XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS

DESERT SHIELD CHRONOLOGY

1-23 February 1991


1 February (C+178; D+15)

----- 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, begins deployment from Thumama to Rafha; ten C-130 Hercules intratheater

sorties flown. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 1 Feb 91; 82d Airborne Division SITREP 178 (1 Feb 91)]

----- Headquarters and Headquarters Company (-), 360th Civil Affairs Brigade deploys for Logistical Base

CHARLIE. [360th Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP, 13 (1 Feb 91)]

----- Fifteen-vehicle convoy from the 18th Personnel Group and

XVIII Airborne Corps G-1 section departs DRAGON CITY, with estimated time of arrival at the Rear Command Post on 2 February. [18th Personnel Group SITREP 123 (1 Feb 91)]

1000- 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation, flies photographic

1340 reconnaissance of border with three AH-64 Apaches and four OH-58C Kiowas. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 1 Feb 91]

1500 82d Airborne Division Main Command Post resumes command

and control of division in Assembly Area PLUM, having arrived during the night of 31 January/1 June. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 1 Feb 91; 82d Airborne Division SITREP 178 (1 Feb 91)]

2215 82d Airborne Division patrol engages Iraqi patrol of

two vehicles and twenty men at LT 878968 with machine guns and small arms; no casualties. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

2 February (C+179; D+16)

----- All combat power of XVIII Airborne Corps (except the 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division) has closed into

forward locations. [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 2 Feb 91]

----- 197th Infantry Brigade's tactical operations center resumes command and control of the brigade from the

tactical command post. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 2 Feb 91]

----- 82d Airborne Division trail party ground convoy departs CHAMPION MAIN. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 2 Feb

91]

----- 101st Airborne Division's share of XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery consists of Battery C (M-198 155mm towed

howitzers), 5th Battalion, 8th Field Artillery, in general support and Battery C (M-270 MLRS), 6th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, in general support reinforcing. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 178 (2 Feb 91)]

----- Platoon-sized elements of the 21st, 65th and 108th Military Police Companies and Headquarters of the

503d Military Police Battalion close into Logistical Base CHARLIE. [16th Military Police Brigade SITREP 138 (2 Feb 91)]

----- 844th Engineer Battalion equipment begins arriving at port; personnel arrive by air into theater and are

quartered at MABCO Compound. [20th Engineer Brigade SITREPs, 2 and 3 Feb 91]

----- 35th Signal Brigade establishes record communications to

XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery, the 3d Armored Cavalry, and the 24th Infantry Division. [35th Signal Brigade SITREP, 2 Feb 91]

----- Company D, 522d Military Intelligence Battalion extracts both long-range surveillance teams from named area

of interest target surveillance missions employing UH-60 Blackhawks. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 123 (2 Feb 91)]

----- Headquarters and Headquarters Company (-), 360th Civil Affairs Brigade, closes into Logistical Base

CHARLIE (MT 21073431). [360th Civil Affairs Brigade SITREPs, 14 (2 Feb 91) and 35 (23 Feb 91)]

----- Advance detachment (11 personnel and 5 vehicles) of 450th Civil Affairs Company arrives in theater. [360th

Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP, 14 (2 Feb 91)]

0845 First of two serials of VICTORY STATION (24th Infantry Division rear support operations element) departs

Ad Dammam to set up Division Support Area at MT 733028. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 2 Feb 91]

0945 Second VICTORY STATION serial departs Ad Dammam. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 2 Feb 91]

1000Z 1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, tactical command post closes into assembly area. [24th Infantry

Division SITREP, 2 Feb 91]

1835Z Reconnaissance section of 2d Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment (6th [French] Light Armored Division)

makes contact with Iraqi patrol of 10-12 personnel near the Saudi Arabian frontier post at Markez al Batin (LU 8711); 11th Marine Artillery Regiment support with fires; firing ceases at 1855Z. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 2 Feb 91]

3 February (C+180; D+17)

----- Commanding generals of the 6th (French) Light Armored and 82d Airborne Divisions confer. [82d Airborne

Division SITREP 180 (3 Feb 91)]

----- 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, begins air movement; Task Force 3-505 leads. [82d Airborne Division

SITREP 180 (3 Feb 91); NOTE: XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 3 Feb 91, says bad weather forced cancellation of 70 planned C-130 Hercules sorties to move 82d elements to Rafha]

----- 251st Rear Area Operations Center closes into Logistical Base CHARLIE (location of Rear Command Post

tactical command post). [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 3 Feb 91]

----- 12th Aviation Brigade briefs BG Scholes on brigade's deep operations, and conducts briefback by subordinate

battalion commanders on OPLAN GRIFFIN STRIKE III. [12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 3 Feb 91]

----- 16th Military Police Brigade reports that the 503d and 519th Military Police Battalions have begun to

transition from Phase II to Phase III operations. [16th Military Police Brigade SITREP 139 (3 Feb 91)]

Personnel Group SITREP 125 (3 Feb 91)]

----- Final element of 129th Postal Company closes into Logistical Base BRAVO. [18th Personnel Group

SITREP 125 (3 Feb 91)]

----- 360th Civil Affairs Brigade receives six additional Kuwaiti linguists (raising total to 31). [360th

Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP, 15 (3 Feb 91)]

----- Second increment of 450th Civil Affairs Company arrives at Khobar Towers (raising in-theater strength of

company to 77). [360th Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP, 15 (3 Feb 91)]

0130Z VICTORY STATION convoy closes into 24th Infantry Division's division support area in Area of

Operations TEAK. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 3 Feb 91]

1500Z 24th Infantry Division Rear Command Post begins deployment in three serials to the division support

area (MT 733028). [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 3 Feb 91]

4 February (C+181; D+18)

----- Ground control approach equipment at the Forward Landing Strip in Logistical Base CHARLIE becomes fully

operational. [18th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 4 Feb 91]

----- French Minister of Defense and Chief of Staff of the Army visit 6th (French) Light Armored Division. [6th

(French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 4 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 4 Feb 91]

----- 82d Airborne Division reports that 92% has closed into their tactical assembly areas; the division trail

party left CHAMPION MAIN in the morning; Task Force 3-505 closed in the morning and during the day most of Task Force 2-505 (3d Brigade) closed; Aviation Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, completed closure of all aircraft into Forward Operating Base ASHEVILLE with the arrival of the last UH-60 Blackhawk and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters, and ground convoys from brigade elements closed all day long. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 181 (4 Feb 91)]

----- All 24th Infantry Division Artillery howitzers are in assembly areas. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 4

Feb 91]

----- 197th Infantry Brigade completes occupation of Assembly Area SLEDGEHAMMER. [24th Infantry Division SITREP,

4 Feb 91]

----- Final element (Headquarters and Headquarters Battery) of the 1st Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery,

closes into Area of Operations TEAK. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 4 Feb 91]

----- 101st Airborne Division's ground convoy team (181 personnel) moves to Camp EAGLE II to pick up new M-998-series HMMWVs at port. [101st Airborne

Division SITREP 180 (4 Feb 91)]

----- Advance detachments of the 196th Field Artillery Brigade and its subordinate battalions arrive in theater.

[XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 4 Feb 91]

----- 299th Engineer Battalion (36th Engineer Group) closes into Area of Operations TEAK. [24th Infantry

Division SITREP, 4 Feb 91]

----- 360th Civil Affairs Brigade operational in tactical assembly area. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 4 Feb

91]

----- FAST team from 107th Finance Support Unit sets up operations in Logistical Base CHARLIE. [18th

Finance Group SITREP, Feb 91]

0700 24th Infantry Division Rear Command Post closes into Area of Operations TEAK. [24th Infantry Division

SITREP, 4 Feb 91]

0500Z VICTORY STATION (24th Finance and 24th Personnel Service Companies) operational. [24th Infantry Division

SITREP, 4 Feb 91]

0900 COL Barry Baer (Commander, 18th Finance Group) departs

King Khalid Military City. [18th Finance Group SITREP, 4 Feb 91]

1400 BG(P) Edison Scholes, Deputy Commanding General, arrives at XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post (King

Khalid Military City). [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 4 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals give time as 1506]

1522Z 24th Infantry Division Rear Command Post's last element close into tactical assembly area. [XVIII Airborne

Corps SITREP, 4 Feb 91]

1700Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 25 to OPORD DESERT STORM detaches Company K (Aviation Intermediate

Maintenance), 158th Aviation from 1st Support Command for attachment to VII Corps effective 1500Z on 5 February.

5 February (C+182; D+19)

----- LTG Yeosock visits 82d Airborne Division Main Command Post. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 182 (5 Feb

91)]

----- LTG Yeosock is briefed at 101st Airborne Division Main Command Post. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 180

(4 Feb 91)]

----- 724th Support Battalion (Main) establishes Division Support Area #1. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 5

Feb 91]

----- Task Force 1-505 (3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division) begins air movement. [82d Airborne Division SITREP

182 (5 Feb 91)]

----- 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, coordinates with XVIII Airborne Corps Deputy Chief of Staff on

tactical combat force mission. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 180 (4 Feb 91)]

----- Main body of 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery (196th Field Artillery Brigade) arrives in theater.

[XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 5 Feb 91]

----- 16th Military Police Brigade Jump Tactical Operations Center displaces to Logistical Base CHARLIE (MT

270316) from the corps Rear Command Post. [16th Military Police Brigade SITREP 141 (5 Feb 91); also see XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 5 Feb 91, which specifies that it left a platoon behind as a security element for the Rear Command Post]

----- 251st Support Center (Rear Area Operations) closes into

Logistical Base CHARLIE, leaving the 116th Support Center (Rear Area Operations) responsible for the King Khalid Military City area. [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 5 Feb 91]

0001 503d and 519th Military Police Battalions terminate Phase II battlefield circulation control and main supply

route security missions. [16th Military Police Brigade SITREP 141 (5 Feb 91)]

0015 COL Darling (Commander, 196th Field Artillery Brigade)

arrives in theater. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

0930 AH-1F (Tail # 222) of 3d Armored Cavalry has brownout while hovering and crashes; six TOWs and twelve

2.75" rockets lost in crash; both crew members evacuated with injuries to the 86th Evacuation Hospital at King Khalid Military City. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 5 Feb 91]

1300 Company A, 319th Military Intelligence Battalion, departs DRAGON CITY. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade

SITREP 126 (5 Feb 91)]

1832Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 26 to OPORD DESERT STORM directs the 16th Military Police Brigade to detach

the 210th Military Police Company to the Operational Control of the 101st Airborne Division and the 810th Military Police Company to the Operational Control of the 82d Airborne Division effective 0900Z on 9 February.

