Gulf War 1991 - Operation Desert Storm in real time

DAY 2 of operation Desert Storm, Thursday, January 17th 1991

Front page of New York Times on January 17th 1991




Events of the day

Oil prices plunge to $21.44 dollars per barrel.

Polls show 3/4 of Americans support decision to start military action.

Turkey authorizes use of bases for attacks on Iraq, also authorizes Turkish troops to enter Iraq, if necessary.

Japan pledges more financial support.

PLO and Jordan strongly denounce United States action, other nations are strongly supportive.

Iran says it may join war if provoked by Iraq.

Spate of anti-American incidents occurs worldwide

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein declares: "The great showdown has begun! The mother of all battles is under way.''

Political events

After almost a day of partisan arguing, the Senate voted without dissent to commend President Bush and support United States troops in the Gulf- The resolution stated that "Congress commends and supports the efforts and leadership of the president as commander-in-chief in the Persian Gulf hostilities" and that "Congress unequivocally supports the men and women of our armed forces who are carrying out their mission with professional excellence, dedicated patriotism and exemplary bravery."

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

At 2:38 am, Baghdad time, Task Force Normandy consisting of 8 US Army AH-64 Apache helicopters led by 2 US Air Force MH-53 Pave Low helicopters blast Iraqi radar sites that would warn the Iraqis of an impending air strike. By identifying and knocking the radar sites along the Saudi Arabian border, the coalition had a narrow corridor to fly in. As the choppers finished their destruction of the radar sites, the pilots reported seeing an almost traffic jam of coalition jets pouring thru the gap.

YouTube (Task Force Normandy Actual Footage)



Seven B-52s from the 2d Bomb Wing, 8th Air Force, launched 35 modified air launched cruise missiles (ALCMs) at 8 high-priority Iraqi targets, including power generation and transmission facilities, and military communication sites. The ALCMS' success rate, determined through bomb damage assessment, was approximately 85 percent. The bombers departed Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, at 0635 on January 16th, making them the first aircraft launched in the operation. They flew a total of 14,000 miles and remained in the air for over thirty-five hours with four aerial refueling. 

100 TOMAHAWK cruise missiles are launched at pre-programmed targets by 9 U.S. Navy ships in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea. USS SAN JACINTO (CG 56) fired the first TOMAHAWK missile from the Red Sea between 0100-0200 Gulf Time; moments later, USS BUNKER HILL (CG-52) fired the first TOMAHAWK missile from the Arabian Gulf.[/span]

Photo: A BGM-109 Tomahawk land-attack missile (TLAM) is fired toward an Iraqi target from the battleship USS MISSOURI (BB-63) at the start of Operation Desert Storm.



A total of 1,000 aircraft sorties (E2- Cs/AWACs-controlled) were flown by A-6s, A-7s, AV-8s, A-10s, B-52s, EA-6Bs, EF111s, F-4s, F-14s, F-15s, F-16s, F/A-18s, F-111s, F-117As, AH- 64s, Saudi/British Tornados, French Jaguars, Kuwaiti A-4s. The United States Navy will launch a total of 228 combat sorties on the first day from six aircraft carriers in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.

CJCS General Colin Powell reports TOMAHAWK cruise missiles "were extremely effective" (against precision targets where Iraqi air defenses threatened manned aircraft); of all sorties, 80% were effective, 20% ineffective due to mechanical/weather problems; Iraqi SCUD missile fixed-sites destroyed, targeting SCUD launchers; Iraqi planes destroyed, but "Iraqi Air Force is still intact"; United States engaged in air-to-air battles with Iraqi aircraft; Iraq fired multiple SAMs and anti-aircraft artillery, little or no effect; Iraqi elite Republican Guard units attacked in Iraq and Kuwait; did not target President Hussein, focused on disrupting/destroying command/control network.

An F/A-18 is shot down, the first United States Navy aircraft loss in combat. The F/A-18 crewman, LCDR Michael Speicher of USS SARATOGA's Strike Fighter Squadron 81, is listed as missing.

