Gulf War 1991 - Operation Desert Storm in real time

[lordroel]

DAY 25 of operation Desert Storm, Saturday, February 9th 1991

Political events

Defense Secretary Dick Cheney and Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell meet for more than eight hours with Desert Storm commander, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, other military leaders.

Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev warns that military operations in Persian Gulf war threaten to exceed U.N. mandate; he says he's sending envoy to Baghdad for talks with Saddam Hussein.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 57,000 sorties have been flown (2,400+ today) interdicting communication lines and striking planned and on-call tactical targets throughout the KTO.

Photo: A KC-10A Extender aircraft takes off from a base near Jeddah on its return flight to the United States following deployment during Operation Desert Storm.



An A-6 attacked a Zouk patrol boat near Faylaka Island with a Rockeye missile, inflicting substantial damage. Naval aircraft also attacked a Silkworm site destroying three launchers and a control van with a direct hit.

A Marine AV-8B is downed. The pilot, Captain Russell Sanborn, is missing.

Bomb damage assessment confirms that 750+ tanks, 650+ artillery and 600 armored personnel carriers have been destroyed.

USS WISCONSIN continues its naval gunfire missions, responding to calls for fire from United States and coalition forces.

USS MISSOURI is simultaneously on patrol in the Arabian Gulf supporting Marines and coalition forces.

USS THOMAS C. HART (FF-1092) diverts a freighter in the North Red Sea.

Iraqi troops continue border probes and exchanging sporadic artillery fire with Marines and coalition ground forces.

South Korea is the 33rd coalition partner with forces in place supporting OPERATION DESERT STORM.

Photo: Portions of three U.S. Navy carrier battle groups of Task Force 155 that operated in the Red Sea during Operation Desert Storm pictured underway on 9 February 1991. The aircraft carriers visible are USS Saratoga (CV-60) right, USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), left, and USS America (CV-66), center.

[lordroel]

DAY 26 of operation Desert Storm, Sunday, February 10th 1991

Events of the day

Saddam Hussein addresses his nation for first time since three days after war started, pledging victory and praising "steadfastness, faith and light in the chests of Iraqis."

Political events

Defense Secretary Cheney and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Powell return home from Saudi Arabia after meeting with American field commanders. Secretary Cheney stated that the allies needed to continue their bombing campaign before a ground attack opened against Iraqi forces occupying Kuwait.

For the first time since the American Revolutionary the United States accepted contributions from other countries to finance a war' Thus far, the United States had received more than $50 billion in Pledges to pay for war expenses through the end of March. Saudi Arabia pledged $15'8 billion Kuwait, $16 billion; japan, $10.7 billion; and Germany, $6 6 billion'.

Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze tells Baker that Moscow will not deploy troops with the multinational effort in Saudi Arabia because of opposition at home.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Sectary of Defense Dick Cheney and CJCS General Colin Powell arrive back in Washington after conferring with United States and coalition commanders.

DOD announces that 59,000 sorties have been flown (2,800 today) with continued focus on the Republican Guards, battlefield preparation, resupply interdiction and strategic strikes in the KTO.

Naval operations, including mine countermeasures and maritime interceptions, continue.

A-6s attacked two unidentified patrol boats in the northern Arabian Gulf, destroying both. Also, restrikes were made on the Uum Qasr Naval Base. 42 additional enemy prisoners of war surrendered to U.S. forces.

Photo: A Challenger 1 sporting additional fuel drums in the desert.

[lordroel]

DAY 27 of operation Desert Storm, Monday, February 11th 1991

Events of the Day

Baghdad Radio says "Iraq has not asked for a cease fire and will never accept a cease fire except after achieving total victory."

Rafsanjani reaffirms Iran's neutrality and says both antagonists are fighting for an unjust cause.

State Dept says there have been about 100 international terrorist incidents since the start of the war.

Political events

President Bush said he had no immediate plans to authorize a ground offensive in the Persian Gulf War. Soviet envoy Yevgeny Primakov arrived in Baghdad to discuss a possible cease-fire with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Primakov"s mission came after sharp criticism from Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev that the massive allied bombardment of Iraq threatened to exceed the UN's mandate to eject forces from Kuwait'

Al Firdos bunker in Baghdad suburb added to master attack plan. Moshe Arens in Washington complains about ineffectiveness of Patriot missile against Scuds. Yevgeni Primakov arrives in Baghdad to urge Iraqi withdrawal.