6 February (C+183; D+20)

Corps SITREP, 6 Feb 91]

----- 1st ship carrying equipment of 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, begins unloading. [XVIII Airborne Corps

SITREP, 6 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 6 Feb 91]

1700 6th (French) Light Armored Division reports receiving artillery or mortar fire at three different

locations between Phase Line RAZOR and the Line of Departure. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 6 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 6 Feb 91]

2241 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, completes closure into Tactical Assembly Area PLUM with the exception of

Company C, 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry, remaining at Riyadh; this completes Phase II closure of combat power of XVIII Airborne Corps. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 184 (7 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 6 Feb 91, which cites time as 1941Z]

7 February (C+184; D+21)

----- GEN Schwarzkopf visits XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post and the 2d Squadron, 3d Armored

Cavalry. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 7 Feb 91]

----- MG Mouscardes (Commanding General, 6th [French] Light

Armored Division) medically evacuated to France; COL Lusque becomes acting Commanding General until BG Janvier can arrive from France [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

----- BG Gazeau, Deputy Commanding General for ground forces, visits 6th (French) Light Armored Division. [6th

(French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 7 Feb 91]

----- 503d and 519th Military Police Battalions (16th Military

Police Brigade) begin movement to Phase III areas of responsibility. [16th Miltiary Police Brigade SITREP 143 (7 Feb 91), noting that they will continue moving on 8 February, as will the 759th Military Police Battalion, and that on completion of the movement the 519th will take over the area security mission for Logistical Base CHARLIE from the 160th Military Police Battalion]

----- First increment of 431st Civil Affairs Company arrives in theater. [360th Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP,

19 (7 Feb 91)]

----- 1st Battalion, 502d Infantry, assumes tactical combat force mission. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 183

[7 Feb 91)]

----- 3d Battalion, 502d Infantry, assumes 101st Airborne Division reserve mission. [101st Airborne Division

SITREP 183 [7 Feb 91)]

----- Final 101st Airborne Division Support Command elements clear Logistical Site ROMEO and Forward Operating

Base BASTOGNE. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 183 [7 Feb 91)]

0001-0230 101st Airborne Division reports Iraqi jamming. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 377]

0210 UH-1V from 229th Medical Detachment crashes at LT 923539; five casualties transported to 15th Evacuation

Hospital by the 326th Medical Battalion. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 183 [7 Feb 91)]

1640 LTG Gary E. Luck arrives at XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post for overnight visit. [XVIII Airborne

Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 6 Feb 91]

8 February (C+185; D+22)

----- XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post completes antifratricide marking of all vehicles. [XVIII

Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 162 (8 Feb 91)]

----- Logistical Base CHARLIE identified as having 38 bases organized into 10 base clusters. [XVIII Airborne

Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 8 Feb 91]

----- XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery hosts artillery commanders' conference. [XVIII Airborne Corps

Artillery SITREP, 8 Feb 91]

----- Two French soldiers slightly injured in traffic accident in 6th (French) Light Armored Division rear area.

[6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 8 Feb 91]

----- 326th Engineer Battalion completes construction of Main Supply Route NEWMARKET from Main Supply Route DODGE

to Phase Line RAZOR. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 184 [8 Feb 91)]

----- 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, completes unloading of equipment. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 8 Feb

91]

----- Main body of the 25th Rear Area Operations Center arrives in theater at Dhahran. [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear

Command Post SITREP, 8 Feb 91]

Khalid Military City. [35th Signal Brigade SITREP, 8 Feb 91]

----- Company A (Interrogation), 519th Military Intelligence Battalion, deploys advance detachment to Corps

Interrogation Facility. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 129 (8 Feb 91)]

----- 1st Support Command (Corps) strength in theater is

20,313 personnel. 46th Support Group is providing support on the Southern Route; 101st Support Group is improving its tactical assembly area; the 171st Support Group is moving into its tactical assembly area; and the 507th Support Group is in Logistical Base CHARLIE. [1st Support Command SITREP 190 (8 Feb 91)]

----- Detachment of 450th Civil Affairs Company departs Khobar Towers to begin direct support of 3d Armored

Cavalry. [360th Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP, 20 (8 Feb 91)]

----- ARCENT informs 360th Civil Affairs Brigade that the 431st Civil Affairs Company will become part of the 352d

Civil Affairs Command (supporting ARCENT). [360th Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP, 20 (8 Feb 91)]

0155 SCUD missile fired from within five nautical miles of QU 727416 against Riyadh. [XVIII Airborne Corps

INTSUM 379]

0930- 24th Infantry Division conducts friendly aircraft

1200 identification exercise involving a French Puma and a French Gazelle helicopter, escorted by a United States Army UH-1 Iroquois. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 8 Feb 91]

0945 3d Armored Cavalry reports that 1st Squadron cargo Heavy Expanded-Mobility Tactical Truck catches fire at NS

030956 with cargo of 155mm howitzer ammunition; explosive ordnance disposal assets respond at 1006; lost in resulting fire were 128 DPICM rounds, 10 COPPERHEAD rounds, and assorted charges, primers and fuses. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREPs, 8 and 9 Feb 91]

1000 LTG Yeosock holds pre-brief in Riyadh; MG McCaffrey attends. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 8 Feb 91]

1435 All 16th Military Police Brigade elements complete

closure into Phase III locations. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

9 February (C+186; D+23)

----- BG Bernard Janvier assumes command of the 6th (French) Light Armored Division. [6th (French) Light

Armored Division SITREP, 8 Feb 91]

----- MG McCaffrey briefs operations plan to Secretary of Defense Cheney and GEN Colin Powell at ARCENT

Headquarters. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 9 Feb 91]

----- Company A, 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry, replaces Company C of the same battalion as the Quick

Reaction Force in Riyadh. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 186 (9 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 9 Feb 91]

----- 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, conducts tactical exercise without troops of its mission to occupy

Forward Operating Base COBRA, with support from the Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 185 [9 Feb 91)]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry staff and commanders are working on

a contingency plan for the capture of Objective PURPLE. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 9 Feb 91]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry receives ten M-1A1 Heavy Armor tanks allowing 2d Squadron to begin exchange. [3d

Armored Cavalry SITREP, 9 Feb 91, which also reports that the regiment will receive a total of 108 M-3A2 and fourteen M-2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles as part of the equipment exchange]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry support elements in the Regimental

Support Area are working on installing nine Mine Plow and four Mine Roller sets on regimental tanks. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 9 Feb 91]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry direct support detachment of 450th Civil Affairs Company arrives in Assembly Area

CACTUS; advance detachment of 450th Civil Affairs Company (-) arrives at 82d Airborne Division. [360th Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP, 21 (9 Feb 91)]

----- 196th Field Artillery Brigade reports that it has 1,140

personnel in country: HHB has 153 personnel in country and all equipment; the 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery has 459 personnel in country and all equipment (45 tracked and 87 wheeled vehicles); the 1st Battalion, 181st Field Artillery has 448 personnel in country, but only 33 wheeled vehicles; and that the 1st Battalion, 623d Field Artillery has only 80 personnel and 33 wheeled vehicles in country. Remaining ships and due-i dates are Chappelle (13 Feb), Hauge (16 Feb), Arcade Falcon (18 Feb), Cygnus (21 Feb), Noxus Pride (23 Feb), and Jupiter (23 Feb). [196th Field Artillery Brigade SITREP, 9 Feb 91]

----- 937th Engineer Group begin emplacing half-set of

M-19 matting for 12th Aviation Brigade logistical pad. [12th Aviation Brigade SITREPs, 9 and 10 Feb 91]

----- 107th Finance Support Unit is at Logistical Base CHARLIE.

[18th Finance Group SITREP, 9 Feb 91]

0336 One SCUD fired against Israel; impacts at 0344. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 381]

0900Z XVIII Airborne Corps advances to Threat Condition CHARLIE. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 10 Feb 91]

2235 450th Civil Affairs Company (-) arrives in Logistical Base CHARLIE. [360th Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP,

22 (10 Feb 91)]

10 February (C+187; D+24)

----- Company C, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry, under the operational control of Company D, 3d Battalion,

69th Armor, conducts reconnaissance of berm. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 10 Feb 91]

additional M-998-series HMMWVs from port. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 186 [10 Feb 91)]

Area PINE. [MFR, 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, subj.: 1-201 FA After Action Report, OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/STORM, 9 July 1991]

----- 810th Military Police Camp (Army Reserve, Tampa, Florida) and 450th Civil Affairs Company (Army Reserve,

Riverdale, Maryland) are attached to XVIII Airborne Corps.

----- 407th Civil Affairs Company begins arriving at Khobar Towers. [360th Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP, 22

(10 Feb 91)]

0800 3d Armored Cavalry regimental tactical operations center begins displacing from MT 977077 to MT 918135;

completes movement and assumes operational status by 1100. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREPs, 9 and 10 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 10 Feb 91]

0930 450th Civil Affairs Company (-) departs Logistical Base CHARLIE to join 82d Airborne Division. [360th

Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP, 22 (10 Feb 91)]

1330 BG(P) Scholes arrives at Rear Command Post. [XVIII

Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 10 Feb 91]

1515 BG Janvier makes first visit to LTG Luck at Rafha after assuming command of the 6th (French) Light Armored

Division; announces that the division is to be reinforced by MART (French remotely piloted vehicles) and 120-man CRAP (deep operations commandos). [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 10 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 10 Feb 91]

1330Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 27 to OPORD DESERT STORM gives the 101st Airborne Division the on order mission to

screen the left flank of the 6th (French) Light Armored Division if the French attack before the 101st Airborne Division.

11 February (C+188; D+25)

----- Logistical Base CHARLIE identified as having 40 bases organized into 11 base clusters. [XVIII Airborne

Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 11 Feb 91]

----- Rear detachment of the 116th Rear Area Operations Center arrives at King Khalid Military City. [XVIII

Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 11 Feb 91]

----- Liaison team from the 6th (French) Light Armored Division and part of the 450th Civil Affairs Company join

82d Airborne Division. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 188 (11 Feb 91)]

----- 2d Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, tactical command post moves to MT 787196. [24th Infantry Division

SITREP, 11 Feb 91]

----- 101st Airborne Division completes C-130 movement of

M-998-series HMMWV convoy personnel (raising two-day total to 211 drivers). [101st Airborne Division SITREP 187 [11 Feb 91)]

Command Post at Rafha. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 132 (11 Feb 91)]

----- Fuel stockage in Logistical Base CHARLIE reaches 90% of objective (5.21 million gallons of the 5.8 million

goal). [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 11 Feb 91]

0500 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, departs for Assembly Area OLIVE; later in day advance

detachment closes. [XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREPs, 10 and 11 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 11 Feb 91]

1422Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 28 to OPORD DESERT STORM directs the establishment of decontamination sites

and decontamination support between the line of departure and Objective WHITE on Main Supply Route TEXAS, and in the vicinity of Objective WHITE and Logistical Base OSCAR by the 6th (French) Light Armored Division with support from the 1st Support Command prior to the initiation of movement.

1835- 101st Airborne Division Jump Command Post and division 2036 deception cell conducts active communications

deception operations while division's Main Command Post maintains listening silence. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 187 [11 Feb 91)]

1645Z One probable Al Abbas fired from Al Jabariyah complex (FT 811916) against Israel, detonating east of Tel

Aviv at 1701Z. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 386 and 387, which gives time as 1954 and says that missile shot down]

2140 2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, reports that three Iraqi patrols might have crossed into 6th (French)

Light Armored Division sector (and that artillery has been fired at two of them): one at LT 914954 of approximately twenty five personnel; one at LT 912965 of a squad; and one of unknown size at LT 905973. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 387]

1902Z One probable Al Abbas fired from Safwan (QU 614478) against Riyadh; shot down. [XVIII Airborne Corps

INTSUMs 386 and 387, which gives time as 2220]

12 February (C+189; D+26)

----- 6th (French) Light Armored Division receives reinforcing MART (remotely piloted vehicle) element, CRAP (120

deep operations commandos), and two US psychological operations loudspeaker HMMWVs. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 12 Feb 91]

----- Night of 12/13 February Company A, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry, attached to the 4th Battalion, 64th

Armor, conducts border reconnaissance in conjunction with 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 12 Feb 91]

----- 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, closes into Assembly Area OLIVE and is attached to the 18th

Field Artillery Brigade. [XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREPs, 12 and 13 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREPS, 12 and 13 Feb 91]

----- 7th Transportation Battalion completes movement to Logistical Base CHARLIE. [1st Support Command

SITREP 194 (12 Feb 91)]

----- Main body of 844th Engineer Battalion arrives in forward location. [20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 12 Feb

91; SITREPs for 14 and 15 Feb indicate that only 75% of equipment has arrived with one more shipload still en route to theater]

----- Main body of Company A, 519th Military Intelligence Battalion, deploys to Corps Interrogation Facility

(LT 595812). [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 133 (12 Feb 91)]

----- XVIII Airborne Corps displaced civilian handover point location selected at Al Um Radmah (MS 700710).

[XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 12 Feb 91]

----- Due to heavy issues (568,000 gallons), fuel stockage in Logistical Base CHARLIE drops back to 80% of

objective. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 12 Feb 91]

0130 COL Barry Baer (Commander, 18th Finance Group) arrives

at Dhahran. [18th Finance Group SITREP, 12 Feb 91]

0234 Probable Al Abbas (60th SCUD-type missile fired in war) launched towards Tel Aviv with probable impact on

the West Bank. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP 387]

0710 Convoy of 108 101st Airborne Division vehicles (primarily new M-998-series HMMWVs) departs Camp EAGLE II.

[101st Airborne Division SITREP 188 [12 Feb 91)]

1800- 3d Armored Cavalry conducts psychological operations 2030 mission to broadcast surrender appeal to border

post at MT 95832862 with security provided by Troop E. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 12 Feb 91]

13 February (C+190; D+27)

----- 6th (French) Light Armored Division visited by the commanding general of COTAM (French equivalent of

the Military Airlift Command). [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 13 Feb 91]

----- BG Janvier visits MG Johnson at 82d Airborne Division Main Command Post. [82d Airborne Division SITREP

190 (13 Feb 91)]

----- 18th Aviation Brigade conducts DESERT STORM Phase III mission briefing for LTG Luck. [18th Aviation

Brigade SITREP, 13 Feb 91]

0230 One Iraqi defector apprehended in the 2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, sector. [6th (French) Light

Armored Division SITREP, 13 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says that capture was made by Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 8th Field Artillery, but gives no time]

1142 Probable Al Abbas launched from within five nautical miles of MC 613253; fragments impact near Hafar al

Batin. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 391]

1144 Probable Al Abbas launched from MC 644253; fragments impact near Hafar al Batin. [XVIII Airborne Corps

INTSUM 391]

1050Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 29 to OPORD DESERT STORM detaches the 431st Civil Affairs Company from the

360th Civil Affairs Brigade for attachment to ARCENT effective 1200Z on 13 February. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 13 Feb 91]

2247 82d Airborne Division engages Iraqi patrol at LT 912969, firing six rounds of 105mm artillery at

it. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 391]

14 February (C+191; D+28)<1>

----- French Prime Minister and Minister of Defense visit 6th (French) Light Armored Division and 2d Brigade,

82d Airborne Division. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 14 Feb 91; 82d Airborne Division SITREP 191 (14 Feb 91)]

----- 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation, conducts air mission briefing of plan for 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne

Division, air assault into Forward Operating Base COBRA. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 190 (14 Feb 91)]

----- 101st Airborne Division sends another 234 personnel back to Camp EAGLE II to pick up additional M-998-series HMMWVs from port. [101st Airborne Division

SITREP 190 (14 Feb 91)]

----- Company A, 519th Military Intelligence Battalion, establishes full operations at temporary Corps

Interrogation Facility at Rafha. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 135 (14 Feb 91)]

----- 19th Replacement Detachment processing to date during

deployment consists of 625 personnel for the 24th Infantry Division, 347 for the 82d Airborne Division, 619 for the 101st Airborne Division, 194 for the 3d Armored Cavalry, 541 for the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery, 192 for the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 2 for the 12th Aviation Brigade, 81 for the 18th Aviation Brigade, 203 for the 20th Engineer Brigade, 58 for the 35th Signal Brigade, 39 for the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade, 9 for the 18th Finance Group, 22 for the 18th Personnel Group, 651 for the 1st Support Command, and 40 for Dragon Brigade; total replacements processed are 3,720 including 1,076 in a single week. [18th Personnel Group SITREP 136 (14 Feb 91)]

0900- 24th Infantry Division conducts first day of two-day 1700 map exercise at Division Main Command Post to

complete backbriefs of Phases I and II of operations plan. [24th Infantry Division SITREPs, 13 and 14 Feb 91]

0800Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 31 to OPORD DESERT STORM shifts the Corps Fire Support Coordination Line #1

north to coincide with Main Supply Route OHIO effective 0800Z on 14 February. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 14 Feb 91]

1210 6th (French) Light Armored Division has two SCUD

alerts. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 14 Feb 91]

1900 Company B, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry (1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division), initiates combat patrol

into the town of Nisab (MT 726299) with mounted support from the remainder of the company, supported by the battalion's mortars and by Company D. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 4 Feb 91]

1600Z Task Force 2-7 Infantry establishes ambush in town of Nisab (MT 726299) to exploit Iraqi border guard

routine pattern. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 14 Feb 91]

1620Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 32 to OPORD DESERT STORM retroactively (due to late ARCENT notification)

relieves the 1st Support Command of responsibility for the operation and support of Convoy Support Center SIERRA effective 2100Z on 12 February.

2200- 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation, conducts aerial zone 0200 reconnaissance across the forward line of own

troops, employing one team on the east and one on the west of the division zone; each team consists of two AH-64 Apaches (joined in mid-mission by two additional Apaches) and two OH-58D Kiowas; initial observations reported no activity out to Phase Line CHARGER; post-mission review of gunsight videotape revealed an estimated infantry platoon on a ridge near Main Supply Route NEWMARKET (MU 526181). Battery C, 2d Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, had displaced forward of Phase Line RAZOR to provide fire support if needed, but returned prior to the beginning of mean nautical twilight. Electronic warfare support of this operation was provided from 2205 to 2350 by one EH-60 QUICKFIX operating behind Phase Line RAZOR and from 2130 to 0130 by US Air Force an EF-111 Raven. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 191 (15 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREPs, 14 and 15 Feb 91]

15 February (C+192; D+29)

Battalion, 227th Aviation; and 5th Squadron (Search and Rescue assets), 6th Cavalry. [12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 15 Feb 91]

----- 15th Military Intelligence Battalion with Company B,

1st Military Intelligence Battalion attached, reports total flying hours to date since start of combat as 2,121.5. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 136 (15 Feb 91)]

----- 338th Finance Support Unit will replace 106th Finance

Support Unit (-) in performing finance service mission at Khobar Towers. [18th Finance Group SITREP, 15 Feb 91]

0900- GEN Schmitt, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, visits 1300 the 6th (French) Light Armored Division. [6th

(French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 15 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 15 Feb 91, says also that he visited 2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, and 18th Field Artillery Brigade]

0930 Company B, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry, returns from patrol of Nisab and conducts debriefing. [24th

Infantry Division SITREP, 15 Feb 91]

0830Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 33 to OPORD DESERT STORM directs the 101st Airborne Division to detach a

chemical smoke/decontamination platoon for attachment to the 82d Airborne Division during Phase III-B, and directs Dragon Brigade to detach a heavy decontamination platoon for attachment to the 3d Armored Cavalry not later than 1400Z on 17 February.

1330- GEN Schmidt pays office call on LTG Luck. [6th 1415 (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 15 Feb 91]

1030Z Air strike (Mission Number 3015C) destroys three to six

vehicles at 30.08N, 44.11E. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1100Z Air strike (Mission Number 3065B) strikes two

buildings, communications equipment, and a radar at 30.02N, 44.15E with two buildings destroyed. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1100Z Air strike (Mission Number 3271K) strikes two bunkers

at 30.00N, 44.10E. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1153Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 34 to OPORD DESERT STORM is issued on limited distribution basis [deals with

Phase III deception operations].

1700 24th Infantry Division concludes second day of map exercise (backbriefing of Phases III and IV of

operations plan). [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 15 Feb 91]

1330Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 30 to OPORD DESERT STORM changes the "on order" boundary between the 24th

Infantry and 101st Airborne Divisions. Also tasks the 6th (French) Light Armored Division and 101st Airborne Division with the responsibility for clearing the proposed location for Logistical Base OSCAR not later than H+40, and the 24th Infantry Division for clearing the proposed location for Logistical Base ROMEO not later than H+72. [NOTE: This FRAGO was issued out of sequence.]

1345Z Air strike (Mission Number 3151C) destroys four

vehicles at 30.00N, 44.10E. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

---- Air strike (Mission Number 3261K) damages two hardened

shelters at 30.39N, 44.35E. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

---- Air strike (Mission Number 5103A) hits air defense

radar site at 31.05N, 44.01E; destroys two SPOON REST radars, one communications vehicle; damages one FLAT FACE or SQUAT EYE radar and one communications vehicle; pilots report that damaged radar and a damaged Thompson are still standing. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

16 February (C+193; D+30)

----- Name of XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post command and control element located in Logistical Base

CHARLIE changed from tactical command post to alternate command post. [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 16 Feb 91]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry reports that it has completed receipt of all new Bradley fighting vehicles. [3d

Armored Cavalry SITREP, 16 Feb 91]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry regimental tactical operations center displaces to MT 963147. [3d Armored

Cavalry SITREP, 16 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 15 Feb 91, gives grid coordinates at MT 963146]

----- Task Force WARRIOR conducts rehearsal of long-range surveillance unit insertion with the 519th

Military Intelligence Battalion. [12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 16 Feb 91]

----- 16th Military Police Brigade reports all elements are

in their Phase III locations. [16th Military Police Brigade SITREP 152 (16 Feb 91)]

0001 XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post assumes command and control of the corps' close battle

from the Main Command Post. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 170 (16 Feb 91)]

0018 101st Airborne Division conducts cross-border reconnaissance to Phase Line CHARGER with three

OH-58C Kiowas that remain positioned along line of departure while two AH-64 Apaches proceed to CHARGER (arriving there 0139); all aircraft return at 0349 without making significant contact. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 170 (16 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 15 Feb 91]

0133 101st Airborne Division conducts cross-border reconnaissance with fours AH-64 Apaches crossing

line of departure; proceed to site for Forward Operating Base COBRA; all aircraft return at 0349 without making significant sightings. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 170 (16 Feb 91)]

0200 One Al Abbas fired towards Dhahran from the vicinity of Al Amarra; impacts in water south of Al Jubayal.

[XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 395]

1000 MG McCaffrey briefs LTG Luck on three planned 24th Infantry Division cross-border operations:

artillery raid on the border post at MT 738302; 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, combat reconnaissance from outposts at the intersections of Main Supply Route OHIO with Combat Trails X-RAY (MT 451552) and YANKEE (MT 834298); and AH-64 Apache raid by 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation, on early warning radar site (MT 626520). [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 16 Feb 91]

1030Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 36 to OPORD DESERT STORM

tasks the 16th Military Police Brigade and the 1st Support Command to provide wrecker and recovery support to keep traffic flowing on Main Supply Route TEXAS during Phase III operations. [NOTE: This FRAGO was issued out of sequence.]

1345Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 35 to OPORD DESERT STORM directs the execution of a portion of FRAGO 17 by

directing the 12th Aviation Brigade to place an attack helicopter battalion task force under the operational control of the 82d Airborne Division effective 1500Z on 16 February, with control to last until G-2.

1500Z 5th Squadron, 6th Cavalry (12th Aviation Brigade) placed under operational control of the 82d

Airborne Division for deep attack purposes. [12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 17 Feb 91]

1545Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 37 to OPORD DESERT STORM directs the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade,

in coordination with the 12th Aviation Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, and 3d Armored Cavalry, to conduct cross-forward line of own troops Long Range Surveillance operations to insert three teams at 2200C on G-3.

