1st Cavalry Division
Artillery Command
Historical Missions
"The Red Team"
United States Artillery can be traced back to the Military Company of
Massachusetts, which was chartered in 1638, and with other colonial artillery
companies formed what became the Continental Artillery. More than a century
later, in April 1775, the legislature authorized the formation of an artillery
regiment. This unit was first commanded by Colonel Richard Gridley, a former
British artillery officer who later was replaced by Colonel Henry Knox.
Colonel Knox eventually became the Chief of Artillery and is credited with
shaping artillery tactics for the remainder of the Revolution.
The continued utilization of technical innovations throughout their history
has enabled the artillery to be a decisive threat to destroy, neutralize, or
suppress the enemy. Not since the formulation of gunpowder by the Chinese, two
technical innovations faced the artillerymen; rifling and breech loading. To
the forward looking military arsenal manufacturer, their utility was not in
doubt - but the engineering of a reliable design and integrating the geometry
of the ammunition into the cannon had many problems. You may be interested in
reading about the technical and contractual problems of one such early pioneer,
"The Free
Enterprise Patriot", who expended many years in building and testing a
prototype, but was unable to supply a timely design to the Colonial Army,
hence their introduction was delayed until the Civil War Period.
From the historical battlefields of Yorktown and Gettysburg, through the
Western Plains, Mexican and Spanish American Wars, the artillery was always
there. In fact, the nickname, "Redlegs", comes from that era when artillery
uniforms had a 2-inch red stripe on their trousers and horse artillery men
wore red canvas leggings. Continuing through the modern days of the European
and Asian Theaters of WWII, the Pusan Perimeter in Korea, the Ia Drang Valley
in Vietnam, to the "Steel Rain" of Desert Storm, "Redlegs" have served with
distinction and valor in all of our country's armed conflicts.
The roots of the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery can be traced back to 01 July
1916 when the 82nd Field Artillery was constituted in the Regular Army and
organized as the 24th Cavalry at Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming. On 01 November
1917, the 24th Cavalry was redesignated as the 82nd Field Artillery. On 13
September 1921 the 82nd, comprised of Battery "A", "B" & "C", was the
artillery unit assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division when it was organized, at
Fort Bliss, Texas.
World War II, Pacific Theater
On 03 January 1941, the tactical significance of the artillery organizations
was recognized, with the activation of the 1st Division Artillery Headquarters
and Headquarters Battery at Fort Bliss, Texas for extensive field training. By
that time the 82nd Field Artillery had expanded to include two battalions.
Throughout 1942, the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery underwent extensive
training, honing its readiness to a fine edge. In this period of time, the
Division Artillery had a significant infusion of personnel by the addition of
the 61st, 62nd, 99th, 163rd and 271st Field Artillery Battalions.
In addition to the added personnel, there were numerous new weapon
developments during the early years of World War II. Some improvements were
based upon experiences of World War I, others were the natural outcome of
scientific progress. The new 155-mm howitzer reached the troops in 1942. The
8-inch howitzer was in action, and the 240-mm howitzer soon followed. The
introduction of self-propelled artillery and proximity fusing increased the
mobility and changed the employment of artillery tactics on the
battlefield.
In February 1943, the entire 1st Cavalry Division was alerted for an overseas
assignment as a dismounted unit. An impatient 1st Cavalry Division was
dismounted and they were processed for movement to the Southwest Pacific
theater as foot solders. In mid June 1943, the last troops of the division
departed Fort Bliss, Texas for Camp Stoneman, California and later on 03 July,
boarded the "S.S. Monterey and the S.S. George Washington" for Australia and
the Southwest Pacific.
On 26 July, three weeks later, the division arrived at Brisbane and began a
fifteen mile trip to their new temporary home, Camp Strathpine, Queensland,
Australia. The division received six months of intense combat jungle warfare
training at Camp Strathpine in the wilds of scenic Queensland and amphibious
training at nearby Moreton Bay. In January 1944 the division was ordered to
leave Australia and sail to Oro Bay, New Guinea. After a period of staging in
New Guinea, it was time for the 1st Cavalry Division to receive their first
baptism of fire.
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On 27 February, Task Force "Brewer", consisting of 1,026 troopers, embarked
from Cape Sudest, Oro Bay, New Guinea under the command of Brigadier General
William C. Chase. Their destination was a remote, Japanese occupied island of
the Admiralties, Los Negros, where they were to make a reconnaissance of force
and if feasible, capture Momote Airdrome and secure a beachhead for the
reinforcements that would follow.
