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US Forces Order of Battle - 13 January

This is a "best available" order-of-battle of forces deployed in CENTCOM's part of Southwest Asia, as well as EUCOM forces in Turkey participating in Operation Northern Watch. Even prior to September 11, 2001, the amount of publicly available information concerning aircraft types and specific units has diminished to the point that it is no longer possible to provide a high fidelity profile of current deployments. There are evidently significant gaps in unit identifications, as well as non-trivial uncertainties as to numbers of specific types of aircraft. The presence of significant numbers of civilian contractor personnel at various facilities in the region further complicates accounting for total personnel numbers.

Excluding forces deployed in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom, there are probably about 52,000 military personnel in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, including about 400 aircraft of all types. The number of troops deployed in the area fluctuates on a daily basis, and has averaged between 20,000 and 25,000 in recent years, with typically about 200 aircraft in the region. Forces in the region include a mix of special operations forces deployed in support of US Central Command operations. To enhance force protection throughout the region, additional military security personnel are also deployed.

Ground forces include a variety of units that are normally deployed in the region, which total about 3,700 troops. Forces in the region include a Patriot missile task force with two batteries deployed in Saudi Arabia and two in Kuwait. The Army Intrinsic Action / Desert Spring training exercises routinely deploy 1,500 to 5,000 troops for rotations of several months. As of early-December 2002 a brigade rotation was virtually complete. Nearly all of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division had returned to the United States, though comments made by 3rd Division officials to the press have made it clear that the 3rd BDE could redeploy to the region if so ordered. It is believed that the total Army presence in the region is nearly 10,000 soldiers.

The US Air Force's Expeditionary Air and Space Force (EAF) concept and organization sets a guideline for Air Force deployments to operational locations. The EAF is comprised of 10 Aerospace Expeditionary Forces (AEF) each with lead combat and support wings including on-call wings that could be deployed if required. Deployments for active duty units lasts roughly 90-days while Reserve and Guard units deploy typically for 30 - 60 days. Generally one AEF is assigned to Operation Southern Watch and one is assigned to Northern Watch. AEF 7 and AEF 8 units deployed beginning in late November and will remain until the end of February 2003.

The EUCOM Area of Responsibility includes approximately 1,700 Air Force personnel at Incrilik AB Turkey, flying Operation Northern Watch patrols (Though there are roughly 4,000 people at Incirlik in general). Prior to Operation Enduring Freedom, approximately 6,200 Air Force personnel were normally stationed in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility. As many as 17,500 Air Force personnel may be currently stationed in the CENTCOM and EUCOM areas responsible for operations against Iraq, operating a total of about 280 aircraft of all types.

Naval units include a headquarters and shore-based units comprised of about 1,200 people at Manama in Bahrain. Nearly a thousand civilian mariners are associated with Military Sealift Command ships at Diego Garcia. During the 1990s overall Naval force personnel levels in the CENTCOM AOR typically varied between 8,000 and 15,000. Each Carrier Battlegroup, with its associated Carrier Air Wing, has approximately 11,000 sailors embarked. Each Amphibious Group has about 1,700 sailors, 1,500 Marines, and 700 Marine aviators embarked. As of mid-to-late December 2002 there was one carrier battle group in the area, and one amphibious group, for a total of around 14,000 naval personnel. These units included about 128 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. A total of about 507 Vertical Launch System cells are available for Tomahawk cruise missiles, which is roughly twice the average number typically deployed in recent years. Based on estimates of prior deployments, perhaps as many as 200 Tomahawks are actually deployed. The cruise missile force can be augmented significantly within days.

Currently, there are about 370 combatant and direct support aircraft in the Iraq [CENTCOM and EUCOM] Area of Responsibility, which total includes air to air, air to ground, dual role, direct support, and attack helicopters.

Note: While this listing is dated, one should keep in mind that the page is often edited numerous times during a particular edition, sometimes daily. One should visit the page often to get the most up-to-date listing of affairs.

