The Persian Gulf War Operation DESERT STORM

2 Overview  Background to the Conflict Iraqi threats  The Plan of Attack Concept of Operations Five Strategic Rings Targets Campaign Overview  Video Clip

3 Background

4 US Objectives  Immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of all Iraqi forces from Kuwait  Restoration of Kuwait’s legitimate government  Security an stability of Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf  Protection of American citizens abroad

5 Operation Desert Shield  CENTCOM CINC - Army Gen H. Norman Schwarzkopf CENTAF Gen Charles A. Horner Became the JFACC during the war  In first 5 days: Five fighter squadrons, contingent of AWACS, and part of 82 nd Airborne Division Equal Iraqi force by first 35 days  Air Reserves/Air National Guard called to active duty

6 Iraqi Threat - 4th largest armed force in WORLD - Nuclear, Biological, Chemical - Scud Missiles

7 Air Defense Threat - Iraq’s air defense system thought to the best outside of the Soviet Union - US was probably the only nation in the world with the airpower to “disintegrate” an integrated system of this type

8 The Plan of Attack

9 Objectives - Isolate & incapacitate Iraqi command structure - Win Air Superiority - Destroy Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Capability - Eliminate Iraqi Offensive Military Capability - Eject Iraqi Army from Kuwait

10 Concept Of Operations - Powerful & Focused air attacks on strategic centers of gravity over a short period of time -- Target Hussein Regime, not Iraqi people -- Minimize civilian casualties & collateral damage -- Minimize coalition losses -- Pit US and Coalition strengths against Iraqi weaknesses

11 Instant Thunder  Developed by Colonel John Warden and his Checkmate staff in Washington Named in direct response to Vietnam’s unsuccessful Rolling Thunder campaign  Based on a unique five-ring model of the modern nation state

12 The Five Strategic Rings Fielded Military Forces National Population National Infrastructure Key Production/Organic Essentials National Leadership

13 Target Systems

14 Campaign Overview Four Part Campaign: Phase I -- Strategic Air Campaign Phase II -- Suppression of enemy Air Defenses over Kuwait vicinity Phase III -- Air Attacks on ground forces in Kuwait and vicinity Phase IV -- Ground Operations as Directed

15 And in the End…  On 27 Feb 91, the Iraqi military was scattered and defeated Iraq lost 90 aircraft to coalition forces 122 Iraqi aircraft fled to Iran  Stealth provided to need edge!  The Persian Gulf War officially ended on 11 Apr 91

16 “Beyond the Wild Blue” Video

17 Summary  Background to the Conflict Iraqi threats  The Plan of Attack Concept of Operations Five Strategic Rings Targets Campaign Overview