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Lesson 27 Gulf War

Enabling Objectives Define the military capabilities of the coalition forces and the Iraqi military after the invasion.Define the military capabilities of the coalition forces and the Iraqi military after the invasion. Describe the Navy and Marine Corps role in the different phases of Desert Shield and Desert Storm.Describe the Navy and Marine Corps role in the different phases of Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Describe the national strategic implications of the Post Cold War and its effects on policy and the Navy.Describe the national strategic implications of the Post Cold War and its effects on policy and the Navy.

Remember our Themes! The Navy as an Instrument of Foreign PolicyThe Navy as an Instrument of Foreign Policy Interaction between Congress and the NavyInteraction between Congress and the Navy Interservice RelationsInterservice Relations TechnologyTechnology LeadershipLeadership Strategy and TacticsStrategy and Tactics Evolution of Naval DoctrineEvolution of Naval Doctrine

The Immediate Post-Lehman Navy ( ) The Navy continued to be built around the big- deck carrier.The Navy continued to be built around the big- deck carrier. Navy continues to be dominated by the carrier aviation and nuclear submarine communities.Navy continues to be dominated by the carrier aviation and nuclear submarine communities. Question for the 1990’s: What was the proper size and composition of the surface fleet in an era of shrinking appropriations?Question for the 1990’s: What was the proper size and composition of the surface fleet in an era of shrinking appropriations? Desert Shield/ Desert Storm (1990, 1991)Desert Shield/ Desert Storm (1990, 1991)

Operation Desert Shield (Defense of Saudi Arabia) U.S. National Policy Objectives: 1.Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait 2.Restoration of Kuwait’s legitimate government 3.Security and stability of Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf 4.Safety and protection of the lives of American citizens abroad 5.Repayment of war reparations 6.Destruction of weapons

Naval Role in Desert Shield Initial deterrent to invasion of Saudi Arabia.Initial deterrent to invasion of Saudi Arabia. Maritime Intercept Operations (MIO)Maritime Intercept Operations (MIO) –United Nations-approved blockade of trade with Iraq. Sealift - Maritime Pre-positioning Ships (MPS)Sealift - Maritime Pre-positioning Ships (MPS) –95% of all equipment moved into theater by the sea. Air strikes against Iraqi forces achieved air supremacy.Air strikes against Iraqi forces achieved air supremacy. Ready Reserve Fleet ships Six carrier battle groups (CVBGs) and two battleship battle groups (BBBGs).Ready Reserve Fleet ships Six carrier battle groups (CVBGs) and two battleship battle groups (BBBGs). Marine forcesMarine forces SEAL TeamsSEAL Teams

Operation DESERT STORM “The Mother of all battles has begun.”- Saddam Hussein Four-phased campaignFour-phased campaign –Phase 1- Strategic Air campaign –Phase 2- Air supremacy in theater –Phase 3- Battlefield Preparation –Phase 4- Offensive ground campaign

Air Campaign Commenced 17 Jan 1991Commenced 17 Jan 1991 –Naval Tomahawks (52) Three carriers Air superiority in the first hours of war

Maritime Campaign Phase 1 and 2Phase 1 and 2 –Participate in air and establish sea control Phase 3Phase 3 –Attack ground forces w/ Aircraft and naval Gunfire Phase 4Phase 4 –All of the above and amphibious feints, demos, prepare assaults

ASUW 143 Iraqi naval vessels destroyed/damaged143 Iraqi naval vessels destroyed/damaged All Iraqi ports/bases damagedAll Iraqi ports/bases damaged All northern Persian Gulf oil platforms securedAll northern Persian Gulf oil platforms secured No attacks by Iraqi surface ships on coalitionNo attacks by Iraqi surface ships on coalition

Countermine U.S. assets include MCM-1, 2 MSO ships, 6 MH-53EU.S. assets include MCM-1, 2 MSO ships, 6 MH-53E Two ships hit: U.S.S. Tripoli and U.S.S PrincetonTwo ships hit: U.S.S. Tripoli and U.S.S Princeton

Amphibious Warfare ATF conducted 5 operations:ATF conducted 5 operations: –Raided Umm Al- Maradim off Kuwait –Against Faylaka Island –Against Ash Shuaybah port Facility –Against Bubiyan Island –Landing of 5 th MEB in Saudi Arabia Resulted in Iraqi focus on their western flank.Resulted in Iraqi focus on their western flank.

Ground Campaign Feb hour campaign24-28 Feb hour campaign Marine Contribution:Marine Contribution: –I MEF committed two Infantry divisions –Naval Force amphibious assault on Kuwait Coast –I MEF took 8000 prisoners 20 miles into Kuwait by the end of day 1. –Kuwait airport by 27 Feb

Conclusions Estimated Iraqi lossesEstimated Iraqi losses –100,000 soldier dead, wounded and captured, 3847 tanks, 1450 armored personnel carriers, 2917 artillery pieces and 32 aircraft –86,000 est. prisoners U.S.U.S. –313 combatant and non combatant CoalitionCoalition –First since WWII- fastest victory ever Importance of power projection from the seaImportance of power projection from the sea

A Cold War? Gulf War fought with Cold War equipment using Cold War tactics.Gulf War fought with Cold War equipment using Cold War tactics. Air Attacks on pre-planned targets.Air Attacks on pre-planned targets. Targeting reminiscent of Cold War strategic bombing plans.Targeting reminiscent of Cold War strategic bombing plans. Not Network-CentricNot Network-Centric

Toward Network-Centrism National Sensor ExploitationNational Sensor Exploitation Development of FAC (A) DoctrineDevelopment of FAC (A) Doctrine Strategic Judgment: Air power was effective, but not so effective that ground forces could be neglectedStrategic Judgment: Air power was effective, but not so effective that ground forces could be neglected