Less than seven months after the Iraqi invasion, Kuwait was once again free.Ī SHORT HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY IN THE ARABIAN GULF.ĭESERT SHIELD/STORM brought together the largest force of Navy warships assembled in a single theater since World War II, adding a powerful punch to Navy forces already onscene the night of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Iraqi troops-tired, hungry and war-weary from six months of economic blockade and more than a month of relentless allied bombing-surrendered by the thousands. The Iraqi army was crushed after a mere 100 hours. The threat they posed forced tens of thousands of Iraqi troops to maintain positions along the Kuwaiti coastline to defend against attack from the sea. The allied push into Kuwait and southern Iraq was made easier by the amphibious forces on station in the Arabian Gulf. Some of the flrst shots fired were from Navy ships in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea, as they launched salvos of Tomahawk cruise missiles against pre-programmed targets in Iraq.Īfter an impressive 38-day air campaign, the ground offensive began with allied forces sweeping through Iraqi defenses in blitzkrieg fashion. The ensuing air war and the effects of the economic embargo decimated Iraq's military infrastructure, severed communication and supply lines, smashed weapons arsenals, and destroyed morale. Saddam Hussein's rejection of diplomatic efforts to solve the crisis led to the final decision to restore Kuwait's sovereignty by military force. Others filled critical vacancies on the home front. Serving in specialties from medicine to mine warfare, reservists worked alongside their active duty counterparts in the Arabian Gulf. Under the Navy's Total Force concept more than 21,000 naval reservists were called to active duty in support of DESERT SHIELD/STORM. The MPS ships' proximity to the theater of operations allowed Marines to begin marrying up with their supplies in Saudi Arabia less than two weeks after the invasion of Kuwait. Maritime Prepositioning Ships based at Diego Garcia and Guam carried enough tanks, artillery and ammunition to sustain the Marines for 30 days. Marines began arriving in Saudi Arabia, their supplies and equipment were close at hand. ground and air forces into Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Low-key but close military ties with friendly Arab states, developed during 40 plus-years of naval operations in the region, helped pave the way for the quick introduction of U.S. Maritime superiority also allowed allied naval forces to implement and sustain United Nations trade sanctions against Iraq immediately after they were imposed severing Saddam Hussein's economic lifeline.
When President Bush ordered the deployment of troops and equipment to defend Saudi Arabia, long-established maritime superiority facilitated the largest, fastest strategic sealift in history, with more than 240 ships carrying more than 18.3 billion pounds of equipment and supplies to sustain the forces of DESERT SHIELD/STORM. Eisenhower (CVN 69) sped from the Indian Ocean and Eastern Mediterranean to take up positions in the Gulf of Oman and Red Sea, respectively-ready to commence sustained combat operations on arrival. Battle groups led by USS Independence (CV 62) and USS Dwight D. Navy presence in the Arabian Gulf since 1949, were immediately placed on alert. The ships of Joint Task Force Middle East, a legacy of U.S. and allied air and ground forces, and offered strong leadership for the multinational naval force.Īt the time of the invasion, the Navy was already on station in the region. The United States Navy provided the sea control and maritime superiority which paved the way for the introduction of U.S.
Trost, USN Chief of Naval Operations Proceedings, May 1990Īfter the world's fourth largest army poured across the border into Kuwait on 2 August 1990, the United States deployed a major joint force which served as the foundation for a powerful 33-nation military coalition to stem Iraq's brutal aggression. "When a crisis confronts the nation, the first question often asked by policymakers is: 'What naval forces are available and how fast can they be on station ?' " - Admiral C.A.H. It is about our own national security interests and ensuring the peace and stability of the entire world." - President George Bush Remarks to Pentagon Employees, 15 August 1990 It is about keeping our word, our solemn word of honor, and standing by old friends. "Our action in the Gulf is about fighting aggression and preserving the sovereignty of nations. ".My administration, as has been the case with every President from President Roosevelt to President Reagan, is committed to the security and stability of the Persian Gulf." - President George Bush Address to the Nation, 8 August 1990