82                                  U.S. MAR1NES~1N THE PERSIAN GULF, 1990-1991

   The 3d MAW flew 671 sorties in support of I MEF on G-day, striking
elements of 6 Iraqi divisions and destroying 40 tanks, 3 armored personnel
carriers, 18 trucks, 102 miscellaneous vehicles, 3 antiaircraft artillery (AAA)
sites, and 4 FROG missile sites.
     The 1st FSSG pushed supplies forward in support of the offensive, mov-
ing thousands of tons of cargo and thousands of gallons of water and fuel by
road and airlift on the first day of ground combat.  The southbound logistics
effort focused on moving enemy prisoners to the rear.
   The 5th MEB, from its positions afloat in the Gulf, began to fly its ground
combat element Regimental Landing Team 5 (RLT-5) ashore to assume the
mission as I MEF Reserve on 24 February. (See Map 4.)

                                   G+1

   On 25 February, the second day of ground combat, I MEF continued the
attack on zone, advancing in the face of moderate resistance.
   The 1st MarDiv began the day on a line forward of the Burgan oil field. In
response to a division artillery time-on-target fire mission on suspected enemy
assembly areas, enemy armor boiled out and a close-quarters battle ensued,
involving all elements of the division.  At the end of the day, the division
consolidated and prepared to clear the last of the enemy from the Al Jaber
airfield.  With minimal casualties and equipment losses, the 1st MarDiv had
destroyed 80 enemy tanks and 100 other vehicles and had captured more than
2,000 enemy prisoners of war with more surrendering every hour.
   The 2d MarDiv began the day south of Al Abdallya, attacking north toward
a hard-surface road grid nicknamed the "ice cube tray." Following artillery prep
fires, scores of enemy prisoners of war began streaming toward division lines.
In this encounter, 248 tanks were destroyed and 4,500 enemy prisoners were
captured, including an Iraqi general officer and a brigade commander.
   The 3d MAW flew more than 460 sorties, striking elements of 6 enemy
divisions, destroying 52 tanks, 9 armored personnel carriers, 6 artillery tubes,
and additional AAA and FROG sites.      In the first recorded instance of a re-
motely piloted vehicle (RPV) capturing personnel, Iraqi soldiers waved white
cloths at a Marine RPV as it overflew their position on 25 February.
   The 1st FSSG continued to push supplies forward and move prisoners to the
rear, providing thousands of tons of cargo and thousands of gallons of fuel and
water to I MEF forces.
   To support ground operations ashore, the 4th MEB, aboard Task Force 156
shipping, was tasked to demonstrate significant activity in the vicinity of Ash
Shuaybah. (See Map 4.) Using a combination of deception activities, naval
gunfire from the USS Missouri, and 4th MEB helicopters, an amphibious
demonstration was underway by 0400 local on 25 February.   In response to the
demonstration, the Iraqis focused their attention to the east, fired two Silkworm
missiles without effect, directed divisions in position along the coast to hold in
place, and ordered another division north to reinforce.