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Arens, in a hastily arranged one day visit to Washington. D.C., told President Bush that Israel was suffering heavy "destruction" from Iraqi missile attacks and that its willingness to retain from retaliating was wearing thin. Sources said Arens made a new request for greater U.S.-Israeli coordinated including sharing-of identification friend or foe recognition codes to avoid conflict between the two countries' warplanes. Without such codes, Israeli planes could be shot down, unrecognized by United States jets or gunners.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 62,000 sorties have been flown (2,900 today) continuing to focus on the Republican Guards (200+ sorties), battlefield preparation, strategic targets and interdicting troop resupply.

Photo: A Qatar Emiri Air Force Mirage F1 taxis to the runway at Doha during Operation Desert Storm



Naval operations, including mine countermeasures and maritime interceptions, continue. One mine is located and destroyed. A B-52 strike along the border caused significant secondary explosions.

No major ground activity, only scattered border skirmishes. U.S. forces continue training exercises, redeployments. Iraq fires SCUD missile at Saudi Arabia. Intercepted by U.S. Patriot missile.

Two SCUDs are fired at Israel. One fell harmlessly in an unpopulated area after being intercepted by U.S. Patriot missile. The second fell into a residential area, injuring 30 people and destroying several homes.

Enemy prisoners of war count rises to 1,000+ with surrender of 75 Iraqi troops.

A 300-member contingent of Afghan Mujahedeen fighters becomes the 34th coalition partner supporting OPERATION DESERT STORM.

[lordroel]

DAY 28 of operation Desert Storm, Tuesday, February 12th 1991

Events of the day

Saddam tells Primakov he is ready "to extend cooperation" in efforts to end the war.

Saudis said to be ready to seek bank loans to help with cash flow of the war. They have spent $48B so far.

Syria said to agree to supply 1/4 of Jordan's oil needs.

Officials say cost of fighting effects of oil slick lapping at Saudi Arabia's coast will be $1 billion over next six months.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 65,000 sorties have been flown (2,600 today). The continuing air campaign is focusing on Republican Guard suppression (225 sorties, 6 B-52 strikes), supply interdiction and battlefield preparation (675 sorties).

USS MISSOURI, USMC aircraft/artillery, and Saudi artillery mounted a combined arms attack on multiple fixed-position targets (Iraqi troops, artillery, a hardened command bunker and tanks) in southern Kuwait. The battleship expended 60 rounds in 9 naval gunfire support missions. 6 additional Iraqis surrendered.

Photo: USS Missouri fires its Mark 7 16-inch/50-Caliber guns while taking part in a night mission off the coast of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm, February 12th, 1991.

[lordroel]

DAY 29 of operation Desert Storm,  Wednesday, February 13th 1991

Events of the day

Iraqis claim 400 civilian deaths in U.S. bombing of a civilian air raid shelter. Bush administration moves quickly to assert that it was a military target.

Allies block open UNSC debate on war, hold closed session tomorrow instead.

Soviet envoy Primakov, returned to Moscow, says he had "cause for hope" for a negotiated settlement.

Cheney says Saddam is "deliberately placing civilians in harm's way."

50-100 Iraqi fighter aircraft are sheltered in civilian areas.

Germany's Genscher says in Damascus that Syria would recognize Israel if Israel grants self-determination to Palestinians.

2 opposition members say Israel is planning to increase Jewish population of occupied territories by more than 50%, building 12,000 new homes there during next 3 years.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 67,000 sorties have been flown (2,800 today) focusing on battlefield preparation (700+ sorties), the Republican Guards (200 sorties), counter- SCUD strikes (170 sorties), and restrikes on selected strategic targets (missile propellant plants, storage facitlities, air fields, and command and control facilities).

Navy and Marine Corps aircraft have flown over 15,000 combat sorties during OPERATION DESERT STORM.

USS AMERICA (CV-66) Carrier Battle Group transits Strait of Hormuz enroute Arabian Gulf redeployment.