Just after 8:00 on 29 February, the 1st Cavalry troopers climbed down the nets
of the APD's and into the LCM's and LCPR's, the flat bottomed landing craft of
the Navy. The task force, including the 82nd and 99th Field Artillery
Battalions, landed at Hayane Harbor and took the Japanese by surprise.
On 18 May 1944, the Admiralty Islands campaign officially ended. Japanese
casualties stood at 3,317 killed. The losses of the 1st Cavalry Division
included 290 dead, 977 wounded and 4 missing in action. Training, discipline,
determination and ingenuity had won over suicidal attacks. The First Cavalry
Troopers were now seasoned veterans.
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The next action for the 1st Cavalry Division was on the Philippines Island of
Leyte. On Columbus Day, 12 October 1944, the 1st Cavalry Division sailed away
from its hard earned base in the Admiralties for the Leyte invasion, Operation
King II. On October 20, the invasion force must have appeared awesome to the
waiting Japanese as it swept toward the eastern shores of Leyte. The Division
fought tirelessly against Japanese fortifications. With the last of the
strongholds of Leyte eliminated, the Division moved on to Luzon, the main
island of the Philippines. Leyte had been the biggest campaign of the Pacific
war, but the record was about to be shattered by the invasion of Luzon.
On 26 January, conveys were formed and departed for the Lingayan Gulf, Luzon
Island, the Philippines. Landing without incident on 27 January, the division
assembled in an area near Guimba and prepared for operations in the south and
southwest areas. One of the First Team's most noted feats was accomplished
during the fighting for Luzon. General MacArthur issued an order "Get to
Manila!". The resulting mission, and the participating units, was dubbed a
"flying column" by General Mudge. The rescue mission, lead by Brig. General
William C. Chase, was divided into three "serials", of which included "A"
Battery of the 82nd Field Artillery Battalion and "B" Battery of the 61st
Field Artillery Battalion. On 03 February 1945, lead elements of the rescue
column crossed the city limits of Manila at 6:35 PM, covering the 100 miles of
rough terrain in approximately 66 hours. The first of many "Firsts" was
recorded in history;
"First in Manila"
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On 13 August 1945, the 1st Cavalry Division was alerted that they were
selected to accompany General Douglas MacArthur to Tokyo and would be part of
the 8th Army in the occupation of Japan. On 02 September the long convey of
ships steered into Yokohama Harbor and past the battleship Missouri where
General MacArthur would later receive the Japanese surrender party. The First
Team was given the honor of leading the Allied Occupational Army into Tokyo.
At 1030 hours, advance elements of the 1st Cavalry Division landed unopposed
at the Yokohama docks.
At that time, a reconnaissance party headed by Colonel Charles A. Sheldon, the
1st Cavalry Division Chief of Staff, went ashore to contact the advance party
of Lieutenant Colonel Moyers S. Shore which had arrived by plane five days
earlier to reconnoiter and select Assembly Area (AA) locations for the landing
parties. The initial Assembly Areas were within five blocks of the docks. By
nightfall, the troops of the 1st Cavalry Division were occupying staging areas
throughout the Yokohama Harbor.
On 05 September, long lines of vehicles, carrying solders and equipment of the
off-loading units, moved west to the designated bivouac area in Hara-Machida
District, where Japanese Signal and Ordnance schools were located. At noon, a
reconnaissance party headed by Colonel Charles A. Sheldon, the Chief of Staff
of the 1st Cavalry Division, entered Tokyo. This embarkment was the first
official movement of American personnel into the capital of the mighty
Japanese Empire. The reconnaissance was without incident. Its mission was to
find bivouac areas for the Division within the city itself.
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At 8:00 on 08 September, a history making convey left Hara-Machida with Tokyo
as their destination. Headed by Major General William C. Chase, commanding
general of the 1st Cavalry Division, the party included a veteran from each
troop of the division. Passing through Hachioji, Fuchu and Chofu, the Cavalry
halted briefly at the Tokyo City Limits. General Chase stepped across the line
thereby putting the American Occupational Army officially in Tokyo and adding
another "First" to its name.