Recent Developments

Army

  • Command elements of 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division have already begun to deploy to Kuwait. According to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer on January 3, 2003, an undisclosed number of the headquarters staff and other advance elements departed on or about Jan. 2. On January 7 reports in the Associated Press, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution indicated that roughly 4,000 soldiers, the bulk of the 3rd Brigade, should be in Kuwait by January 16 (though the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer puts the date around January 10). Units are believed to include the 1-10th Field Artillery Regiment, elements of the 203rd Forward Support Battalion, the 1-30th Infantry Regiment A reference to this deployment has been added to the Kabals listing.
  • elements of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division have also begun to depart fo Kuwait. It is as yet still unclear as to which units have departed but references in Georgia papers and the Associated Press indicate that their deployment has begun.
  • The 5-7th Air Defense Artillery Battalion has been identified as being located in Israel for a Patriot missile exercise, according to Stars and Stripes on January 4, 2003. Reportedly, the unit is participating in Juniper Cobra an exercise that is similar to Shining Presence. It is not clear whether or not Juniper Cobra is a replacement for Shining Presence, but for the time being both exercises will be listed as both have been reported to take place in seperate news articles.
  • Some 300 troops from the 2-1st Air Defense Artillery and the 2-43rd ADA have reportedly received orders to deploy from Fort Bliss, according to the Agence France Presse on January 3, 2003. These units are Patriot units and would deploy as a composite unit in addition to the 3-43rd ADA.
  • The 94th Engineer Battalion (Heavy), from V Corps, has received orders to deploy to Southwest Asia. This unit is part of the initial 800 troop deployment from V Corps. According to Stars and Stripes, on January 4, 2003, roughly 400 vehicles will be loaded onto trains and be shipped out. About three-quarters of the unit will ultimately be deployed. The battalion will be joined by two teams from the 317th Maintenance Company.

Navy

  • On January 10, 2003 a report in the Associated Press confirmed that the USS Saipan (LHA 2) would deploy in support of the war against terrorism far sooner than previously scheduled. Early indications are that this ship along with the USS Ponce would depart on or about January 12 and would either head to North Carolina to begin taking on elements of the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade or would receive the Marines in Norfolk.
  • Elements of the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group is due to arrive in Fremantle on January 6, 2003 for a port of call and for repairs. It is not clear how long she will remain in Australia.
  • The USS Tarawa, the rest of her Amphibious Ready Group, and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deploying on January 6, 2003. While this deployment has been previously scheduled it is believed that she will transit directly to the Persian Gulf. The USCGC Boutwell, which is transiting with the Tarawa departed on January 3 from Alameda. It will take the group roughly 30 days to arrive in the North Arabian Sea.
  • The USNS Comfort is departing Baltimore for Diego Garcia on January 6, 2003. She is departing without the bulk of her medical staff which will fly into Diego Garcia when ordered.
  • VAQ 133, previously located at Incirlik supporting Northern Watch, returned to the United States recently. VAQ 134 is VAQ 133's replacement.
  • TSV-1X Spearhead and the USS Columbia were identified as having been at Diego Garcia as recently as December 27, 2002.

Marine Corps

  • Reports from Reuters and other sources on January 3, 2003 confirmed that units from the I Marine Expeditionary Force had received orders to deploy to Kuwait and that troops and equipment would begin to move "soon". An additional story indicates that some 1,000 Marines from I MEF are currently in Kuwait.
  • Various reports, but from local North Carolina sources, the Marine Corps Times and the Associated Press indicate that the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade from Camp Lejeune will be deployed on or about January 12. It is not exactly clear just how exactly the MEB will depart for the Persian Gulf. Standard procedure would be for the unit to fly Kuwait and link of with its equipment, but there are a number of indicators that the MEB will depart, via ship, from Norfolk on Sunday January 12.
  • A report from the Jacksonville Daily News, dated January 09 indicate that 400 members of an offload preperation party have departed for locations in the Mediterranean to begin preparing Maritime Preposition Squadron 1 to head for the Persian Gulf so that its equipment can be downloaded.

Air Force

  • On January 8, 2003 at about 4 AM local time, elements of the 28th Bomb Wing began to depart Ellsworth Air Force Base for an unspecified location. A spokesperson from the 28th Bomb Wing stated that airmen from both the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons deployed, though she was unwilling to discuss which units the individual airframes were from. The 3 bombers deployed though reports indicate that this is simply the first wave in a massive deployment. After a background briefing held at the Pentagon on January 09 it is believed that the B-1Bs are located at Thumrait in Oman.

Coast Guard

  • The Associated Press is reporting that Port Security Unit 313 from Tacoma, WA has been activated and will be deployed to the Middle East to provide port security.

Coalition Forces

  • The United Kingdom: On January 7 the Secretary of State for Defence Geoff Hoon announced that in addition to calling up in unspecified number of reservists that Naval Task Group 2003 would be sent to the Persian Gulf region and would include additional ships. The Task Group would include the HMS Ark Royal, the HMS Ocean, the HMS Liverpool, HMS Edinburgh, HMS York, the frigate Marlborough, the Royal Auxiliary vessels Argus, Fort Victoria, Fort Rosalie, and Fort Austin; the the Landing Ships Logistic Sir Galahad, Sir Tristram and Sir Percivale; a Mine Countermeasures Group initially comprising HMS Grimsby and HMS Ledbury; and a submarine as originally planned for Naval Task Group 2003. The UK plans to deploy amphibious forces in Ark Royal, Ocean and associated shipping, including Headquarters 3 Commando Brigade, 40 Commando Royal Marines and 42 Commando Royal Marines with supporting elements. Elements of the Group will depart on January 11 and will conduct training in the Mediterranean with a view to proceeding to the Gulf region if and as required.