1930 24th Infantry Division conducts artillery raid by having Battery C, 2d Battalion, 17th Field

Artillery, successfully fire one COPPERHEAD round from MT 731166 at the border post at MT 738302; target lased by FIST-V belonging to the scout section of the 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, located south of the line of departure at MT 72482620. NOTE: this is first actual fire by element of XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 17 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 170 (16 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 16 Feb 91 (giving time as 1615Z and grids as MT 733298); XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 17 Feb 91]

1650Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 38 to OPORD DESERT STORM releases Battery C, 6th Battalion, 27th Field

Artillery from attachment to the 101st Airborne Division and returns it to XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery effective 2100Z on 17 February. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 18 Feb 91]

2101Z 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, conducts point terrain reconnaissance at MT 451552. [XVIII Airborne

Corps SITREP, 16 Feb 91]

17 February (C+194; D+31)

----- 2d Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment conducts reconnaissance of Al Batin border post. [6th

(French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 17 Feb 91]

----- 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, and 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation, give division the air mission

briefing for plan to conduct air assault into Area of Operations EAGLE. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 193 (17 Feb 91)]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry receives M-9 Armored Combat Earthmovers. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 17 Feb

91]

----- 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, moves forward to positions to fire in artillery raid on Phase Line

NATCHEZ (escarpment). [MFR, 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, subj.: 1-201 FA After Action Report, OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/STORM, 9 July 1991]

----- 12th Aviation Brigade "chops" 5th Squadron, 6th Cavalry, to 82d Airborne Division for deep

operations. XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 17 Feb 91]

----- Construction begins to extend Main Supply Route TEXAS north of Phase Line RAZOR. [20th Engineer Brigade

SITREP, 17 Feb 91]

----- Extension of Main Supply Route MONTANA is now six kilometers north of Phase Line RAZOR. [20th

Engineer Brigade SITREP, 17 Feb 91]

----- Advance detachment (14 personnel) of 407th Civil

Affairs Company arrives at 1st Support Command. [360th Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP, 29 (17 Feb 91)]

0001- Troop D, 4th Cavalry, conducts platoon reconnaissance

0100of intersection of Main Supply Route OHIO and Combat Trail X-RAY (MT 451562); no contact was made; 3d Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, was on call to provide fire support. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 17 Feb 91]

0001- Troop A, 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, conducts platoon

0200reconnaissance of intersection of Main Supply Route OHIO and Combat Trail YANKEE; no contact was made; 3d Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, was on call to provide fire support. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 17 Feb 91]

0100 Planned cross-border operation by 101st Airborne

Division cancelled due to weather conditions. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 171 (17 Feb 91)]

0400 24th Infantry Division conducts raid on early warning radar site (MT 626520) with six AH-64 Apaches and

two OH-58C Kiowas from Companies A and B, 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation; one Apache fires thirty Hydra-70 2.75" folding fin aerial rockets at target; secondary explosion observed; site had two FLATFACE radars, two SIDENET radars, four computer vans, two TH-065 vans, five unidentified vans, five computer trailers, three tents and ten generators. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 17 Feb 91, which does not give time; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 171 (17 Feb 91) which says raid was done only by five Apaches and gives target's grid at MT 620560; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREPs, 16 (giving grid as MT 629522) and 17 (giving time as 0100Z) Feb 91]

0104Z 1st Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry, makes contact with remotely piloted vehicles at NS 0398; at one point

Battery B, 5th Battalion, 62d Air Defense Artillery, is tracking up to four of these. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 17 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 17 Feb 91]

0803 101st Airborne Division initiates reconnaissance from the line of departure to Phase Line CHARGER

employing AH-1 Cobras, AH-64 Apaches, and OH-58 Kiowas from the 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, and 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation to conduct zone reconnaissance from the line of departure to Phase Line CHARGER, route reconnaissance for proposed Main Supply Route NEWMARKET, and area reconnaissance of proposed Rapid Refuel Point at Forward Operating Base COBRA. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 193 (17 Feb 91) which says entire mission was from 0900 to 1640; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 171 (17 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 17 Feb 91 says time 0600Z-1340Z]

1015 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation (101st Airborne Division), elements on reconnaissance engage two bunkers at

MU 251042 with 30mm gunfire from AH-64 Apaches; observe secondary explosions; initial report claims destruction of one BM-21 multiple rocket launcher (subsequently determined to be a cargo truck), six mortars and a quantity of ammunition; evacuate ten enemy prisoners of war (one officer and nine enlisted men) by employing division pathfinders and four UH-60 Blackhawks, with 2d Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, on call if fire support required; prisoners subsequently determined to have been the command post of the 2d Company, 2d Battalion of border guards incorporated in the 17th Brigade, 45th Infantry Division. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 193 (17 Feb 91) which gives initial bunker target grid at MT 251047, provides no time, and says that there were eleven prisoners, one of whom was wounded; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 171 (17 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUMs 397, 398 and 401, which place time of engagement as 1059; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 17 Feb 91]

1200 24th Infantry Division Artillery executes Phase II of division operations plan; Battery A (MLRS), 3d Battalion, 27th Field Artillery placed in general support reinforcing to 4th Battalion, 41st Field Artillery. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 15 Feb 91]

1230 101st Airborne Division reconnaissance destroys two additional bunkers at MT 274910 and evacuates additional 40 enemy prisoners (later corrected to 31) of war from the same 2d Company, 2d Battalion using infantry assets and UH-60 Blackhawks. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 193 (17 Feb 91) which gives no time; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 171 (17 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREPs 397 and 398; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 17 Feb 91]

2400 2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, scouts return from cross-border patrols and report that the brigade is in control of the escarpment. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 195 (18 Feb 91)]

18 February (C+195; D+32)

----- 101st Airborne Division Artillery with assistance of a training team from Communications-Electronics Command begins fielding of four AN/PSN-9 global positioning systems. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 194 (18 Feb 91)]

0116 24th Infantry Division patrol (from Company B, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry) crosses line of departure to conduct ground point reconnaissance of border post at MT 733298 and assess damage caused by COPPERHEAD artillery raid conducted on 16 February. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 18 Feb 91, which says patrol lasted from 2000 on 17 February to 0320, and that it recrossed border at 0525; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 172 (18 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 18 Feb 91, which says patrol lasted from 1700Z on 17 Feb until 0120Z. NOTE: Some sources give grid as MT 783302]

0129 24th Infantry Division patrol (platoon from Company B, Task Force 2-18 Infantry) crosses line of departure to conduct reconnaissance of Hill 384 (MT 361622) and border post at MT 369616. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 18 Feb 91, which says returned 0530; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 172 (18 Feb 91)]

0129 24th Infantry Division conducts cross-border route reconnaissance of Combat Trails X-RAY and YANKEE with three AH-64 Apaches from 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation, crossing the line of departure supported by UH-60 and EH-60 Blackhawks remaining behind line of departure; Apaches were to proceed north along YANKEE, turn west along Phase Line CHARGER, and then south along X-RAY; one aborted due to inoperative helmet display; the other two encountered fog on CHARGER before reaching X-RAY and turned back, returning along YANKEE and recrossing line of departure at 0243 without making contact. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 18 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 172 (18 Feb 91)]

0130 82d Airborne Division elements cross line of departure on a cross-border mission while employing four OH-58D Kiowas to screen line of departure and employing EH-60, EC-130 and EF-111 electronic warfare assets to cover operations. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 172 (18 Feb 91); 18th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 17 Feb 91, which says that the brigade provided a CH- 47D Chinook to support this mission; and 82d Airborne Division SITREP 195 (18 Feb 91)]

0130 9 AH-64 Apaches from Troops A and B, 5th Squadron, 6th Cavalry, cross line of departure to strike Objective WHITE; subsequently engage targets west of As Salman including SA-6 sites, antiaircraft artillery, communications, radars, a logistical site and a mechanized infantry platoon. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 172 (18 Feb 91); 12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 18 Feb 91; 12th Aviation Brigade After-Action Report to V Corps, 9 Mar 91, which says crossed line of departure at 0115, arrived over target at 0200, engaged estimated 100 members of 841st Brigade, 45th Infantry Division, destroyed 15 trucks, numerous bunkers, and observed secondary explosions in the logistical site, suffered no losses or damage of their own, and that the mission had the support of over 500 rounds of diversionary suppressive artillery fire as well as electronic warfare support from EF-111 and EC-130 COMPASS CALL assets; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 18 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says that it was 12 AH-64s, with a CH-47 remaining on call at Rafha]

0152 1st Battalion, 82d Aviation, strike force crosses line of departure with 11 AH-64 Apaches and 3 UH-60 Blackhawks and four OH-58D Kiowas to strike Objective ROCHAMBEAU; two Apaches from Company C engage tanks at MU 2153 (Enagement Area AMBER), two Apaches from Company C engage artillery at MU 2641 (Engagement Area RED), five Apaches from Company B engage tanks and artillery at MU 2132 (Engagement Area BLUE), and two Apaches from Company A engage mechanized infantry and tanks at MU 1270 (Engagement Area BLACK); cumulative damage reported as three tanks, two to three armored personnel carriers, a multiple rocket launcher, two artillery pieces (possibly D-30s) and three to five trucks destroyed, and an infantry platoon knocked out. [Main Command Post G-3 Journal entry 0200; Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 172 (18 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 18 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals provide additional details and states one helicopter took small arms fire]

0210- 11th (French) Marine Artillery Regiment delivers

0225preplanned fires in support of cross-border operations; 18th Field Artillery Brigade and 6th Battalion (-), 27th Field Artillery [twenty-four MLRS rockets], also fire on fourteen different targets while 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery participates in deception operation in support. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 172 (18 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREPs, 17 and 18 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says that 5th Battalion, 8th Artillery fired 53 rounds, 3d Battalion, 8th Artillery fired 124, and 1st Battalion, 39th Field Artillery fired 73, as well as confirming 24 MLRS rockets fired by 6th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery]

0215 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, fires 227 rounds of 155mm rocket assisted projectile ammunition in support of 6th (French) Light Armored Division: 59 against LV 83301265 from Battery A (LU 70830472); 85 against LV 83201284 from Battery B (LU 70480453); and 83 against LV 83801249 from Battery C (LU 71370446). Battalion then closes in on 2d Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment. [MFR, 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, subj.: 1-201 FA After Action Report, OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/STORM, 9 July 1991]

0315 5th Squadron, 6th Cavalry, aircraft recross line of departure from cross-border mission. [12th Aviation Brigade After-Action Report to V Corps, 9 Mar 91]

0337 Last 82d Airborne Division aircraft return from cross-

border mission. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 172 (18 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 18 Feb 91]

1118 101st Airborne Division conducts cross-border operations: 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation (five AH-64 Apaches and one UH-60 Blackhawk) conducting zone reconnaissance from Phase Line CHARGER to Phase Line SMASH; 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry (three AH-1 Cobras and three OH-58C Kiowas) conducting route reconnaissance of Main Supply Route NEWMARKET; and 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation (one AH-1 and three OH-58s) performing screening operations. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 194 (18 Feb 91) stating missions lasted from 1118 to 1751; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 172 (18 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 18 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals specify that 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry crossed line of departure at 1230 and that the 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation crossed at 1152]

1245 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation, AH-64 Apaches engages two civilian vehicles and 6-10 personnel in uniforms at MT 293903 with 30mm fire, but dense fog prevents assessing damage; also report 50 vehicles at MU 532144 and 100 personnel in bunkers at MU 53291449-MU 53871860-MU 53871385. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 194 (18 Feb 91) without giving time; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 172 (18 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 18 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals say that at 1418C they saw 25-30 personnel, 5 buildings and 30 vehicles at MU 53871586 and at 1528C they saw bunkers and personnel at MU 56591671]

1540 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation, hands over route reconnaissance mission to 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry which has force of three AH-1 Apaches and three OH-58C Kiowas. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 172 (18 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1651 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, engages approximately 50 vehicles at MU 532144. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals; note XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 172 (18 Feb 91) says 1651 which is when returned back across line of departure]

16512d Squadron, 17th Cavalry breaks contact to recross

line of departure, reporting seeing 50 vehicles at MU 532144. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1800- 3d Armored Cavalry conducts psychological operations

2030mission along border. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 18 Feb 91]

2030An M-198 155mm towed howitzer from Battery C, 5th

Battalion, 8th Field Artillery, is damaged in an accident while being transported as a sling load by a CH-47D Chinook. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1730Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 39 to OPORD DESERT STORM

tasks the 82d Airborne Division, 3d Armored Cavalry, and 1st Support Command to release the civil affairs teams placed in direct support by FRAGO 20 effective 1200Z on 19 February, and concurrently tasks the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade to place one civil affairs support team in direct support of the XVIII Corps Rear Command Post.

