XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS

DESERT STORM CHRONOLOGY

March 1991

1 March (C+206; D+43; G+5)

----- 3d Helicopter Regiment conducts reconnaissance north of the 6th (French) Light Armored Division area of

operations. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 1 Mar 91]

----- 101st Airborne Division reports that 1st Brigade and lift battalions of Aviation Brigade are in Forward

Operating Base COBRA; 2d Brigade with two Apache battalions and 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, is in Forward Operating Base VIPER; and 3d Brigade with operational control of 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation, is in Area of Operations EAGLE. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 205 (1 Mar 91)]

and located at PU 489467. [XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 1 Mar 91]

Mar 91]

----- 35th Signal Brigade establishes tactical telephone communications with Logistical Base ROMEO. [35th

Signal Brigade SITREP, 1 Mar 91]

0600 82d Airborne Division begins clearing operations in Area of Operations BRAGG employing the 1st and 3d

Brigades; 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry; and 3d Battalion, 73d Armor. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 206 (1 Mar 91)]

0800 XVIII Airborne Corps assesses all Iraqi divisions in the Kuwaiti Theater of Operations to be combat

ineffective. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 421]

0900 ARCENT changes air defense status to weapons HOLD and warning WHITE.

1230 Soldier from Battery B, 3d Battalion, 18th Field Artillery (3d Armored Cavalry) sets off dual

purpose improved conventional munition at QU 077578 resulting in one killed and one wounded. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 185 (2 Mar 91) which gives time as 1300; 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 1 Mar 91, which gives neither time nor grid but says that round went off when the soldier who died picked it up; 3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 1 Mar 91, without giving time or grid]

0930Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 80 releases the 12th Aviation Brigade from the operational control of

the 101st Airborne Division effective 1200Z on 1 March and directs it to displace to Assembly Area SPRUCE not later than 2359Z on 2 March.

1300 Troop F, 3d Armored Cavalry suffers one wounded from unexploded ordnance at QU 081593. [Also see 24th

Infantry Division SITREP, 1 Mar 91, which gives neither time nor grid nor troop but says two wounded when one of them picked round up; 3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 1 Mar 91, says two wounded without giving grid]

1035Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 81 directs the 20th Engineer Brigade to place one engineer battalion in direct

support of the 82d Airborne Division to assist in the clearing of Area of Operations BRAGG effective 1400Z on 1 March.

1125Z Helicopter of the 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry (82d Airborne Division), receives small arms fire near

Tallil; resulting engagement destroys one enemy truck and produces fifteen prisoners of war. During course of day division accumulates additional 102 prisoners. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 1 Mar 91; 82d Airborne Division SITREP 206 (1 Mar 91), which gives Tallil prisoners of war as ten]

1400 101st Airborne Division search party consisting of five AH-64 Apaches, three OH-58C Kiowas, and two UH-60V

Blackhawks at QU 036836 locates wreckage of UH-60 belonging to 2d Battalion, 229th Aviation that was shot down on evening of 27 February while conducting a search and rescue mission; reports finding five killed and three missing in action. [Also see 101st Airborne Division SITREP 205 (1 Mar 91); XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 185 (2 Mar 91) which gives time as 1420]

1500 12th Aviation Brigade is detached from 101st Airborne Division and returned to XVIII Airborne Corps

Control in order to redeploy to Assembly Area SPRUCE. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 205 (1 Mar 91)]

1700 Troop F, 3d Armored Cavalry accepts the surrender of three Iraqi BMD armored vehicles and 20 prisoners

of war at QU 132638.

1730 1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, captures a lieutenant colonel from the Hammurabi Armored

Division. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 421]

1945 CH-47D from Company B, 2d Battalion, 159th Aviation

(18th Aviation Brigade) crashes in Assembly Area SPRUCE (LT 3627) resulting in four killed and one injured.

----- 24th Infantry Division establishes Phase Line KNIFE screen line to enhance force protection with each

brigade placing three company teams as the screen. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 1 Mar 91]

----- Task Force 2-7 Infantry (24th Infantry Division) stops two busses entering its area; one surrenders but

personnel on other open fire resulting in engagement in which Iraqis suffer six killed, seven wounded, and nine prisoners while Americans have no losses. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 1 Mar 91]

----- Task Force 2-18 Infantry (197th Infantry Brigade) discovers ammunition bunkers at PU 769796 and

begins destroying them. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 1 Mar 91]

----- 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, has five soldiers wounded by dual-purpose improved conventional

munition bomblet while sweeping sector near Jalibah Air Base. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 206 (1 Mar 91)]

----- 82d Airborne Division secures Objectives ORANGE and GOLD with Phase Line INDIAN as its limit of

advance. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 206 (1 Mar 91)]

----- 82d Airborne Division reports destruction of considerable enemy equipment and ammunition,

particularly antiaircraft artillery guns and a battalion of D-30 howitzers. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 206 (1 Mar 91)]

----- 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, destroys abandoned equipment in sector, including an antiaircraft

artillery battery (four ZPU-23-4s) at NV 6346. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 205 (1 Mar 91)]

----- 467th Medical Detachment attached to 44th Evacuation Hospital. [1st Support Command SITREP 211 (1 Mar

91)]

----- 229th Medical Detachment (Air Ambulance) relocates from Forward Operating Base COBRA to Division Support

Area III. [1st Support Command SITREP 211 (1 Mar 91)]

----- 16th Military Police Brigade reports that 503d Military Police Battalion evacuated 117 enemy prisoners of

war to the Corps Collection Facility and the 519th Military Police Battalion transferred 46 to the Theater Cage, leaving the 160th Military Police Battalion holding 444 in the Corps Facility. [16th Military Police Brigade SITREP 165 (1 Mar 91)]

----- 265th Engineer Group headquarters (colocated with 46th Engineer Battalion) is moving to Main Supply Route

UTAH; 52d Engineer Battalion is working on Main Supply Route PACKARD; 62d Engineer Battalion is widening Main Supply Route COLORADO; and 844th Engineer Battalion is sustaining Main Supply Route GEORGIA. [20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 1 Mar 91]

----- 937th Engineer Group reports headquarters colocated with 37th Engineer Battalion (moving to Logistical

Base SATURN) near Objective PURPLE, and that 27th Engineer Battalion is in same location working on Main Supply Routes WASHINGTON and NEW YORK and the final 40 kilometers of Main Supply Route VIRGINIA. [20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 1 Mar 91]

2 March (C+207; D+44; G+6)

----- XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post prepares to execute Contingency Plan ABRAMS per ARCENT Warning

Order 3. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 185 (2 Mar 91)]

----- LTG Luck and LTG Michel Rocquejeoffre (Commanding General, DAGUET FORCE) visit 6th (French) Light

Armored Division. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 2 Mar 91]

----- With US Air Force approval, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, destroys wreckage of F-16 in Area of

Operations EAGLE. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 185 (2 Mar 91)]

----- 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry, finds large weapons cache at NV 239564. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 206

(2 Mar 91)]

----- Two soldiers from Troop F, 3d Armored Cavalry, wounded by unidentified munition at QU 075582. [XVIII

Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 185 (2 Mar 91)]

----- Task Force WARRIOR, augmented by four CH-47D Chinooks from the 18th Aviation Brigade, moves Class I, III

and V materials back to the 12th Aviation Brigade logistical pad by sling load. [12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 2 Mar 91]

----- 937th Engineer Group places 37th Engineer Battalion in direct support of the 82d Airborne Division for

destruction of bunkers. [20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 2 Mar 91]

----- 35th Signal Brigade establishes communications link to 82d Airborne Division Support Command in Iraq.

