Operation Desert Shield and Storm: Facts and Timeline
Summary of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm
On the morning of August 2, 1990 the mechanized infantry, armor, and tank units of the Iraqi Republican Guard invaded Kuwait and seized control of that country. The invasion triggered a United States response, Operation DESERT SHIELD, to deter any invasion of Kuwait’s oil rich neighbor, Saudi Arabia. On August 7, deployment of U.S. forces began. On August 20 President Bush signed National Security Directive 45, “U.S. Policy in Response to the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait,” which included the “immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of all Iraqi forces from Kuwait,” and the “restoration of Kuwait’s legitimate government to replace the puppet regime installed by Iraq.”
Operation Desert Shield Timeline 1990
1990: Saddam Hussein accuses Kuwait on 17 July of oil overproduction and theft of oil from the Rumailia Oil Field.
1990: On 25 July US Ambassador to Iraq tells Hussien that the Iraq/Kuwaitt dispute is an Arab matter, not one that affects the United States.
1990: Hussein invades Kuwait on August 2. The United Nations calls on Hussien to withdraw.
August 6th : Economic sanctions are authorized.
August 7th : Secretary of Defense Cheney visits Suadi Arabia.
August 8th : Iraq annexes Kuwait
August 9th : The UN declares Iraq’s annexation invalid
August 12th : The United States announces interdiction program of Iraq shipping.
August 22nd : President Bush authorizes call up of reserves.
August 25th : Military interdiction authorized by the UN
September 14th : Iraqi forces storm a number of diplomatic missions in Kuwait City.
November 8th : Bush orders additional deployments to give “offensive option” to US forces.
November 20th : Democrats file suit to have President Bush seek Congressional approval of military operations.
November 22nd : President Bush visits the troops for Thanksgiving.
November 29th : UN Security Council authorizes force if Iraq doesn’t withdraw from Kuwait by midnight EST January 15th.
November 30th : Bush invites Tariq Aziz to Washington and offers to send Secretary of State James Baker to Baghdad.
Operation Desert Storm Timeline 1991
January 12th : Congress votes to allow for US troops to be used in offensive operations.
January 15th : he deadline set by the UN Resolution 678 for Iraq to withdraw.
January 16th : First US government statement of Operation Desert-Storm made.
January 17th : Iraq launches first SCUD Missile attack.
January 30th : US forces in the Gulf exceed 500,000.
February 6th : Jordan King Hussein lashes out against American bombardments and supports Iraq.
February 13th : US Bombers destroy a bunker complex in Baghdad with several hundred citizens inside. Nearly 300 die.
February 17th : Tariq Aziz travels to Moscow to discuss possible negotiated end to the war.
February 22nd : President Bush issues an ultimatum of Feb 23 for Iraqi troops to withdraw from Kuwait.
February 23rd : Ground war begins with Marines, Army and Arab forces moving into Iraq and Kuwait.
February 25th : Iraqi SCUD missile hits a US barracks in Saudi Arabia killing 27.
February 26th : Kuwaiti resistance leaders declare they are in control of Kuwait City.
February 27th : President Bush orders a cease fire effective at midnight Kuwaiti time.
March 3rd : Iraqi leaders formally accept cease fire terms
March 4th : Ten Allied POWs freed
March 5th : 35 POWs released
March 8th : First US combat forces return home.
List of Coalition Forces that Fought Against Iraq
Kuwait
United States
Saudi Arabia
United Kingdom
Egypt
Syria
United Arab Emirates
France
Belgium
Morocco
Qatar
Oman
Pakistan
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
Argentina
Spain
Italy
Bangladesh
List of Leaders and Commanders of the Coalition Forces
Kuwait Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
United States George H.W. Bush
United States Norman Schwarzkopf
United States Colin Powell
United States Calvin Waller
Saudi Arabia King Fahd
Saudi Arabia Prince Abdullah
Saudi Arabia Prince Sultan
Saudi Arabia Turki Al-Faisal
Saudi Arabia Saleh Al-Muhaya
Saudi Arabia Khalid bin Sultan
United Kingdom John Major
United Kingdom Patrick Hine
United Kingdom Andrew Wilson
United Kingdom Peter de la Billière
United Kingdom John Chapple
France Michel Roquejoffre
Egypt Mohamed Hussein Tantawi
Syria Mustafa Tlass
Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Pakistan Mirza Aslam Beg
Facts About Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
How Many Air Deployment Missions: 18,466, as of June 7
- 3,980 by C-5 Galaxy transports
- 9,085 by C-141 Starlifter transports
- 1,193 by C-130 Hercules transports
- 395 by KC-10 Extender aerial refuelers
- 3,813 by Civil Reserve Air Fleet carriers
- 509,129 passengers and 594,730 tons of cargo carried
How Many U.S. Casualties: 148 battle deaths, 145 non-battle deaths
- Army: 98 battle; 105 non-battle
- Navy 6 battle; 8 non-battle
- Marines: 24 battle; 26 non-battle
- Air Force: 20 battle; 6 non-battle
- Women killed, 15
How Many U.S. wounded in action: 467.