As soon as the Tokyo convey got underway, transport ships moved to dockside
and began their operation of unloading equipment and deboarding of personnel
of the 1st Cavalry Division. During the next week, the majority of the units
took temporary, makeshift quarters designated in the Meiji Shrine Park located
in Tokyo, where they remained for the first week as more permanent facilities
were located.
"First in Tokyo"
The first mission of the division was to assume control of the city. On 16
September, the 1st Cavalry Division was given responsibility for occupying the
entire city of Tokyo and the adjacent parts of Tokyo and Saitama Prefectures.
Artillery Headquarters and Headquarters Troops and other units were stationed
at Camp Drake near Tokyo.
1946 was welcomed as a new dawning of peace for the 1st Cavalry Division. The
days of privation, hardship, suffering and death were over for the first time
since 07 December 1940. They year found the 1st Cavalry Division in control of
Tokyo and vicinity, the capital of the war-built Japanese Empire. On 01 March,
the 1st Cavalry Division was given the occupational responsibility of seven
prefectures of Japan, in addition to the four occupied during the previous
months.
The 1st Cavalry Division began 1947 with the continuation of its occupation of
the heart and nerve center of the Japanese Empire. Although there was no
change in occupational policy, there had been vast changes among the troopers
themselves. The combat veterans of the division had been replaced by new
arrivals from the states. Their time was spent in receiving advanced training,
guard duty, patrolling and specialist assignments.
As the new year of 1948 opened, the influence of the occupation was everywhere.
Japan had been converted into a peaceful nation with a framework of government
under its new constitution that would make it a lasting democracy. Reduction
of troops continued throughout the year.
All ranks looked forward toward the new year of 1949 in anticipation of
bringing the division up to standards of combat efficiency and morale for
which it stood. Personnel increased approximately 70 percent over the previous
levels of manpower. In March, the 1st Cavalry Division was retitled 1st
Cavalry Division (Infantry) and organized as a regular, triangular infantry
division. By the end of the year, combat effectiveness had risen sharply over
that of the previous year. The emphasis on training conducted by the division
had netted the desired result.
1950 called for an increased training to improve the ever-increasing combat
effectiveness of the division which was soon to be tested.
Korean War
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It happened before dawn on 25 June 1950. Less than 5 years after the terrible
devastations of World War II, a new war broke out from a distant land whose
name means "Morning Calm". On 18 July the 1st Cavalry Division was ordered to
Korea. Initially scheduled to make an amphibious landing at Inchon, it was
redirected to the southeastern coast of Korea at Pohang-dong a port 80 miles
north of Pusan. The North Koreans were 25 miles away when elements of the 1st
Cavalry Division swept ashore to successfully carry out the first amphibious
landing of the Korean War. Its initial mission was to reinforce the Pusan
Perimeter. By 22 July, all regiments were deployed in battle positions; in
itself a remarkable logistical achievement in the face of Typhoon Helene that
pounded the Korean coastline.
Their baptism of fire came on 23 July. They were hit by heavy artillery fire
and mortar barrage, and North Korean infantrymen swarmed toward their
entrenched positions. During the first few weeks,the division artillerymen
fighting with small arms along side their thundering artillery pieces. One
cannoneer suggested that the crossed cannons of the artillery be changed to
one cannon and one rifle. The Korean Conflict was chaotic and difficult for
the artillery. Classical front lines disappeared. Artillery units often found
themselves surrounded and artillerymen were called upon to fight side by side
with the infantry. Artillery personnel was used to perform rear guard actions.
To make up for their own lack of artillery, the North Koreans made battery
positions their prime targets. Batteries had to fight off invaders in close
combat and still fire their guns in support of the combat operations.
The Pusan Perimeter continued to hold. With added reinforcements, Pusan became
a staging ground and depot for United Nations supplies and soldiers from all
around the world. Solders of the United Nations forces became First Team
troopers, when they were attached to the 1st Cavalry Units and fought along
side of them. The defenders now outnumbered the attackers and they had the
equipment and firepower to go on the offensive.
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In late October 1950, orders came from I Corps to saddle up the rest of the
division and move north. The Korean war seemed to be nearing a conclusion. The
North Korean forces were being squeezed into a shrinking perimeter along the
Yalu and the borders of Red China and Manchuria. By now, more than 135,000
Red troops had been captured and the North Korean Army was nearly
destroyed.
