page_title: 3rd Armored Division (United States)
section_title: Deployment and retraining
hierarchical_section_title: 3rd Armored Division (United States) / Desert Storm / Deployment and retraining
caption_attribution_description: English: U.S. 3rd Armored Division commander Major General Paul Funk reviews battle plans with Brigade Commanders and aides during the Persian Gulf War, in February 1991. Note the Woodland Camouflage worn during the desert conflict by this Division.
context_page_description: The 3rd Armored Division was an armored division of the United States Army. Unofficially nicknamed the "Third Herd," the division was first activated in 1941, and was active in the European Theater of World War II. The division was stationed in West Germany for much of the Cold War, and participated in the Persian Gulf War. On 17 January 1992, in Germany, the division ceased operations. In October 1992 it was formally inactivated as part of a general drawing down of forces at the end of the Cold War.
context_section_description: The 3rd Armored Division, then commanded by Major General Paul Funk, was one of four U.S. heavy divisions deployed with VII Corps to the Gulf Region. The division and its equipment were shifted from Germany to Saudi Arabia, with in some cases, Army National Guard and Army Reserve elements taking over some of their duties in Germany, while in others, kasernes were left virtually empty. This massive deployment was possible by the end of the Cold War.
  After deployment, the division acclimated to the desert climate, and its troops faced new challenges in mobility, tactics and maintenance in a sandy and hot climate. Various National Guard and Army Reserve units were then attached to the division for the duration of the conflict, swelling the division's size to over 20,000 troops – 25% larger than during its time in Germany.
  The majority of the division's troops never received Desert Battle Dress Uniforms due to a shortage, and fought instead in lightweight summer "woodland pattern" uniforms, covered by tanker suits or chemical warfare protective MOPP suits.
caption: MG Paul Funk reviews plans with Brigade Commanders and Aides – note woodland camouflage
exif: {}