[35th Signal Brigade SITREP, 2 Mar 91]

0130 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, arrives in area of operations of 196th Field Artillery Brigade (VII Corps Artillery). [MFR, 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, subj.: 1-201 FA After Action Report, OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/STORM, 9 July 1991]

0330 Military negotiations are postponed until 1100C on 3 March.

0700 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, resumes clearing operations at Objective ORANGE. [82d Airborne

Division SITREP 207 (2 Mar 91)]

0720 1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, reports a force of 20 T-55 tanks and 23 T-72 tanks moving west at QU

1787. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 423; 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 2 Mar 91, says 1st Brigade reports brigade-sized element moving west and northwest on Highway 8 at 0730; brigade does not open fire but does try to get enemy to surrender or change direction]

0800 3d Battalion, 227th Aviation (12th Aviation Brigade) closes into Assembly Area SPRUCE. [Also see 12th

Aviation Brigade SITREP, 2 Mar 91]

0809 Company C, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry (1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division) comes under fire at QU

160892 from an Iraqi force moving west and engages it, resulting in the destruction of six T-72 and two T-55 tanks, two BDRMs, and four BMPs. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 423; 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 2 Mar 91, does not give time but specifies that previously discovered Iraqi formation trail element opens fire on 1st Brigade with a SAGGER antitank missile and direct fires; the 1st Brigade then responds with fire and maneuver in effort to block Northern Causeway (QU 221000) and employs two attack helicopter companies]

0830 5th Squadron, 6th Cavalry (12th Aviation Brigade) closes into Assembly Area SPRUCE, completing the

movement of the main body of the 12th Aviation Brigade back from forward positions. [Also see 12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 2 Mar 91]

0900 As of this time the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade has screened 4,192 enemy prisoners of war at the

Corps Interrogation Facility. [525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 151 (2 Mar 91)]

0930 Air cavalry elements from the 24th Infantry Division engage Iraqi elements in the vicinity of QV

224000.

0945 101st Airborne Division reports that a UH-1H from the 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation has crashed on

takeoff in Assembly Area PEAR (MT 10653984), apparently from engine failure, resulting in five minor injuries. [Also see 101st Airborne Division SITREP 206 (2 Mar 91)]

1030 4th Battalion, 64th Armor (24th Infantry Division) counterattacks to QU 200835, completing the major

division action resulting in numerous prisoners of war and the destruction of 31 Iraqi tanks, 21 BMPs, one BM-21, five FROGs, and five trucks.

1045 24th Infantry Division reports final assessment of damage inflicted on Iraqis as 81 tanks, 95 armored

personnel carriers, 11 FROG-7 TELs (2 with missiles uploaded), 2 BM-21s, 8 BDRMs, 5 artillery pieces, 23 trucks, and numerous prisoners of war. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 423 which gives time of final assessment as 1350; 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 2 Mar 91, gives assessment of 24 T-72s, 7 T-55s, 43 BMPs, 17 BDRMs, 34 artillery tubes, 5 MTLBs, 9 multiple rocket launchers, 1 AMX-10, 377 trucks, 1 ZSU-23-4 and 66 prisoners of war with a brigade loss of one wounded, one M-2A1 Bradley damaged, and one M-1A1 Abrams lost when secondary explosion of a T-72 set sleeping bags stowed on the M-1 on fire]

0745Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 82 changes the XVIII Airborne Corps nuclear, biological and chemical

threat warning from AMBER to GREEN.

1330 Personnel of the 197th Infantry Brigade while clearing bunkers report finding suspected chemical

munitions at PU 789796. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 185 (2 Mar 91)]

1424 Elements of the 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division begin clearing the buildings at Tallil Air Base with

psychological operations support; complete mission by 1530 with over 100 prisoners of war. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 2 Mar 91; XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 424 which says mission was completed at 1800, that there were 30 prisoners, that one armored vehicle was captured, and that the division reported finding several Mi-8 HIP and Mi-25 HIND helicopters at the airfield; 82d Airborne Division SITREP 207 (2 Mar 91) says airfield seized at 1300 and secured at 1530]

1600 20th Engineer Brigade reports finding minefield (about 200-meters by 200-meters) at PU 417507. [XVIII

Airborne Corps INTSUM 425]

1630 Company D, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry (197th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Division) has one soldier

killed and four injured in an explosion while a detail was burning trash at PU 7292.

1700 Battery B, 2d Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery (11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade) at As Salman

accidentally fires a HAWK missile, but issues self-destruct command without causing collateral damage.

----- 6th (French) Light Armored Division reports that As Salman village has been completely cleared; 203

cluster bomb submunitions and 1 250-pound bomb were destroyed. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 2 Mar 91]

----- 24th Infantry Division reports that it will extend its security zone to Phase Line LEYTE (QU 248998-QU

252863-QU 256645-QU 250500). [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 2 Mar 91]

----- 2d Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, captures 20 prisoners, two BMPs, one air defense artillery

weapon; also discovers ammunition complex at QU 135710. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 2 Mar 91]

----- 82d Airborne Division reports 1,000 enemy prisoners of war evacuated by division's enemy prisoner of war

team to corps collection point; another 3,000-plus accepted by division from 24th Infantry Division. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 207 (2 Mar 91)]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry moves fifteen kilometers east to the QU 25 east-west grid line to destroy ammunition

and equipment; reports total destruction today of 7 T-55s, 1 T-62, 2 T-72s, 1 BMP, 1 BDRM, 1 M-577, 10 ZPU-4, 3 ZPU-23-4, 18 artillery pieces; reports inflicting ten killed in action on enemy and capturing 63 prisoners; additionally identifies that a lieutenant colonel from the 9th Regiment, 12th Armor Division surrendered in his T-72 and is currently assisting a psychological operations team trying to bring the rest of the unit in from Az Zubayr; also reports that two soldiers were evacuated after being injured throwind dud DPICM. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 2 Mar 91]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry captures ten T-72s, three multiple rocket launchers, a 122mm howitzer battalion, and

120 prisoners including the commander of the 99th Armor Battalion, 17th Armor Division. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 2 Mar 91]

----- 503d Military Police Battalion is moving enemy prisoners of war captured by 24th Infantry

Division from Logistical Base ROMEO to Rafha; 519th Military Police Battalion moved 12 to the Theater Cage. [16th Military Police Brigade SITREP 166 (2 Mar 91)]

3 March (C+208; D+45; G+7)

----- XVIII Airborne Corps begins retrograde of non-essential equipment from Iraq to Phase II assembly areas.

[XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 3 Mar 91]

----- 24th Infantry Division reports Phase Line LEYTE security zone in place. [24th Infantry Division

SITREP, 2 Mar 91]

----- 82d Airborne Division reports that 1st and 3d Brigades have nearly completed clearing operations in their

sectors. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 208 (3 Mar 91)]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry holding in sector along QU 22 north- south grid line. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 3

Mar 91]

0400Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 83 directs the 20th Engineer Brigade to place the 52d Engineer Battalion in

direct support of the 3d Armored Cavalry to assist with clearing operations effective 0600Z on 3 March. [Also see 20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 3 Mar 91]

0900 12th Aviation Brigade reports closure into Assembly Area SPRUCE from Forward Operating Base VIPER.

