August 7, 1990 – April 11, 1991 The United States Military in Desert Storm was a force for good in freeing oppressed people, defending freedom, and eliminating discrimination.

August 2, 1990 After accusations made by Iraq towards Kuwait’s supposed overproduction and theft of oil, Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein leads an invasion on Kuwait soil. Only hours after the invasion began, Iraqi troops took over Kuwait City and moved on toward Saudi Arabia’s border.

August 7,1990 The news of the invasion of Kuwait and the imposing threat on Saudi Arabia soon reached the White House. President George Bush understood there was little time to react. Secretary of Defense, Dick Cheney and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, CENTCOMM Commander, met with Saudi Arabia’s leader, King Fahd, where they agreed U.S. forces would be needed to protect Saudi Arabia’s border. Minutes after the meeting, Operation Desert Shield was activated. 82 nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC and F-15 eagle fighters Fort Langley Air Force Base, VA arrived in Saudi Arabia later that day. “This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait.”

RESOLUTION 678 In the months to follow, Iraq attempts to annex Kuwait, but the UN does not agree and voids their claim. Iraq’s refusal to leave turns the military’s defensive status to offense. On November 29,1990 the UN adopted Resolution 678, which states that if Hussein and his troops do not leave Kuwait by January 15, 1991, necessary force will be used.

"Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines of the United States Central Command, this morning at 0300, we launched Operation DESERT STORM, an offensive campaign that will enforce the United Nation's resolutions that Iraq must cease its rape and pillage of its weaker neighbor and withdraw its forces from Kuwait. My confidence in you is total. Our cause is just! Now you must be the thunder and lightning of Desert Storm. May God be with you, your loved ones at home, and our Country." -- General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, USA Commander-in-Chief U.S. Central Command, in a message to the command, 16 January 1991 Iraq’s refusal to comply activated Allied armed forces offensive switch and on January 17, 1991 at 0300, the engines started and Operation Desert Storm was initiated. Modern airfare war began with more than 5000 tons of bombs on Iraq’s mainstream communications, air and ground defenses, radar facilities, missile launch pads, command stations, and Hussein’s palaces. In retaliation, Iraq launched 7 SCUD missiles, or warheads, attacking Israel and an attempted SCUD missile at Saudi Arabia. Because of the overwhelming offensive capability made possible by high-end U.S. technology such as the GPS to pinpoint the Tomahawk missiles, the M1A1 Abrams missile and the MIM-104 Patriot missile, which intercepted many of the Iraqi SCUD missiles, the attack provided little opportunity for the Republican Guard to strike back. “The great duel, the mother of all battles has begun. The dawn of victory nears as this great showdown begins.” Saddam Hussein’s great bluster blunder

BATTLE OF KHAFJI The over 500,000 strong, air and naval forces continued to bomb primary Iraqi targets. However, Iraq wouldn’t leave without putting up a fight. Another SCUD missile attempt was launched on King Fahd’s military airport and on January 25, 1991, Iraqi troops ignited millions of gallons of oil in the Persian Gulf causing horrific damage to the environment and the coastlines. Four days later, Iraq commenced their first counter-attack at Khafji, Saudi Arabia and captured their first female prisoner of war. Much to their dismay, Iraqis could only hold the city for a single day before the Saudi forces overran the weakened Iraqi forces, causing their troops to flee.

THE ULTIMATUM Iraqi forces continued to hold Kuwait captive. Finally President Bush issued an ultimatum to leave Kuwait. With no reply, allied forces concluded it was now necessary to set boots on the illegally held Kuwait soil. On February 24, 1991 at 0400, US and Arab forces were led by the 11 th marine division into Kuwait City and then flanked Iraqi forces in the west and far west in a great pincer movement. On February 25, 1991 Iraqi forces launched another SCUD missile at U.S. barracks in Saudi Arabia, killing 28 soldiers. The following day, the biggest tank battle in history obliterated Iraqi’s mobile force and they fled Kuwait, burning over 700 oil wells along the way. The mass exodus from Kuwait resulted in a surreal, nearly apocalyptic, carnage along the major highway out of the country.

THE STORM ENDS Only 100 hours after the land battle began a cease-fire was declared. On February 28, 1991 at 0801, Kuwait was liberated. President Bush disclosed terms of the cease-fire and approved supply airdrops to Kurdish refugees in Turkey and Northern Iraq. On April 6, 1991, Iraq officially accepted the cease-fire terms and on April 20,1991 Task Force Provide Comfort were assisting relief to the Kurds with almost 72,000 pounds of supplies.

WORKS CITED O’Hara, Scott. “Operation Desert Storm.” Soldier City. Web. 19 Mar “Operation Desert Storm.” US History. Independence Hall Association in Philadelphia Web. 19 Mar United States Department of Defense. “The Desert Shield/ Desert Storm Timeline.” 8 Aug Web. 19 Mar “V: "THUNDER AND LIGHTNING"- THE WAR WITH IRAQ.” Naval History and Heritage Command. US Navy. Web. 19 March 2013.