"Cry Havoc. Let loose the dogs of war," First Brigade TF Commander, Colonel Hill, paraphrased William Shakespeare as Hill's brigade thundered towards its landing zone in the largest air assault attack ever mounted. Earlier on the morning of 24 Feb, the soldiers belonging to First Brigade's air assault task force had braced for their encounter with destiny. Even as the final preparations for the air assault were under way, a heavy fog started blanketing the earth. The resulting poor visibility briefly postponed First Brigade's appointment in Iraq.

An OH58D Kiowa from the 1-9th Cav Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Platoon was to screen for thepathfinder insertion mission. The aircraft was destroyed as it struck the ground in the heavy fog. The crash occurred near the line of departure at 0330. Both crew members were hospitalized, the aerial observer with third degree bums to the back.

After the Kiowa crash, the division elected to delay the pathfinder mission for at least an hour. Eventually the division chose to launch the pathfinder mission simultaneous to the 1- 101 AATK mission to screen FOB Cobra Two UH60 Blackhawks inserted the pathfinders at 0720. The 1-101 AATK was in position screening FOB Cobra shortly thereafter.

Once the landing zone was prepared, the mission returned to its planned tempo. Sixty-six UH60A Blackhawks and thirty CH47D Chinooks carrying Ist Brigade's first air assault lift gracefully climbed from the brigade's pickup zone in TAA Campbell. By 0727, they filled the desert sky. In just over an hour, the aircraft had safely deposited some 500 soldiers ninetythree miles deep into Iraq.

Soon after landing, LTC Bridges' 3-327th Infantry made contact with a small force of Iraqi soldiers. The Iraqis were quickly captured. It was not much longer before A Co of the 1-327th Infantry encountered the bulk of the Iraqi force in FOB Cobra.

The 1st Battalion, 82nd Bde of Iraq's 49th ID had entrenched themselves just north of MSR Virginia. The 1-327th Infantry discovered the Iraqi battalion while clearing FOB Cobra in zone. A sharp firefight ensued.

A platoon leader from the 3-327th called in for fire support. Attack helicopters and two Air Force A10s soon strafed the Iraqis. They also hit the Iraqi position with artillery from the battalion task forces' direct support field artillery battery.

With the target prepped, the 1-327th began maneuvering toward the Iraqi bunker complex. The Iraqi battalion commander surrendered once the 1-327th closed near his position. Upon his capture, the Iraqi commander was persuaded to use a bullhorn to convince his 300 plus soldiers to lay down their arms.

While First Brigade was clearing FOB Cobra, 1-101 AATK, engaged in its screening mission to the north, also came under hostile fire. One Apache took either small arms or antiaircraft artillery fire while flying near MSR Virginia. Though damaged, the aircraft managed to safely land in FOB Cobra. Maintenance crews on site in the FOB were able to fix the Apache's damaged tail rotor and hydraulic lines.

First Brigade TF reported FOB Cobra secure at 1039. With a secure operating base, First Brigade TF continued to push its force north. The 96 aircraft used to deliver the first lift had made a turn around flight and arrived with the brigade's second lift by 1156. At the same time a massive convoy of nearly 2000 soldiers in 632 vehicles was flowing north along MSR Newmarket.

The ground convoys had been pushed early due to the speed in which both the FOB and the MSR were cleared. The first serial of the convoy, Team Citadel with 31 vehicles and TF David with 184 vehicles, departed the starting point at 1125. They were followed by Tearn Oliver's 218 vehicles at 1205 and the 199 vehicles of Second Brigade's Team Smithat 1418. The last of the day's convoys had closed into FOB Cobra by early morning on the 25th.

The Second Brigade TF, with the brigade headquarters, 3-502d Infantry, 1-320th Field Artillery, and the brigade's combat support and combat service support slices, began to reposition into the FOB to posture for future operations. Poor weather conditions prevented the entire task force from moving into the FOB on the 24th. The movement of 95 soldiers and ten CH47 loads of equipment was postponed until the morning of the 25th.

Thirty CH47 loads of DISCOM equipment also had to wait until the next morning for movement. Despite the missions late start and the day's bad weather, Aviation Brigade did manage to fly 70 sorties of DISCOMequipment into FOB Cobra on the 24th.

The bad weather contributed to several aviation incidents. In addition to the Kiowa and the Apache damaged early in the day, five other aircraft encountered difficulties. A 5-101 Aviation Blackhawk almost struck another aircraft while making a hard landing at the pickup zone. While the aircraft suffered major structural damage, the crew suffered no serious injuries. A second Blackhawk had to abort its mission when it suffered stabilizer failure.