[12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 3 Mar 91]

0615Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 84 directs the 16th Military Police Brigade to attach one military police

company to the 82d Airborne Division effective 1500Z on 2 March for prisoner of war processing, and changes the boundary between the 24th Infantry and 82d Airborne Divisions.

0715Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 85 rescinds the task organization portion of FRAGO #84.

0745Z 82d Airborne Division Operations Situation Report to XVIII Airborne Corps reports that equipment found

intact at Tallil Air Base includes five Mirage F-1s, six MiG-21s, one XU-21, two Mi-8 HIPs, and one Mi-25 HIND; also that an Iraqi artillery and antiaircraft artillery site had been located south of An Nasiriyah (PV 108321). [82d Airborne Division SITREP 208 (3 Mar 91)]

1355 GEN H. Norman Schwarzkopf (Commander in Chief US Central Command) meets with senior Iraqi

representatives to negotiate cease-fire. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 426]

1256Z XVIII Airborne Corps implements interim cease fire

conditions.

1415Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 86 releases the 3d Armored Cavalry from the operational control of the 24th

Infantry Division effective 1700Z on 3 March and concurrently establishes the boundary between the two units.

1500Z ARCENT implements changes to the Rules of Engagement.

1800 24th Infantry Division reports [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 3 Mar 91] since 1800 on 2 March the

following equipment destroyed:

1st Brigade: 28 tanks, 10 BMPs, 3 BDRMs, 11 artillery pieces, 92 trucks, 6 jeeps, 29 prisoners of war

2d Brigade: 1 artillery piece, 1 tracked vehicle, 13 trucks, 109 prisoners of war, 9 bunkers, 2 large

ammunition caches

197th Infantry Brigade: 11 artillery pieces, 5 trucks, 3 jeeps

3d Armored Cavalry: 30 artillery pieces, 15 antiaircraft artillery guns, ten trucks, 5 pieces

of engineer equipment, and 150 bunkers and caches

2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry: 6 tanks, 6 BMPs, 2 BMDs, 4 MTLBs, 17 antiaircraft artillery guns, 95 trucks,

5 jeeps, 5 tracked communications vehicles, 1 motorcycle, 309 antitank weapons, 20 prisoners of war

2000 3d Armored Cavalry released from operational control of the 24th Infantry Division. [24th Infantry

Division SITREP, 3 Mar 91]

2030Z ARCENT issues inial redeployment guidance and defines the Demarkation Line.

2333Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 88 rescinds FRAGO #87 and instead directs the same actions to begin not

earlier than 0300Z on 4 March.

----- 937th Engineer Group reports that 27th Engineer Battalion is pulling back to its tactical assembly

area. [20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 3 Mar 91]

----- 18th Aviation Brigade holds memorial service for crew of CH-47D aircraft #177. [18th Aviation Brigade

SITREP, 3 Mar 91]

4 March (C+209; D+46; G+8)

----- Moslem graves registration team completes work in 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, sector. [82d

Airborne Division SITREP {209} (4 Mar 91)]

----- 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, with US Air Force explosive ordnance destruction team begins the

destruction of the Jalibah ammunition supply point. [82d Airborne Division SITREP {209} (4 Mar 91)]

----- 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, begins destruction of Tallil ammunition supply point (PV 1125). [82d

Airborne Division SITREP {209} (4 Mar 91)]

----- 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, released from attachment to 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. [101st

Airborne Division SITREP 208 (4 Mar 91)]

----- 3d Battalion, 327th Infantry, moves to Forward Operating Base COBRA and is reattached to 1st

Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 208 (4 Mar 91)]

----- Elements of Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, begin repositioning from Forward Operating Base

VIPER to Forward Operating Base COBRA. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 208 (4 Mar 91)]

----- Elements of 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, begin to reposition from Forward Operating Base VIPER to

Assembly Area CAMPBELL; 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, moves to Forward Operating Base COBRA. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 208 (4 Mar 91)]

----- Elements of 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, conduct local repositioning southward to comply

with requirements to keep two kilometer buffer along Highway 8. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 208 (4 Mar 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 4 Mar 91]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry holding in sector along QU 22 north- south grid line. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 4

Mar 91]

----- Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 62d Air Defense Artillery, and the 118th Ordnance

Company move to Assembly Area CACTUS. [Task Force 2-1 Air Defense Artillery SITREP, 10 Mar 91]

----- Civil affairs elements allow over 1,200 civilians to depart from hasty collection areas along Highway 8

and proceed toward Kuwait. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 4 Mar 91]

---- A soldier from Company A, 327th Signal Battalion (35th Signal Brigade) is wounded by stepping on a

bomblet at Jalibah Air Base.

0100Z XVIII Airborne Corps issues an alert to units telling them to be prepared to redeploy specified numbers

of personnel as early as 1900Z on 5 March.

0935 Two soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry (3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division) are wounded when

one of them steps on a cluster bomb unit when exiting a 2.5-ton truck at Tallil Air Base.

1200 24th Infantry Division Main Command Post resumes command and control of division at PU 934856 (just

west of Phase Line STRIKER) after completing 280-kilometer road march. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 5 Mar 91]

1235 Team 116, XVIII Airborne Corps History Office, departs Forward Operating Base COBRA. [XVIII Airborne

Corps History Office Files]

1315 Company E, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry (24th Infantry Division) has one soldier wounded at QU 110830.

1330Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 89 directs the 101st Airborne Division to move from Forward Operating

Base TIM to Assembly Area PEAR (not Forward Operating Base COBRA) using Main Supply Routes VIRGINIA and TEXAS, clearing VIRGINIA east of Objective GRAY not later than 2100Z on 4 March. Also specifies the 82d Airborne Division to retrograde from Objective GRAY to Assembly Area PINE using the same two main supply routes beginning at 2300Z on 4 March (implementing an on order tasking issued in Warning Order 4 issued at 1600Z on 28 February). Once the 82d Airborne Division completes its transit of Main Supply Route VIRGINIA, the 101st Airborne Division is directed to retrograde all elements from Forward Operating Base EAGLE to Assembly Area PEAR.

1815 Team 116, XVIII Airborne Corps History Office, arrives back at Rafha. [XVIII Airborne Corps History

Office Files]

1830 2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, begins movement back to Area of Operations PINE, but only gets as far

as escarpment just north of border because of adverse weather. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 189 (5 Mar 91); 82d Airborne Division SITREP {209} (4 Mar 91)]

1600Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 90 directs the movement of the initial redeployment elements.

2100Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 87 directs the 101st Airborne Division to retrograde all forces from

Forward Operating Base TIM to Forward Operating Base COBRA beginning not earlier than 0300Z on 3 March and effective upon the completion of that move makes the 24th Infantry Division responsible for Forward Operating Base TIM.

5 March (C+210; D+47; G+9)

----- Team 130, XVIII Airborne Corps History Office, returns to Rafha. [XVIII Airborne Corps History Office

Files]

----- GEN Maurice Schmitt (Chief of Staff, French Armed Forces) visits 6th French Division. [6th (French)

Light Armored Division SITREP, 5 Mar 91]

----- 6th (French) Light Armored Division releases attached US psychological operations teams to return to

parent unit. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 5 Mar 91]

----- 1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, relocates battalions south of MDL. [24th Infantry Division

SITREP, 5 Mar 91]

----- 1st Battalion, 24th Aviation, establishes jump forward arming and refueling point vicinity QU 2172.