United States aircraft fire 2 laser-guided bombs on a Baghdad target in the residential al-Amerieh district, labeled a camouflaged fortified command and control bunker ("a legitimate military target") by DOD. Iraq claims site was a bomb shelter inhabited by civilians, claims hundreds were killed during the 0400 (local time) strike.

Naval aircraft destroyed an Exocet missile-capable Frelon helicopter on the ground.

Photo: "A right rear view of an M-93 Fox Nuclear-Biological-Chemical (NBC) reconnaissance system deployed for Operation Desert Storm. The M-93 is a variant of the West German SPÜRPANZER FUCHS armored personnel carrier.



United States aircraft destroy 4 Iraqi transport aircraft on the ground.

Navy aircraft are assisting in the Arabian Gulf oil clean-up by providing information on the extent and movement of the spill.

Air campaign in Kuwait is complicated by smoke from over 50 oil field fires, mainly in Al-Wafra area. DOD suspects Iraq is placing charges on many wells to cloud battlefield and mask troop movements.

Marines again exchange sporadic border fire, continue patrols and counter reconnaissance deployments.

To-date, there have been 40 United States fatalities: 12 KIA, 28 Non-Combat Fatalities; 10 WIA; 26 MIA (7 Navy, 2 USMC); 2 Missing; 8 POW. United States troop strength is over 510,000, other coalition forces exceed 205,000. U.S. has lost 28 aircraft (18 fixed-wing in combat, 3 fixed-wing in non-combat mishaps, 7 helicopters lost in non-combat). Coalition has lost 10 aircraft. 40 Iraqi aircraft and 4 helos have been shot down in air-to air engagements with no United States losses. 136 Iraqi aircraft flown to Iran. Also to-date, more than 1,300 Iraqi tanks, 800 armored vehicles and 1,100 artillery pieces have been destroyed in verified bomb damage assessments (approximately one-third of the initial Iraqi inventory of 4,280 tanks, 1,870 APCs and 3,110 artillery pieces). Also, 25 Iraqi naval craft have been sunk or damaged, and 66 mines destroyed.

Photo: Some 16 McDonnell Douglas A-4KU Skyhawk aircraft of the Kuwaiti Air Force are serviced on a flight line in preparation for a mission during Operation Desert Storm

[lordroel]

DAY 30 of operation Desert Storm,  Thursday, February 14th 1991

Events of the day

United Nations Security Council meets in closed session to discuss war.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 70,000 sorties have been flown (2,800 today). Air campaign objectives remain unchanged with 24-hour focus on Repub lican Guards (200 sorties) and strikes in the KTO (800 sorties). USN A-6s attacked and sank an Iraqi Osa patrol boat in Kuwait City Bay.

Photo: A pilot with the air force of Qatar performs a preflight check on his Mirage F1EDA aircraft prior to taking off on a mission during Operation Desert Storm.



Naval forces continue mine countermeasures and maritime intercep tion operations. United States aircraft destroy 2 SCUDs/equipment. USS AMERICA Carrier Battle Group arrives in Arabian Gulf.

Navy A-6E Intruders sink an Iraqi Navy Osa-class missile boat in Kuwait Bay.

Iraqi ground fire shoots down a Royal Air Force Tornado and a Royal Saudi Air Force F-5E Tiger II during strikes on Iraqi forces and a USAF EF-lllA crashed in Saudi Arabia. Both crewmembers are killed. This is the 19th United States aircraft lost in combat.

2 SCUD missiles broke up in flight over Hafr al-Basin, Saudi Arabia, showering debris on buildings, causing damage and several injuries.

Photo: Challengers equipped for NBC (Nuclear Biologial & Chemical)

[lordroel]

DAY 31 of operation Desert Storm, Friday, February 15th 1991

Events of the Day

Allied Arab foreign ministers meet in Cairo to discuss post-war economic and military security arrangements.

Poll shows majority of Americans blame Iraq for civilian deaths.

U.S. said to be raising ante for Iraqi withdrawal, seeking Iraq's abandoning its military equipment in Kuwait.

