The Division moved in a column of Brigades. The 4/7 Cavalry, General Custer's Calvary, screened the Division right flank under the control of the Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB). The column of Brigades from north to south were 2nd Brigade, 1st Brigade, and 3rd Brigade. The DIVARTY TOC moved behind the 2nd Brigade trains. The Direct Support (DS) artillery battalions moved in formation with their supported brigades. Each DS battalion was provided a Q-36 Mortar Locating Radar from the division Target Acquisition (TA) Battery, F/333 "Fire Finder", to facilitate counter-fire operations. A/40th MLRS "DeepStrike", the 3rd Armored Division Artillery MLRS Battery, had a General Support Reinforcing (GSR) mission to 4/82 FA. A/40th FA "Deep Strike" traveled behind the 4/8 CAV, the lead 3rd Armored Division battalion, in order to facilitate long range fires in support of the Division. Additionally, 4/82 FA was provided with a Q-37 Artillery Locating Radar and a Meteorological section to facilitate firing operations. The remaining Q-37 radar from the F/333 Target Acquisition (TA) Battery traveled with and under the control of the HHB DIVARTY, as did the second DIVARTY Meteorological section. HHB DIVARTY had the 2d Platoon, 'C' Battery, 5/3 Air Defense Artillery Battalion (Platoon Leader, LT Brandt), a Chaparral platoon with four weapon systems, attached to provide air defense coverage throughout the operation. The Battery also had a signal SEN team (SSG Lopez, NCOIC) attached from the 143d Signal Battalion to provide Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE) support.

Link up with the 1/27 FA, MLRS was accomplished by the commander and S-3 of 1/27 FA, LTC Vallario and MAJ Jensen. At approximately 1700 hours, the "Gridsmashers" entered the 3d Armored Division zone. They had just completed firing in the preparation which supported the 1ID advance and breach operations in the east.

The DIVARTY was passed a new Fire Support Coordination Line at 1748 hours with an effective DTS of 1645 hours. At approximately 1900 hours, the DIVARTY occupied the first night position and continued 24-hour tactical operations. At approximately 1930 hours, the "Gridsmashers" occupied night firing positions approximately 2 kilometers east of the DIVARTY. Face to face contact was later established at the DIVARTY Tactical Operations Center. The 1/27 FA, MLRS assumed a General Support mission upon entering the Division zone.

At 1950 hours the DIVARTY received the following Intelligence SITREP: "No reports of chemical use in theater. Resistance to the 2nd ACR light throughout. 2nd ACR captured 210 EPW (Enemy Prisoners of War). MARCENT 5000 EPW. Assessment: Enemy will continue to defend in place. No major activity in the 3AD sector. Do not expect any significant activity tonight."

By 2130 hours all units had closed on their target positions. Only 2-82 FA, supporting the 3d Brigade, remained in Saudi Arabia at the end of the day. All other DIVARTY units were established in Iraq. The DTAC and DMAIN closed at NT 482420 and NT 292194 respectively. The 42d FAB was still located in the 1ID zone. Their mission to reinforce 1ID Division Artillery had not changed.

At 2135 the Division Artillery units reported weapons status as follows: A/40 (MLRS)-10 of 10 systems operational, 2-3 FA had 25 of 25 howitzers operational, 2-82 FA had 22 of 26 howitzers operational, and 4-82 FA had 22 of 25 howitzers operational. The DIVARTY had a total of 69 of 75 M109A2 howitzer systems operational, and all of its 10 MLRS systems operational. The DIVARTY covered a cross-country distance of 37 miles on G-Day, of which 34 were within the country of Iraq. The 3d Armored Division Artillery, the Force Field Artillery Headquarters, was not called upon, and did not fire any missions on the first day of the conflict.

The 2-3 FA "Gunners" conducted stand to at 0430 hours on the 25th of February. In the 2d Brigade, zone movement started at 0551 hours. At 0641 hours, the DIVARTY started movement as the Division continued the movement to contact. MOPP level II was still in effect. The 2-3 FA was moving at 0830 hours. The Division proceeded with its plan to move into a wedge formation in the vicinity of PL Melon. The 4-7 CAV screened the Division right flank along the Division boundary with 1ID. The 2d Brigade was in the lead, with A-40th FA, MLRS directly behind the Division's lead Battalion, 4-8 CAV. The 3d and 1st Brigades followed behind on the left and right flanks. The DIVARTY HQ continued to move directly behind 2d Brigade, and between 1st and 3d Brigades. The 1-27 FA, MLRS moved with 'C' Battery in the western half of the Division zone behind the 4-18 INF and 'A' and 'B' Batteries moved in the eastern half of the zone. The direct support battalions continued moving with their supported brigades, and 4-82 FA maintained control of the Q-37 radar and a metro section.

At approximately 1000 hours, the DIVARTY S-3 dispatched a liaison party to link-up with the 4-7 CAV (Saber) at a contact point on the 3AD and 1ID boundary. The 4-7 CAV was to secure the area through which the 42d FAB "Wheelhorse" would enter the 3AD zone. Meanwhile, 4-82 FA with the Division's lead brigade, stopped temporarily for refuel operations.