[24th Infantry Division SITREP, 5 Mar 91]

----- 82d Airborne Division destroys ammunition dumps at Tallil and Jalibah. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP,

5 Mar 91]

----- Moslem graves registration team arrives in 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, sector. [82d Airborne

Division SITREP 210 (5 Mar 91)]

----- 101st Airborne Division's final infantry elements clear Forward Operating Base VIPER. [101st Airborne

Division SITREP 209 (5 Mar 91)]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry holding in sector along QU 22 north- south grid line. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 5

Mar 91]

0517Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 91 amends FRAGO #89 by directing the 101st Airborne Division to

retrograde elements from Area of Operations EAGLE to Forward Operating Base COBRA.

1202 First 24th Infantry Division convoy departs Jalibah for King Khalid Military City, but has to turn around

and return due to bad weather.

1240Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 93 directs the 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions to release from operational

control the 155mm howitzer artillery battalions effective at 0300C on 6 March.

1245Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 92 directs the 101st Airborne Division to retrograde another brigade to

its tactical assembly area and the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery to retrograde selected elements to its tactical assembly area.

1630 2d Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, closes out of Assembly Area OLIVE.

1330Z 2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, closes into Assembly Area PINE. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 5 Mar

91]

1700 French engineers complete the destruction of the runway at As Salman North Air Base. [6th (French) Light

Armored Division SITREP, 5 Mar 91, says cleared at 1710]

2200 An RC-21D aircraft belonging to Company B, 1st Military Intelligence Battalion (525th Military

Intelligence Brigade) is severely damaged when its hangar collapses at King Fahd International Airport.

6 March (C+211; D+48; G+10)

Command SITREP 216 (6 Mar 91)]

----- 1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, relocates brigade tactical operations center and Task Force 4-64

Armor south of MDL. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 6 Mar 91]

----- 2d Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, destroys SA-6 site including 16 rockets with launchers. [24th

Infantry Division SITREP, 6 Mar 91]

----- 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, has completed clearing in sector and is awaiting orders to move

to Objective GREY. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 211 (6 Mar 91)]

----- 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, clearing operations at Tallil slowed by second day of bad weather.

[82d Airborne Division SITREP 211 (6 Mar 91)]

----- 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry, returned to control of Aviation Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, at

Forward Operating Base CHARLOTTE. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 211 (6 Mar 91)]

----- 3d Battalion (-), 187th Infantry, moves to Forward Operating Base COBRA from Area of Operations

EAGLE. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 210 (6 Mar 91)]

----- 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, closes into Assembly Area CAMPBELL, completing movement of 2d Brigade, 101st

Airborne Division, task force with the exception of trail parties. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 210 (6 Mar 91)]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry holding in sector along QU 22 north- south grid line. [3d Armored Cavalry SITREP, 6

Mar 91]

----- 372d Transportation Detachment (Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group) arrives at Rafha to

conduct redeployment operations. [1st Support Command SITREP 216 (6 Mar 91)]

----- 5th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital and 47th Combat Support Hospital close into King Khalid Military

City. [1st Support Command SITREP 216 (6 Mar 91)]

Personnel Group SITREP 155 (6 Mar 91)]

0115 Company A, 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry (3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division) completes its redeployment

from Riyadh to Rafha. [Movement required seven C-130 sorties to transport seven vehicles and 137 personnel.]

0045Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 94 amends FRAGOs #92 and 93 so that all movements are on order.

0800 First redeployment C-130 to Dhahran departs Rafha.

0935 First redeployment C-130 from Rafha arrives at Dhahran.

1030 Sandstorm halts 101st Airborne Division aviation missions. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 210 (6

Mar 91)]

1800 Last 82d Airborne Division C-130 to Dhahran departs Rafha.

1600Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 95 detaches the 2d Platoon, 340th Chemical Company from the 3d Armored Cavalry

and returns it to parent unit control effective 0900Z on 8 March.

1830Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 96 tasks the 24th Infantry Division to destroy the runways and support

facilities at Al Gusayyah and Galib Al Luhuays Air Bases not later than 2400C on 9 March.

----- 37th Engineer Battalion is working on destruction of Iraqi ammunition supply point near Objective GOLD.

[20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 6 Mar 91]

----- To date XVIII Airborne Corps has processed 7,055 replacements. [18th Personnel Group SITREP 155 (6

Mar 91)]

7 March (C+212; D+49; G+11)

----- 2d Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, establishes outposts at QU 351727 and QU 355692 to observe

high speed avenues of approach. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 7 Mar 91]

----- Last elements of Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, depart Forward Operating Base VIPER.

[101st Airborne Division SITREP 211 (7 Mar 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 7 Mar 91, which says last elements of division]

----- Elements of 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, stop a GAZ-66 truck carrying 25 Iraqi freedom fighters at

NV 572421; Iraqis turn over liberated Kuwaitis (and others) and then return to As Samawah. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 434]

----- First 900 soldiers of 101st Airborne Division move by intratheater C-130 airlift to Dhahran. [101st

Airborne Division SITREP 211 (7 Mar 91)]

----- XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery Assault Command Post departs Iraq to rejoin main command post in Area

of Operations CACTUS, leaving tactical command post forward to continue to exercise command and control over the 196th and 212th Field Artillery Brigades. [XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery SITREP, 7 Mar 91]

----- 18th Field Artillery Brigade begins retrograde to Area of Operations CACTUS. [XVIII Airborne Corps

Artillery SITREP, 7 Mar 91]

----- 12th Aviation Brigade advance detachment departs for

King Fahd International Airport. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 7 Mar 91; 12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 7 Mar 91]

----- Task Force WARRIOR (12th Aviation Brigade) moves one Iraqi Mi-25 HIND and one Iraqi Mi-8 HIP from

Tallil to Rafha. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 7 Mar 91; 12th Aviation Brigade SITREPS 4, 5, 6 and 7 Mar 91 which indicate attempted daily from 4 March but delayed by weather until 7 March; indicates recovery force involved two CH-47s, one UH-60, and one UH-1]

----- 35th Signal Brigade reports that it is redeploying assets from Iraq to Saudi Arabia. [35th Signal

Brigade SITREP, 7 Mar 91]

----- Civil affairs female team that had been augmenting Company B, 96th Civil Affairs Battalion, in direct

support of the 6th (French) Light Armored Division rejoins brigade. [360th Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP, 47 (7 Mar 91)]

0210Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 97 directs the 3d Armored Cavalry to redeploy to Tapline Road beginning not

later than 1200C on 7 March with the 24th Infantry Division assuming responsibility for its former area of operations. Directs XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery (less the 5th Battalion, 8th Field Artillery) to withdraw to its Phase II tactical assembly area. Directs the 20th Engineer Brigade to repair Main Supply Route BURGUNDY. Gives the 82d Airborne Division responsibility for Tallil and Jalibah Air Bases. Directs the 101st Airborne Division to clear Forward Operating Base TIM as quickly as possible, but to retain a brigade in Area of Operations EAGLE. [Also see 101st Airborne Division SITREP 211 (7 Mar 91) which reports compliance in halting movement of 3d Brigade but that the 3d Battalion (-) and elements of the 2d Battalion, 187th Infantry, had already reached Forward Operating Base COBRA]

0700 24th Infantry Division token redeployment element led by BG Scott departs Dhahran Airport.