Political events

Baghdad Radio broadcasts Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council statement that Iraq is ready for negotiations "based on U.N. Security Council resolution 660 of 1990 to achieve a solution to the Gulf crisis, including its withdrawal from Kuwait. The willingness on the part of the RCC should be regarded as a guarantee from Iraq and coupled with an immediate and comprehensive cessation of all land, air and sea military operations." President Bush announces that after initial happiness at the Iraq offer, "regrettably, the Iraq statement now appears to be a cruel hoax. Not only was the Iraq statement full of unacceptable old conditions, but Saddam Hussein has added several new conditions." The President reiterated, "They must withdraw without condition, there must be full implementation of all the Security Council resolutions, and there will be no linkage to the other problems in the area, and the legitimate rulers of Kuwait must be returned to Kuwait." President Bush stated the coalition will not end its military campaign, "until a massive withdrawal begins, with those Iraqi troops visibly leaving Kuwait."

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 73,000 sorties have been flown (2,600 today). Objectives remain destruction of the Republican Guards (100 sorties), strategic targets in the KTO (800 sorties), restrikes, and counter-SCUD strikes (150 sorties). DOD also announces military operations will continue until notified by higher authority of a cease fire.

Photo: A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft refuels a U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter aircraft from Strike-Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81) while other Hornets from the squadron fly in formation



Naval forces continue to support the air campaign with mine countermea sures and maritime interception operations. The Navy has lost an additional aircraft.

An A-6 sustained major damage while returning from a combat mission. The crew was recovered. An F-15 on a counter-SCUD mission shot down a hovering Iraqi helo with a laser-guided bomb. This is the 41st Iraqi aircraft downed in air-to- air engagements. USMC and coalition ground forces continue patrols and deployments.

Photo: A bow view of the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) underway with various aircraft parked on the flight deck



DOD assesses Iraqi troops in the KTO as "immobile", "hunkering down", and "confused" as a result of air campaign. Eight additional Iraqis surrendered to U.S. forces. DOD reports 60% of EPWs have surrendered willingly. Would-be defectors may be hindered by such obstacles as minefields, execution squads and retaliations against families in Iraq. SCUD missile fired at Saudi Arabia, breaks up in flight, impacts with no injuries.

Iraq fires its 65th SCUD to date sins January 17th when the first 2 where launched against targets against the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv.

Photo: An M113 armored personnel carrier, foreground, M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks and other equipment of the 3rd Armored Division move out on a mission.

[lordroel]

DAY 32 of operation Desert Storm, Saturday, February 16th 1991

Events of the Day

Soviets say conditions attached to Iraq's offer to withdraw were not acceptable, but it may be an "initial step."

Arab allies,: foreign ministers propose sweeping set of economic and defense agreements. including Arab peacekeeping force for Gufl and $15B development fund.

India Congress. Party threatens to leave government coalition over U.S. refueling at India bases.

Congress -qaid to be in a "red hot mood" to approve veterans benefits.

Masoud Barzani, Kurd leader, says Iraqi Kurds will not open a second front against Iraq or seek to set up independent Kurdish state.

Political events

Iraq's ambassador to U.N., Abdul Amir al-Anbari, says Iraq will use weapons of mass destruction if U.S. bombing continues.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 76,000 sorties have been flown (2,600 today) as air campaign continues battlefield preparation in the KTO (700 sorties), destruction of Republican Guards, and strikes and restrikes. Naval forces continue to support air campaign with mine countermeasures and maritime interception operations.

Photo: An M-270 armored vehicle-mounted rocket launcher (AVMRL), left, and an M-88 armored recovery vehicle assigned to the 2nd Armored Division sit in the desert near the Kuwaiti border during Operation Desert Storm.



USMC and coalition ground forces continue to reposition to confuse Iraqi reconnaissance and exchange artillery and counter-artillery fire. The U.S. has lost three additional aircraft.

Two A-10s crashed during combat missions, both pilots are missing. An F-16 crashed in a non combat mishap. The pilot was killed.

Two SCUD missiles were fired at Israel, both landed harmlessly.

Photo: Aircraft crowd the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS America (CV-66) as the ship operates in the gulf during Operation Desert Storm

[lordroel]

DAY 33 of operation Desert Storm, Sunday, February 17th 1991

Events of the Day

U.S. says it would welcome Soviet-brokered settlement.

India closes bases for refuelling to U.S. military aircraft.

Israeli Ambassador Shoval apologizes for criticizing U.S. economic aid to Israel.

Political events

President Bush says Iraq's takeover of Kuwait will end "very, very soon."

