1989 - 1990 Operations, Part 1

1989-1990

11 Dec 89 Iraq launched successfully a 48 ton, 25 meter high, three-stage rocket from its Al-Anbar Space Research Center. The announcement was made by Hussein Kamel, Minister of Industry and Military Industrialization. Kamal said that Iraq had indigenously developed two 2000 km range ICBM rockets.

19 Feb 90 Saddam demands US warships leave the Gulf

24 Feb 90 Saddam says in a speech to the Arab Cooperation Council that the Gulf Region

would now be dominated by the wishes of the United States since the power

of the Soviet Union was declining and that the Arabs must look for ways to undermine this growing US influence.

10 Mar 90 British journalist Farzad Bazhoft is tried and convicted of espionage.

15 Mar 90 Bazhoft is hanged in public. The UK recalls its Ambassador.

30 Mar 90 US Intel confirms that Iraq has permanent missile launching sites in

Western Iraq directed at Israel.

02 Apr 90 Saddam announces that Iraq possesses binary chemical weapons and that

"By God, we will make the fire eat up half of Israel, if it tries to do anything

against Iraq."

17 Apr 90 Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE say they will lower oil output, oil

closes at $19.87 a barrel, Dow at 2765.77

01 May 90 OPEC agrees to lower output collectively by 1.445 million barrels per day.

02 May 90 Hosni Mubarak, President of Egypt, visits Syria; the two countries restore

diplomatic relations, signaling an end to Egypt's estrangement from Arabs.

28 May 90 Arab League Summit starts in Bagdad, Saddam calls for the liberation of

Jerusalem, attacks on the US and Israel, and $27 billion from Kuwait, pointing

out that every drop of $1/barrel costs Iraq $1 billion annually. Saddam also

equates this oil greed as an act of war against Iraq.

26 Jun 90 Saddam warns Kuwait and UAE to cut oil output to get price to $14-25. Deputy

Prime Minister of Iraq, Sa'dun Hammadi, arrives in Kuwait for talks on oil

policy expressing how Kuwaiti over-production of oil is hurting Iraq.

27 Jun 90 Iraq fails to make an agreement with Turkey & Syria on handling the

Euphrates River Water.

02 Jul 90 US Intel spots 30,000 Iraqi troops on the Kuwaiti border, building. "Internal Look",

a US War Game, shows that Saudi Arabia could be defended from an Iraqi invasion only at great cost.

10 Jul 90 OPEC meeting in Jedda, everyone agrees to cuts and price hikes

12 Jul 90 Saudi Arabia secures a UAE agreement to observe the OPEC quota agreement.

15 Jul 90 Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz sends letter to Chedli Klibi, the Arab League Sec Gen,

accusing Kuwait of stealing oil from the Rumalia Field and adapting a policy of

harming Iraq conspiring with the UAE to glut the world oil market. He specified

that Iraq had the right to retrieve stolen funds and recover territories.

16 Jul 90 Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz attacks Kuwait and the UAE for "direct

aggression" against Iraq due to their refusal to honor oil production reductions

17 Jul 90 Saddam threatens military action against another Arab State; first time since the

ending of the 1st Gulf War.

18 Jul 90 Saddam Hussein demands the return to Iraq of the Rumahiah Oil Field that is on

Kuwaiti soil and $2.4 Billion in compensation, Kuwait's Cabinet rejects the Iraqi

claim and instead accuses Iraq of violating Kuwaiti territory and seeks Arab

League arbitration.

19 Jul 90 Sec Def Cheney says that the US commitment to protect Kuwait remains in force.

20 Jul 90 Kuwait says Iraq's belligerence is directed at getting its $10 Billion debt with

they erased and places its armed forces on alert.