On 25 October 1950, the Korean War took a grim new turn. The sudden
intervention of Communist Chinese forces dashed hopes of a quick end to the
war. In the morning of 01 November, patrols from the 1st and 2nd Battalions,
8th Cavalry, clashed with soldiers clearly identified as Red Chinese. By 28
December, the true extent of the enemy buildup had become clear. There was at
least 20 Red Chinese divisions poised for a drive on Seoul. Now there was
almost a million and a half Chinese and North Korean troops on the Korean
peninsula.
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On 25 January 1951, the First Team moved back into action. The movement began
as a reconnaissance in force to locate and assess the size of the Red Army,
believed to be at least 174,000. The Eight Army moved slowly and methodically,
ridge by ridge, phase line by phase line, wiping out each pocket of resistance
before moving farther North. The advance covered 2 miles a day, despite heavy
blinding snowstorms and subzero temperatures.
From 09 June to 27 November, the 1st Cavalry took on various rolls in the
summer-fall campaign of the United Nations. On 18 July, a year after it had
entered the war, the 1st Cavalry Division was assigned to a reserve status.
In late fall, the artillerymen were being relieved by elements of the 45th
Infantry Division and they began their rotation back to Hokkaido, Japan.
During the campaign they had fired 1,345,250 rounds of ammunition.
On 27 November, the advance party from the division, left Korea and by late
January 1952, all units had arrived on Hokkaido, under the command of Major
General Thomas L. Harrold. Arriving in the port of Muroran, each unit was
loaded on trains and moved to the new garrison areas. Three camps were
established outside Sappro, the Islands capital city. The division controlled
a huge training area of 155,000 acres. The mission of the division was to
defend the Island of Hokkaido and to maintain maximum combat readiness.
On 12 December 1952, the 7th Regiment, the 77th Field Artillery Battery and
Battery "B", 29th Antiaircraft Battalion sailed for Pusan to relieve the 8th
Regiment. By 20 December, the 8th Cavalry Troopers were all back in Hokkaido
in time to celebrate Christmas.
On 10 February 1953, the 5th Cavalry Regiment, 61st Field Artillery Battalion
and Battery "A", 29th Antiaircraft AW Battalion, departed from Otaru, Japan
for Pusan and Koje-do, Korea to relieve the 7th Cavalry.
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The Korean War wound down to a negotiated halt when the long awaited armistice
was signed at 10:00 on 27 July 1953. A DeMilitarized Zone (DMZ), a corridor -
4 kilometers wide and 249 kilometers long, was established dividing North and
South Korea. The nominal line of the buffer zone is along the 38th parallel;
however, the final negotiations of the adjacent geographical areas, gave the
North Korean Government some 850 square miles south of the 38th parallel and
the South Korean Government some 2,350 square miles north of it.
In September 1954, the Japanese assumed responsibility for defending Hokkaido
and the First Team returned to the main Island of Honshu. For the next three
years the division guarded the northern sections of Honshu until a treaty was
signed by the governments of Japan and the United States in 1957. This accord
signaled the removal of all U.S. ground forces from Japan's main islands.
On 20 August 1957, the First Cavalry Division, guarding the northern sections
of Honshu, Japan was reduced to zero strength and transferred to Korea (minus
equipment). On 23 September 1957, General Order 89 announced the redesignation
of the 24th Infantry Division as the 1st Cavalry Division and ordered a
reorganization of the Division under the "pentomic" concept. In ceremonies
held on 15 October, the colors of the 24th Division were retired and the
colors of the 1st Cavalry Division were passed to the Commanding General of
the old 24th Division, Major General Ralph W. Zwicker. "The First Team" had
returned, standing ready to defend Korea against Communist aggression.
The redesignated and reorganized First Cavalry was assigned the mission of
patrolling the "Freedom's Frontier" (DMZ). In addition to their assigned
duties of patrol along the southern border of the DMZ, training remained a
number one priority for the troopers and unit commanders. In January 1958, the
the largest training exercise in Korea since the end of hostilities, Operation
Snowflake, was conducted. This exercise was followed by Operation Saber in May
and Operation Horsefly in August.
