24 Jan 91)]

----- 20th Engineer Brigade reports that brigade Jump Tactical Operations Center is in Assembly Area

WILLOW, that two companies of the 46th Engineer Battalion are in Assembly Area WALNUT and two companies of the 62d Engineer Battalion are in Assembly Area ELM, and that the 937th Engineer Group is working on Logistical Base CHARLIE. [20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 24 Jan 91]

----- 129th Postal Company (-) moves into Building 203, Khobar Towers. [18th Personnel Group SITREP 115

(24 Jan 91)]

0515 Logistical Task Force PROVIDER (82d Airborne Division) departs CHAMPION MAIN with 465 personnel and 174

vehicles, including elements of the 21st Chemical Company and 307th Engineer Battalion. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 170 (24 Jan 91)]

0729Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO #17 assigns to all major subordinate maneuver commands the on order mission

to conduct deep operations in zone from the Line of Departure to Phase Line SMASH using primarily aviation assets to deny the enemy indirect fires and to attrit mobile forces.

1234 Unknown number of Iraqi fighters flew southeast along the Baghdad-Basrah corridor; some turned south at

the coastline and attempted to penetrate. CENTCOM raised theater air defense status to threat RED and weapons TIGHT. Four F-15s engaged them, shooting down two MiG-23 FLOGGERS and forcing the others to break contact vicinity 2804N 4852E.

1800 24th Infantry Division Support Command relieves 2d Brigade of security mission at Ammunition Supply

Point HEISER. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 24 Jan 91]

1822 SCUD alert called when launch from southern Iraq detected but subsequently cancelled as erroneous.

2100Z Intratheater airlift C-130 Hercules sorties to date: 120 for the 82d Airborne Division, 361 for the

101st Airborne Division. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 24 Jan 91]

25 January (C+168) (D+8)

----- 24th Infantry Division Jump Tactical Operations Center in Assembly Area TEAK (MT 751166); tactical

command post of 2d Brigade en route and tactical command post of 197th Infantry Brigade initiates movement. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 25 Jan 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 25 Jan 91]

----- 2d and 3d Battalions, 327th Infantry, and 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation, close into Tactical

Assembly Area. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 170 (25 Jan 91)]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry completely closed into Assembly Area CACTUS. [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post

SITREP, 25 Jan 91]

----- 507th Support Group establishes operations in Logistical Base CHARLIE. [1st Support Command

SITREP 178 (25 Jan 91)]

----- 229th and 347th Medical Detachments (Air Ambulance) close into Logistical Base CHARLIE. [1st Support

Command SITREP 178 (25 Jan 91)]

----- 846th Transportation Company (Heavy) begins unloading equipment at Dammam port. [1st Support Command

SITREP 178 (25 Jan 91)]

[XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 25 Jan 91]

----- Battery A, 2d Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery, assumes mission status in new location. [Task

Force 2-1 Air Defense Artillery SITREP, 25 Jan 91]

----- 20th Engineer Brigade Jump Tactical Operations Center

is located at Assembly Area WILLOW, but three of the brigade's subordinate battalions are still moving; brigade requests earliest possible movement from Fort Bragg of the 844th Engineer Battalion, noting that the personnel can be used effectively even before their organic equipment arrives. [20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 25 Jan 91]

----- 265th Engineer Group is moving into Assembly Area

WALNUT: 46th Engineer Battalion has all line companies in WALNUT; 52d Engineer Battalion is working; and the 62d Engineer Battalion is working with all line companies closed into Assembly Area ELM. [20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 25 Jan 91]

----- 937th Engineer Group is moving into Assembly Area ELM:

20th Engineer Battalion is in Logistical Base CHARLIE; 27th Engineer Battalion is moving into ELM; and 37th Engineer Battalion has completed 75% of the Forward Landing Strip. [20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 25 Jan 91]

----- 35th Signal Brigade establishes communications to the 24th Infantry Division Support Command, the XVIII

Airborne Corps Artillery, and the 18th and 212th Field Artillery Brigades. [35th Signal Brigade SITREP, 25 Jan 91]

----- Four C-5 aircraft arrive in theater with passengers and equipment for Company B, 1st Military Intelligence

Battalion. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 115 (25 Jan 91)]

----- 10th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, 93d Evacuation Hospital, and advance detachment of 2d Mobile Army

Surgical Hospital arrive at King Khalid Military City. [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 26 Jan 91]

0700 46th Support Group convoy of 50 vehicles departs Camp GRADY. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 171 (25 Jan

91)]

0430Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 18 returns the 2d Brigade Task Force from ARCENT control to 101st Airborne

Division control effective at 0900Z on 25 January.