22 Jul 90 Irai Army starts mobilizing for movements towards the Kuwaiti border as

Egyptian President Mubarak goes to Bagdad and gets assurances from Saddam

23 Jul 90 Saudi Arabian Military goes on higher readiness & alert status.

24 Jul 90 30,000 Iraqi Troops mass on the Kuwaiti Border. Bagdad demands a $7 per

barrel hike in the oil price, to $25. US places 6 warships on alert. Kuwait

actually moves some troops to the border with FROG missiles. Mubarak makes a

whirlwind tour from Iraq to Kuwait to Saudi Arabia in an effort to defuse tension.

25 Jul 90 Saddam tells US Ambassador Glaspie that he will not use force against Kuwait

and that he wants better relations with Washington. Glaspie responds that the

US had "no opinion" on disputes between Arab nations. Mubarak says that Iraq

& Kuwait will meet in Jeddah to resolve differences. Arab sources in Cairo disclose that Saddam promised Mubarak in their 24 Jul meeting that he would not take military action against Kuwait but demanded that Kuwait send to him an

official memorandum containing the basis for a settlement before the two countries meet in a summit. In the past that meant a sizable payoff.

26 Jul 90 Kuwait agrees to OPEC's agreed lower production level at $21 a barrel as

30,000 more Iraqi troops reach the Kuwait border, Intel totals climb. The

Bush Administration starts a "Policy Review" of Iraq after evidence is offered

that Saddam is accelerating efforts to build chemical and biological weapons.

27 Jul 90 OPEC Ministers agree to a target price of $21/barrel and fixing daily output at

22.5 million barrels with expectations of rising to $25/barrel by year's end.

The U.S. Congress votes to impose sanctions on Iraq.

30 Jul 90 Senior Kuwaiti & Iraqi officials arrive in Jeddah for talks.

31 Jul 90 Iraqi Army has over 100,000 troops, 300 tanks, and 300 artillery pieces near

Kuwaiti territory. Iraqi & Kuwaiti reps hold closed meetings in Jeddah.

01 Aug 90 Iraq's massed troops start defensive drills on the Kuwaiti border. Talks

between Iraqi and Kuwaiti officials breakdown in Saudi Arabia, yet

Saddam Hussein declares no war. Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Hammadi says, "No agreement has been reached on anything because we have not felt that the Kuwaiti's are serious about redressing the grave damage inflicted on Iraq."

The DOW closes at 2899.26, oil at $21.54

02 Aug 90 Iraq invades at 0100 with 3 RG divisions (over 100,000 troops are massed)

and 350 tanks. Sabah Family flees. Bush orders economic embargo and

bans trade while freezing all Iraqi assets. 3 x SA-342K Gazelles from the

Kuwaiti AF were downed or destroyed. At least 15 x Mi-8 HIP Assault

Helo's from the Iraqi AF were also downed by the Kuwaiti Armed Forces.

US dispatches additional naval units to the Gulf. The UN Security Council

formulates Resolution 660. Iraq actually promises to withdraw by 5 August.

Bush signs an Executive Order banning trade with Iraq & freeze assets of both

Iraq and Kuwait. UK, France, & Switzerland do also. Soviets suspend shipments.

Beginning date for the Southwest Asia Service Medal. The Independence Carrier

Battle Group is on station in the Indian Ocean & the Eisenhower Group in the Med.

Hours after the invasion, the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) announced that "the sons of dear Kuwait appealed to the Iraqi leadership to

provide support and backing to prevent any possibility by those who may think of

foreign interference." King Hussein of Jordan, visiting Mubarak in Egypt, and Mubarak receive telephone calls from Bush over the Iraqi invasion. The Soviet

Union announces the stopping of arms sales to Iraq. Bush confers with Mrs.

Thatcher and becomes stronger on intervention. Independence & Eisenhower

Carrier Battle Groups are directed to sail to the Gulf.

03 Aug 90 Last Ditch fighting throughout Kuwait. Iraq's Army moves to within a few

miles of Saudi border. State Department announces that US civilians are

trapped in Kuwait. UN Resolution condemns the invasion and demands the

immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi troops (Yemen abstains).