2300- Team D, Task Force 2-69 Armor (197th Infantry Brigade),

0430conducts reconnaissance patrol to outpost at MT 364607. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 19 Feb 91]

2400- Scouts from 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry, conduct

0118reconnaissance of the berm in the 2d Brigade, 24th Infantry Division's, area of operations around MT 838283 without making contact. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 19 Feb 91]

----- Battery A, 3d Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, displaces forward to provide fire support out to Phase Line OPUS for night's aviation mission. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 18 Feb 91]

19 February (C+196; D+33)

91-7 (DESERT TORRENT) for mission to seize Objective GOLD. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 195 (19 Feb 91)]

----- 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, briefs MG Peay on

plans for air assault mission against estimated company (-) force at MU 526181; MG Peay decides to postpone operation by 24 hours. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 195 (19 Feb 91)]

----- 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation, conducts mission

briefing for air assault into Area of Operations EAGLE. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 195 (19 Feb 91)]

Armor) Abrams tanks. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

0230 Aviation Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, initiates aerial reconnaissance mission with six AH-64 Apaches from Company C, 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 19 Feb 91]

0300 Five AH-64 Apaches from Company C, 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation, cross line of departure (one had been left behind with maintenance problems), then split into two groups to conduct route reconnaissance: two go to Objective BROWN and the proposed site for Forward Operating Base 1; the other three to Objective GRAY. [Also see 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 19 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 173 (19 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says that the split came at 0330, that they turned around on Objectives BROWN and GRAYat 0400, and that mission completion was at 0500]

0500 Aviation Brigade, 24th Infantry Division elements

return from mission; observed movement 10 kilometers west of Objective GRAY which US Air Force A-10s engaged 1.5 kilometers north of NU 899459; report destruction of one BTR armored personnel carrier by Maverick missile fired by A-10. [Also see 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 19 Feb 91, which reports that recrossed line of departure at 0430; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 173 (19 Feb 91), which reports that the aircraft recrossed the line of departure at 0440; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals say that the A-10 destroyed the armored personnel carrier with a Maverick at NU 899459 at 0435C after being called in by 24th Infantry Division Apaches]

0800 Forty-seven M-1A1 Heavy Armor tanks for 3d Armored Cavalry depart port of Dammam. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREPs, 18 and 19 Feb 91]

1004 101st Airborne Division conducts cross-border mission with two AH-1 Apaches and two OH-58 Kiowas from 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, crossing line of departure to perform reconnaissance of Main Supply Route NEWMARKET. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 173 (19 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 19 Feb 91, which gives time as 0720Z; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals which specifies further that they were north of Phase Line CHARGER at 1319 and returned south of the line of departure at 1556]

1020 101st Airborne Division conducts cross-border mission

with four AH-64 Apaches from 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation, crossing line of departure on mission to conduct zone reconnaissance from the line of departure to Phase Line SMASH. [Also see 101st Airborne Division SITREP 195 (19 Feb 91) giving total day's missions times as 1020 to 1725; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 173 (19 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1030 LTG Waller briefed by 3d Armored Cavalry at XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 19 Feb 91]

10522d Battalion, 229th Aviation patrol crosses Phase Line

CHARGER. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1202 101st Airborne Division conducts cross-border mission with four AH-64 Apaches and three OH-58 Kiowas crossing line of departure with engineers on board to conduct detailed route reconnaissance of Main Supply Route NEWMARKET and Forward Operating Base COBRA. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 195 (19 Feb 91) stating that other assets employed in day's missions besides 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation, were 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, and 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 173 (19 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals specifies that helicopters were from 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation and that they returned south of the line of departure at 1310]

1355 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation, reports antiaircraft artillery site at MU 54721553. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 173 (19 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1745 Last of 101st Airborne Division aircraft return across the line of departure; report having seen pile of small arms at MT 274910, 5-6 bunkers at MU 560088, and a truck and seven generators at MU 633321. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 195 (19 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 173 (19 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 19 Feb 91, which gives time as 1425Z]

1600Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 40 to OPORD DESERT STORM modifies the XVIII Airborne Corps Fire Support Coordination Line #1 effective 0300Z on 20 February.

1650Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 41 to OPORD DESERT STORM places the aviation reconnaissance and surveillance element of the 12th Aviation Brigade under the operational control of XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery for the conduct of suppression of enemy air defenses fires from 2000C to 2400C on 20 February.

1751Z One SCUD launched from Wadi Al Jabariyah toward Israel, probably impacting at 1759Z on the West Bank. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 402]

2100- 1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, puts out three

0300eight-man dismounted patrols to overwatch MT 760307, MT 643385, MT 766370, MT 574445, MT 600420 and MT 590435. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 20 Feb 91]

2200- 2d Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment conducts ground

2400reconnaissance of escarpment. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 19 Feb 91]

2210 Battery B, 4th Battalion, 41st Field Artillery (197th Infantry Brigade) fires one Copperhead round from MT 345529 at an Iraqi border post at MT 36956162 that had been marked by two FIST-V-mounted lasers from Task Force 2-69 Armor at MT 354600; overwatch provided by Company B, 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry. Hit produces secondary explosion; assessment is one vehicle and the building destroyed and four enemy killed. A fifth Iraqi refused to surrender and was engaged with six rounds from a Mark 19 40mm grenade launcher. AH-64 Apache helicopters provided overhead cover but did not engage. [Also see 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 20 Feb 91, which gives time as 2209; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 174 (20 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 19 Feb 91]

2250 A patrol from the 1st Battalion, 325th Infantry (2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division) engages in brief fire fight at LU 895025 with a five-man Iraqi patrol; both sides break contact and withdraw. [Also see 82d Airborne Division SITREP 197 (20 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 403 says that the contact was at LT 904916 on Main Supply Route OHIO; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says it was at 2205]

20 February (C+197; D+34)

0001 Five OH-58D Kiowa helicopters from the 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation (24th Infantry Division) cross the line of departure to conduct reconnaissance; split into two teams at Phase Line LION. Two proceed along Combat Trail X-RAY (Corps Main Supply Route GEORGIA), find nothing significant and recross the line of departure at 0152. Others turn back because of weather before reaching Phase Line SMASH. After all aircraft recover it is discovered that one of the five is missing. [Also see 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 20 Feb 91, which gives time of recrossing line of departure as 0133 and states that the mission went out to Phase Line OPUS; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREPs 174 (20 Feb 91) which says that they lifted off at 0020 and recrossed line of departure at 0133 and 175 (21 Feb 91)]

0200- 6th (French) Light Armored Division fires artillery at

0230Objective NATCHEZ. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 20 Feb 91]

0210- 18th Field Artillery Brigade engages nine different

0250targets in support of the 82d Airborne Division. Three battalions expend 16 dual purpose improved conventional munitions MLRS rounds, 138 high explosive 155mm rounds, 6 rocket assisted projectile 155mm rounds, and 2 M-483 improved conventional munitions 155mm rounds. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREPs, 19 and 20 Feb 91, said: planning was for 30-minute barrage including ten MLRS rockets from 6th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery; that there were seven pre-planned targets; and that two platoons of the 6th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, moved forward and actually fired sixteen rockets; 82d Airborne Division SITREP 197 (20 Feb 91) says that fires began at 0200 and involved MLRS, 155mm howitzers and 105mm howitzers; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 20 Feb 91]

0245Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 42 to OPORD DESERT STORM modifies Appendix 23 (Phase III Ground Movements) to Annex C of the OPLAN.

0600 24th Infantry Division sends five AH-64 Apaches and

three OH-58C Kiowas from Company B, 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation, initiate raid on early warning radar site at MT 6295518. They cross line of departure at 0627 and hit and destroy site at 0641 with damage reported of two ZPU-4 antiaircraft guns, one armored vehicle, one or two radars, one van, one truck and one or two buildings destroyed, and complete mission at 0653. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 20 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 174 (20 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 20 Feb 91. NOTE: Main Command Post G-3 Journal records times as being 0600 for crossing line of departure, 0647 as return time, and states erroneously that there was no contact; 24th Infantry Division SITREP gives 0600 as mission initiation and 0627 as time of crossing line of departure; other sources give time of 0542; some sources say were four OH-58Cs; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says that the mission was to strike an electronic warfare site at MT 630552, that the overwatch company took off at 0542 and occupied a battle position at MT 505445 at 0607, while the attack element lifted off at 0609, crossed the line of departure at 0627, struck the target at 0641, that the overwatch element departed the battle position at 0646, that the attack element crcrossed the line of departure at 0647 and completed the mission at 0653]

0600 US Air Force and attack helicopter assets from the 82d

Airborne Division conduct a JAAT strike against the suspected location of the 45th Infantry Division command post at MU 447432 during raids on Objectives ROCHAMBEAU and WHITE and report hitting it. Also report destroying three ZSU-23-4 antiaircraft guns at MU 640840 and capturing 3 prisoners five kilometers north of Objective NATCHEZ. 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry performed zone reconnaissance and captures three prisoners of war at LV 78452179. 1st Battalion, 82d Aviation, struck ROCHAMBEAU destroying four bunkers, six BTR and killing eighteen enemy; and the 5th Squadron, 6th Cavalry, struck WHITE destroying two hangars, two bunkers, two ammunition supply points or storage sites, twenty 5-ton trucks, and three ZPU-4. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 20 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says that lead element crossed the line of departure at 0629, engaged a command post at MU 520890 at 0757 and then handed the mission over to Air Force A-10s, that three soldiers surrendered at LU78452179 at 0805, and that the mission was completed at 0820]

0608 Aviation Brigade, 82d Airborne Division task force crosses line of departure en route to Objectives WHITE and ROCHAMBEAU. 1st Battalion, 82d Aviation, with six AH-64 Apaches and two UH-60 Blackhawks strikes ROCHAMBEAU destroying six BTRs, four bunkers, and killing eighteen enemy. 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry, with six AH-1 Cobras and ten OH-58C Kiowas conducts zone reconnaissance of escarpment and destroys one 2.5-ton truck, one trailer, and captures three enemy prisoners of war. 5th Squadron, 6th Cavalry, with twelve AH-64 Apaches and four OH-58 Kiowas strikes WHITE, destroying two bunkers, three ZPU-4s, twenty 5-ton trucks, two hangers, and two ammunition or logistics sites. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 174 (20 Feb 91) which states that operation initiated at 0629 and provides damage report details without giving times; 12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 20 Feb 91, states that 5th Squadron, 6th Cavalry, struck the target at 0650; 82d Airborne Division SITREP 197 (20 Feb 91) says that while deep attack was going on the 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry, conducted a simultaneous zone reconnaissance under the cover of QUICKFIX and took three prisoners from a civilian truck and that the overall damage inflicted included six armored personnel carriers and five antiaircraft artillery systems; XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 403 says strike on vehicle producing three prisoners was at 0650 seven kilometers from Ghalaysan New Airfield, which is west of the corps boundary; 12th Aviation Brigade After-Action Report to V Corps, 9 Mar 91, says the 5th Squadron, 6th Cavalry, portion of the strike crossed the line of departure at 0558, arrived over target at 0650, and recrossed the line of departure at 0802 after having destroyed the radar installation east of As Salman and destroyed 20 trucks, 5 ZPU-4s and at least a dozen 240-round stacks of 122mm ammunition, and identifies supporting fires for this whole operation as including US Air Force EF-111, EC-130 COMPASS CALL, close air support (including A-10s covering the breaking of contact), and over 600 rounds of artillery diversionary suppression of enemy air defense; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 20 Feb 91]

----- 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry, reports receiving harmless incoming mortar fire at MT 746249 and MT 838283; AN/TPQ-36 countermortar radar turned on in time to acquire eight more rounds (believed to be 107mm) impact at MT 812293 and compute that they were fired from MT 779314. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 20 Feb 91]

0650 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry, report seven dismounted Iraqis vicinity of MT 88103097. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 20 Feb 91]

0745 1st Battalion, 82d Aviation recrosses the line of

departure.