Iraq's foreign minister, Tariq Aziz, arrives in Moscow for talks with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. He is quoted en route as saying it's up to allies to act on Iraq's peace proposal.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 78,000 sorties have been flown (2,600 today) with air campaign objectives continuing to focus on battlefield preparation in the KTO (800 sorties), destruction of the Republican Guards (100 sorties), and resupply interdiction.

Naval forces continue supporting the air campaign conducting air strikes, fighter cover, on-call combat search and rescue, mine countermeasures and maritime interception operations.

There have been seven significant engagements along the Kuwait and Iraq border involving USMC and coalition ground forces.

Two soldiers killed, six wounded from the 1st Infantry Division and a ground surveillance vehicle damaged when a Hellfire missile from an AH-64 Apache helicopter struck their Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. (Operation Desert Storm: Apache Helicopter Fratricide Incident February 17th 1991)

Photo: A column of U.S. Marine Amphibious Tracked Vehicles moves north across the desert in Saudi Arabia

 

[lordroel]

DAY 34 of operation Desert Storm, Monday, February 18th 1991

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 80,000 sorties have been flown (2,400 today) with the focus remaining on battlefield preparation in the KTO (870), 100 sorties against the Republican Guards, and strikes and restrikes on strategic targets.

Within three hours and ten nautical miles, USS TRIPOLI (LPH-10) and USS PRINCETON (CG-59) struck mines while conducting operations in the northern Arabian Gulf. USS TRIPOLI, the flagship in one of the most extensive mine-sweeping operations since the Korean War, sustained a 16 x 20 foot hole in forward starboard side below the waterline. Explosion caused minor flooding to six auxiliary spaces, minimized by damage control procedures. Four crewmembers were injured, and the amphibious assault ship remained fully mission capable. USS PRINCETON, underway on half power, sustained damage including a crack in her superstructure. Three crewmen were injured, one seriously, and an EOD team is enroute to assess the mission capability of the Aegis cruiser. Naval forces continue maritime interception and mine countermeasures operations.

Photo: Crew members inspect a crack in the superstructure of the Aegis-guided missile cruiser USS PRINCETON



EOD team from USS MISSOURI destroys tenth mine.

USMC Cobra helos teamed up with Saudi, Kuwaiti, and USMC observers and engaged six Iraqi armored personnel carriers. Two were destroyed, the other four returned north.

Air Force helicopter search team rescues United States pilot who parachuted from disabled plane 40 miles north of Saudi border.

[lordroel]

DAY 35 of operation Desert Storm, Tuesday, February 19th 1991

Events of the day

Saudi officials say gulf oil slick is smaller than originally feared - 60 million gallons, not 400 million.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 83,000 sorties have been flown (2,800 today) continuing the execution of air campaign objectives. 870 sorties have been flown in the KTO, 100 sorties against the Republican Guard, and 130 sorties against SCUD sites.

A Navy A-6 attacked and destroyed five aircraft hidden in revetments in western Iraq. Other naval forces continued to support the air campaign and conduct maritime interceptions and mine countermeasures.

A minefield containing an estimated 22 mines was discovered and cordoned off in the northern Arabian Gulf. To-date, 153 mines discovered. USS BEAUFORT (ATS-2), and Naval Reserve minesweeper escort USS ADROIT (MSO 509) maneuvered through an uncharted mine field to reach USS PRINCETON.

USS TRIPOLI is operating fully mission-capable in the northern Arabian Gulf with damage control efforts stemming minor flooding. USS PRINCETON has a cracked superstructure, a jammed port rudder and leaking port shaft seal. With USS ADROIT at the point marking mines, ship is proceeding to port, towed by USS BEAUFORT, for detailed inspection. DOD says USS TRIPOLI hit a moored or floating mine, USS PRINCETON hit 2 influence mines.

Iraqi antiaircraft artillery shoots down a Air Force OA-10A Thunderbolt II airborne forward air control aircraft over Kuwait.

USMC and coalition ground forces engage Iraqis in border skirmishes, probes and reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance deployments. Marines exchange artillery fire with Iraqis, no casualties.

More than 578 Iraqis have surrendered and are in Turkey's custody. Combined with 1,493 in Saudi Arabian custody, enemy prisoners of war to-date total 2,071.