The most bizarre incident of the day was really a series of three accidents, all involving UH1's from the 6- 101 Aviation. The first UH1 developed a compression stall and was forced to make a hard landing. Its skids were torn off as the aircraft flipped upside down and caught on fire. A second UH I stopped to assist the first. In doing so, it also made a hard landing. The third UH 1 also made a hard landing when stopping to assist the first bird down.

The only injuries suffered in this series of hard landings was on the first helicopter. One of the pilots, LT Pelurame, received a fractured elbow. LT Randell, the Third Brigade Air Defense Liaison Officer, who was serving as a door gunner for the flight, suffered a mild concussion and minor cuts. Everyone was able to walk away from the crash.

There was also equipment damaged in three separate incidents of Chinooks cutting their sling-loads. A RATT Rig communications van, a HMMWV truck and a pallet of Class V supplies were destroyed. The HMMWV contained most of First Brigade's computer equipment.

Bodacious

The establishment of FOB Cobra was the largest air assault ever conducted in a single day. MAJ Grigson, the division's public affairs officer called the air assault a "bold and bodacious action." When completed, 66 Blackhawks and 30 Chinooks had each made the 180 mile round trip three times. FOB Cobra covered approximately 200 square kilometers. The aviation refuel pointin FOB Cobra had over 200,000 gallons of fuel on the ground.

The 750,000 gallon capacity aviation refuel point built in the TAA by the 326th Engineer Battalion was invaluable in supporting the massive aviation operations involved in the offensive. Also of great worth was the effort of the 326th Engineer Battalion's TF Grader. TF Grader was a team of graders that worked through the night of the 24th to improve the surface of MSR Newmarket.

FOB Cobra was a base of critical tactical and operational importance. It served as a forward operating base from which the division could support operations to cut the enemy's lines of communications. The FOB also positioned the division to cut the Iraqi escape route along Highway 8, and offered the threat of a Screaming Eagle attack against Baghdad itself.

Even as FOB Cobra was being established, preparations were underway for Third Brigade's 25 Feb air assault to the Euphrates River. The rapid success of operations, combined with the threat of continued bad weather on the 25Lh, compelled the division to move up the PZ time for Third Brigade's mission, The insertion time was now set for 1055 on the 25th.

Aviation Brigade was again called on to help prepare the battlefield. The2-229th AATK and the 2-17th Cav conducted an aerial recon of AO Sabre from 1330 until 1800 on the 24th. Next, the 1-101st AATK and one company from the 2-220th AATK conducted a recon in zone of AO Eagle from FOB Cobra to Phase Line Viking. This second mission lasted throughout the night.

The reconnaissance missions were intended to locate the MSR, pinpoint the Third Brigade landing zone and locate the road into AO Eagle. They were also to locate any enemy positions and interdict Iraq's lines of communication. Neither mission reported any enemy contact, but they firmly established the presence of the 101st in the Euphrates River Valley.

With aerial reconnaissance ongoing, the next requirement was a ground recon. Third Brigade TF inserted their scouts to gather information for the assault. The scouts were joined by four Long Range Surveillance Detachment (LRSD) teams.

Team Jerry, the scout platoon for 3-187th Infantry, air assaulted into Landing Zone (LZ) Sand in order to verify the landing zone for TF Rakassan's use. LZ Sand, located 40 miles south of AO Eagle, was chosen as the landing site for the task forces' Chinooks, which lacked the range to make a full round trip to AO Eagle. Noting the extensive mud in the proposed landing site, 1LT Biller, the scout platoon leader, chose to move the landing site ten kilometers west.

The LRSD teams reported that the landing zone was characterized by rolling hills intermixed with shallow wadis and standing water. Again, the most notable characteristic was the mud. Helicopters sank a full foot when they attempted to land.

A major sandstorm coupled with rain and mud to hamper mobility on the 25th. Driving winds prompted several delays in Third Brigade's air assault. A shortbreak in the weather finally appeared, and the Rakassans dashed for the Euphrates.

Chinooks carrying TF Rakassan landed in LZ Sand at 1216. TF Rakassan had the wheeled vehicles of the brigade task force. It included three anti-armor companies, two mounted infantry companies, the 3-320th Field Artillery, and the rest of the mounted teams of the brigade.

Shortly after landing, TF Rakassan captured twenty EPWs. With the prisoners in tow, the vehicles moved north along Route 4 1 A toward their linkup point with the dismounted forces of the rest of the brigade. The going was very slow due to heavy mud and blowing sand. The second and third march units of this convoy had to stop for the night enroute.

Attack

The dismounted forces of the brigade attacked into the Euphrates River Valley by air assault commencing 1508. After the Blackhawks carrying them touched down in the brigade's three landing zones, Chester, Festus and Crockett, the infantry fanned out and began securing the area. Third Brigade TF reported their objective secure at 1848. Before the second lift of Blackhawks could thrust north, the weather worsened once again. The second lift of dismounted troops remained over night in FOB Cobra, where they had been moved upon COL Clark's request.