Iraqi aircraft did not mount effective defensive counter air operations, nor did they attempt to fly offensive counter air or interdiction operations against coalition targets. It was believed that the purpose of their limited  activity (noted were MiC-25/Foxbat, MiG-29/Fulcrum, and Mirage F1 flights) was to allow maximum use of free fire zones for antiaircraft artillery. Also, analysts believed that Iraq did not want to engage coalition aircraft in aerial combat. A maximum of fifty-four Iraqi combat air patrols were flown while 31 intercepts against coalition aircraft were attempted by Iraqi fighters. Iraqi aircraft were staying clear of the own surface-to-air missile (SAM) envelops. The SAM radars were active, but the Iraqis demonstrated little discipline in SAM fire control.

Iraq fires 12 SCUDS at the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv, killing 12 people. The United States tells Israel to not retaliate, out of fear that it will escalate the war and trigger the collapse of the Arab Coalition. Also SCUDS are fired at Saudi Arabia, but is downed by United States Patriot missile - first anti- missile missile fired in combat.

Photo: A RF-4C Phantom II from the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing sits on an airfield during Operation Desert Storm

DAY 4 of operation Desert Storm, Saturday, January 19th 1991

Events of the day

Saddam said to remain "defiant, dangerous and unpredictable."

Iran's parliament reaffirms neutral stance in conflict.

25,000 anti-war protesters march in DC.

Iraq says 70 have been killed in air raids so far, offers a cash reward for downed allied pilots. Claims civilians and religious shrines have been targeted.

Soviets, Indians and Algerians offer peace proposals to Iraq.

Political events

United States State Department announces transfer of diplomatic notes with Iraq reaffirming United States intention to abide by its legal obligations under the 1940 Geneva Convention relative to the protection of POWs, and expects Iraq (a signatory) to reciprocate; second note affirms legal protection from attack on United States military hospital ships in regional waters.

President Bush signs Executive Order 12743 extending the call-up of up to one million National Guard/Reserves for up to two years; Department of Defense will implement incrementally raising ceiling on 161,887 National Guard/Reserves currently called up to 360,000. The Navy's authorization ceiling was raised from 30,000 to 44,000, USMC from 23,000 to 44,000.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

United States troop strength is 460,000 and over 100 ships in AOR. 216 TOMAHAWK cruise missiles have been launched and over 4,000 sorties (bombing, combat, attack suppression, refueling) have been flown.

Air campaign is satisfactory, causing Iraq to move aircraft north. United states Navy A-6s and A-7s f operating from USS JOHN F. KENNEDY and USS SARATOGA successfully launch a Stand off Land Attack Missile (SLAM) against an Iraqi target for the first time. USS LOUISVILLE (SSN-724) fires the first submarine- launched TOMAHAWK cruise missile in combat history while submerged in the Red Sea.

10 Iraqi aircraft (6 MIG-29s, 3 Mirage F-1s, 1 MIG-23) have been destroyed in air-to-air engagements.

Allied air forces prosecuted an intensive offensive air campaign against targets in Iraq and Iraqi-occupied Kuwait with 30 strike Packages flown. Iraqi targets receiving emphasis are SCUD fixed and mobile launch systems, the Republican Guard, military headquarters, and nuclear-biologic chemical facilities. 4 strike packages and all F117 missions are aborted due to area weather.

A B-52 that flew a mission from Diego Garcia sustained battle damage and was recovered at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The tail of the aircraft was severely damaged aft of the parachute door by a surface-to-air missile. There was no major damage to the vertical or horizontal stabilizers, and flight characteristics were not noticeably impaired. The aircraft flew to Andersen AFB. Guam, where a G model with a cracked wing spar was on station and could be cannibalized.

An MC-130 leaflet drop is conducted, disseminating over a million leaflets into the KTO with "surrender, defect, and abandon equipment" messages.

At least three SCUDS explode in Tel Aviv, Israel. Israel vows to defend itself but refrains. United States rushes in Patriots, making Army crews first United States soldiers to defend Israel.

Coalition forces begin to position ground units, but ground contact is minimal.

United States forces capture 9 Kuwaiti oil platforms, 12 POWs.

