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Enduring Lessons For Success From Operation Desert Storm February 28, 2021 marked 30 years since the end of Operation Desert Storm. An operation that lasted only 43 days, Desert Storm was the United States’ first major armed conflict with Iraq. On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait and refused to disengage from the country. Former President George H. W. Bush, along with other coalition leaders, disapproved of the invasion. Thus, began the Gulf War with the launch of Operation Desert Shield. After five and a half months of the operation, the United Nations Security Council authorized the use of “all necessary means” to remove the Iraqi forces in support of Kuwait. On January 17, 1991, the combat phase of the war began ... Operation Desert Storm.
The Marine Corps was a key asset from the very beginning. With 45,000 Marines deployed in vicinity of the Persian Gulf at the onset of Operation Desert Shield, the Corps was immediately able to commit thousands of Marines to Operation Desert Storm when called upon. January 29th started the heavy ground fighting and produced the first ground casualties. On February 24, 1991, I Marine Expeditionary Force, along with other coalition forces, kicked off the final assault of the operation. Marine forces posing as the main effort positioned themselves in the Gulf to create the illusion of an amphibious raid. This illusion allowed time for allied forces to attack Iraqi forces from behind. After 100 hours, the assault had ended, and the allied forces had succeeded. On February 28, 1991, Bush declared a cease-fire.
Having constant training in the jungle terrain of Hawaii, Carretti was initially surprised when he found out his unit would be deploying to Kuwait. As a rifle company, Carretti and his Marines were conducting constant training to participate in the unit deployment program in Okinawa. Because of this, a deployment to the desert was not something Carretti expected. This taught him to constantly be prepared for anything. They quickly took it upon themselves to remove their gear in the hopes of easing the nerves of the prisoners. Once they took action, more Marines followed suit and unsuited. As soon as each Marine had removed their gear, the prisoners were at ease. Carretti says that this simple act of empathy resulted in the dissolution of what could have been a larger situation. Having forward deployed ships during the Gulf War allowed for the easy deployment of thousands of service members. Early on in the war, the naval ships located in the Arabian Gulf provided protection that held off Iraqi forces. Control of the surrounding sea not only ensured that airpower, gun fire and missiles were protected. It also ensured that enemies were denied port access to get any necessary materials. Similarly, today, Berger emphasizes the integrated application of Navy and Marine Corps capabilities and how the Marine Corps can capitalize on them more intensely as we sail into the future. The U.S. Marines | Marines - The Few, The Proud | Our Valiant Troops | Veterans | Citizens Like Us U.S. Marines Gifts | U.S. Marine Corps | U.S. Department of Defense |
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