Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm

On 2 August 1990, the Iraqi Army invaded and occupied Kuwait, drawing international condemnation and immediate economic sanctions from members of the UN Security Council. With the support of United Kingdom Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, President George H.W. Bush deployed US ground, air, and sea forces into Saudi Arabia, and an array of nations joined the coalition, forming the largest military alliance since World War II. Most of the coalition’s military forces came from the US, with Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and Egypt as leading contributors. Efforts to expel Iraqi troops from Kuwait began with an aerial and naval bombardment on 17 January 1991 that continued for five weeks, followed by a ground assault on 24 February that brought a decisive coalition victory, liberated Kuwait, and advanced into Iraqi territory. The coalition halted its advance and declared a ceasefire 100 hours after the ground campaign began, and aerial and ground combat remained confined to Iraq, Kuwait, and areas on Saudi Arabia’s border.

Lakeland, Florida · United States