Operation Desert Storm - Task Force Papa Bear Operations Report

 25 February 1991 – Persian Gulf War – Operation Desert Storm 

Task Force Papa Bear (1^st Marine Regiment) Operations Report 

07:00   As the sun rose on 25 February, the visibility was extremely restricted because of the dense fog.

 08:00   an Iraqi T-55 tank and two Type-63 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) appeared out of the dense fog and stopped just 50 meters from the task force command post.  A group of Iraqi soldiers exited the vehicles and surrendered to the task force headquarters’ security platoon.  Among those surrendering was a regimental commander of the 22^nd Brigade, 5^th Mechanized Division.  The Iraqi commander disclosed that units following his party intended to fight. Immediately thereafter, the command post came under intense automatic weapons and tank fire. 

 08:15   Reacting instantly to the enemy attack, the Marines of the task force headquarters moved forward to engage the enemy with MK-19 grenade launchers, .50 caliber machine guns, anti-tank weapons (AT-4s), light anti-tank weapons (LAAWs), and small arms.  After a ten minute engagement, during which several of their vehicles were either disabled or destroyed, the enemy force withdrew into the fog.  Seizing the opportunity, 1^st Tanks, with 3/9’s I Company attached, spearheaded Papa Bear’s counterattack.  Supported by Cobra gunships and AV-8 Harriers, TF Papa Bear conducted a counterattack which lasted for 3 hours.  During the intense combat, 1^st Tanks destroyed over 50 enemy tanks, 25 APCs, and several armored vehicles of other types.  1^st Tanks also collected over 300 EPWs.  This is believed to be the largest mechanized battle in the history of the Marine Corps.

08:30   Concurrently, 1/1 was involved with its own engagement.  While clearing the Al Burgan Oil Field, the battalion engaged elements of the 15^th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 3^rd Armored Division.  1/1 aggressively attacked north and took over 400 EPWs including a battalion commander.  During the fighting, 1/1 accounted for at least 43 vehicles destroyed and over 500 EPWs, capture.

 17:30   After the 3 hour engagement, the Task Force received orders from Division to move into an attack position west of the Al Burgan Oil Field in order to “attack to isolate and seize Kuwait International Airport” on the following day - 26 February. 

18:30   TF Papa Bear had been relieved of its guard mission by TF X-Ray and tuned over to TF Warden (1^st Battalion, 25^th Marines) well over 1,500 EPWs.