Iraqi SCUD missile is fired at Israel, impacts with no injuries. 68th SCUD launched to-date.

Photo: A starboard view of the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS Mississippi (CGN-40) underway during Operation Desert Storm, February 19, 1991.

[lordroel]

DAY 36 of operation Desert Storm, Wensday, February 20th 1991

Events of the day

Baghdad Radio says Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz will travel to Moscow "soon" with Saddam Hussein's reply to Soviet peace proposal.

Allied commander Norman Schwarzkopf is quoted as saying Iraq's military is on "verge of collapse."

U.S. officials want Iraq to announce specific timetable for withdrawing from Kuwait as condition for peace settlement.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 86,000 sorties have been flown (2,900 today), striking and restriking strategic targets, interdicting resupply, battlefield preparation (900 sorties in the KTO), destruction of Republican Guards (100 sorties), and counter-SCUD strikes (100 sorties). Naval forces conduct air strikes and continue mine counter measures, maritime intercepts, and naval gunfire assignments.

USS AMERICA's Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 32 becomes first S-3 squadron ever to engage and destroy a hostile vessel, an Iraqi gunboat hit by three 500-pound bombs. USS VALLEY FORGE (CG-50) vectored S-3 to target.

Significant increase in contacts between U.S. forces including Marines and Iraqi troops. A U.S. combined arms team engaged Iraqi infantry, tanks and artillery along the border. One U.S. servicemember was killed, seven wounded. In one day-long engagement 10 kilometers above the border, United States artillery and tactical aircraft attacked 300 vehicles in revested positions, destroying 28 tanks and 28 vehicles.

Three additional U.S. aircraft have been lost. An Army helo crashed during combat, killing both pilots. A USMC CH-46 helo and an F-16 were non-combat losses. No Iragi aircraft have flown in ten days.

To-date, there have been 55 United States fatalities: 17 KLA, 38 Non-Combat Fatalities; 25 WIA; 27 MLA (7 Navy, 2 USMC); 2 Missing; 9 POW (2 Navy, 2 USMC). United States troop strength is over 527,000, other coalition forces exceed 205,000.

To-date, 219,858 National Guard and Reservists have been called to active duty (17,198 Navy, 28,359 USMC). United States has lost 36 aircraft (28 fixed wing in combat, 5 fixed wing in non- combat mishaps, 8 helicopters lost in non-combat). Coalition has lost 11 aircraft. 42 Iraqi aircraft and 6 helos have been shot down in air-toair engagements with no United States losses. 137 Iraqi aircraft flown to Iran.

1st Cavalry Division feints up the Wadi al Batin; pulls back with three dead and nine wounded.

Photo: An F-14A Tomcat refuels from a U.S. Air Force KC-10A Extender as other Tomcats fly in formation, during Operation Desert Storm. Squadrons represented by the aircraft are (from foreground) Fighter Squadron 33 (VF-33), Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84) and Fighter Squadron 14 (VF-14).

[lordroel]

DAY 37 of operation Desert Storm, Thursday, February 21st 1991 

Events of the day

Israel says $400M U.S. gave them for new housing is insufficient, plans $1 B fund drive.

Pentagon awards National Defense Service Medal to all members of armed forces.

Gulf War will cost $58 to $77B in FY91.

Iraqi exile opposition groups try to form common goals, concerted action. Outlook is not good for them.

Apache battalion commander relieved for friendly fire incident.

U.S. college groups hold demonstrations against war, but fail to achieve coordinated effort.

Kuwait government in exile is planning for reconstruction. U.S. Corps of Engineers has planning contract, and U.S. firms are getting 70% of the initial contracts.

Political events

Soviet spokesman Vitaly Ignatenko announces Iraq, Soviet Union have agreed on plan that could lead to Iraqi withdrawal.

Saddam Hussein declares Iraq remains ready to fight ground war.

Defense Secretary Dick Cheney says allies are preparing "one of the largest land assaults of modern times."

CIA and Pentagon officials meet at White House to air differences over battle-damage assessment. Bush sets deadline of noon, February 23th, for Iraqi withdrawal.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 88,000 sorties have been flown (2,400 today) with air campaign focus on battlefield preparation in the KTO (800+ sorties), destruction of the Republican Guards (100 sorties), interdiction of communication lines, and strikes and restrikes on strategic targets. Naval forces conduct air strikes and combat operations including mine countermeasures and maritime intercepts.