Despite being at less than full strength, Third Brigade TF accomplished its mission to cut Highway 8, and engaged a number of light trucks on the highway throughout the night. These 101st soldiers were the first American ground forces to reach the Euphrates River.

While Third Brigade TV straddled Iraq's lifeline between Kuwait and Baghdad, First Brigade TF continued to improve the division's posture in FOB Cobra. First Brigade TF cleared MSR Virginia in zone and Logbase Oscar, planned to be a vital 18th Abn Corps supply point.

The "Always First" Brigade TF also conducted a linkup with the 197th Inf Bde of the 24th ID (M) on MSR Virginia near thedivision's eastern boundary. The linkup with the 82d Abn Div on our western border was delayed because the 82d was stuck in the backlog of traffic in the French 6th Light Armor Division sector.

The Second Brigade TF completed its deployment into FOB Cobra and continued to plan for its air assault mission. COL Purdom announced his intention fora sand tableexercise with his subordinate commanders on 26 Feb.

The 2-502d Infantry was relieved of the Corps TCF mission at 1850 hours. The battalion was alerted at 2034 to prepare to move to FOB Cobra and rejoin Second Brigade. However, the continued bad weather would keep 2-502d in the TAA until 27 Feb.

DISCOM continued the logistics buildup in FOB Cobra. Chinook sorties of supplies were deployed north on the25th. Movement of ground convoys of supplies continued as TF Grader completed improvements to MSR Newmarket.

Flexibility and Momentum

In the face of changes resulting from the coalition's rapid success, the division maintained its flexibility and momentum. This was partly due to the decentralized command and control exercised by the division and the use of the division's aviation assets in general support to accomplish rapid movement of brigade-sized task forces. The Commanding General controlled the division from the Assault Command Post forward in FOB Cobra. The division's main command post remained in TAA Campbell under the supervision of the division's Chief of Staff and G3. The Rear Command Post, also in the TAA, continued to monitor the battle and prepare for any possible rear battle actions.

As the division prepared for future operations, the choice between an assault into Objective Gold or Objective Strike still hung in the balance. Early indications had suggested Second Brigade TF would be going into Objective Gold, but messages from Corps on the nightofthe25th indicated an assault into Objective Strike. COL Bolt, division Chief of Staff, informed the division staff that a move into Gold would probably come only after the 24th ID had already taken Gold.

Further events obviated the need for either of these missions. On 26 Feb, 18th Abn Corps notified the division that the Corps' operations were being reoriented to the east in order to cut off the enemy's escape routes north of Basrah. The division was instructed to plan to posture south of the 24th ID's Objective Orange in order to further interdict Iraqi escape routes.

The 101st quickly adjusted to this change in plans. MG Peay decided to establish a new forward operating base, FOB Viper as a base for attacks to the northeast. The Second Brigade TF and two aviation attack battalions were ordered to prepare for movement to establish FOB Viper. Second Brigade's objective in Viper was named Objective Tim.

18th Abn Corps beefed up the 101st for the attack to the east. The 12th Aviation Brigade was placed under the division's operational control and the 5-8th Field artillery was attached.

It finally stopped raining on 26 Feb, but the sand storm that had started the day before showed no sign of abating. The weather slowed the pace of the division some, but the mission pressed on.

Third Brigade TF, having completed the link up of mounted and dismounted troops, continued to interdict along Highway 8. The task force cratered the highway and destroyed fifteen Iraqi vehicles. Third Brigade TF captured 37 Iraqi soldiers on the 26th. TOW missile vehicles and air assault infantrymen, armed with mines and AT4 anti-tank missiles, blocked the road. Planned aerial armed recons by attack helicopters in support of Third Brigade TF were postponed due to extremely poor visibility.

The Third Brigade TF captured a multitude of weapons, including two mortars, several AKM rifles and numerous RPGs in a crate. The crate and the RPGs were marked "Headquarters, Jordanian Armed Forces."

The 82d Abn Div conducted its linkup with our First Brigade TF. First Brigade TF assisted the 82d in its movement through zone along MSR Virginia.

DISCOM's Chinook sorties for the 26th wereplaced on weather hold, butconvoys ofsupplies continued topush up MSR New Market. By that afternoon, there were 14,000 gallons of water and fully operational aviation rapid refuel point in place in FOB Cobra.

The Second Brigade TF was further task organized for its mission. Second Brigade TF resumed control of the 1-502d Infantry from First Brigade, and assumed attachment of the 3327th Infantry, also from First Brigade. The 2-502d Infantry, which was still awaiting movement from the TAA to FOB Cobra, was released from Second Brigade TF for attachment to First Brigade TF.