The 1st Cavalry Division took over the facilities of the former 24th Infantry
Division who were stationed at a Headquarters Compound located in the western
defense corridor located at Bong il Chong in the Paju City area. The 1st
Cavalry remained headquartered at Camp Howze until it went home on 01 July
1965. The division was only stateside long enough to be reorganized and be
prepared for a new mission. On 3 July 1965, in Doughboy Stadium at Fort
Benning, Georgia the colors of the 11th Air Assault Division (Test) were cased
and retired. As the band played the rousing strains of GarryOwen, the colors
of the 1st Cavalry Division were moved onto the field. As part of the
reorganization, the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 11th Air Assault
Division Artillery was redesignated as Headquarters, Headquarters and
Headquarters Battery, 1st Cavalry Division Artillery.
Vietnam War
In September 1965, the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery units were deployed in
Vietnam. The "Red Legs" of the Division Artillery sailed into Vietnam aboard
the USS Upshur, arriving in Vietnam at Qui Nhon on 05 September 1965. The "Red
Team" was back in combat. The Division Artillery consisted of the 2nd
Battalion, 19th Artillery, the 20th Battalion, 20th Artillery, the 1st
Battalion, 21st Artillery and 1st Battalion 77th Artillery. Their first task
was setting up unit headquarters at Camp Radcliff, the division camp base at
An Khe. In October, units participated in their first major action, Shiny
Bayonet. Their role was to coordinate tube artillery, aerial rocket artillery,
air strikes and forward observers.
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The war in Vietnam saw another change in the employment of artillery tactics.
Front lines common in previous wars were replaced by perimeter defenses. The
helicopter became a prime mover for artillery giving increased mobility.
Artillery units occupied fire support bases and could fire 360 degrees in
support of operations. The ability of the artillery to provide rapid and
devastating fire support at critical times often spelled the difference
between victory and defeat.
Very few major engagements were fought without artillery support. From the 1st
Cavalry Division's first engagement with North Vietnamese troops in 1965, the
Tet Offensive of 1968, and the many support missions fired, the Field
Artillery provided the quantity and quality of fire support that won the
admiration and respect of the infantry. As stated by Rudyard Kipling so many
years ago: An as their firin' dies away, the 'usky wisper runs, from lips that
'aven't drunk all day: The guns! Thank Gawd, the guns!
04 January 1966 began "Masher/White Wing" which were code names for the
missions in Binh Dinh Province. "Masher/White Wing" utilized the a unique
innovation. A special sling was developed that allowed the huge C-54A
Skycrane Helicopter to airlift 155mm towed howitzers to firing positions
previously considered inaccessible for the 13,000 pound weapon. Another
innovation, was the successful use of a multiple rocket system which allowed
helicopters to carry both SS-11 and 2.75 inch aerial rockets. The mission
ended 06 March 1966, with the enemy losing its grip on the Binh Dinh Province;
however, its name would be heard again and again during the next six years.
In January 1968, the division moved its headquarters to Camp Evans in I Corps.
From there, the division artillery controlled the firing batteries of the
division as they blasted the NVA from the city of Quang Tri and also from the
walls of Hue, which the enemy had controlled since their Tet Offensive. On 05
April, the forward command post moved to LZ Stud to coordinate relief of the
Marines at Khe Sanh. Later on the 27th of April, the fire support section
shifted to the A Shau Valley to support the assault on the infiltration routes
and supply centers of the NVA.
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In July 1970, the 1st Cavalry Division continued the task of clearing the
remaining NVA combat elements from the area of III Corps north, east and west
of Saigon. Much of this action was supported from firebases which were able to
provide field combat units a self directed protective coverage of firepower
to their identified targets over a wide area of remote operations. In
addition, most firebases were located close enough so that they could direct
protective fire support on each other's perimeter if necessary. Typical
artillery support was performed by the "B" Battery, 1st Battalion, 30th
Artillery out of Firebase "Moe", a one battalion sized firebase, located in
Song Be Province northwest of Saigon approximately two kilometers from the
Cambodian border. In addition to other elements, the firebase was equipped
with the medium artillery platoon consisting of three 155 Howitzers and
staffed by a platoon leader, n XO, a fire control officer, and 50
troopers.