1030 6th (French) Light Armored Division conducts formal parade at As Salman. [6th (French) Light Armored

Division SITREP, 7 Mar 91]

1100 6th (French) Light Armored Division destroys ammunition dump at As Salman. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP,

7 Mar 91; 6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 7 Mar 91]

1200 3d Armored Cavalry displaces to return to Tactical Assembly Area locations.

1230Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 98 detaches effective 1500Z on 8 March an air traffic control platoon from the

18th Aviation Brigade and an aviation intermediate maintenance company from the 1st Support Command (Corps), and attaches both to the 12th Aviation Brigade.

1350Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 99 rescinds FRAGO #96.

2125 82d Airborne Division redeployment flight (Mission #17245) departs Dhahran Airport with BG Timmons

and 373 other personnel.

2130 82d Airborne Division redeployment flight (Mission #17254) departs Dhahran Airport with 235

personnel.

1830Z 24th Infantry Division redeployment flight (Mission #17251) departs Dhahran Airport with 411

personnel. [Also see 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 7 Mar 91, which says that 392 of first 900 soldiers flew to Dhahran for redeployment]

2140Z 82d Airborne Division redeployment flight (Mission #17250) departs Dhahran Airport with 340

personnel.

----- XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post releases four officers and five enlisted personnel for

early return to the United States. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 192 (11 Mar 91)]

----- 82d Airborne Division has the 3d Brigade in the

vicinity of Tallil, the 1st Brigade on standby, and the 2d Brigade on standby in Tactical Assembly Area RODES. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 212 (7<1> Mar 91)]

8 March (C+213; D+50; G+12)

----- Corps Command Group (2 officers, 2 warrant officers, and 6 enlisted personnel) depart XVIII Airborne

Corps Tactical Command Post along with 13 officer and 6 enlisted individual augmentees. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 192 (11 Mar 91)]

----- 24th Infantry Division publishes movement order for relocation to initial marshalling areas. [24th

Infantry Division SITREP, 8 Mar 91]

----- 24th Infantry Division reports all of its soldiers are now accounted for. [24th Infantry Division

SITREP, 8 Mar 91]

----- Task Force WARRIOR (12th Aviation Brigade) completes

recovery of Mi-8 HIP helicopter from Tallil Air Base. [12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 8 Mar 91]

----- 460th Replacement Detachment departs Logistical Base CHARLIE for King Khalid Military City. [18th

Personnel Group SITREP 157 (8 Mar 91)]

0600 24th Infantry Division displaces to return to Tactical Assembly Area locations.

0525Z 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade flight (Mission #17249) departs Dhahran Airport with 372

passengers.

0730 1st Cavalry Division commences relief in zone of 24th Infantry Division. [24th Infantry Division

SITREP, 8 Mar 91]

0840 24th Infantry Division token redeployment element led

by BG Scott arrives at Hunter Army Airfield. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 8 Mar 91, says first two flights arrived at Fort Stewart this morning]

0845 1st Foreign Legion Cavalry Regiment (6th [French] Light Armored Division) picks up four prisoners of war

at MU 280962 walking from west to east. [Also see 6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 8 Mar 91]

1322 SGT Paul Burt of Company C, 37th Engineer Battalion,

suffers cardiac arrest and is subsequently pronounced dead on arrival.

1140Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 100 announces the new VII- XVIII Airborne Corps boundary to be effective on

the passage of the 24th Infantry Division. Directs the 24th to begin retrograde into Assembly Area VICTORY NORTH starting at 1200C on 8 March. Expands the 82d Airborne Division area of operations.

1155Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 101 directs the 1st Support Command (Corps) to detach a test, measurement and

diagnostic equipment detachment from the 95th Maintenance Company effective 1200C on 10 March for attachment to ARCENT.

1600 Two soldiers of Company B, 46th Engineer Battalion, are injured by an explosion while working on Main

Supply Route VIRGINIA in the vicinity of Objective PURPLE.

1920 24th Infantry Division redeployment flight (Mission #17251) arrives at Hunter Army Air Field.

2000 82d Airborne Division redeployment flight (Mission

#17254) arrives at Pope Air Force Base.

1745Z 1st Cavalry Division flight (Mission #17263) with BG

Franks and 399 other personnel departs Dhahran Airport.

2100 82d Airborne Division redeployment flight (Mission #17245) with BG Timmons on board arrives at Pope

Air Force Base.

2200 82d Airborne Division redeployment flight (Mission #17250) arrives at Pope Air Force Base.

2115Z 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade flight (Mission #17249) arrives at Fort Bliss.

----- 6th (French) Light Armored Division reports As Salman Fort cleared. [6th (French) Light Armored

Division SITREP, 8 Mar 91]

----- 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division remains in the

vicinity of Tallil. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 213 (8 Mar 91)]

----- 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation and 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, move from Forward Operating Base COBRA to

Assembly Area CAMPBELL. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 212 (8 Mar 91); XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 8 Mar 91]

----- 3d Armored Cavalry closes last combat elements into Assembly Area CACTUS. [XVIII Airborne Corps

SITREP, 8 Mar 91]

----- 12th Aviation Brigade units turn in ammunition in

preparation for movement to King Fahd International Airport; advance detachment of brigade arrives at airport and establishes communications back to main body in Assembly Area SPRUCE. [12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 8 Mar 91]

----- 15th Military Intelligence Battalion (Reinforced) has flown 4,344.2 hours since D-Day. [525th Military

Intelligence Brigade SITREP 157 (8 Mar 91)]

9 March (C+186; D+23; G+13)

----- 3d Battalion (-) and elements of 2d Battalion, 187th Infantry, are reoccupying Area of Operations

EAGLE. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 213 (9 Mar 91)]

----- First 902 redeployed soldiers of the 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division arrive back at Fort Campbell in

late evening after departing from Dhahran. [101st Airborne Division SITREPs 213 (9 Mar 91) and 214 (10 Mar 91)]

----- 86th Evacuation Hospital change of command from COL Davies to LTC Long. [1st Support Command SITREP

219 (9 Mar 91)]

mission to support operations in Kuwait. [18th Finance Group SITREP, 8 Mar 91]

----- 489th Civil Affairs Company (-) assumes management of the Rafha Displaced Civilian Assembly Point. [360th Civil Affairs Brigade SITREP, 49 (9 Mar 91)]

0600 197th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, crosses start point en route for Tactical Assembly Area VICTORY.

0800 24th Infantry Division is relieved in sector by the 1st Cavalry Division. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 9 Mar 91, says without giving time that the 1st Cavalry Division assumed responsibility for division sector, with its 1st Brigade relieving the 2d Brigade, 24th Infantry Division]

1030 171st Support Group (-) and 548th CS Battalion close into Assembly Area CACTUS. [1st Support Command SITREP 219 (9 Mar 91)]

1200 212th Field Artillery Brigade crosses start point en route for Tactical Assembly Area VICTORY.

1800 1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, crosses start point en route for Tactical Assembly Area VICTORY.

1800 197th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, closes into Tactical Assembly Area VICTORY.

1500Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 103 directs the 3d Armored Cavalry to detach a 155mm self-propelled howitzer battalion effective 1500Z on 10 March for attachment to XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery.

1540Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 104 directs the 24th Infantry Division to release from direct support a psychological operations team from the 9th Psychological Operations Battalion not later than 1000C on 10 March.

