DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM

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Weapons. In early 1965 came the announcement of the proposal to develop a new missile for the fleet ballistic missile system—the Poseidon. The growth potential of the ballistic missile submarine launching system has enabled the Poseidon to fit into the same 16-missile tubes that carried the Polaris. Like the Polaris A-3, it is able to reach any spot on earth from its nuclear-powered hiding place. Its increased accuracy, greater payload, and improved ability to penetrate enemy defenses make the Poseidon more effective than the Polaris. On July 19, 1974, construction of the new Trident undersea nuclear weapons system commenced. The Trident system consists of three principal elements: a nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), a strategic weapons system (the missile), and an integrated logistics support system. The first Trident submarine was the USS Ohio (SSBN-726), a nuclear powered fleet ballistic missile submarine. The USS Ohio was delivered to the Navy in 1981. Since then, the Navy has accepted delivery of 10 more Trident submarines. THE PERSIAN GULF As with other wars, conflicts, or areas of military aggression, U.S. naval forces operate in the hostile area of the Persian Gulf. U.S. naval forces have been present in this vital oil-rich region for many years. The events leading to an increased number of U.S. naval units in the Persian Gulf (fig. 5-20) began in the mid 1980s. Iran and Iraq were at war. Iraq had begun attacking Iranian oil facilities and tankers; in response, Iran began attacks against ships flying flags of countries sympathetic to Iraq. U.S. Navy ships quickly began escort and protection operations for U.S.-flagged tankers. As the war between Iran and Iraq widened, so did the dangers to U.S. Navy ships operating in the Gulf. Iran started laying mines in the Gulf and began using small suicide boats to raid U.S. tankers and naval units. Iraq also possessed weapons that could cause tremendous damage and casualties. These weapons proved costly to the United States. In May 1987, an Iraqi aircraft mistakenly fired two missiles that struck USS Stark (FFG-31), killing 37 sailors and wounding many more. In April 1988, Iran’s use of mines caused considerable damage to USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58). Until that time, the U.S. Navy’s presence was largely defensive. When forced to take offensive action, the United States acted quickly. U.S. Navy ships bombarded an Iranian oil platform being used as a command post and sank a mine-laying vessel carrying out operations. DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM On 2 August 1990, the president of Iraq Saddam Hussein, ordered the world’s fourth largest army from Iraq to invade the country Kuwait. The United States deployed a major joint force which served as the foundation for a powerful 33-nation military coalition to stem Iraq’s brutal aggression. Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm was born. The United States Navy provided the sea control and maritime superiority that paved the way for the introduction of U.S. and allied air and ground forces. The United States offered strong leadership for the multinational naval force. Desert Shield/Desert Storm brought together the largest force of Navy warships assembled in a single theater since World War II, adding a powerful punch to Navy forces already on scene the night of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. Long-established maritime superiority facilitated the largest, fastest strategic sealift in history, with more than 240 ships carrying more than 18.3 billion pounds of equipment and supplies to sustain the forces of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Under the Navy’s Total Force concept more than 21,000 naval reservists were called to active duty in 5-34 Figure 5-20.—Persian Gulf award. Student Notes:

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