ANTHOLOGY AND ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY                                          79


leading into Kuwait.     The 4th and 5th MEBs continued with Exercise SEA
SOLDIER IV at Ra's Madrakan, Oman, through 2 February.
   On 29 January, the Iraqis penetrated the Saudi Arabian border at three lo-
cations: north of IChafil; east of Wafrah; and at the "elbow.   (See Map 1.) The
latter two incursions were repulsed by 1st and 2d MarDivs with heavy cas-
ualties to the Iraqis. A multibrigade task force conducted the attack in the east
with the forward elements entering the town of Khafji.         This was the most
significant and publicized ground action between Coalition Forces and the Iraqis
prior to the initiation of the ground offensive. Elements of the 1st SRJG, which
were in Khafji when the Iraqis entered the town, and reconnaissance elements
from Task Force Taro (3d Marines), sent to support a Saudi/Qatari counterattack
on Khafji, played a significant role, spotting targets and adjusting fire for
artillery and tactical air strikes throughout the battle.  By the afternoon of 30
January, Coalition Forces had cleared Khafii and moved north of the town.
   On 29 January, the 13th MEU conducted Operation DESERT STING, a raid
on the Iraqi occupied island of Maradim. No enemy soldiers were encountered;
however,  large  amounts     of equipment,  ammunition,        and supplies were
discovered and destroyed.     The 4th and 5th MEBs completed Exercise SEA
SOLDIER IV     on      2 February, backloaded, and prepared       for amphibious
operations in support of DESERT STORM. (See Map 2.)
   For the next several weeks, I MEF ground forces continued reconnaissance
missions while repositioning in preparation for the ground offensive.    Marines
from Task Force Taro continued to provide training for Saudi forces in the
vicinity of Al Mish'ab, completing the cross training on 14 February.     The 3d
MAW continued to attrit the enemy while flying missions in support of I MEF
and the CinCCent air tasking order, and the 1st FSSG continued supplying the
force while establishing new combat service support areas forward in the I MEF
zone.  On 13 February, I MEF established a new command post at Al Khanjar,
completing its displacement by the 15th. A dirt strip capable of landing C-130s,
known as Lonesome Dove airfield, was also established at Al Khanjar.      On the
17th, 1st and 2d MarDivs began displacement to final positions, establishing new
boundaries that roughly bisected 1st MarDiv's old sector.       Task Force Troy,
with tanks, TOWS, artillery, and reconnaissance elements, was employed as a
deception force to continue activities in 2d MarDiv's old sector and to mask the
division's westward passage through the 1st MarDiv into its final position.
   On 20 February, Marine AV-8Bs from 4th MEB conducted combat stakes
from aboard the USS Nassau--a first for the Marine Corps.
   Marine units continued screening operations and began probing and in-
filtrating into the obstacle belts. The berm paralleling the Saudi-Kuwaiti border
was cut in numerous locations in anticipation of the impending ground combat.
Deception operations were continued throughout the I MEF AOR to conceal the
actual point of main effort for the offensive.  On 21 February, the 2d LAI
Battalion was engaged on three separate occasions by Iraqi forces during
cross-border screening operations, calling tactical air and artillery to suppress the
enemy each time.