Although 26 March 1971 officially marked the end of duties in Vietnam for the
1st Cavalry Division, President Nixon's program of "Vietnamization" required
the continued presence of a strong U.S. fighting force. The 2nd Battalion of
the 5th Regiment, 1st Battalion of the 7th Regiment, 2nd Battalion of the 8th
Regiment and 1st Battalion of the 12th Regiment, 1st Battalion 21st Field
Artillery, "F" Battery, 28th Artillery, "F" Battery 77th Artillery (Aviation),
"F" Battery, 79th Artillery (ARA) along with specialized support units as "F"
Troop, 9th Cavalry and Delta Company, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion
helped establish the 3rd Brigade headquarters at Bien Hoa. Its primary mission
was to interdict enemy infiltration and supply routes in War Zone D.
By 31 March 1972, only 96,000 U.S. troops were involved in the Vietnam combat
operations. In mid June 1972, the standdown ceremony for the 3rd Brigade was
held in Bein Hoa and the colors were returned to the United States. The last
trooper left from Tan Son Nhut on 21 June, completing the division recall
which had started on 05 May 1971. With the 3rd Brigade completing their
withdraw, the 1st Cavalry had been the first army division to go to Vietnam
and the last to leave.
Persian Gulf War, Southwest Asia
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In August 1990, the 1st Cavalry Division was alerted for deployment to
Southwest Asia as part of the joint forces participating in Operation Desert
Shield. The focus at that time was the defense of Saudi Arabia against
potential Iraqi attack. The First Team soldiers flew from Robert Gray Army
Airfield to Dhahran International Airport via Paris, France and Cairo, Egypt.
As soon as their equipment arrived, they moved to the remote Assembly Area
Horse (AA Horse) in the Saudi desert 160 miles west of the airport.
By 13 January 1991, the division moved north toward the juncture of the Saudi,
Iraq and Kuwait borders through a series of defensive positions designed to
thwart any preemptive attack along the Wadi. Meanwhile, the air war began and
other Allied ground forces began to reposition for the offense. The "Red Team"
began a calculated war of deception along the Saudi border. Among the various
actions taken were:
1. The First Team's Multiple Launched Rocket Systems (MLRS) repeatedly lit the
sky, battering targets deep in Iraq.
2. Cannon batteries fired Copperhead rounds (computer controlled, rocket assisted
projectiles) and thousands of high explosive along with improved conventional
munitions into Iraq.
The goal was to lure Saddam Hussein into believing the main ground attack of
the Allies would come up the Wadi al-Batin, a natural invasion route,
causing him to reposition additional forces there. The deception consisted of
three major thrusts:
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1. "Operation Red Storm", 16 February 1991
Operation Red Storm, a VII Corps Artillery-Aviation raid up the Wadi Al -
Batin, was designed to make the Iraqis believe that the Wadi was being
prepped for the main offensive. It utilized the resources of the 11th
Aviation Brigade, the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery, and elements of the VII
Corps Artillery. Just prior to 0100 hours, 16 February 1991, the artillery
units fired a 3 minute prep on selected targets, followed by Apache attack
helicopters crossing the Berm to engage targets of opportunity. In conjunction
with this action, USAF assets attacked targets deep in Iraqi.
2. "Operation Knight Strike", 19 February 1991
A reconnaissance in force conducted by TF 1-5 CAV up the Wadi Al-Batin to
determine the strength, composition, and disposition of Iraqi forces in the
area. This operation, intended to make the Iraqis think that a major attack up
the Wadi Al-Batin was being initiated, was the first mounted combat in Iraq
during the war. It was also the bloodiest battle of the war for the 1st
Cavalry Division.
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Desert Storm's "First" major ground encounter was on 19/20 February 1991 when
the Division's 2nd (Blackjack) Brigade attacked 10 miles into Iraq, confirming
and destroying enemy positions. On the opening of the ground war, the
Blackjack Brigade, supported by the Aviation Brigade Apache helicopters, moved
into Iraq on a "reconnaissance in force". The Brigade broke contact after
penetrating enemy obstacles, taking fire and causing the enemy to light oil
fire trenches. They withdrew south to join the Division for the subsequent
series of final attacks.
After thirty-eight days of continuous air attacks on targets in Iraq and
Kuwait, the commander of the Allied Forces, General Norman Schwarzkopf
unleashed all-out attacks against Iraqi forces very early on 24 February 1991.
The 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, reinforced by Battery "A", 21st Field
Artillery Multiple Launched Rocket Systems (MLRS) laid down heavy fire in
support of the 2nd "Blackjack" Brigade's "feint" attack up the Wadi al
Batin.
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3. "Operation Quick Strike", 24 February 1991
This operation was an unqualified success. The enemy reacted as anticipated.