0810 5th Squadron, 6th Cavalry recrosses the line of departure. [12th Aviation Brigade After-Action Report to V Corps, 9 Mar 91, says recrossed line of departure at 0802]

0810 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation (101st Airborne Division) crosses line of departure with five AH-1 Cobras and three OH-58C Kiowas from Company A to conduct reconnaissance to Phase Line SMASH intended to develop situation at MU 526181; initially reports sighting 30-100 personnel, several trucks, and 2-3 antiaircraft artillery weapons. [Also see 101st Airborne Division SITREP 196 (20 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 174 (20 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 20 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals which additionally states that were to conduct reconnaissance to MU 5414, and that they were relieved in turn by Company B and later by Company B, 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation]

0820 82d Airborne Division reports end of mission with all aircraft returning safely; additionally reports three prisoners of war. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 174 (20 Feb 91)]

0840 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation (101st Airborne Division) engages Objective TOAD destroying one communications bunker. [Also see 101st Airborne Division SITREP 196 (20 Feb 91) which does not give time of engagement, but states that bunkers destroyed by close air support and TOWs; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 174 (20 Feb 91) which states that 15 bunkers identified at 0917 and does not identify engagement as taking place at this time; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

0900 197th Infantry Brigade completes final brigade map exercise and rehearsal of operations plan. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 20 Feb 91]

0917Initial contact made by 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation at

MU 5514 bunker complex. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1016Company C, 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation request for

close air support strike on bunker complex at MU 5514 is approved. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1018 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation (101st Airborne Division) hands off battle at Objective TOAD to Company B, 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals which specify that the 3d Battalion element departing was from Company C]

1050 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation (101st Airborne Division)

recrosses line of departure.

0808Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 43 to OPORD DESERT STORM

transfers the responsibility of furnishing strip maps to all march units using Main Supply Route TEXAS through H+72 from the 16th Military Police Brigade to 1st Support Command.

1153 101st Airborne Division cross-border mission joined by

four US Air Force A-10 attack aircraft. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 174 (20 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals specifies that four A-10 sorties were on station from 1153 to 1230]

1349 101st Airborne Division cross-border mission joined by psychological operations loudspeaker and leaflet team broadcasting from a UH-60. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 192 (20 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 174 (20 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1420 101st Airborne Division launches 1st Battalion, 187th

Infantry (3d Brigade), reinforced by engineer and explosive ordnance demolition personnel, all under the operational control of the Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, in large mission to evacuate prisoners of war from MU 5218. Aircraft involved are eleven UH-60, three CH-47D, two AH-64, and one OH-58. Final count of prisoners is 402 of which nineteen were officers (including one major who was the battalion commander), 215 were noncommissioned officers and 168 enlisted, and fourteen of which were wounded (of whom eight were sent to the 15th Evacuation Hospital in Logistical Base CHARLIE and six were treated by the 326th Medical Battalion). Interrogations revealed that they were from the 1st Battalion, 841st Brigade, 45th Infantry Division. [Also see 101st Airborne Division SITREP 196 (20 Feb 91) which does not give time but does specify that MG Peay authorized operations to continue after dark if necessary in order to finish task and 197 (21 Feb) which stated that corrected prisoner count was 406 (of whom 4 were wounded); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 174 (20 Feb 91) which identifies the time of the air assault as 1453; XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUMs 404, 405 and 406 which state that the complex of 15-20 bunkers was on a small ridge 1.5 kilometers west of Thaqb al Hajj (MU 545140) and that four ZPU-4s and two ZU-23-2s were destroyed and two ZU-23-2s, one 57mm weapon, and four 120mm mortars were captured along with two cases of documents; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 20 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says that Company B was launched at 1403, landed at 1453, and that the second company moved at 1530 with additional forces standing by consisting of an explosive ordnance demolition element, a company of engineers, and a third company of infantry]

1500 Troop C, 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry (24th Infantry Division), initiates mission with four AH-1 Cobras and six OH-58C Kiowas to conduct zone reconnaissance to Phase Line COLT. [Also see 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 20 Feb 91]

1630 24th Infantry Division AH-1s engage radar site at MT

622519 and report destroying both FLATWHEEL radars, three of four ZPU-4s, and both 2.5-ton trucks. [Also see 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 20 Feb 91, which assesses this as the target struck in morning mission, says that the AH-1s engaged spotted it on way out and engaged it on return leg of reconnaissance, and that one of the OH-58Cs landed to collect documents]

1700 24th Infantry Division AH-1s return to base. [Also see 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 20 Feb 91]

2000 101st Airborne Division reports that all deep attack assets returned safely.

2000 Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation, initiates combat reconnaissance to Phase Line LION with five AH-64 Apaches and three OH-58C Kiowas. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 21 Feb 91]

2040 2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division has skirmish LU

915005-LU 915011 with no casualties.

2041 3d Battalion, 227th Aviation (12th Aviation Brigade) crosses line of departure to conduct two deep attack missions in support of the 6th (French) Light Armored Division 60 kilometers north of the border against moving target indicators developed by JSTARS, QUICKLOOK and HORUS; disrupt 45th Infantry Division logistical, reinforcement and repositioning efforts by destroying several vehicles and two early warning radar sites without incurring friendly losses; supported by nonlethal suppression of enemy air defense from GUARDRAIL and US Air Force EF-111 Raven and EC-130 COMPASS CALL assets (three field artillery battalions on call were not employed). NOTE: This was first use during DESERT STORM of direct data downlink to support attack helicopter operations, and additionally validated the XVIII Airborne Corps Deep Operations Planning and Execution Cell. [G-3 Journals record initiation time as 2046; also see 12th Aviation Brigade After-Action Report to V Corps, 9 Mar 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREPs, 20 and 21 Feb 91; NOTE XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals gives the folowing information: 2020 HORUS picks up ten moving target indicators at MU 0425-MU 1337-MU 0638; four AH-64s were launched at 2046 by the 12th Aviation Brigade, they engaged moving target indicators at MU 1931-MU 234341-MU 168287 at 2106, that HORUS picked up two more moving target indicators at 2116 at MU 149221 and MU 146223, that the AH-64s returned at 2146 and closed on Rafha at 2215]

2050 2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division has 105mm artillery fire.

2112 One OH-58C from Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation, on combat reconnaissance to Phase Line LION crashes at NT 062952 killing both crewmen; initial combat search and rescue mission aborted by bad weather. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 21 Feb 91]

1820Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 44 to OPORD DESERT STORM relieves the 159th Military Intelligence Detachment from attachment to 1st Support Command for attachment to VII Corps effective 2100Z on 20 February; and accepts from ARCENT and attaches the 338th Finance Support Unit to the 18th Finance Group effective with the 338th's closure.

2312 12th Aviation Brigade launches three AH-64 and two OH-58D helicopters from Rafha for cross-border mission which ends at 2350. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 142 (21 Feb 91) states that brigade provided SLAR support for this mission; XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 20 Feb 91, states that SEAD and target of opportunity fires were provided by the 18th Field Artillery Brigade. NOTE: Based on 12th Aviation Brigade After-Action Report to V Corps, 9 Mar 91, which makes no mention of a 2312 time of launch, this presumably is the time over target of 2041 mission; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says that this is the second brigade mission of the night, departing Rafha at 2205 and returning at 2315, with three French moving target indicators wcoming at 2222]

---- 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation engages bunkers at MU

543143 and destroys a 5-ton truck at MU 540140.

21 February (C+198; D+35)

dispatches one interrogation of prisoners of war team to assist the 101st Airborne Division in screening prisoners. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 142 (21 Feb 91)]

0001- 24th Infantry Division sends out eight ground patrols.

0730[XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91)]

0014 12th Aviation Brigade element recrosses line of departure.

0215 Reconnaissance patrol from Company C, 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry, at border post collects documents; attached engineer team destroys three fuel tanks and a generator. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 21 Feb 91]

0235 Battery A, 3d Battalion, 41st Field Artillery (24th Infantry Division), in support of Task Force 3-15 Infantry fires one 155mm Copperhead round at border post (MT 885302), destroying the building; site subsequently swept by dismounted patrol from Company A, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor. [Also see 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 21 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says (without giving time) that the COPPERHEAD was fired by Battery A, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery at a building at MT 881609]

0559 24th Infantry Division launches two AH-64 Apaches, two OH-58 Kiowas and two UH-60 Blackhawks on combat search and rescue for missing Kiowa; they subsequently find remains of aircraft at NT 062953 with both crew members dead and secure remains and sensitive items. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 21 Feb 91 which gives time of securing wreckage as 0600; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says that they departed 0559, estimated crossing line of departure at 0604, and reported in at 0822 that there were two dead on arrival at the 15th Evacuation Hospital, but an update at 0847 gives the coordinates at NT 06249528 and states that the wreckage was found by the 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation]

0600 1st Helicopter Regiment (6th [French] Light Armored Division) conducts armed reconnaissance up east side of Main Supply Route TEXAS. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91) which says that mission from 0600-0800 was entirely by 3d Helicopter Regiment and involved twenty Gazelles and three Pumas; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals clarify that the 1st Regiment went forward on the east with twenty armed helicopters and three Pumas, but had to return due to bad weather, while the 3d Regiment on the west flank went forward with twenty armed helicopters and two Pumas, that it destroyed a building at 0745 with HOT missiles, and that it received no damage from enemy fire]

0645 1st Helicopter Regiment (6th [French] Light Armored

Division) recrosses line of departure as bad weather forces cancellation of mission.

