Hovering AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter
February 24, 1991 'G-Day' - As we crept north from Forward Assembly Area Butts, approaching the Iraqi border, a blinding sand storm, or shamal, blew in from the north. The irony of the sand storm was not lost on the soldiers of A/40th MLRS, as our visibility was reduced to less than 50 feet. The largest armored force in history began crossing into Iraq at 1443 hours. Third Armored Division's breach of the Iraqi berm was unopposed; however, some forces reported sporadic, incoming artillery. As the Spearhead Division pushed deeper into Iraq, a strategic weakness developed on our right flank. The 1st Infantry Division would not be in position on our right until they had navigated the Iraqi trench lines.

MLRS units had been fully deployed in the Army since 1987, but we just knew there would be some tankers who didn't recognize the rocket launchers: Hell, we had Artillery soldiers who had never seen an MLRS, period! Monitoring the tank battalion's radio nets, it was became obvious those guys were planning to shoot anything they couldn't readily identify.
3AD Hooded Swetshirts
Ammo trucks carrying rocket pods, convoy across the desert into attack positions.
Ammo trucks carrying rocket pods, convoy across the desert into attack positions.
A/40th Crosses the 'Berm' Into Iraq As the time for our invasion of Iraq drew near, a blinding desert sand storm began to blow. A/40th and 4/8 CAV lead 3rd Armored Division's breach of the Iraqi berm. M998 HEMMTs from A/40th waiting at the line of departure for the order to attack.

Desert Storm Picture Gallery

Into the Breach

3rd Armored Division - Spearhead 3AD Hooded Swetshirts

Invasion of Iraq by the 3rd Armored Division, Spearhead!

M985 HEMTTs from A/40th waiting at the line of departure for the order to attack.
An MP watches as A/40th and 4/8 CAV breach the Iraqi berm, leading the attack for 3rd Armored Division.
As the time for our invasion of Iraq drew near, a blinding desert sand storm began to blow.
Crossing the Iraqi sand berm, we could see down the length of the man-made obstruction's interior.
Crossing the Iraqi sand berm, we could see down the length of the man-made obstruction's interior.
40th Field Artillery T-Shirts
Symbol of the Republican Guard Forces Command
40th Field Artillery T-Shirts
A/40th Ammunition Platoon resupply trucks follow the launchers and the lead 3AD tanks into Iraq.
A/40th Ammunition Platoon resupply trucks follow the launchers and the lead 3AD tanks into Iraq.

Desert Storm 1

3rd Armored Division Coffee Mugs, Beer Steins, Shirts - aVAILABLE In Our 3AD Web Store! Iraq American Flag Operation Desert Storm
3rd Armored Division Travel Mugs, Beer Steins, Shirts - AVAILABLE In Our 3AD Web Store!
MLRS ATACMS Graphic A command, Huey helicopter lands near A/40th Ammo HEMTTs as they roll deeper into Iraq. One of many M2 Bradley IFVs from 4/7 CAV - 3rd Armored Division, protecting the our right flank. Once through the Iraqi border, vehicles begin to spread out into mine-free lanes paved by the tanks.
Once through the Iraqi border, vehicles begin to spread out into mine-free lanes, paved by the tanks.
One of many M2 Bradley IFVs from 4/7 CAV - 3rd Armored Division, protecting the our right flank.
A command, Huey helicopter lands near A/40th Ammo HEMTTs as they roll deeper into Iraq.
Each HEMTT with trailor can carry 8 MLRS rocket pods, totaling 48 - M26 DPICM rockets to rain death on the enemy.
Each HEMTT and trailor can carry 8 MLRS rocket pods, totaling 48 - M26 DPICM rockets to rain death on the enemy.
The Battery Commander, Captain Leonard Tokar, instructed the launcher crews to “keep a tight formation because the M1A1 Tank Gunners sound trigger happy.” Normally, this kind of chatter wouldn't be worrisome, but the Division Artillery Commander, Colonel John Michitsch, had positioned A/40th MLRS with 4/8 CAV, the tank battalion leading the ground invasion of Iraq. Somewhere to our front was the vaunted Iraqi Republican guard, and to our rear, the entire U.S. Army VII Corps. As the afternoon wound down, so did the sand storm. The Division plan was to stop at night during the movement to contact. This would allow supply columns to catch up to their maneuver elements. At 1800, we halted our advance and dug in for the night.
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deepstrike082012.jpg deepstrike082010.jpg deepstrike082008.jpg deepstrike082006.jpg Jon Cox mans the M88 Recovery Vehicle's 50 caliber machine gun while trailing the main attack.
Jon Cox mans the M88 Recovery Vehicle's 50 caliber machine gun while trailing the main attack.
An MLRS Rocket Launcher from A/40th Field Artillery makes it's way north and west of the Wadi al Batin. An A/40th Launcher avoids landmines by following in the tracks of M1A1 Abrams Tanks from 4/8 CAV. Elements of 4/8 CAV move up and take a covering position on our right flank.
Elements of 4/8 CAV move up and take a covering position on our right flank.
An A/40th Launcher avoids landmines by following in the tracks of M1A1 Abrams Tanks from 4/8 CAV.
An MLRS Rocket Launcher from A/40th Field Artillery makes it's way north and west of Wadi al Batin.
As dusk fell, 4/8 CAV took 3rd Armored's first POW's with an overwhelming display of force.
As dusk fell, 4/8 CAV took 3rd Armored's first POW's with an overwhelming display of force.