1900 XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post completes retrograde to Assembly Area MAPLE; reports advance detachment is at CHAMPION MAIN, vehicles from "White" command post are at port of Dammam, and that "Blue" command post is at MT 474080 in "cold" status but prepared to go operational if required. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 192 (11 Mar 91)]

1615Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 102 directs the 24th Infantry Division to detach a military police company and the 3d Armored Cavalry to detach a military police platoon effective 1500Z 10 March for attachment to the 16th Military Police Brigade.

10 March (C+187; D+24; G+14)

movement includes 129 helicopters, 94 lowboys, 89 flatbeds; movement of this echelon includes 46 M-1A1s, 54 M-3s, 5 FISTVs, 5 M-106s, 11 M-577s, 23 M-113s, 8 M-109s, 4 AVLBs, and 4 Vulcans. [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 11 Mar 91]

submunition at PU 068315 resulting in five wounded.

0300 First thirty-five "early redeployment" soldiers from 12th Aviation Brigade arrive at Rhein-Main Air Force Base, Germany. [12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 10 Mar 91]

0430 XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post releases "White" command post signal package (33 enlisted personnel) back to control of the 50th Signal Battalion. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 192 (11 Mar 91)]

0600 2d Brigade, 24th Infantry Division begins movement to marshalling area. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 10 Mar 91]

0800 XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post releases its platoon of the 132d Military Police Company (1 officer and 27 enlisted personnel) back to parent unit control. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 192 (11 Mar 91)]

0735Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 105 directs the 24th Infantry Division to detach a military intelligence support team detachment (one THMT and one GSR with crews) effective 1500Z on 10 March for attachment to the 82d Airborne Division. Directs the 101st Airborne Division to withdraw the 3d Brigade (minus) from Area of Operations EAGLE to Forward Operating Base COBRA, to continue security operations in zone with aviation assets only, and to displace on order the 2d Brigade task force to the redeployment assembly area. Directs the 82d Airborne Division on order to withdraw all elements from the vicinity of Tallil Air Base to the vicinity of Jalibah Air Base, and to continue security operations using only aviation assets. [Also see 525th Military Intelligence Brigade SITREP 159 (10 Mar 91)]

0740Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 106 amends FRAGO #102 to have the 24th Infantry Division release the military police company effective upon closure into Assembly Area VICTORY NORTH.

1010Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 107 directs implementation of the on order tasks to the 101st Airborne Division in FRAGO #105 effective at 1000Z on 10 March. Amends the on order aerial port of departure for the 101st Airborne Division to be King Fahd International Airport.

1342 First of five 3d Armored Cavalry convoys departs for Al Jubayl (last departs at 1817) transporting 46 M-1A1 Heavy Armor Abrams tanks, 54 M-3 Bradleys, 5 FISTVs, 5 M-106s, 11 M-577s, 28 M-113s, 8 M-109s, 4 AVLBs and 4 Vulcans. [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 10 Mar 91]

1400 197th Infantry Brigade arrives at marshalling area.

[24th Infantry Division SITREP, 10 Mar 91]

1420 82d Military Police Company (82d Airborne Division) strikes a mine at NV 630560 resulting in one wounded soldier.

1500 1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, arrives in marshalling area. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 10 Mar 91]

1615 209th Military Police Company (519th Military Police Battalion) has five soldiers injured in an explosion in Logistical Base CHARLIE.

1910Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 108 directs XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery effective 0600Z on 11 March to detach the 75th Field Artillery Brigade for attachment to VII Corps and to accept the 196th Field Artillery Brigade for attachment from VII Corps.

2030Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 109 rescinds FRAGO #108. Directs XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery effective 0600Z on 11 March to detach the 196th Field Artillery Brigade for attachment to VII Corps and to accept the 75th Field Artillery Brigade for attachment from VII Corps.

----- Three heavy equipment transporters haul four M-577s

and two M-113A3s of the XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post back to the port of Dammam. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 192 (11 Mar 91)]

----- 6th (French) Light Armored Division reports destruction to date of following items: 10 152mm artillery pieces; 12 130mm artillery pieces; 9 122mm artillery pieces; 7 57mm artillery pieces; 22 ZPU-4 14.5mm machine guns; 1 T-55 tank; 1 BMP; 2 BTR-60s; 3 BDRMs; 28 trucks; and 279 assorted small arms, rocket propelled grenade launchers and recoilless rifles. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 10 Mar 91]

11 March (C+188; D+25; G+15)

0600 2d Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment (6th [French] Light Armored Division) departs for King Khalid Military City in convoy of 419 vehicles.

0900 Iraqi resistance fighters contact 3d Brigade, 101st

Airborne Division, and report that they are in control of An Najaf. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 442]

1050Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 110 implements Annex A to Phase IV (Retrograde) of the basic Operations Plan.

1100Z ARCENT directs that loaded weapons will no longer be carried.

1525 Six M-934 5-ton expandable vans arrive at XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post in Assembly Area MAPLE to allow command post to reorganize. [Also see XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 192 (11 Mar 91) which says arrived 1625]

1700 XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post reports operational status COLD.

1600Z 2d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, vehicle convoy begins road march to Ab Qaiq. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 11 Mar 91]

2400 All XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post tracked vehicles close on the port of Dammam.

----- Five heavy equipment transporters haul six M-577s, two M-113A3s and one M-578 from XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post to port of Dammam. [XVIII Airborne Corps Tactical Command Post SITREP 192 (11 Mar 91)]

12 March (C+189; D+26; G+16)

12th Aviation Brigade begin redeployment to King Fahd International Airport by self-deployment of aircraft and ground convoy. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 12 Mar 91; 12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 11 Mar 91, states that air redeployment was scheduled to begin at 0700 and the ground convoys at 1815, with the last aircraft due to depart at 0930 on 13 March]

0945 1st Regiment of Infantry (6th [French] Light Armored

Division) suffers eight wounded along Main Supply Route TEXAS (MU 410610) while doing physical training by an explosion.

1100 6th (French) Light Armored Division blows up 350 metric tons of ammunition near As Salman Airfield. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 12 Mar 91]

1200 All of 3d Armored Cavalry is now out of Iraq.

1328 Aircraft of 9th Battalion, 101st Aviation, begin self-deployment to Camp EAGLE II. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 216 (12 Mar 91)]

1202Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 112 directs the 101st Airborne Division to displace one brigade task force into Area of Operations EAGLE to conduct security operations in sector.

2000 Battery A (-), 13th Field Artillery (24th Infantry Division) closes into Assembly Area VICTORY SOUTH.

2003 82d Airborne Division medevac UH-60 (Tail #86-24546)

crashes at NV 85600361 while on mission, killing all four crew members and two Iraqi wounded being transported.

2045 Helicopters of 9th Battalion, 101st Aviation, close into Camp EAGLE II. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 217 (13 Mar 91)]

1845Z 24th Infantry Division Main Command Post closes into Assembly Area VICTORY. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 12 Mar 91]

2200 24th Infantry Division Tactical Command Post departs from Objective PURPLE.

2210 ARCENT suspends the requirement to submit relative combat power reports.

----- Civilian population of As Salman on evening of 12 March is reported as 94. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 13 Mar 91]

13 March (C+190; D+27; G+17)

reoccupation of Area of Operations EAGLE. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 13 Mar 91]

0015 Last of 27 C-130 Hercules sorties carrying 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, personnel close into Camp EAGLE II. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 217 (13 Mar 91)]

0141 24th Infantry Division Main Command Post closes into marshalling area. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 13 Mar 91]

0300 Lead element of the 124th Military Intelligence Battalion (24th Infantry Division) closes into Assembly Area VICTORY SOUTH.

