James G
Gone Fishin'
Just a theoretical exercise. I was thinking how would the Gulf War 91 go for the Coalition if the US and the UK were unable to send such forces as they did from West Germany to the Saudi desert. Lets say the Soviet menace is still there but Bush 41 still decides to prosecute the war against Iraq.
What was sent to Saudi Arabia to make the Third Army came from Germany-based and US-based forces. There were also plenty of Marines and, I didn't know until today, National Guard units.
Bigger mobilisation of national guard to go to Saudi or to replace regular units rotated out?
How about with the British? An ad hoc and far lighter division with say non-Germany-based forces or send the TA to Germany and use regulars from there against Saddam?
As to an alternative ground forces ORBAT, here's just an idea:
US III Corps
1st Cavalry Division - two standing brigades and either 194th Brigade or 155th Mississippi ARNG Brigade
1st Infantry Division - three standing brigades
2nd Armored Division - two Texas-based brigades and one from the 4th Infantry Division
5th Infantry Division - two standing brigades and either 157th Reserve Brigade or 256th Lousiana ARNG Brigade
US XVIII Corps
24th Infantry Division - two standing brigades and either 197th Infantry Brigade or 48th Georgia ARNG Brigade
82nd Airborne Division - three standing brigades
101st Air Assault Division - three standing brigades
US I MEF
1st Marine Division - full complement
2nd Marine Division - part complement, maybe one of the reserve regiments added
British Force
3rd Armoured Division - 4th & 6th Armoured Brigades or one of them plus either 1st Infantry or 24th Airmobile Brigade
What was sent to Saudi Arabia to make the Third Army came from Germany-based and US-based forces. There were also plenty of Marines and, I didn't know until today, National Guard units.
Bigger mobilisation of national guard to go to Saudi or to replace regular units rotated out?
How about with the British? An ad hoc and far lighter division with say non-Germany-based forces or send the TA to Germany and use regulars from there against Saddam?
As to an alternative ground forces ORBAT, here's just an idea:
US III Corps
1st Cavalry Division - two standing brigades and either 194th Brigade or 155th Mississippi ARNG Brigade
1st Infantry Division - three standing brigades
2nd Armored Division - two Texas-based brigades and one from the 4th Infantry Division
5th Infantry Division - two standing brigades and either 157th Reserve Brigade or 256th Lousiana ARNG Brigade
US XVIII Corps
24th Infantry Division - two standing brigades and either 197th Infantry Brigade or 48th Georgia ARNG Brigade
82nd Airborne Division - three standing brigades
101st Air Assault Division - three standing brigades
US I MEF
1st Marine Division - full complement
2nd Marine Division - part complement, maybe one of the reserve regiments added
British Force
3rd Armoured Division - 4th & 6th Armoured Brigades or one of them plus either 1st Infantry or 24th Airmobile Brigade