First Purple Heart of war awarded to Navy corpsman hit by shrapnel January 17th while on Marine patrol near Kuwaiti border.

Two Patriot antimissile batteries were delivered by the United States to Israel. Israel had previously received two Patriot systems, but the batteries were not operational because Israel did not want American technicians to operate them. Due to the Scud missile attacks. Israel accepted the additional Patriot systems and allowed Americans technicians to operate them.

Photo: A Tornado GR.1 returning to Muharraq after attacking a target



The Package Q Strike ore also known as “Package Q,” happened, the strike group consisted of 56 F-16Cs from the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing and 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, along with some F-4Gs from the 561st Fighter Squadron and Boeing F-15Cs from the 53d Fighter Squadron. 

Lockheed-Martin F-16Cs from the 401 TFW (Provisional) at Torrejon Air Base in Spain, were tasked with destroying three targets in Baghdad: the Iraqi Air Force Headquarters, the Republican Guard Headquarters, and a large oil refinery. Vipers from the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base in Utah would be spearheading the strike, assigned to a nuclear research facility on the outskirts of the capital.

As Package Q approached the initial point, anti-aircraft artillery (Triple-A, or AAA) opened up on them, hurling a staggering amount of lead into the sky. Most of the flack was between ten and twelve thousand feet, but some of the large-caliber rounds were detonating as high as 27,000ft (8,230m). The low altitude Triple-A became so thick it appeared to form its own cloud layer. There were thousands of anti-aircraft guns alerted to their presence, as well as hundreds of SAM emplacements along their route and around Baghdad itself.

The Wild Weasels left the fray early, either because they were “Arizona” and fired all of their HARMs, or because they experienced critical fuel states and needed to leave in order to get back safely. Warnings about the departure of the Weasels went unheard. The Boeing F-15C Eagles providing the Offensive Counter Air pre-strike sweep also departed as the first wave of the strikes peeled off their target. Again, a warning about their departure went unheard. Unbeknownst to the Viper drivers from the 401 TFW, they were all pretty much flying straight into hell’s mouth with no air cover, no electronic warfare support, and no SEAD assets available to assist them.

A low overcast deck mostly obscured the Iraqi Air Force Headquarters and the Republican Guard Headquarters, so the package commander called a weather abort for those two targets. The southern portion of the city was clear, and the oil refinery was clearly visible. As they approached the action point to roll in on the refinery, a SAM launch warning was received.

Major Emmett “ET” Tullia, flying under the mission callsign of “Stroke 3,” received additional SA-2 and SA-3 acquisition warnings that went unheeded as he rolled in on the towers. The high angle diving delivery prevented the electronic countermeasures pod from detecting the SAM acquisition until he pulled off the target and turned south. As the missiles closed, a nightmare falsetto of the radar warning receiver announced the missile launches. The SAMs overshot and harmlessly detonated above his aircraft, and he turned back to the egress heading.

Tullia became separated from the rest of the package because of his missile defense. As he evaded the initial SAMs coming off the target, more missiles launched, this time from both rear quadrants of his aircraft. Training for SAM launches up to this point had been more or less book learning, recommending violent turns approximately shortly prior to missile impact, forcing the missile to overshoot and create enough distance to negate the effects of the detonating warhead. The hard part is to see the missile early enough to make all the mental calculations and not get smashed into bits.

Tullia continued to unload and accelerate, watching the missiles as they closed on his aircraft. As he reefed his Viper into yet another series of gut-wrenching turns, one missile passed so close that Tullia heard the roar of the rocket motor as it went by. Finally, as he reached the outskirts of the city, an optically guided missile of unknown type is fired at the F-16. There is no radar warning of the launch, Tullia forced the missile to overshoot and it exploded harmlessly out of range.

Major Tullia came back to the 401st’s Forward Operating Base in Doha, Qatar squawking “Code 1,” meaning the jet was in perfect working order and required no significant attention from maintenance. After walking around the jet post-flight, he changed it to Code 2 because he discovered all of his missile countermeasures–the chaff and flare modules–were still full. His crew chief was absolutely astonished at the discovery. The countermeasures never fired off, so Tullia successfully defeated seven SAMs of one flavor or other…on flying skill alone.