0700 Two members of Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation (24th Infantry Division) who were the crew of the missing OH-58C which was found at NT 06249528 are pronounced dead on arrival at the 15th Evacuation Hospital. [CW2 Hal H. Reichle and SPC Michael D. Daniels] [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 22 Feb 91, which notes that these were originally reported as non-battle losses, but reclassified as Killed In Action on 22 February]

0800 3d Helicopter Regiment (6th [French] Light Armored

Division) on reconnaissance on the west side of Main Supply Route TEXAS destroys two vehicles with HOT missiles. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91) which says that 0800 is the time of completion of mission; also says that in addition to the two vehicles, a building northwest of border along TEXAS was damaged]

0800 Troop D, 4th Cavalry, crosses line of departure on

aerial zone reconnaissance mission with four AH-1 Apaches and five OH-58C Kiowas. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 21 Feb 91--NOTE sources incorrectly identify unit as Troop D, 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry]

0830 101st Airborne Division crosses line of departure with five AH-1 and three OH-58C helicopters from Company A, 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation. [Also see 101st Airborne Division SITREP 197 (21 Feb 91) which does not give times, but says that 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, conducted route reconnaissance up Main Supply Route NEWMARKET as far as Phase Line RAM, during which one helicopter was fired on by a rocket propelled grenade leading to an engagement with two individuals who were taken prisoner; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 21 Feb 91, which says that intent was to continue exploitation of MU 526181; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91), which says that this was lead element of 101st Airborne Division's continued exploitation of bunker complex at MU 7140; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals identify unit]

0928 Company A, 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation (101st Airborne Division) delivers suppressive fires vicinity of MU 526181 (Objective TOAD) receiving no return fire, and then handing mission over to Company B, 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

0935 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry (101st Airborne Division) airlifted into vicinity MU 526181 (Objective TOAD) and reports finding bunkers and caches. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91), which says that 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry, conducts air assault to destroy additional bunkers at 0925; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals additionally specify that Company B, 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation supported by firing on additional bunkers]

1010 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry (24th Infantry Division)

attacks a radar site in a gully at MT 640502 where they observed a radar, two armored personnel carriers, and nine or ten individuals. They report destroying one armored personnel carrier and damaging the other. When the AH-1 Cobra helicopters had to depart the objective to refuel two AH-62 Apaches and an OH-58 Kiowa were launched by the 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation (24th Infantry Division) to assist. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 21 Feb 91, which specifies target area was engaged by AH-1 and AH-64 rotary wing and A-10 fixed wing attack aircraft and by MLRS fires; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91), which says that the attack was jointly carried out with US Air Force A-10s as well as Cobras and Apaches and that the damage was one armored personnel carrier, one Land Rover, one microwave set, two trucks, one building, one radar, one ZSU-23-4 and one ZPU-4; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says that the A-10s arrived on station at 1045, that an unspecified time an additional OH-58C and two AH-64s were launched, that a building was engaged with rockets at 1128, that the AH-64s engaged at 1136, that MG Barry McCaffrey approved release of MLRS fires at 1150, and that 1st Platoon, Battery A, 3d Battalion, 27th Field Artillery fired 17 rockets at 1351, and that the mission ended at 1415 with total damage as given above]

1030 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry (101st Airborne Division) reports ten prisoners of war at MU 540148. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals which identify time at 1023, and that there were also generators discovered at location]

1100About this time the aerial support mission for the 1st

Battalion, 187th Infantry mission is handed over from the 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation to the 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation, by which time the prisoner of war count had risen to 13 and three 120mm mortars had been captured. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

0900Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 45 to OPORD DESERT STORM is

for limited distribution [relates to Phase III deception operations].

12101st Battalion, 187th Infantry elements discover a

bunker with a locked room containing documents. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1351 Battery A (MLRS), 3d Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, fires at radar site at MT 640502 in support of 24th Infantry Division operations. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91)]

1458 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry (101st Airborne Division) extracted with 23 prisoners of war; engineers remain in place to continue destroying equipment. Initial report is that one 120mm mortar, one ZU-23-2, one 122mm round, and two cases of documents were extracted; and that four ZPU-4, one ZU-23-2, six 120mm mortars, one SPG-9, 30 RPGs, and 10 radios were destroyed. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 21 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1515AH-1 from 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry conducting

reconnaissance at MU 710400 is fired on by unknown type of missile; engagement results in two enemy prisoners of war [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1552Thirteen enemy prisoners of war taken by 1st Battalion,

187th Infantry arrive at the 101st Airborne Division prisoner of war cage. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1558 OH-58C from 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry (101st Airborne Division) is forced to land with mechanical problems at MU 5419 (Objective TOAD). Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters launched to repair it but cannot finish before dark. [Also see 101st Airborne Division SITREP 197 (21 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91) giving arrival time of the security and maintenance team on site as 1600; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals specify that the recovery team was reported on site at 2123, that recovery came at 2255, and that all aircraft were back across the line of departure at 2323]

1645101st Airborne Division engineers complete clearing of

Objective TOAD. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1706 SCUD missiles launched from central Iraq (two

confirmed; Air Defense Element reports three destroyed).

1818 101st Airborne Division sends a platoon from the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry in three UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters to secure the downed OH-58 at MU 5419.

1900 Company B and Scout Platoon, Task Force 3-7 Infantry, initiate zone patrol to Phase Line OPUS; proceed to vicinity of MT 844515 without making contact. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

1900 Scout Platoon, Task Force 4-64 Armor, initiates mounted zone reconnaissance to Phase Line OPUS; proceeds to vicinity MT 7654 without making contact. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

1900- Team A-3-15 Infantry from Task Force 1-64 Armor (2d

0400Brigade, 24th Infantry Division) conducts mounted reconnaissance to Phase Line OPUS without making contact. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

1900- Team D-3-15 Infantry from Task Force 1-64 Armor (2d

0400Brigade, 24th Infantry Division), conducts mounted reconnaissance to Phase Line OPUS and establishes screen from MT 904375 to MT 866390; subsequently sees four trucks but does not engage them. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

1900- Team B of Task Force 1-18 Infantry conducts mounted

2400area reconnaissance of vicinity MT 7779. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

1900- Team D of Task Force 2-18 Infantry conducts mounted

2400area reconnaissance of vicinity MT 6776. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

1900- Team A of Task Force 2-69 Armor conducts mounted point

0500reconnaissance of vicinity MT 495525. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

1900- Team D of Task Force 2-69 Armor conducts mounted point

0500reconnaissance of vicinity MT 380614. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

1900- Company A, 3d Battalion, 24th Aviation conducts a zone

2115reconnaissance in sector of 1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division with two OH-58D Kiowas; makes no contact. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

1930 XVIII Airborne Corps is notified that 21 February is

G-3 and that G-DAY will be 24 February (also cited as 1710Z).

1715Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 46 to OPORD DESERT STORM

amends the Commander's Intent to add that all maneuver major commands will integrate psychological operations with AH-64 helicopter operations.

2020 Ten moving target indicators reported in MU 0425-MU 1337-MU 0658 box; 2106 five to ten more reported MU 1931-MU 2334-MU 1729; and unknown number of additional ones at 2116 at MU 149231 and MU 146233. 12th Aviation Brigade launches eight AH-64 Apaches in response at 2046. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91)]

2100 SCUD is launched from central Iraq north of Baghdad

(3337N 4436E) with a projected impact ten kilometers north of King Khalid Military City; detonated 2108 30 nautical miles east-northeast of King Khalid Military City. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 406]

2103 SCUD is launched, but it self-destructs in the air.

2222- Additional moving targets identified. [XVIII Airborne

2235Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91)]

2255 Downed OH-58 recovery to 101st Airborne Division tactical assembly area by a CH-47D Chinook departs MU 7140; all recross line of departure at 2323. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 198 (22 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 176 (22 Feb 91)]

2350 12th Aviation Brigade aircraft declare mission completed. Report that three AH-64 Apaches and two OH-58D Kiowas destroyed one wheeled armored personnel carrier, two radar sites, and a bunker. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 175 (21 Feb 91)]

----- Battery C, 5th Battalion, 62d Air Defense Artillery, provides cover for Battery A, 2d Battalion, 18th Field Artillery, during probing mission by 2d Brigade, 24th Infantry Division. [Task Force 2-1 Air Defense Artillery SITREP, 21 Feb 91]

22 February (C+199; D+36)

reconnaissance north of the Line of Departure confirms that terrain west of Main Supply Route TEXAS is good, and that escarpment east of Main Supply Route TEXAS is passable only where there are roads or trails. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

Command Post moves into 6th (French) Light Armored Division sector; planning is for other command post elements to follow on succeeding days. [XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

0035 3d Armored Cavalry aerial reconnaissance to Phase Line RAM reveals no enemy. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 24 Feb 91]

0234 Battery C, 2d Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, at Bahrain tracks two incoming SCUD missiles; one is shot down with Patriot missile and the other overshoots. One SCUD was launched from southern Iraq near Al Basrah (3075N 4758E) aimed towards Dhahran.

0244 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, moves forward to sweep line of departure between MT 155795 and MT 347628; after completing search falls back to original positions along Phase Line RAZOR. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 198 (22 Feb 91)]

0542- 3d Armored Cavalry conducts artillery raid on Iraqi

0556observation post at MT 958286, firing 144 rounds of high explosive and dual purpose improved conventional munition 155mm ammunition. [Also see 3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 22 FEb 91, which says three buildings damaged; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 22 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 176 (22 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

0600 2d Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry, conducts area reconnaissance while 43d Engineer Company begins breaching of berm in 73 places without making contact with enemy. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 22 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

0608Company B, 3d Battalion, 24th Aviation with one UH-60

begins mission for Long Range Surveillance Detachment to conduct reconnaissance of Objective GRAY. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

0615- Troops C and D, 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry conduct zone

1030reconnaissance to Phase Line CHARGER; first element of four AH-1 Cobras and six OH-58 Kiowas takes off in the 197th Infantry Brigade sector at 0615, the second element of four AH-1s and five OH-58s takes off in the 2d Brigade sector at 0630; they return with negative contact. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

0740 Company B, 3d Battalion, 24th Aviation mission

completed and reports that there was a sandstorm over the objective. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

0800 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, relieves 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, of screening mission along Phase Line RAZOR between MT 076864 and MT 155795. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 198 (22 Feb 91)]

0540Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 47 to OPORD DESERT STORM shifts the XVIII Airborne Corps Fire Support Coordination Line to Phase Line CHARGER effective 0400Z on 22 February. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

0946 2d Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry establishes a screen

along Phase Line CANOE.

1100- 24th Infantry Division conducts final divisional update

1300of operations plan. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

1200 82d Airborne Division Rear Command Post assumes control of the division to allow the Main and Tactical Command Posts to break down for movement; Tactical Command Post with MG Johnson co-locates with the tactical command post of the 6th (French) Light Armored Division. [Also see 82d Airborne Division SITREP 199 (22 Feb 91)]

1430 2d Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry, returns behind line of departure, leaving Troop F to establish outposts forward of that line. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 22 Feb 91]

1700 2d Foreign Legion Regiment (6th [French] Light Armored Division) captures four prisoners of war and some small arms on Objective NATCHEZ; holds objective with one company, one cavalry troop, and the regimental tactical command post. [Also see 6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 22 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 176 (22 Feb 91), which says engaged five buildings with rockets; other sources say that this report made at 1720, and that one prisoner was reported at 1645]

1900 Scout section and Company B, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry, initiate ground reconnaissance to Phase Line OPUS, with 1st Platoon securing an artillery firing position at MT 686400, 2d Platoon conducting a reconnaissance of MT 844515, and 3d Platoon establishing patrol base at MT 800406; no contact. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

1900 Scout section of Task Force 4-64 Armor initiates mounted zone reconnaissance to Phase Line OPUS at MT 7645. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

1900- Team A, Task Force 3-15 Infantry, conducts mounted

0400reconnaissance to Phase Line OPUS and sets screen from MT 904375 to MT 866390. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

1900- Team D, Task Force 3-15 Infantry, conducts mounted zone

0400reconnaissance to Phase Line OPUS and sets screen from MT 904375 to MT 866390. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

1900- Team B, Task Force 1-18 Infantry, conducts mounted zone

0400reconnaissance to Phase Line COLT (MT 6669) to clear route and do trafficability evaluation of Main Supply Route GEORGIA. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals say that the task force consists of eleven M-113s, four M-1s, and three M-901s, crossing the line of departure at 1905, having a firefight at 2301 at MT 63126720 in which they engage four air defense guns and two trucks with coaxial machine guns; and that five MLRS rockets are fired at 0151 in support of this patrol scoring a direct hit (and also noting that a sixth rocket misfired)]

1900- Team D, Task Force 2-18 Infantry, conducts mounted area

2400reconnaissance to Phase Line COLT (MT 5776) to clear route and do trafficability evaluation of Main Supply Route GEORGIA. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

1900- Team A, Task Force 2-69 Armor, conducts mounted point

0500reconnaissance to MT 495525 to confirm blocking position. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

2100 Task Force 2-7 Infantry conducts ground zone reconnaissance of Area of Operations BRENDAN (center of mass MT 800330) to screen north until beginning of mean nautical twilight and establish hide position at MT 780350. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

1840Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 48 to OPORD DESERT STORM clarifies the chemical and biological threat during Phase III-A and the minimum actions required (increasing Mission Oriented Protective Posture to Level 0 and initiating consumption of Nerve Agent Pretreatment Pills at H-4 on G-DAY.)