How Many U.S. Commanders, U.S. Central Command, Operation Desert Storm
- Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, USA, commander in chief
- Lt. Gen. Calvin Waller, USA, deputy commander in chief
- Maj. Gen. Robert B. Johnston, USMC, chief of staff
- Lt. Gen. John J. Yeosock, USA, Army commander
- Lt. Gen. Walter Boomer, USMC, Marine commander
- Vice Adm. Stanley Arthur, USN, Navy commander
- Lt. Gen. Charles Horner, USAF, Air Force commander
How Many Allied Combat Air Sorties Flown: More than 116,000
How Many Coalition Aircraft Losses: 75 (63 U.S., 12 Allied)
- Fixed wing, 37 combat, 15 noncombat
- Helicopters, 23 (all U.S.): 5 combat, 18 noncombat
How Many Estimated Iraqi Losses: (Reported by U.S. Central Command, March 7, 1991)
- 36 fixed-wing aircraft in air-to-air engagements
- 6 helicopters in air-to-air engagements
- 68 fixed- and 13 rotary-wing aircraft destroyed on the ground
- 137 Iraqi aircraft flown to Iran
- 3,700 of 4,280 battle tanks
- 2,400 of 2,870 assorted other armored vehicles
- 2,600 of 3,110 assorted artillery pieces
- 19 naval ships sunk, 6 damaged
- 42 divisions made combat-ineffective
How Many enemy prisoners of war captured: U.S. forces released 71,204 to Saudi control.
Operational Names from the Gulf War
Most of the Coalition Force countries used various names for their operations and operational phases of the war.
Operation Desert Shield was the US operational name for the US buildup of forces and the defense of Saudi Arabia from 2 August 1990, to 16 January 1991.
Operation Desert Storm was the US name of the air land conflict from January 17, 1991, through April 11, 1991.
Operation Daguet was the French name for the conflict.
Operation FRICTION was the name of the Canadian operations
Operazione Locusta was the Italian name for the operations and conflict.
Operation Granby was the British name for its armed forces’ activities during the operations and conflict.
Operation Desert Farewell was the name given to the return of US units and equipment to the United States in 1991.
Operation Desert Sabre was the US name for the air land offensive against the Iraqi Army in the Kuwaiti Theater of Operations from 24–28 February 1991.
U.N. Security Council Resolutions Against Iraq
- Resolution 660, August 2, 1990: Condemns Iraqi invasion of Kuwait
- Resolution 661, August 6th: Imposes economic sanctions against Iraq
- Resolution 662, August 9th: Declares Iraqi annexation of Kuwait null and void
- Resolution 664, August. 18th: Calls for the immediate release of foreigners from Iraq and Kuwait
- Resolution 665, August 25th: Authorizes the use of force to halt maritime shipping to and from Iraq
- Resolution 666, September 13th: Establishes guidelines for humanitarian aid to Iraq and Kuwait
- Resolution 667, September 16th: Condemns Iraq and demands protection of diplomatic personnel
- Resolution 669, September 24th: Authorizes examination of requirements for economic assistance under U.N. Article 50
- Resolution 670, September 25th: Condemns Iraq and confirms economic embargo, including air
- Resolution 674, October 29th: Condemns Iraq and calls for release of third-country nationals and provision of food
- Resolution 677, November 28th: Condemns Iraqi attempts to alter Kuwaiti demographics
- Resolution 678, November 29th: Authorizes the use of force to uphold resolutions unless Iraq withdraws by Jan. 15, deadline
- Resolution 686, March 2, 1991: Demands Iraq cease all hostile actions and abide by resolutions
- Resolution 687, April 3rd : Sets forth permanent cease-fire
Resources about Desert Shield and Desert Storm
List of resolutions passed in the ensuing years that stem from Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
10 years Later Operation Desert Storm. A National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book, Edited by Jeffrey T. Richelson on January 17, 2001
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