Alerts & RUMINT

Shortly after December 26, 2002 a number of reports began to surface concerning various alerts that some units may or not have received ordering them to prepare for a deployment to the Southwest Asia region. While it is not clear just how accurate these reports are this section is being provided to better track the RUMINT that is floating around the media regarding forces that have been 'alerted' but have not yet given any signs that they are deploying.

Army

  • Stars and Stripes reported on December 28, 2002 that elements of V Corps received warning orders. Stars and Stripes went on to say that the orders did not involve the 1st Infantry Division nor the 1st Armored Division but rather that it included the 11th Aviation Regiment, the 18th Military Police Brigade, the 30th Medical Brigade, the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, the 3rd Corps Support Command and the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade. However, a number of reports including one from the Chicago Tribune dated December 29, 2002, indicate the the 1st Infantry and 1st Armored have both received orders to deploy to Kuwait.
  • It was mistakenly thought that the 12th Aviation Brigade from V Corps would be deployed, but it turns out that the 11th Aviation Regiment is the aviation unit tasked to deploy.
  • A local television station is reporting that significant elements of the 10th Mountain Division have recieved orders to deploy to the Middle East.
  • The 101st Airborne Division has also reportedly been put on alert as has the 1st Cavalry Division.
  • 500 members of the 527th Engineer Battalion have reportedly been activated and are leaving for Fort Polk for initial training on January 5, according to the Associated Press on January 6, 2003.
  • The 724th Military Police Battalion departed Florida on December 28, 2002. They are expected to head to Fort Dix where they will prepare for a deployment to Kuwait.
  • The Associated Press reported on January 2, 2003 that 500 soldiers from the 11th Signal Brigade will deploy to an unknown location in support of the war on terrorism by mid January 2003. It is not at all clear where these soldiers are headed and while there is speculation that it could be headed to Southwest Asia in support of an invasion of Iraq, the operational history of the unit indicates that could be headed nearly anywhere including Djibouti or the Philippines.
  • Two infantry battalions from the 53rd Infantry Brigade (Florida National Guard) have been activated and will be sent to Fort Stewart for training. It is unclear whether or not these units, the 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment and the 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment will be sent to the Middle East, Afghanistan or Homeland Security but it is an aligned unit of the 24th Infantry Division, which is associated with the XVIII Airborne Corps.
  • A story in The Australian on January 6, 2003 reports that the USNS Yano which sailed from Charleston on December 24 is carrying heavy equipment for the 3rd Infantry Division, and the USNS Pililaau which departed Beaumont on December 23, is carrying heavy equipment for the 1st Cavalry.

Navy

  • The George Washington and most of her Battle Group has also reportedly received an official notification that it should deploy within 96 hours of receiving a deploy order. Standard Operating Procedure for carriers that have just returned from a deployment would make the Washington the Surge Carrier for a period of time, so this notification is not particularly new. Furthermore, sources indicate that there has not been a change in the GW's status, ie supplies are not being loaded and leaves have not been cancelled.
  • The Kitty Hawk and her Battle Group could possibly be one of the other Pacific based carriers to receive a deployment alert. However, there are indications that the Kitty Hawk will not deploy for the Middle East as she may be kept in the region in light of recent tensions with North Korea. The news that the Lincoln Battle Group had been ordered to remain underway may confirm the theory that the Kitty Hawk will remain in the region in case of increased tensions with the DPRK.
  • Various news story's also indicate that two Amphibious Ready Groups have also been alerted to prepare for an early deployment. While the Navy has not disclosed which two ARGs will be sent the USS Tarawa ARG is already due to depart sometime after the beginning of the New Year and the USS Iwo Jima ARG has completed its pre-deployment training exercises and is scheduled to depart in February. Each ARG carries a Marine Expeditionary Unit, in this instance it will be the 15th MEU and the 26th MEU respectively.

Air Force

Coalition Forces

  • The United Kingdom: Reports from the media indicate that the UK force sent to the Persian Gulf for a war on Iraq will include a reduced 1 UK Armoured Division, and the 16 Air Assault Brigade which would include 1 Battalion Royal Irish Regiment and 3 Battalion Parachute Regiment.



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