Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+12 (21 July, 1987) Part IV

0430-0545– A short period of time emerged when the airspace around Dhahran was void of US and Saudi fighters. When it became clear what was transpiring, Dhahran-based fighters still airborne were ordered to recover at Al Kharj, or sent to the air refueling tracks to hit the tankers and chase after the Soviet transport aircraft if they had missiles remaining. The result was a temporary window of opportunity for the 328^th Guards Airborne Regiment to get on the ground. Soviet airborne doctrine had anticipated a situation such as this one developing. This was a main reason why the plan called for the entire regiment’s airdrop to be accomplished in one flight.

The IL-76 transports descended to an altitude of 1,000 feet as they approached the drop zones, all the while continuing to be tracked by US and Saudi E-3 Sentries. The air battles had caused confusion, and aircraft losses. Whatever coordination there had been, evaporated when the first missiles started flying. As a result, the procession of aircraft carrying the main assault force, and those transports with the security and reconnaissance advance teams was now completely disorganized.

The air drops flirted with disaster. Two of the three advance teams had gone down with their transports. The other, designated to be dropped at DZ (Drop Zone) Misha instead was dropped at DZ Ilya. Despite the wrong location, as soon as the troops were on the ground, they gathered their weapons and equipment and went to work surveying the surroundings and establishing a perimeter around the DZ.

The rest of the regiment came down, mostly into the designated drop zones. Where there was no advance team present, scratch teams were put together. At Ilya, Vasily, and Misha, the first companies to form up moved out to take up defensive positions on the perimeters while the rest of their parent battalions gathered themselves and formed up. The regiment commander and his headquarters group established a temporary HQ at DZ Ilya. The colonel took stock of the situation and was not encouraged by what he found. One battalion commander and his entire staff was missing. The 2^nd Battalion at Misha had a commander, but no staff. Not as many BMDs had arrived as expected and only now was he becoming aware of the heavy losses in men and material his unit had suffered before even hitting the ground. Now, to top it all off, precious time was being lost. The 328^th Guards commander felt an icy ball materializing in his stomach.

He ordered his battalion commanders to prepare to move out to their objectives as soon as possible. It was already light out. Sunrise had come at 0459 hours and all but erasing the element of surprise, if it hadn’t been already. Word arrived that 1^st Battalion (DZ Ilya) and 3^rd Battalion (DZ Vasily) would be ready to move in twenty minutes. 2^nd Battalion, which had dropped on the golf course at the Aramco village and was now without a commander, required more time. The colonel ordered the 1^st and 3^rd to begin moving in twenty, and 2^nd Battalion to follow when it was ready.

 

2^nd Brigade/82^nd Airborne Division’s mission was defense of the Dhahran Airbase. Two of its battalions were entrenched in a pair of defensive lines, one along the base perimeter and the other an interior defense around the main runways, looing south, and then back up to cover the hangars, tower, shops, and other essential structures. The bulk of the third battalion (4/325^th Parachute Infantry Regiment) was set up in reserve to react to any penetrations in the defenses. M551 Sheridan light tanks from 3/73 Armored Battalion were attached to 4/325^th. The two battalions presently anchoring defenses (1 & 2/325 PIR) had Dragon and TOW anti-tank missiles as their main weaponry against enemy armored vehicles. Two batteries of light 105mm artillery, and a strong contingent of attack helicopters was also at the base and ready to provide support. Roughly 50% of the 1^st Brigade/82^nd Airborne Division was also on hand, but as far as heavier equipment and ammunition went, it was lacking. The air bridge to Dhahran was temporarily closed for the time being. If push came to shove, these paratroopers would be used to augment 2/82^nd if the defensive situation called for it. The colonel commanding 2/82 was the overall tactical commander and he had a line directly to CINC-CENTCOM. It was made clear that his units would have first call on all available support. His mission was clear: Defend the airbase at all costs. It was vital that Dhahran remain in friendly hands.

 

 

0600-0630– First contact between US and Soviet paratroopers occurs as squad-sized units performing reconnaissance missions meet. Brief firefights break out, reports are sent up the respective chains of command, and both sides attempt to build an accurate picture of what lay to their front.

 

0635– The Soviet airborne battalions at DZ Ilya, and DZ Vasily begin moving east towards the airbase perimeter almost 3 kilometers away. As the movements get underway, paratroopers start to come under fire from artillery, and AH-64 Apache helicopters.

 

0700– 2^nd Battalion finally gets moving off  DZ Misha and towards the airbase.

 

0730-0800– The first assaults against the airbase are made. Soviet paratroopers advance from the west, crossing the 80M highway and heading towards the perimeter fence. 1^st Battalion moves into the attack as 3^rd Battalion, with the majority of surviving BMDs move southeast along the highway probing for a weak point in the base defenses.

0810-1100– As the morning goes on, the battles commence, and escalate. Weather is becoming a factor for paratroopers on both sides. Saudi summer is intense, and even officers and NCOs who were veterans of the Afghan War find the heat brutal and nearly unbearable.

The initial assaults are repelled. None had made it very far beyond the first line of American trenches and defenses along the airbase perimeter. It is now clear the defending paratroopers are well equipped, dug in, and every bit as well-trained as their Soviet counterparts.

 

1125– The commander of the 328^th Guards transmits a situation report to his division commander in Iraq: First attack repelled. Airbase remains under enemy control. Enemy resistance stronger than expected. Request immediate reinforcement, and support.

 

1145– The regiment commander orders his battalions back to their drop zones, expand their perimeters, and hold in place until the next attack begins.

 

1200– Temperatures are approaching 108 degrees Fahrenheit. 2^nd Battalion moves back to DZ Misha in the Aramco village where there is at least some shade.

 

1315– Saudi National Guard troops make their first appearance. An infantry company with limited armored support attack the perimeter of DZ Vasily and is thrown back. The Saudis do not appear to be well trained, or equipped but their fanaticism, and bravery unnerves the Soviet paratroopers.

 

1420– Heat stroke is becoming a problem among Soviet troops, as is the amount of water available, and lack of proper medical facilities.

 

1550– Major General Viktor Surokin requests permission to airlift a second regiment from his division from bases in the Soviet Union directly to Dhahran. Southern TVD informs Moscow of the request and awaits an answer.

 

1700– 2/82^nd Airborne’s commander has an accurate picture of the Soviet positions, and situation. He too realizes that launching an attack while still light out is madness. Therefore, he plans to launch a counterattack sometime after midnight.

 

2135– As late afternoon turned to evening, artillery and mortar fire against the drop zone became more regular. Air attacks increased in ferocity after dusk as the American’s took advantage of their advanced night vision equipment and turned loose the A-10 Warthogs and AH-64 Apaches. Soviet air defense teams had scored kills but now the supply of hand-held SAMs was diminishing. Other types of ammunition was adequate for the moment. Casualties were growing. The 328^th Guards commander knew his unit’s situation was growing dire. There was only one chance to keep his unit alive- attack and seize the airbase before dawn the following morning. That attack would come after midnight.

 

2220– At  Al-Taqaddum Airbase in Iraq, Major General Surokin is informed by Southern TVD that there will be no further commitment of his division’s forces until Dhahran Airbase is captured. Surokin, with permission, goes about arranging a resupply mission with the transports and fighters he has on hand.