1045 2d Brigade (-), 82d Airborne Division, closed into Assembly Area OLIVE; 135 intratheater airlift

sorties moved 268 vehicles and 1,901 personnel to Rafha; brigade assumes screen responsibilities this day along Phase Line RAZOR with 1st Battalion, 325th Infantry on the left and 2d Battalion, 325th Infantry, on the right. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 171 (25 Jan 91)]

0800ZLocations of 20th Engineer Brigade: Main Command Post

NR 425730 and Jump Tactical Operations Center at MT 654964; 265th Engineer Group (NR 450840), 46th Engineer Battalion (MT 631026), 52d Engineer Battalion (no location given), 62d Engineer Battalion (MT 090580), 844th Engineer Battalion (delayed, but advance detachment at UK 989035); 937th Engineer Group (LT 850610), 20th Engineer Battalion (LT 820621), 27th Engineer Battalion (LT 738690, with one company in Logistical Base CHARLIE), and 37th Engineer Battalion (LT 717178). [20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 25 Jan 91]

1200 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, task force released from tactical control of the 1st Cavalry Division and begins deployment. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 170 (25 Jan 91)]

1200 101st Airborne Division begins screening along Phase Line RAZOR (MT 002798 to MT 270560); 1st Brigade is responsible for MT 002798 to MT 074722; 3d Brigade for MT 074722 to MT 270560. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 170 (25 Jan 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 25 Jan 91, gives time as 0900Z]

1420 Battery A, 5th Battalion, 62d Air Defense Artillery, departs for Assembly Area OLIVE. [Task Force 2-1 Air Defense Artillery SITREP, 25 Jan 91]

1500 Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 62d Air Defense Artillery, departs for Assembly Area PINE. [Task Force 2-1 Air Defense Artillery SITREP, 25 Jan 91]

1857 SCUD alert called after six missiles launched toward Tel Aviv; all intercepted by Patriot missiles. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUMs 352 and 353 which say eight missiles launched at 1555Z towards Israel]

2245 SCUD alert called after two missiles launched toward Riyadh; both intercepted by Patriot missiles. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUMs 352 and 354 which say two were launched at 1922Z towards Riyadh and that both were intercepted and INTSUM 354 which says three were launched at 2258 towards Israel]

26 January (C+169) (D+9)

Division conduct backbriefing of MG Peay on their concepts of operations for OPLAN 90-5. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 174 (29 Jan 91)]

(-), 5th Battalion, 62d Air Defense Artillery, close into assembly area forward positions. [Task Force 2-1 Air Defense Artillery SITREP, 26 Jan 91]

Company) moves into Khobar Towers, ending group's operations at the SANG Compound. [18th Personnel Group SITREP 117 (26 Jan 91)]

0330 101st Airborne Division completes intratheater airlift portion of deployment utilizing C-130 Hercules aircraft; a total of 383 sorties from Camp EAGLE II to Rafha used. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 171 (26 Jan 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 26 Jan 91, says 0030Z]

0335 SCUD alert called after missile launched from southern Iraq; subsequently intercepted and destroyed by Patriot. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 353 which says launch at 0308 was one missile that impacted ten nautical miles west of Dhahran]

0600Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 19 detaches the Unmanned

Aerial Vehicle Platoon from the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade effective 0900Z on 30 January for attachment to VII Corps.

0900Augmentation arrives at the XVIII Airborne Corps

Tactical Command Post. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 151 (26 Jan 91)]

1300BG(P) Edson Scholes (Deputy Commanding General) arrives

at the XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post by helicopter. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 151 (26 Jan 91)]

1445LTG Gary Luck (Commanding General), COL(P) Frank Akers

(G-3), and CSM Trivett Lloyd arrive at the XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post by UH-60 Blackhawk. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 151 (26 Jan 91)]

1453BG(P) Scholes departs from the XVIII Airborne Corps

Tactical Command Post. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 151 (26 Jan 91)]

