To the historian/gamer, the image most often called up by the use of the term USMC is that of an infantry heavy force, using supporting weapons as needed, but relying mainly on that most excellent of all weapons, the Marine rifleman, to get the job done. Thus, it was to some surprise to learn that one of larger armored actions of the Persian Gulf War was fought on the runways of Kuwait Internationalal Airfield between elements of the Iraqi 3rd Armored Division and elements of the 1st Marine Division. On that battlefield, the Marines closed the escape route from Kuwait City, and proved their abilities as masters of armored combat.
On its march north into Kuwait, the Ist Marine Division was organized into several Task Forces, with the code names of TF Papa Bear, TF Taro, TF Grizzly, TF Shepherd, and TF Ripper. (The code names were used due to the fact that a number of Marine battalions found themselves serving under the command of other Marine regiments. TF Grizzly was the headquarters of the 4th Marines, but its two battalions were the 2nd and 3rd of the 7th Marines. It was felt that life would be easier if components could identify with a TF name, and not with a regimental HQ other then their own.)
TF Papa Bear was one of the two mechanized TFs in the 1st Marine Division, with the other being TF Ripper. TF Shepherd was the reinforced lst LAI Battalion, while TF Taro and TF Grizzly moved on foot or truck as the situation allowed. In fact, TF Taro and TF Grizzly entered Kuwait on G-2 and were 18 kilometers into that country by the time the war officially started. TF Ripper, which was the spearhead of the lst Marine Division, was tied into the 2nd Marine Division to its left. TF Papa Bear was at first the divisional reserve, and was brought forward after TF Ripper encountered Iraqi armored at the Al Jaber Air Base on the 26th.
As TF Ripper continued north to maintain contact with the 2nd Marine Division, TF Papa Bear moved up to cover its flank, and ended on the evening of the 26th just south of the Kuwait Internationalal Airport. Elements of the 3rd Iraqi Armored Division were holding the airfield, and needed to be destroyed. However, the Marine commander of the 1st Division, Major General J. M. Myatt, saw his mission as two-fold, and issued orders accordingly. First, TF Papa Bear was to destroy the Iraqi armor in the area, but not to attempt to physically occupy the airfield complex. TF Taro, which consisted of three battalions of infantry, would arrive by truck, dismount south of the airfield, and sweep the buildings clear of the Iraqi infantry. On the morning of the 27th, TF Papa Bear advanced.
Kuwait International Airfield February 27, 1991
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© Copyright 1993 by Greg Novak.
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