YouTube (F-16 dodging 6 Iraqi SAM launches on January 19th 1991)



However while Major Tullia was lucky to get home safely, two other F-16s were shot down, with two pilots becoming POWs.

Photo: Remains of F-16C #87-0257 from the 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron 'Lucky Devils', shot down over Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. The wreckage was discovered by US forces during Desert Storm and the canopy was found by US forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Answer to question A is according to Wikipedia: Shortly after noon on 19 January, she launched Tomahawk cruise missiles against targets in Iraq, becoming the first submarine to launch Tomahawks in combat.

Answer to question B is according to this Wikipedia page, check out the A in alphabet,  “Arizona” means: No anti-radiation missile (ARM) ordnance remaining.


I do my best stevep, still 40 days to come.

I do my best to answer any question that might appear.

DAY 6 of operation Desert Storm, Monday, January 21st 1991

Events of the day

Foreign Minister of Iraq Tariq Aziz accepts the Soviet peace plan. President Bush refuses the peace plan as unrealistic for the coalition.

Egypt pushing peace plan for cease fire with Iraqi withdrawal.

Israel says it would coordinate any retaliation with the United States.

Japan says it will raise Gulf contribution to $10B.

Syrians indicate they will not quit alliance if Israel retaliates

Many nations take anti-terrorism steps, several expelling Iraqi diplomats.

NATO said to have no consensus on entering war in event of missile attack on Turkey.

Syrian Foreign Minister Charaa says the United States agreed to international conference after Iraqi withdrawal.

Oil at $21.30 per barrel.

Political events

The Iraqi military announced that it had placed captured allied airmen "among scientific and economic targets as well as among other selected targets." The statement was intended to deter allied air attacks against vital targets. President Bush condemned the act and said it would not alter American strategy in the Persian Gulf War.

President Bush officially designated the Persian Gulf area and surrounding waters a combat zone, a move that exempted the armed forces serving there from income tax on their military pay. The president's executive order also gave the military in the war zone more time to file their income taxes' They were not required to file their Form 1040s until 180 days after they departed the Gulf.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 8,000 sorties have been flown; air operations focus continues on neutralizing fixed/mobile SCUD launch sites and troop concentrations.

Photo: An air-to-air view of two U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft from the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and a Royal Saudi Air Force F-5E Tiger II fighter aircraft during a mission in support of Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft are armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.



The airlift of Patriot missile batteries to Israel is completed using a total of 35 C-5s and 9 C-141s who transported the Patriot missile batteries to Israel to counter the SCUD threat comming from Iraq.

A USN F-14 is downed by surface-to-air missile over Iraq. Pilot, LT Devon Jones and Radar Intercept Officer, LT Lawrence Slade of USS SARATOGA's Fighter Squadron 103 are missing.

United States has lost 10 aircraft and has 13 personnel listed as missing.

United States ships have conducted nearly 7,000 maritime interceptions operations in regional waters. No direct ground confrontation.

6 Iraqi SCUD missiles fired into Saudi Arabia in three attacks over 12 hours. United States Patriot missiles intercept 2 SCUDs, 1 landed in the sea northwest of Al Jubayl, 2 others fell into the desert. No injuries.

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) Carrier Battle Group arrives on station in the Persian Gulf region.

Photo: A port bow view of the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN-40) underway during Operation Desert Storm.



Targeting Iraqi SCUD capability remained the first priority of the allied air campaign, taking a significant portion of the coalition air effort. Suspected and confirmed Scud positions were attacked by using prepared and airborne alert missions. Other targets were airfields, military and industrial production and storage facilities, command-control-communication centers, Republican Guard forces, and ground controlled intercept sites. Thirty-three packages attacked enemy targets. Three package were canceled due to weather in the target area- Weather hindered precise targeting and caused air crews to shift to alternate targets or radar bombing with limited success. Thirty-one A-10 sorties attacked Iraqi Army forces and mobile Scuds along the Saudi border. MARCENT reported the rapid response of USCENTCOM and CENTAF to shift JSTARS surveillance areas to a real-time threat followed by rapid interdiction response.