1850Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 50 to OPORD DESERT STORM announces actions to be prepared for if diplomatic conditions change and announces for planning purposes that G-DAY remains 24 February.

2200- Company A, 3d Battalion, 24th Aviation, conducts aerial

2400reconnaissance of Phase Line COLT with six OH-58D Kiowas. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

2235- 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation, conducts aerial route

0050reconnaissance along Main Supply Route NEWMARKET. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 199 (23 Feb 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

2323 Recovery aircraft from 101st Airborne Division

recrosses the line of departure with downed OH-58. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 177 (22 Feb 91)]

2330 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, engages two vehicles and four antiaircraft artillery guns with machine gun fire and five MLRS rockets. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

23 February (C+200; D+37)

air mission briefing for air assault onto Objective GOLD. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 199 (23 Feb 91)]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry regimental tactical operations

center displaces to MT 934183. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 23 Feb 91]

Kiowas under the operational control of the 18th Field Artillery Brigade to support target acquisition and designation efforts in the 6th (French) Light Armored Division sector. [12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 23 Feb 91]

21,282 personnel. 109th Evacuation Hospital is operational with 300 beds in service. The advance detachment of the 507th Support Group will accompany the 20th Engineer Brigade into Logistical Base OSCAR. [1st Support Command SITREP, 23 Feb 91]

0025 Company B, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry (197th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Division) team consisting of two mechanized infantry and one armor platoons engages an Iraqi element at MT 631672, destroying one truck.

0100- Team B, Task Force 2-7 Infantry, conducts zone

1900reconnaissance from company hide position at MT 686400. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

0112 Patrol from 2d Battalion, 325th Infantry (2d Brigade,

82d Airborne Division) engages seven-man Iraqi patrol in a truck at LT 958974, destroying the truck and a light machine gun, killing two, and wounding one. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 409; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

0115 Five rounds of MLRS fired. [NOTE: see entry for 2330

on 22 February]

0330 7th Transportation Battalion (507th Support Group)

moves to occupy the Corps Marshalling Area. [1st Support Command SITREP, 23 Feb 91]

0502 Battery E, 2d Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery at King Khalid Military City tracks a SCUD but does not engage it with Patriot missiles because it was not on target.

0700 6th (French) Light Armored Division attacks to secure the line of departure in the western sector; 18th Field Artillery brigade provides supporting fires on MT 078889. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91), which states this was movement to secure escarpment in zone to facilitate breaching operations]

07306th (French) Light Armored Division transfers command

and control to the Red Command Post at 29.50.960N, 43.41.387E. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals]

0600Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 49 to OPORD DESERT STORM updates FRAGO 37 by placing Task Force WARRIOR (from the 12th Aviation Brigade) under the operational control of the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade 23-24 February for the purposes of conducting an airmobile insertion of three Long Range Surveillance teams. [NOTE: This FRAGO was issued out of sequence.]

1035 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, assumes Mission Oriented Protective Posture Level 1 (MOPP-1) after Iraqis shoot down French remotely piloted vehicle. [MFR, 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, subj.: 1-201 FA After Action Report, OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/STORM, 9 July 1991]

1330 Team 116, XVIII Airborne Corps History Office, joins 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, task force to cover ground offensive operations. [XVIII Airborne Corps History Office notes]

141082d Airborne Division Tactical Command Post under MG

James Johnston cross Saudi-Iraqi border with elements of the 6th (French) Light Armored Division and set up at LU 868068. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 200 (23 Feb 91)]

1145Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 51 to OPORD DESERT STORM places four OH-58D helicopters from the 12th Aviation Brigade under the operational control of the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery effective 1500Z on 23 February and concurrently places Task Force 159 from the 18th Aviation Brigade under the operational control of the 82d Airborne Division.

1430 Advance detachment (one officer and twenty enlisted personnel in six M-998-series HMMWVs) of the XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post link with the 24th Infantry Division Tactical Command Post. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

1500 3d Armored Cavalry establishes screen ten kilometers forward of the line of departure to facilitate breaching of berm. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

15402d Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment reports all

elements on the line of departure.

1557 3d Armored Cavalry makes contact with the 2d Armored Cavalry (VII Corps) at Control Point 234 (NT 136347). [Also see 3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 23 Feb 91, which says time 1600; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 179 (23 Feb 91)]

1700- 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry (82d Airborne Division)

0600screens 6th (French) Light Armored Division sector, continuing until 0600 on 24 February. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 200 (23 Feb 91)]

1730 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, moves forward to jump-off positions to provide direct support to 2d Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment. [MFR, 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, subj.: 1-201 FA After Action Report, OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/STORM, 9 July 1991]

1900- 3d Armored Cavalry employs 4th Squadron OH-58D Kiowas

2400and an attack helicopter troop of the 5th Squadron, 6th Cavalry, to conduct armed reconnaissance to Phase Line RAM. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 23 Feb 91]

1620Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 52 to OPORD DESERT STORM amends both FRAGO 42 and Appendix 23 (Phase III Ground Movements) to Annex C of the OPLAN by tasking the 82d Airborne Division to provide, on order, traffic control points at the start and release points of Main Supply Route GEORGIA and provides restrictions on movements along Main Supply Routes TEXAS and NEWMARKET.

1630Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 54 to OPORD DESERT STORM directs the execution of Phase III on 24 February and sets H-HOUR of G-DAY as 0400C on 24 February 1991. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 23 Feb 91]

1948 One SCUD fired against Tel Aviv from 3417N 04059E, impacting in West Bank. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 410]

2000 101st Airborne Division initiates nerve agent pretreatment. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 200 (24 Feb 91)]

1700Z 101st Airborne Division long range surveillance detachment teams cross the line of departure; three are inserted into Forward Operating Base COBRA by 1858Z and the fourth onto Main Supply Route TEXAS. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 23 Feb 91; 101st Airborne Division SITREP 200 (24 Feb 91) says that insertion time was 2100; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says that the three insertions took place at 2158, with Team 1 at NU 0471375869, Team 2 at MU 89507150, and Team 4 at MU 95006600, and also says that Team 4 was inserted at 0105 on 24 February]

1732Z ODA 532 departs Rafha in two MH-60 helicopters, crosses border at 1805Z, has Team 1 inserted at 3142N 4457E at 1931Z and Team 2 at 3141N 4457E at 1930Z; aircraft return to Rafha at 1930Z.

1740Z ODA 525 departs Rafha in two MH-60 helicopters, crosses border at 1751Z, is inserted at 1945Z; aircraft return to Rafha at 2131Z having received ineffective small arms fire from a truck at 3046N 4507E.

1750Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 53 to OPORD DESERT STORM amends FRAGO 49 by changing the site of insertion for Long Range Surveillance Team 3 and the size of the No Fire areas. [Note: This FRAGO was issued out of sequence.] [Also see 12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 24 Feb 91, which identifies aviation assets carrying out the insertions of all three teams as coming from Task Force WARRIOR and the 3d Battalion, 227th Aviation]

2100 XVIII Airborne Corps Long Range Surveillance Detachment mission is launched to insert three teams from Company D, 522d Military Intelligence Battalion, near Objective RED. [Also see 525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 145 (24 Feb 91); 12th Aviation Brigade After-Action Report to V Corps, 9 Mar 91, which says that launch time was 2115, the aircraft were UH-60s from Task Force WARRIOR with two extended range tanks and AH-64s from 3d Battalion, 227th Aviation, with one extended range tank, that each team was inserted by a UH-60 escorted by two AH-64s, and that the three teams were each composed of six soldiers; XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 23 Feb 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says mission departed at 2115]

1855Z ODA 515 departs Rafha in two MH-60 helicopters, crosses border at 1900Z, is inserted at 3144.2N 4524.3E at 2045Z; aircraft return to Rafha [time not given].

1927Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 55 to OPORD DESERT STORM shifts the XVIII Airborne Corps Fire Support Coordination Line to Phase Line RAM effective 2359Z on 23 February. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 23 Feb 91]

2233 XVIII Airborne Corps Long Range Surveillance Detachment team is inserted at Landing Zone 2. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals confirms time without saying which LZ]

2240 XVIII Airborne Corps Long Range Surveillance Detachment team is inserted at Landing Zone 3. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says 2235 without specifying LZ]

2245 XVIII Airborne Corps Long Range Surveillance Detachment team is inserted at Landing Zone 1. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post Journals says 2240 without specifying which LZ]

2350 426th Supply and Transportation Battalion (101st Airborne Division) truck catches fire and is destroyed. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 200 (24 Feb 91)]

2356 Task Force WARRIOR insertion aircraft recross line of departure. [12th Aviation Brigade After-Action Report to V Corps, 9 Mar 91, which also says that insertion time was 2231, and that electronic warfare support for mission came from US Air Force EF-111 Raven assets]

2400 Task Force 2-1 Air Defense Artillery goes to MOPP-1. [Task Force 2-1 Air Defense Artillery SITREP, 24 Feb 91]

2101Z ODA [unspecified] departs Rafha in two MH-60 helicopters, crosses border 2113Z, is inserted at 3140.4N 4414.6E at 2230Z; aircraft return to Rafha at 0003Z.

2200Z 24th Infantry Division reconnaissance at MT 631673 engages four antiaircraft guns and two trucks with direct fires and MLRS. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 23 Feb 91]

operations: 15,615; division is in Attack Position WHEELER, with 3d Brigade assembled in Pickup Zone posture at Rafha. Division plans that if XVIII Airborne Corps directs implementation of Contingency Plan (CONPLAN) MOSBY, the 3d Brigade will conduct air assault into Area of Operations SPRING LAKE to join the rest of the division. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 200 (23 Feb 91)]

----- 101st Airborne Division strength in theater of operations: 18,119. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 200 (24 Feb 91)]


Notes:

<1> 18th Personnel Group SITREP 136 (14 Feb 91) reports XVIII Airborne Corps battle casualties as of 14 February consists of 2 wounded in action (both from the 3d Armored Cavalry) and 2 missing in action (both from the 1st Support Command); non-battle casualties as of 14 February are 7 injured in the 24th Infantry Division, 1 dead and 2 injured in the 82d Airborne Division, 19 injured in the 101st Airborne Division, 5 injured in 3d Armored Cavalry, 1 dead and 3 injured in XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery, 1 dead and 7 injured in 1st Support Command, 1 injured in 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 1 injured in 16th Military Police Brigade, 1 dead in 20th Engineer Brigade, 2 injured in 35th Signal Brigade (for a corps total of 4 dead and 47 injured).