2249SCUD alert called after three missiles are launched

toward Israel and two toward Riyadh. [XVIII Airborne Corps Main Command Post Significant Activities Briefing Chart]

27 January (C+170) (D+10)

0600Z 24th Infantry Division Main Command Post begins deploying to Tactical Assembly Area. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 27 Jan 91 (giving no time); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 27 Jan 91]

0930Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 20 directs the 360th Civil

Affairs Brigade to detach six civil affairs support teams effective 1800Z on 28 January. One team each is attached to the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery, 20th Engineer Brigade, and 16th Military Police Brigade; one team each is placed in direct support of the 82d Airborne Division, 3d Armored Cavalry, and 1st Support Command (Corps). The teams in a direct support mode will revert to brigade control upon the arrival of the 407th and 450th Civil Affairs Companies.

1555 LTG Luck arrives at Rear Command Post in King Khalid Military City and remains overnight. [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 27 Jan 91]

1900 As of this time, the 3d Battalion, 73d Armor, has moved by air twelve LAV-25s and 31 of its 54 M-551A1 Sheridans. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 173 (27 Jan 91)]

28 January<5> (C+171) (D+11)

0900Z Command and control of XVIII Airborne Corps passes from Main Command Post to Rear Command Post to allow Main to displace from Dragon City to Assembly Area OAK (New airport terminal at Rafha). [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 27 Jan 91]

1110Z 360th Civil Affairs Brigade's Team ZULU (providing

direct support to the 1st Support Command) departs Dhahran for King Khalid Military City. [360th Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP, 10 (28 Jan 91)]

29 January<6> (C+172) (D+12)

30-pad rapid refuel point in Logistical Base CHARLIE. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 174 (29 Jan 91)]

1200 82d Airborne Division Main Command Post passes command and control of the division to the Rear Command Post to allow for deployment at 0530 on 30 January; planning at this point assumes that the Tactical Command Post at Thumama will close down at 0600 on 31 January to deploy. [82d Airborne Division SITREPs 174 (28 Jan 91), 175 (29 Jan 91) and 176 (30 Jan 91)]

1700Z 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, returns to the

operational control of the division. [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 29 Jan 91; 82d Airborne Division SITREP 175 (29 Jan 91) says that effective time is 1800C and that ARCENT retains a one-company Quick Reaction Force at Riyadh Airport]

----- To date XVIII Airborne Corps has moved 269 convoys into the DESERT STORM assembly areas, along with 958 flights, for a total of 18,404 vehicles moved. [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 29 Jan 91]

30 January<7> (C+173) (D+13)

-----82d Airborne Division's 1st Brigade air movement has

been completed and the last ground convoy departs CHAMPION MAIN this morning. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 176 (30 Jan 91)]

-----82d Airborne Division's Aviation Brigade has all assets

closed into the Tactical Assembly Area, except for a support package of nine UH-60 Blackhawks and one OH-58 Kiowa with the 3d Brigade [at Thumama]. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 176 (30 Jan 91)]

-----Task Force 2-1 ADA has Battery A, 5th Battalion, 62d

Air Defense Artillery conducting coordination with the 6th (French) Light Armored Division and Battery C, 5th Battalion, 62d Air Defense Artillery preparing for movement while continuing to defend Assembly Area BARBARA. [Task Force 2-1 ADA SITREP, 30 Jan 91]

-----265th Engineer Group: 46th Engineer Battalion is

supporting the 24th Infantry Division, 46th Support Group, and 519th Military Intelligence Battalion; 52d Engineer Battalion is supporting the Aviation Brigade of the 24th Infantry Division, the 3d Armored Cavalry, and the 212th Field Artillery Brigade, and finishing Main Supply Route GEORGIA as a two-lane road north to Phase Line RAZOR; and the 62d Engineer Battalion is extending Main Supply Route MONTANA north to Phase Line RAZOR as a six-lane road and has completed ten kilometers of the new six-lane Main Supply Route GEORGIA. [20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 30 Jan 91]

----- 937th Engineer Group completes closure into tactical

assembly areas: 20th Engineer Battalion is located in Logistical Base CHARLIE; 27th Engineer Battalion is constructing Main Supply Route TEXAS as a two-lane road north to Phase Line RAZOR and has started work on the base for the 93d Evacuation Hospital; and 37th Engineer Battalion is closing into Logistical Base CHARLIE and finishing the Forward Landing Strip. [20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 30 Jan 91]

072082d Airborne Division Main Command Post departs from

CHAMPION MAIN. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 176 (30 Jan 91) and 177 (31 Jan 91) which specifies estimated time of arrival in Assembly Area PLUM at 2000 on 31 January]

1000 LTC Thomas J. Leney assumes command of 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, at squadron tactical operations center (MT 550283). [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 30 Jan 91]

0745Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 21 attaches the 253d, 1058th, 1112th and 1244th Transportation Companies (from ARCENT) to the 82d Airborne Division retroactively to 0600Z on 26 January.

