support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Serving in
specialties from medicine to mine warfare, reservists
worked alongside their active duty counterparts in the
Persian Gulf. Others filled critical vacancies on the
home front.
Saddam Hussein’s rejection of diplomatic efforts to
solve the crisis led to the final decision to restore
Kuwait’s sovereignty by military force. The ensuing air
war and the effects of the economic embargo decimated
Iraq’s military infrastructure, severed communication
and supply lines, smashed weapons arsenals, and
destroyed morale. Some of the first shots fired were
from Navy ships in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, as
they launched salvos of Tomahawk cruise missiles
against pre-programmed targets in Iraq.
After an impressive 38-day air campaign, the
ground offensive began with allied forces sweeping
through Iraqi defenses in blitzkrieg fashion. The allied
push into Kuwait and southern Iraq was made easier by
the amphibious forces on station in the Persian Gulf.
The threat they posed forced tens of thousands of Iraqi
troops to maintain positions along the Kuwaiti coastline
to defend against attack from the sea. The Iraqi army
was crushed after a mere 100 hours. Iraqi troops—tired,
hungry and war-weary from 6 months of economic
blockade and more than a month of relentless allied
bombing—surrendered by the thousands. Less than 7
months after the Iraqi invasion, Kuwait was once again
free.
It is likely that Navy ships will continue to represent
and protect U.S. interests in the region for the
foreseeable future.
REVIEW 6 QUESTIONS
Q1. List some of the Navy’s roles during the Korean
Conflict.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Q2. List some of the Navy’s missions during the
Vietnam Police Action.
a.
b.
c.
Q3. What are other actions the Navy was involved
with during the same timeframe as the Vietnam
Police Action?
a.
b.
Q4. What service did the Navy provide during the
Iraq – Iran War?
Q5. List the Navy’s contributions during Operation
Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
a.
b.
c.
SUMMARY
The United States Navy began more than 200 years
ago with two ships, but today we are the finest naval
force in history. The history of the Navy is a big story
and an exciting one. We’ve only rippled the surface
here, but maybe we’ve stimulated your curiosity enough
that you will want to take a closer look at your Navy’s
past. If so, visit your ship or station library. You will find
many fine books on naval history there.
From Flamborough Head to the Persian Gulf, the
U.S. Navy has always been “on station” in time of
trouble. The U.S. Navy’s mission of preparedness to
conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea
means the U.S. Navy will be present at the first sign of
conflict.
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Student Notes:
