space of only 270 square kilometers the Iraqis massed over 122 tanks, 78 BMPs, and hundreds of other combat vehicles and fighting systems. All would fall victim to the 3rd Armored Division. On 26 February 3rd Armored Division Artillery conducted fire missions against Iraqi targets including trucks, a mortar position, and a series of bunker complexes. An Iraqi artillery position was also destroyed. Initially thousands of Iraqi infantrymen engaged the U.S. 3rd Armored Division with Sagger antitank missiles and RPGs from dug in defensive fighting positions. The Iraqi defensive network also consisted of bunkers and dug in vehicles. The Iraqis also had the support of a dozen field artillery batteries directly behind the rear of the Tawakalna Republican Guard Division. There were no soft or exposed Iraqi flanks to exploit. The 3rd Armored Division overcame these Iraqi defensive positions utilizing superior command and control along with well coordinated combined arms tactics. On 27 February 3rd Armored Division Artillery conducted 42 fire missions, and fired 827 rounds at Iraqi targets. In total 3rd Armored Division Artillery fired 2,854 rounds and its MLRS units fired 555 rockets during combat operations. U.S. A-10 attack aircraft and Apache helicopters also conducted operations against Iraqi targets. By late 27 February the U.S. 3rd Armored Division cleared Objective Dorset after meeting stiff resistance and destroying more than 300 enemy vehicles. The 3rd Brigade, 3rd Armored Division also captured 2,500 enemy prisoners. The 3rd Brigade, 3rd Armored Division actions contributed greatly to the destruction of two Iraqi Republican Guard Divisions. In 24 hours of nearly continuous combat, the Brigade destroyed or captured 547 vehicles, including 102 tanks, 81 armored personnel carriers, 34 artillery pieces, 15 AAA guns and captured hundreds of tons of supplies and 528 prisoners of war. The 3rd Armored Division had three M1A1 Abrams tanks damaged during combat operations. The 3rd Armored Division suffered 15 soldiers killed between December 1990 and late February 1991. Approximately 7 of the soldiers were killed in action and another 27 soldiers from the division were wounded in action during combat operations. Aftermath By the end of combat operations on 28 February 1991, VII Corps had driven 260 kilometers, captured 22,000 Iraqi soldiers, and destroyed 1,350 Iraqi tanks, 1,224 armored personnel carriers, 285 artillery pieces, 105 air defense systems, and 1,229 trucks. The U.S. Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft would distinguish itself during the Gulf War.