Back to U.S. Army-Desert Storm Art
"UP THE WADI AL BATIN"
Arkansas National Guard 142 Bde Firing in Desert Storm
by U.S. Army Combat Artist Frank M. Thomas (LTC)
Original 30" x 40" Acrylic/Canvas Painting
Found in Collection of the Arkansas National Guard Museum, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Background:
At 0030 hours (12:30 AM) Saturday, 23 February 1991, Lieutenant Colonel Terry W. Branham's 2/6 Cavalry AH-64A Apache Helicopter Squadron received the order to attack/feint, up the Wadi Al Batin. This initiated Operation Desert Storm and fooled the Iraqi army into believing the misinformation broadcast, unknowingly, by CNN News...that our main effort would be up the Wadi separating Kuwait from Iraq.
The AH-64A Apache attack helicopter can carry up to 16 laser-guided Hellfire anti-tank missiles or 76 70mm rockets. In addition, the Apache's 30mm cannon can direct 1200 rounds of armor-piercing suppressive fire by day or night. It is ideally suited for night operations.
Branham's squadron of 18 Apaches had been, early in February 1991, tasked with the mission of convincing the Iraqi forces that our main assault, in the event Operation Desert Storm started, would be up the Wadi Al Batin...north from the Saudi Arabian border.
It worked extremely well, as our helicopters penetrated deep into Iraq, destroying everything in their path with cannon and Hellfire missiles. U.S. Army Field Artillery (MLRS) Multiple Launch Rocket System rockets, firing overhead from positions near Hafir Al Batin, Saudi Arabia, struck targets ahead of the Apache choppers working their way up the Wadi. The MLRS rockets came to be known by Iraqi soldiers as "steel rain." This feint (false attack) focused Iraqi Army attention on the wrong location and facilitated our 7th Corps Armored Divisions' devastating "left hook" assault from the west, across the desert and deep into Iraqi territory. Iraq's Army (the fourth largest army in the world) surrendered in 100 hours.
___________________________________
Canvas Art Print Offerings:
24" x 30" (signed by artist/rolled - ready to stretch)..........................$264.00
tube shipped.......................+$13.50
32" x 40" (signed by artist/rolled - ready to stretch)..........................$429.00
tube shipped.......................+$14.50
(NOTE: The rolled print may be stretched in most frame shops before framing.
*Please note*: Artist Frank Thomas' studio lithographic art print and giclee' canvas art print sales have now been resumed as of November 1st, 2008. He and his wife, Patreecia, have completed an eighteen month mission in the Ohio-Cleveland Mission, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the Kirtland Historic Village Sites, Kirtland, Ohio. He was asked by LDS Church General Authorities to paint early Church history scenes of 1830's Kirtland.
He has now returned home to his art studio at 206 North 100 East, Holden, Utah 84636 and is producing LDS historical paintings and Old West paintings at that site. His art prints may be purchased online by credit card or by personal check.
Call Frank at his Studio" (435) 795-2206 or (435) 406-9526, or contact directly by email wildgoose@crystalpeaks.com.