0350 Company E, 724th Support Battalion (24th Infantry Division) closes into Assembly Area VICTORY SOUTH.

0629 Task Force 3-15 (24th Infantry Division) closes into its marshalling area.

0655 First convoy of 2d Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, crosses start point en route to port. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 13 Mar 91]

0900 24th Infantry Division Tactical Command Post closes into Tactical Assembly Area VICTORY NORTH. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 13 Mar 91]

1142 Last aircraft from 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry (101st

Airborne Division) departs for King Khalid Military City. [Also see 101st Airborne Division SITREP 217 (13 Mar 91) which says this is time the begin redeploying with Camp EAGLE II as eventual destination]

1500 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, and division staff have coordination meeting with 2d Brigade, 3d Armored Division. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 218 {13 Mar 91}]

1700 Redeployment mission #A-22453 departs Dhahran Airport carrying 105 passengers for Altus, Oklahoma.

1700 24th Infantry Division Assault Command Post closes into marshalling area. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 13 Mar 91]

1615Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 113 directs the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade to establish a corps displaced civilian collection point near Rafha (LT 598811) and to move Kuwaiti displaced civilians to Saudi Arabian control at Hafar Al Batin. Also directs the brigade to be prepared on order to deploy a civil affairs task force to the northern part of the corps sector.

2225 Aircraft of 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry (less one AH-64 Apache still at King Khalid Military City) close into Camp EAGLE II. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 218 (14 Mar 91)]

14 March (C+191; D+28; G+18)

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

Military City for DRAGON CITY. [18th Personnel Group SITREP 163 (14 Mar 91)<2>]

0800 759th Military Police Battalion assumes battlefield circulation control mission for Main Supply Route TOYOTA and the physical security mission for the XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post at DRAGON CITY. [16th Military Police Brigade SITREP 177 (13 Mar 91)]

2000 PV2 Cindy Bridges (84th Transportation Company, 260th Quartermaster Battalion, 171st Support Group, 1st Support Command [Corps]) is killed and a second soldier injured when a 5-ton truck has an accident on Main Supply Route MERCEDES between Camp TYBEE and GUARDIAN CITY (25 kilometers south of Main Supply Route DODGE). [Also see 1st Support Command SITREP 225 (15 Mar 91)]

----- Civilian population of As Salman reported as 717. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 14 Mar 91]

15 March (C+192; D+29; G+19)

0300Z Last elements of 2d Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, clear Tactical Assembly Area VICTORY. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 15 Mar 91]

1100 One soldier from Company B, 50th Signal Battalion (35th Signal Brigade) is injured when his M-998-series High Mobility Multi Wheeled Vehicle is struck by a civilian tractor-trailer at pipeline kilometer marker 242 on Main Supply Route DODGE adjacent to Assembly Area PEAR.

1800 Two Iraqi noncommissioned officers defect at French checkpoint north of As Salman. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 15 Mar 91]

16 March (C+193; D+30; G+20)

bypass road. [20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 16 Mar 91]

1150Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 115 attaches a medium lift platoon consisting of eight CH-47D helicopters with crews from Company B, 6th Battalion, 158th Aviation to the 12th Aviation Brigade effective 0001Z on 17 March.

1600 12th Aviation Brigade reports status: 91 of 113 aircraft have completed processing for return to Germany. [12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 16 Mar 91]

1600Z 3d Armored Cavalry begins loading Cape Inscription at Al Jubayl. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 16 Mar 91]

17 March (C+194; D+31; G+21)

loading Cape Inscription. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 17 Mar 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 17 Mar 91]

0100 24th Infantry Division begins loading Bellatrix (2d Brigade) and subsequently starts loading Arcade Falcon (aircraft from Aviation Brigade). [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 17 Mar 91; XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 17 Mar 91]

0600 XVIII Airborne Corps Enemy Prisoner of War Cage closes. 503d Military Police Battalion stands down to prepare for redeployment.

1000 One soldier from the 2268th Transportation Company

(561st Supply and Service Battalion, 101st Support Group, 1st Support Command [Corps]) is injured in a vehicle accident on Main Supply Route DODGE fifteen miles west of Forward Operating Base BASTOGNE.

1045 Battery C, 1st Battalion, 319th Field Artillery (82d Airborne Division) has one M-102 105mm howitzer damaged by a premature detonation at PV 113186.

1200 Rear detachment, 12th Aviation Brigade, turns in Assembly Area SPRUCE; will depart 18 March. [12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 17 Mar 91]

1050Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 114 amends FRAGOs #102 and

#106 to make the detachment of the corps military police company from the 24th Infantry Division effective with the division's closure into the redeployment assembly area.

----- Civilian population of As Salman reported as 1,405. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 17 Mar 91]

18 March (C+195; D+32; G+22)

----- GEN Schwarzkopf visits XVIII Airborne Corps. [XVIII

Airborne Corps SITREP, 18 Mar 91]

1425Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 116 directs the 82d Airborne Division to transport Kuwaiti and Coalition displaced civilians along Highway 8 to QU 620367 during daylight hours with transportation support as required from the 1st Support Command (Corps), and specifies procedures to be used.

19 March (C+196; D+33; G+23)

1555Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 117 announces that VII Corps will begin relieving XVIII Airborne Corps in sector not later than 0001Z on 23 March and complete the relief not later than 2400Z on 25 March. Directs the 6th (French) Light Armored Division, 82d Airborne Division, and 101st Airborne Division to withdraw into tactical

assembly areas and continue their redeployments in accordance with verbal instructions from the XVIII Airborne Corps G-3.

1630Z Cape Inscription (3d Armored Cavalry) sails from Al Jubayl. [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 20 Mar 91]

20 March (C+197; D+34; G+24)

Corps SITREP, 20 Mar 91]

0001 Mercury begins loading. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Mar 91]

0600 5th Battalion (-), 8th Field Artillery, reverts to XVIII Airborne Corps control and departs Forward Operating Base COBRA for assembly area. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 224 (20 Mar 91)]

0700 Bellatrix completes loading. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Mar 91]

0800 Headquarters Company (-), 16th Military Police Brigade, scheduled to clear Logistical Base CHARLIE. [16th Military Police Brigade SITREP 183 (19 Mar 91)]

0630Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 118 directs the 1st Support Command (Corps) to detach effective 1200Z on 20 March two ammunition companies and a battalion headquarters for attachment to the ARCENT Support Command for the duration of the XVIII Airborne Corps' ammunition turn in, after which time the units will be reattached by ARCENT.

0635Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 119 announces that effective 0300Z on 24 March ARCENT will place the 1st Cavalry Division under the operational control of XVIII Airborne Corps and the 43d Support Group (Corps) under the operational control of the 1st Support Command (Corps).

0640Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 120 tasks 1st Support Command (Corps) to detach effective 2359Z on 20 March a seven-man mortuary element to ARCENT Support Command to operate the theater mortuary evacuation point in Dhahran.

0645Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 121 detaches Battery C (Target Acquisition), 26th Field Artillery from XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery effective 2359Z on 20 March for attachment to VII Corps.

1353 US Air Force F-15 shoots down Iraqi MiG-23 FLOGGER near Tikrit (LD 822250). [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUMs 460 and 461]

1727 212th Field Artillery Brigade departs NS 044805 for

port of Jubayal.