Psychological operations included daily radio broadcasts and Volant Solo nightly broadcasts into the KTO. An MC-130 leaflet drop disseminated a million "surrender appeal" leaflets into the KTO, while a bomb drop (F-15) spread 90,000 leaflets.

The Iraqi Air Force is still considered "dangerous." "Good Progress" is made in destroying Iraq s nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) warfare capabilities. Some NBC facilities are severely damaged. "Fair progress" is made against Iraq's offensive potential; however, SCUDS still remain a threat, and the Republican Guard remains strong. "Heavy damage" to government buildings is accomplished and telecommunication and electrical power are disrupted.

Antiaircraft artillery is Iraq's most effective air defense threat. Barrage fire, from 57-mm or smaller artillery, is firing to an altitude of 10,000 to 15,000 feet. Iraq is making a major effort to reconstitute its integrated air defense system.

Photo: A U.S. Air Force F-111F fighter aircraft from the 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, takes off for a mission in support of Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft is armed with laser-guided bombs.

DAY 8 of operation Desert Storm, Wednesday, January 23rd 1991

Events of the Day

United States officials deny Saddam Hussein's claim that allies bombed baby-formula plant, saying plant was a chemical factory.

Intense attack against Iraqi aircraft shelters begins.

Public opinion in Egypt said to be shifting to Iraq.

Israel says it will not retaliate for now, sets 4 conditions for its retaliation.

Japanese government runs into storm of domestic criticism over its proposal of $9B more aid.

United States and Iraqi forces skirmish near border.

Iraq halts domestic distribution of gasoline.

Iraq says 60 more civilians have been killed.

Fear of terrorism cuts United States air travel.

Germany will give Israel $170M in emergency humanitarian aid.

2,000 to 3,000 Kurds in Northern Iraq are ready to strike against Iraqi forces.

Political events

In an hour-long news conference, Defense Secretary Dick Cheney and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell said that if Iraq did not surrender, a ground attack would begin when President Saddam Hussein's army had been damaged badly enough to keep coalition casualties to a minimum. General Powell also stated that the efforts to smash Iraqi communications and air defenses during the previous week had been largely successful. Cheney and Powell also warn that there will be setbacks, sacrifices and surprises ahead.

President Bush urges Saddam Hussein be brought to "justice," suggesting removal of Iraqi president could be a goal.

Combat operations (Air, Land and Sea)

Over 12,000 sorties have been flown (6,000 attack, 6,000 support).

Only five Iraqi air bases remain functional after week of bombing.

A USAF F-16 downed by artillery fire over Kuwait; pilot ejected over Persian Gulf, rescued by Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light)44, Detachment Eight, embarked on USS NICHOLAS, first over-water combat search and rescue.

2 noncombat-related aircraft losses happen, a USMC AV-8 in a training accident with its pilot killed and a AH-64 Apache helicopter in ground mishap, suffering no injuries to its 2 crew. 14 total aircraft lost: 11 fixed wing (9 from hostile ground- fire), 3 helos (non-combat).

Photo: Laser-guided bombs line the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) in preparation for air strikes against Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. The A-6E Intruder aircraft in the background is armed with laser-guided bombs.



USN A-6s disable an Al Qaddisiyah-class Iraqi tanker that had been collecting and reporting intelligence data, setting off three explosions, and killing 3. A-6s also attacked and sank a Winchester-class hovercraft being re-fueled by the tanker, and a Zhuk patrol boat.

5 Iraqi SCUD missiles fired at Saudi Arabia (2 Riyadh, 2 Dhahran, 1 at King Khalid Military Center). Patriot missiles successfully intercepted 4, 1 fell into gulf waters. No injuries. In second attack, 1 SCUD is intercepted over Israel by United States/Israeli Patriot missiles. No injuries.

Photo: A Royal Air Force SEPECAT Jaguar GR1 aircraft (s/n XZ396) from No. 41 Squadron, RAF, is serviced on the flight line (probably in Bahrain) as a U.S. Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-15E-44-MC Strike Eagle aircraft (s/n 87-0198) from the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing taxis in the background