Iraqi divisions focused on the coalition threat in the Wadi, and the First
Team froze them. The deception worked, in that it tied down four Iraqi
divisions, leaving their flanks thinned and allowed the VII Corps to attack
virtually unopposed, conducting a successful envelopment of Iraqi forces to
the west.
On 28 February 1991, 100 hours after General Norman Schwarzkopf had initiated
the ground attack, President George Bush ordered a cease-fire. In the 100
hours of battle before the cease-fire went into effect, the Iraqis had lost
3,847 of their 4,280 tanks, over half of their 2,880 armored personnel
carriers, and nearly all of their 3,100 artillery pieces. Only five to seven
of their forty-three combat divisions remained capable of offensive
operations.
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1st Cavalry Division units setup defensive positions where the cease fire had
stopped their attack and then expanded north to "Highway 8" clearing bunkers
and looking for enemy equipment and soldiers. Captured Iraqi soldiers
interviewed testified to the overwhelming, shattering effects of the "Steel
Rain" of the Multiple Launched Rocket Systems. Within two weeks, the 1st
Cavalry Division moved south into Saudi Arabia and the new assembly area (AA)
Killeen. There on the plain of the Wadi al-Batin, the Cavalry began to
prepare for redeployment home.
Returning to Fort Hood, the 1st Cavalry Division Artillary continued the
constant effort of personnel and equipment readiness preparation. Since that
time, they have fielded the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System, the
M-109A6 Paladin Howitzer, participated in National Training Center rotations,
"no notice" redeployments to Kuwait in which soldiers are deployed from each
battalion and each separate battery to SouthWest Asia.
The "Red Team" stoods ready to support the "First Team" in the defense of
freedom and the security of peace.
Iraqi Freedom - II
Throughout the period of January to May, 2004, the 1st Cavalry Division
deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, and began serving as Task
Force - Baghdad. While in Iraq, the DIVARTY Headquarters served as the
headquarters element for the 5th Brigade Combat Team (Provisional), 1st
Cavalry Division, taking control of several battalions, which served as
motorized task forces. On 06 April 2004,in a Transfer-Of-Authority(TOA)
ceremony 2004 the 5th Brigade Combat Team assumed the mission of securing
Al-Rashid District, Baghdad from the Division Artillery (DIVARTY) Combat Team,
1st Armored Division, a similarly organized provisional brigade combat
team.
The DIVARTY Combat Team, the 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment, and
the 1st Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, led the force
protection package at Baghdad International Airport. Later, the unit set up a
counter-battery center to combat the mortar and rocket fire into the airport
and headquarters of the 1st Armored. In January 2004, they moved to Forward
Operating Base Falcon. The 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment and Task Force
2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment were later added to the
DIVARTY Combat Team and assumed responsibility of the Al Rashid District.
On October 10, 2006, at approximately 10:40 PM., a 82mm mortar round, fired
by militia forces from a residential area in Abu T-Shir, caused a fire at an
Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) at FOB Falcon. The ASP, containing tank and
artillery rounds, in addition to smaller caliber ammunition, set off a series
of large explosions. About 100 troops from the 4th Infantry Division were
reported to be stationed at the base at the time, but no injuries were
reported.
As of late December 2004, Camp Falcon was also home to a spacious PX. For
Thanksgiving 2004, meals were provided for 3,000 by Camp Falcon's canteen and
kitchen staff.
During their time at Camp Falcon, Assault and Obstacle Platoon of "B", 8th
Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division has 'enjoyed' much on-the-job
training. A prime example is the installation of a sewage system, a task
usually taken on by civilians or combat-heavy engineers. they had been working
this sewage system for a month. With a total of seven weeks work, the pipe
system was expected to be complete late January 2005.
The 1st Battalion, 1st Cavalry Regiment and Task Force 2-504th Parachute
Infantry (82nd Airborne Division) were later added to the DIVARTY Combat Team
and assumed responsibility of the city's Al Rashid District.
On 26 May 2005, following the return from its Operation Iraqi Freedom II
deployment, the 5th Brigade (Provisional), 1st Cavalry Division was
inactivated at Fort Hood, Texas On 30 May 2005, the DIVARTY, 1st Cavalry
Division, which had returned to its traditional role, was inactivated as part
of the US Army's transformation towards a modular force.
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