Overview Understand the causes, outcome and impact of Operation Desert Storm Understand how military aviation and national defense strategy fundamental changed as the result of Operation Desert Storm

Kuwait At the request of the Kuwaitis, Kuwait had become a British Protectorate in 1889 Kuwait was a part of Iraq until 1923, when borders were drawn. On June 19, 1961, British protection ended and Kuwait joined the Arab League. Iraq objected strongly and claimed that Kuwait was part of their territory. Kuwait formed its own constitution and elected its own assembly in January 1963. national assembly was elected. By October, 1963, Iraq gave up its claim on Kuwait.

Iraq – Saddam Hussein On July 16, 1979, the leader of the Baath party and President of Iraq resigned -- Saddam Hussein officially took the position. From 1980 to 1988, Saddam led Iraq in a war against Iran which largely ended in a strategic stalemate. However the Iran-Iraq war created a large well-trained Iraqi military Hussein’s rule included significant human rights violations including the use chemical weapons against tribal Kurds within Iraq, including gassing the Kurdish town of Halabja which killed 5,000 in March 1988

Mother of All Battles Following the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), Iraq was $60-80 Billion in debt and faced significant U.N. sanctions over human rights abuses Iraq claimed that Kuwait, using high-tech oil equipment, was side-drilling into Iraqi oil fields across their border. Kuwait was also undercutting Iraqi oil prices; revenue Iraq needed to offset its national debt. The U.S. ambassador to Iraq (April Glaspie) informed Hussein weeks prior to the invasion that, "We (U.S.) have no opinion on...conflicts like your border disagreement with Kuwait On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait and quickly gained control of the country. The United States, along with the United Nations, demanded the immediate withdrawal of Iraqi forces.

U.S./Coalition Reaction The United States fearing further Iraqi aggression against Saudi Arabia, deploys forces to the area as a deterrent. As diplomatic strategies dissolved, on November 29, 1990 the UN Security Council passed a resolution authorizing the use of force if Iraq did not withdraw from Kuwait by January 15. On January 17, 1991….the air campaign of Operation Desert Storm begins. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB-JutwqsRY&feature=relmfu

Classroom Exercise

Jan 17 Scud Missiles fired at Israel and Saudi Arabia

Withdrawal and Resolution On February 26th, Iraqi troops began to retreat from Kuwait while setting fire to an estimated 700 Kuwaiti oil wells. One hundred hours after the ground campaign began, President Bush declared a cease-fire — declaring the liberation of Kuwait on February 27, 1991. By war's end, U.S. forces released 71,204 Iraqi prisoners to Saudi control. U.S. casualties Army: 98; Navy: 6; Marines: 24; Air Force: 20 battle Resulting in 148 U.S. battle deaths. Wounded in action: 467. Iraqi casualties Of Iraq's 545,000 troops in the Kuwait theater of operations, an estimated 100,000 were killed, and300,000 were wounded.

Changing The Nature of Conflict Introduction of precision weapons and equipment GPS, Communications, Reconnaissance (Space) Firepower Coalition and Joint Warfare Public Media Relations Press Pools to Embedded Reporters Daily CENTCOM Press Briefings U.S. Public’s Perception of U.S. Military Shifts from Vietnam