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:
