The Battle of Kuwait International Airport

DATE: 28/11/2024

TIME (GMT): 19:00

ERA: Modern

MAP(S): Farabad

TYPE: COOP

GAME: Arma 3

EVENT: Official

AUTHOR(S): Jarvis for Brothers in Arms

SLOTS: 64 / 70

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RATING: (23)

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The Battle of Kuwait International Airport took place on the 27th of February, 1991, during the 1st Gulf War. The battle for the airport itself took only one day whilst much of the engagements between Coalition and Iraqi forces took place on route to the airport over a three day period. The forces engaged numbered no less than 18 divisions, with several special forces elements taking part in the battle for the airport.

Both the United States Marine Corps' 1st Marine Division and 2nd Marine Division participated in this battle. The 2nd Marine Division was assisted by the U.S. Army's 2nd Armoured Division's Tiger Brigade which was spearheaded by the 3-41 Infantry's Straight and Stalwart Battalion Task Force, with Field Artillery support from 1-3 field artillery battalion. Arab Forces, namely Kuwaiti and Saudi Arabian army units, also participated in the battle on the Coalition side.

Throughout the battle, Iraqi forces were outmanoeuvred and outgunned by Coalition forces, with many initial engagements being a complete rout, such as the Reveille Engagement whereby an outnumbered Troop of M1A1 Abrams tanks part of the USMC 4th Tank Battalion knocked out a mammoth 35 Iraqi tanks in just 90 seconds. Iraqi units were repeatedly engaged and destroyed whilst attempting to form up by Coalition artillery and aircraft, or, as in several cases, were defeated at close range by anti tank weapons.

On the third and final day of combat the 2nd Marine Division would liberate the city of Al Jahra then would go on to occupy the high ground on the Mutla Ridge cutting off the Iraqi escape route from Kuwait to Basra. Iraqi forces on Kuwait Airport were engaged at range by Coalition air forces, artillery and tanks, with the Iraqi 3rd Armoured Division being effectively destroyed as a fighting force.

27th February 1991, Al-Shuaiba, Kuwait - Having reached its staging area, elements of the 3-41 Infantry Regiment move to spearhead the 2nd Armoured Division's advance towards Kuwait City.