Second Brigade's fire support capabilities were improved with the attachment ofC Battery, 5-8th FA to the 1-320th FA, the task force's direct support artillery battalion. C Battery, 5-8th FA provided eight 155mm Howitzers to augment the 1-320th FA's eighteen 105mm Howitzers.

On 27 Feb, the 101st again proved the agility of the Air Assault Division. Still anchored in TAA Campbell, the division continued full scale operations with an air assault brigade task force at FOB Cobra and another along the Euphrates River. Meanwhile, the Second Brigade TF thrust 93 miles east into Objective Tim to establish FOB Viper. FOB Viper served as a base for yet another assault, this one by attack helicopters striking 120 miles northeast from Viper into Engagement Area (EA) Thomas. In EA Thomas, the 101st and 12th Aviation Brigades destroyed Iraqi forces trying to escape north from Basrah.

Second Brigade TF attacked by air assault to seize and secure Objective Tim at 0923 that morning. There being no enemy contact, the objective was quickly taken. The next item was to establish a tailored forward operating base, which would include forward area refueling and rearming points for the aviation brigades.

Once FOB Viper was secured, the 101st Aviation Brigade began screening the 18th Abn Corps' northern flank. From 1430 until 1830, four AATK battalions, the 2-229th, 1-101st and two battalions of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade attacked enemy forces in EA Thomas. The helicopters destroyed fourteen Iraqi armored personnel carriers, eight BM 21 multiple rocket launchers, four M16 helicopters, 56 trucks and two SA6 radars. They also damaged a major bridge across the Euphrates.

Shot Down

The satisfaction of this success was dampened by the combat deaths of five of our soldiers. A Blackhawk from the attached 2-229th AATK was shot down during a search and rescue mission. The Blackhawk, with a crew of seven, went down in the 24th ID sector as a result of small arms fire from Iraqi infantry.

The aircraft had been sent to recover an F16 that was believed to have been shot down in the 101st sector. Further research showed that the F16 actually went down outside our sector. The Blackhawk was diverted and then recalled. The crew was on their way back to our sector when they were shot down. An escorting Apache barely managed to escape being shot down itself.

Five soldiers, CW04 Philip Garvey, CW03 Robert Godfrey, SSG William Butts, SGT Roger Brelinski, and SGT Patbouvier Ortiz died in the crash. Their bodies were recovered by another search and rescue mission. Three other soldiers were taken prisoner by the Iraqis. They were repatriated with the other American prisoners of war after the cease fire.

The division was fortunate not to lose any soldiers in another incident on the 27th. The division Assault Command Post (ACP) had arrived at Objective Tim by air in the night. In the morning, they realized they had set down in the middle of a cluster bomb unit minefield. They carefully relocated. No one was injured.

First and Third Brigade TFs continued to conduct operations in sector and prepare for their eventual movement east. First Brigade TF was ordered to prepare to move to FOB Viper for an air assault of two battalion task forces into EA Thomas. Before this air assault could begin, the cease fire was called.

Ceasefire

With word of the 0800 cease fire, the division went into a defensive posture. The forces stayed vigilant and were prepared to revert to the offensive if needed.

During a mere 100 hours of ground combat, the 101st Abn Div cut the enemy's lines of communications, struck deep into his nation in two separate directions, threatened a lethal strike against his capital, and shut offhis escape. In doing so, we used army aviation, infantry, artillery and all of their combat support in the combined arms attacks that are the hallmark of air assault doctrine.

Conclusion

With the end of the war, nine hundred and five riflemen from Second Brigade were returned home rapidly. The rest of the 101st Abn Div continued occupation until relieved of its sector in Iraq by the 2nd Armored Cav Regiment and the 11th Aviation Brigade.

The last element of the division in Iraq, a convoy ftom DISCOM, returned to Saudi Arabia at 0035 on 25 Mar 9 1. The division reversed the massive air and ground flow it had undertaken in gettin to the TAA, and returned to Camp Eagle II.

At Camp Eagle H, the Screaming Eagles concentrated on preparing their equipment for shipment back to the United States. The bulk of the division returned to Campbell Army Airfield on civilian aircraft between 3 Apr and 15 Apr 9 1. The division colors returned with MG Peay on 12 Apr. A contingent under General Adams, the division's Assistant Division Commander for Support, remained at Camp Eagle H to move the division's equipment to port. The last 101st soldier to leave Saudi Arabia departed on 1 May 91.

The division returned to the United States as a proud victorious force. Each arriving aircraft was met by huge crowds of family, friends and well-wishers. The soldiers of the division had served their country well and had validated the doctrine in which they had trained.

The 101st Abn Div had clearly demonstrated the value of its operational depth and maneuver, decentralization of command and control, logistical flexibility and sheer soldier power. It was this value which had prompted General Schwarzkopf to herald the 101st Abn Div (Air Assault) as the "Lightning of Desert Storm."

The Hail Mary