1430Z Bellatrix (24th Infantry Division) sails from Dammam. [XVIII Airborne Corps Rear Command Post SITREP, 20 Mar 91; 24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Mar 91, says sailed at 1423C with 454 wheeled vehicles, 265 tracked vehicles and 145 containers]

21 March (C+198; D+35; G+25)

(-); 501st Signal Battalion (-); 2d Battalion (-), 44th Air Defense Artillery; and 40th Public Affairs Detachment. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 225 (21 Mar 91)]

0600 82d Airborne Division Main Command Post begins

retrograde displacement, leaving Tactical Command Post at PU 242886 in place to manage the division's relief in zone. [82d Airborne Division SITREPs 225 (20 Mar 91) and 226 (21 Mar 91)]

1000 Mercury finishes loading 378 wheeled vehicles, 157 tracked vehicles, and 100 other pieces of equipment. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Mar 91]

1100 6th (French) Light Armored Division and 11th Aviation Brigade conduct handover coordination meeting at division Main Command Post. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 21 Mar 91]

1800 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, assumes command and control of division forces left in sector. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 221 (16 Mar 91)]

1830 ARCENT FRAGO 8 received at Main Command Post, directing VII Corps to complete relief of XVIII Airborne Corps in sector not later than 2400Z on 25 March.

1845 Company B, 844th Engineer Battalion (265th Engineer Group) fired on by Saudi patrol with small arms and .50-caliber machine gun between Main Supply Routes YANKEE and GEORGIA; takes not casualties and does not return fire.

1601Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 122 tasks the 6th (French) Light Armored, 82d Airborne, and 101st Airborne Divisions to withdraw into tactical assembly areas and to continue redeployment upon relief by VII Corps (which will be completed not later than 0900Z on 24 March).

1715Z XVIII Airborne Corps FRAGO 123 directs the 12th Aviation Brigade to detach one medium lift helicopter platoon from Company B, 6th Battalion, 158th Aviation effective 0001Z 21 March for attachment to the 2d Aviation Brigade.

22 March (C+199; D+36; G+26)

[20th Engineer Brigade SITREP, 22 Mar 91]

1000 BG Janvier pays farewell visit to LTG Luck at Rafha. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 22 Mar 91]

1330 Northern Province Area Commander, MG Abdul Rahman al

Alkami, visits 6th (French) Light Armored Division. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 22 Mar 91]

1753 First 747 (Mission A-17461) departs with personnel of 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry. [24th Infantry Division SITREP, 22 Mar 91]

1725ZFRAGO 124 issued tasking 1st Support Command (Corps)

to accept attachment of the 159th Maintenance Detachment effective 0600Z 25 March.

2200Z XVIII Airborne Corps Main Command Post issues final SITREP; hereafter primary XVIII Airborne Corps SITREPs are issued by Rear Command Post. [XVIII Airborne Corps SITREP, 22 Mar 91]

23 March (C+200; D+37; G+27)

0500 2d Armored Cavalry begins movement to conduct area

relief in XVIII Airborne Corps zone.

0600 101st Airborne Division Rear Command Post assumes command and control of division; Main Command Post begins displacement to Camp EAGLE II. [Also see 101st Airborne Division SITREP 227 (23 Mar 91)]

1110 CUCV from 61st Medical Detachment (553d Support Battalion) travelling south on Main Supply Route AUDI strikes Saudi civilian water truck head-on three miles south of Guardian City; SPC Luis Henry-Garay (driver) and LTC Carlos Viquez killed and SFC Herbert Lugo critically injured.

1210 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation, begins aerial self-deployment to Camp EAGLE II. [101st Airborne Division SITREP 227 (23 Mar 91)]

24 March (C+201; D+38; G+28)

0530 PFC Patrick A. Wanke (Company D, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division) discovered in M-998 at NV 67693852 as apparent suicide.

0600 82d Airborne Division relieved by 2d Armored Cavalry

and 1st Armored Division of responsibility for Area of Operations BRAGG and command and control of the division passed to Rear Command Post.

0625 2d Armored Cavalry assumes control of Area of Operations EAGLE from 101st Airborne Division.

0800 XVIII Airborne Corps issues final intelligence summary; Corps Tactical Operations Center Support Element ceases operations. [XVIII Airborne Corps INTSUM 467]

0628Z First 400 personnel of main body of 12th Aviation

Brigade depart theater for Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany. [12th Aviation Brigade SITREP, 24 Mar 91]

1000 Final elements of 530th Supply and Service Battalion depart Logistical Base ROMEO. [1st Support Command SITREP 234 (24 Mar 91)]

1200 11th Aviation Brigade relieves 6th (French) Light Armored Division of screening mission in sector. [XVIII Airborne Corps (Rear Command Post) SITREP, 24 Mar 91; 6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 24 Mar 91]

1200Z ARCENT FRAGO 101 transfers operational control of the 1st Helicopter Regiment of the 6th (French) Light Armored Division from XVIII Airborne Corps to VII Corps effective with the completion of the relief in sector but not later than 2400Z on 25 March.

2200 Objective time for closure of last elements of 82d Airborne Division into Assembly Area RHODES. [82d Airborne Division SITREP 229 (24 Mar 91)]

2323 Final element of 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division clears Iraq.

2400 Intelligence collection responsibility passed from XVIII Airborne Corps G-2 to VII Corps G-2. [XVIII Airborne Corps (Rear Command Post) SITREP, 24 Mar 91]

25 March (C+202; D+39; G+29)

0830 XVIII Airborne Corps liaison team (LTC James Cooke and 14 other personnel) departs 6th (French) Light Armored Division to return to Main Command Post, terminating mission.

1000 Rear Command Post assumes command and control of XVIII Airborne Corps at Dragon City; Main Command Post at Rafha relinquishes control.

1200 1st Helicopter Regiment and one company of the 2d Marine Infantry Regiment placed under the operational control of the 11th Aviation Brigade. [6th (French) Light Armored Division SITREP, 23 Mar 91]

1200 Last element of 1st Support Command closes out from Logistical Base ROMEO, except for the 46th Support Group which was due to depart at 0800 with order to be out of Iraq not later than 1200 hours on 26 March.

26 March (C+203; D+40; G+30)

----- Altair (24th Infantry Division), Cygnus (24th Infantry Division), Lyra (24th Infantry Division), and Cape Decision (101st Airborne Division) sail. [XVIII Airborne Corps (Rear Command Post) SITREP, 26 Mar 91]

27 March (C+204; D+41; G+31)

0300Z XVIII Airborne Corps in-theater personnel strength drops under 100,000 for first time since war; actual strength is 97,326. [XVIII Airborne Corps (Rear Command Post) SITREP, 27 Mar 91]

28 March (C+205; D+42; G+32)

29 March (C+206; D+43; G+33)

30 March (C+207; D+44; G+34)

31 March (C+208; D+45; G+35)

Notes:

<1> Note that original document contains typographical error and says that it is SITREP 212 (2 Mar 91).

<2> SITREP states cumulative XVIII Airborne Corps casualties through 14 March are 20 killed, 43 wounded, plus from non-battle causes 21 dead, 163 injured, and 28 lost through disease.

<3> SITREP for 20 March says that brigade has 113 aircraft, but numbers in subsequent SITREPs are adjusted to 105.