1411 LTG Gary E. Luck arrives at the XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post in Assembly Area MAPLE. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 155 (30 Jan 91)]

1750Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 22 directs the 24th Infantry Division to run over two sets of palletized M-19 matting to the 20th Engineer Brigade at Logistical Base CHARLIE not later than 1800C on 1 February. This materiel will be used to construct two half-sized helipads each for the 12th and 18th Aviation Brigades.

31 January (C+174) (D+14)

-----XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post strength

is 43 officers, 4 warrant officers, 253 enlisted. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 156 (31 Jan 91)]

Phase Line ZIPPER from MT 058852 to MT 130790. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 176 (31 Jan 91)]

-----1st Battalion, 101st Aviation (101st Airborne Division)

conducts reconnaissance along Phase Line RAZOR at first light. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 176 (31 Jan 91)]

-----3d Battalion, 101st Aviation (101st Airborne Division)

conducts reconnaissance along Phase Line RAZOR at last light. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 176 (31 Jan 91)]

-----18th Aviation Brigade still has one CH-47 remaining at

Dhahran, but that it is to undergo its test flight on this day and will depart for Rafha on 1 February. [18th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 31 Jan 91]

-----XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery reports that the 2d

Battalion, 17th Field Artillery and 2d Battalion, 18th Field Artillery are waiting for heavy equipment transporters to make their move to Assembly Area TEAK. [XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 30 Jan 91]

-----18th Field Artillery Brigade repositions some elements

to provide better support to the 6th (French) Light Armored Division: Headquarters and Headquarters Battery moves to LT 738531 and the 3d Battalion, 8th Field Artillery to LT 915762. [XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 30 Jan 91]

-----Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 212th Field

Artillery Brigade occupies MT 353119 and the 3d Battalion, 27th Field Artillery occupies MT 193105. [XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 30 Jan 91]

-----Battery C, 5th Battalion, 62d Air Defense Artillery

completes movement to the 212th Field Artillery Brigade assembly area and emplaces. [Task Force 2-1 ADA SITREP, 31 Jan 91]

-----18th Finance Group continues movement into Camp BREDE

with estimated completion of relocation on 1 February. [18th Finance Group SITREP, 31 Jan 91]

060082d Airborne Division Tactical Command Post closes its

operations at Thumama. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 176 (30 Jan 91)]

0500Z Forward Landing Strip operational in Logistical Base CHARLIE. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 31 Jan 91]

0630Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 23 attaches a provisional platoon of thirty-one Kuwaiti Land Forces soldiers to the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade effective 0930C on 31 January to act as interpreters.

0900Z Main Command Post resumes command and control of XVIII Airborne Corps at new location at Rafha (LT 735780). [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 31 Jan 91]

1100Z XVIII Airborne Corps strength: 109,453. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 31 Jan 91]

2005Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 24 detaches on order one platoon of six OH-58D helicopters from the 82d Airborne Division for attachment to the 101st Airborne Division.


Notes:

<1> XVIII Airborne Corps issued two SITREPS from the Main Command Post for 17 January 1991, one with a time of 0900Z and the other with a time of 2200Z.

<2> Source document typographical error in date as 17 Jan.

<3> Original document contains typographical error misidentifying it as SITREP 74.

<4> Typographical error in original source document misdates it as 22 January.

<5> XVIII Airborne Corps Main Command Post displacing to Rafha and did not issue SITREP. Primary SITREP for this date issued by Rear Command Post.

<6> XVIII Airborne Corps Main Command Post displacing to Rafha and did not issue SITREP. Primary SITREP for this date issued by Rear Command Post.

<7> XVIII Airborne Corps Main Command Post displacing to Rafha and did not issue SITREP. Primary SITREP for this date issued by Rear Command Post.