Map: Iraq Ground Forces Order of Battle - 1991



USS SPRUANCE (DD963) diverts a freighter in the North Red Sea.

Marine Attack Squadron-331 AV-8Bs conducted first of 243 sorties off the night deck of the USS NASSAU (LHA-4). This is the first time in history that USMC AV-8Bs have conducted combat missions from a Landing Helicopter Assault ship. 256 tons of ordnance on targets. Two Navy aircraft have been lost in non-combat mishaps. A SH-60 hero's engine failed taking off from USS HALYBURTON (FFG-40), made emergency water landing. 3 crewmen rescued, helo lost. CH-46 helo from USS SEA'l l'LE (AOE-3) crashed in the North Red Sea. 3 crewmen rescued, another is missing.

Firing 50 rounds from off Khafji, USS WISCONSIN destroys command complex. RPVs spotted targets and provided coastline reconnaissance.

Throughout the border region, a continued increase in engagements, reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance probes between United States forces, including Marines, and Iraqi troops involving artillery, attack helos, and tactical air strikes.

A USMC unit exchanged small arms and stagger missile fire with Iraqi troops.

4 SCUD missiles impacted harmlessly in King Khalid Military City, and coastal Saudi Arabia. 72 SCUDs fired to-date.

Photo: A U.S. Air Force B-52G Stratofortress bomber aircraft from the 1708th Bomb Wing takes off on a mission during Operation Desert Storm.

[lordroel]

DAY 38 of operation Desert Storm, Friday, February 22nd 1991

Events of the day

Oil drops to $17.91.

Political events

After consultations with coalition partners, President Bush rejects Iraqi peace plan, declares ground campaign will not be initiated if, before 1200 (EST) on 23 February, Iraq publicly agrees to: begin large-scale immediate withdrawal; complete withdrawal within one week; within 48 hours, leave Kuwait City and allow prompt return of the legitimate government of Kuwait; withdraw from all prepared defenses along the Saudi-Kuwait and Saudi-Iraq borders, from Bublyan and Warbah Islands, and from Kuwait's Rumaila oil fields; return troops to Iraqi positions of 1 August 1990; cooperate with International Red Cross and release all POWs and 3rd country civilian prisoners and remains of servicemen within 48 hours; remove all explosives or booby traps and provide data on location and nature of any land or sea mines; cease all combat air fire, aircraft tlights over Iraq and Kuwait except for transport aircraft carrying troops out of Kuwait; cease all destructive action against Kuwaiti citizens and properb, and release all Kuwaiti detainees. U.S. and coalition agrees not to attack retreating Iraqi forces and will exercise restraint as long as withdrawal proceeds within these guidelines.- Any breach of these terms will bring an instant and sharp response from coalition in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 678.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 91,000+ sorties have been flown (2,700+ today) refocusing on battlefield preparation in the KTO (1,000 sorties), destruction of the Republican Guards (100 sorties), strike and restrike of selected strategic targets, and counter-SCUD (100 sorties).

To-date, USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) has launched nearly 80 direct bombing/missile strike missions with over 800 sorties in direct attacks. Naval forces are conducting strike operations, surface surveillance, combat air patrols, mine countermeasures and maritime intercept operations.

One Marine has been killed and seven wounded by Iraqi artillery fire during three separate border engagements. Marines destroyed 18 Iraqi tanks, 15 vehicles, and captured 87 enemy prisoners of war. 1st Marine Division task forces secretly move 10 miles into Kuwait.

Ground forces are continuing an aggressive and active recon patrolling along and throughout the border area. Marines are also dropping napalm in oil-filled Iraqi trenches to ignite oil, clear a path for assault forces.

An estimated one hundred oil wells have been destroyed in Kuwait. along with oil tanks, export terminals and other installations. President Bush states Iraq has "launched a scorched-earth policy destroying the entire oil production system of Kuwait."  

Photo: EF-111A Raven electronic communications aircraft wait for takeoff clearance prior to a mission in support of Operation Desert Storm.

[forcon]

Nice work here. Any plans to keep it up?