AAR 1ST MARDIV IN SWA

File: 970725_dec96_decls34_0109.txt
Page: 0109
Total Pages: 130
Subject = AAR  1ST MARDIV IN SWA                                          

Parent Organization = MCCDC       

Unit = WDID        

Folder Title = AFTER ACTION REPORT 1ST MARINE DIVISION IN SOUTHWEST ASIA   WDID SWA 0073                       

Document Number =          1

Box ID = BX600145



                                   UNCLASSIFIED





                     At 1730, Task Force Papa Bear received additional guidance
               from Division regarding preparations for the 26 February attack
               to isolate and seize Kuwait International Airport. ist Tanks
               and 3/9 made preparations for the move north while CSSD-11
               resupplied both battalions with A""o, food, and water. By
               2900, Task Force Log Trains had completed their move to the
               north side of the obstacle belt.
                     By 0030, 26 February, the Task Force had completed moving
               north to its new assembly area (vic QS 838968). 3/9 was the
               furthest north, with Ist Tanks and the CP about 5 km southeast.
               1/1 spent the night in the Burgan Oilfields and was to link-up
               with the Task Force the following morning.
               PHASE III: ATTACK ON MWAIT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

                     At 0800, Task Force Papa Bear, now the Division Reserve,
               began moving north. 1/1 moved west along power lines to the
               north of Al Burqan to link up with the remainder of the Task
               Force (vic QT 8005). The Task Force skirted the west side of
               Al Burqan Oilfield, travelling between the 79 and 85
               north-south gridlines. moving north through thick black clouds
               of oily smoke, the Task Force passed scores of destroyed and
               abandoned tanks, anti-tank guns, and armored vehicles. The
               Task Force moved in a wedge formation with 3/9 on the right,
               1/1 abreast to the left, followed by Ist Tanks and Engineers.
               At 1100, the Task Force reached PL Red (QT 8020), and by 1300,
               Papa Bear was located behind PL Dianne.
                     At 1330, Task Force Commanders met with the Commanding
               General to finalize plans for the attack of Kuwait
               International Airport.. Task Force Papa Bear was to isolate the
               airport from the south- and west, while TF Ripper blocked to the
               northwest. TF Shepherd was tasked with isolating the airport
               from the east. At 1430, the Task Force held an orders group to
               issue the frag order to its subordinate units. On order, 3/9
               would lead across PL Dianne with 1/1 in trace. Once across PL
               Margaret, 3/9 would continue north and 1/1 would move east.
               This would put 3/9 to the west of the runway, 1/1 south of the
               runway, with Ist Tanks isolating the divided highway south of
               1/1. The Task Force also had a "be prepared" mission to clear
               the airfield the next morning.
                     At approximately 'i5oo, 1/11 reported taking incoming
               chemical rounds. Apparently, someone observed yellow smoke@
               and mistook it for chemical agents. The Task Force was placed
               in MOPP 4 until the CAMS and FOX vehicle could verify the
               absence of chemicals. No chemical agents were detected and the
               "all clear" was given approximately 10 minutes later.
                     At 2615, TF'Ripper requested assistance from TF Papa Bear
               as its right flank unit (1/7) had become heavily engaged.
               Division granted permission for Papa Bear to cross PL Dianne in
               order to relieve the Iraqi pressure on Ripper's flank.
 UNCLASSIFIED
                   .:At 1630, 3/9 moved out towards the airfield. Visibility
               was extremely noor and aettina worse due to the heavy