Iraqi forces actually violate Saudi territory, Bush acts. Kuwaiti Mirage and

A-4 aircraft depart for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain airfields. 95% of the pilots get

out, many were on leave with almost all of the aircraft except the trainers.

1 x A-4 crashes on the night exit. 4 x others were destroyed by the attacking

Iraqi's. Kuwait ordered and received 36 x A-4KU and TA-4KU (30+6) aircraft

during 1977/78. 24 x single seat and 5 x dual seat machines now operate out

of King Abdul Aziz Air Base (Dhahran). Their service and support is done by

US commercial firms. 18 x Mirage F-1's arrived at two Saudi airfields. Kuwait

ordered and received 34 x Mirage F-1's of various configurations since 1976.

8 x were lost over the years to accidents and 8 x more were destroyed during

the Iraqi invasion. The Kuwaiti Mirage F-1 unit has joined with the French

Air Force composite wing at Al Ahsa Air Base(near Hufuf). 12 x Mirage

2000's with the most advanced RDI radars from the wing at Orange and

4 x F-1CR recce Mirages from EC-33 at Strasbourg, the unit that distinguished itself during TAM-88. The A-4's have joined the Marine CAS resources of Marine Air Group's 11 and 13 (Harrier, F/A-18, A-6, Cobra, etc.)

in their mission tasking. The F-1's are sharing in the Air defense of the Gulf

with the French. Japan, FRG, Italy, and Belgium freeze assets. Oil at $24/49, DOW closes 2809.65. The USAF institutes "Operation Snafy" which was an immediate upgrade to its AWACS aircraft on alert in Saudi Arabia by adding a new "sensor". 7 x aircraft were initially retrofitted and 8 x more soon after. This

was reported by LtGen Gordon Fornell (Inside the Air Force, 8Feb91, pg3),

who also stated that Saudi AWACS aircraft were quickly retrofitted with HAVE QUICK. US Sec State Baker and Soviet Foreign Minister Shevardnadze release an unprecedented joint statement calling on the world community to impose an

arms-embargo on Iraq. Israeli Def Min, Moshe Arens, warns that if Iraqi forces enter Jordanian territory, Israel will view it as an Act of War ("casus belli").

04 Aug 90 Iraq announces a new military government for Kuwait, made up of a

"popular army" formed to protect its (Iraq's) holdings. The Last Kuwaiti

aircraft (A-4's) make it to Saudi bases. Europeans also impose economic

embargo. US leaders meet with Bush at Camp David to discuss the now

popular "Military Option". Gen Colin Powell, CJCS, briefs Presidential

advisors on Plans and Options. Intelligence assessments report more than 100,000 Iraqi troops now south of Kuwait City heading for the Saudi border.

50 x Warships are sent to the Gulf and CENTCOM is sent a warning order to activate. Bush offers King Fahd US Military aid. Jordan describes Saddam as

an Arab patriot. Canada & Japan suspend imports and dealings. Satellite photos show that Iraqi reinforcements approaching Saudi Arabia did not pull back.

05 Aug 90 No Iraqi pull out, and massive human rights violations noted in Kuwait.

Cheney departs for Saudi Arabia, Bush says he will draw the line. USN/USMC

undertake SHARP EDGE, evacuating US citizens from Liberia. The Saudi Armed

Forces goes on full alert and reserves are called up. Arab League Summit canx'ed.

06 Aug 90 UN Security Council declares a mandatory world wide embargo Resolution

661 against Iraq and occupied Kuwait (Cuba & Yemen abstain). Defense

Secretary Richard Cheney wins Saudi agreement to base US troops on

Saudi soil. Iraq's new government in Kuwait takes charge. Saddam Hussein

calls for the formation of 11 new divisions. Intel warns Bush that Iraq

could take Saudi Arabia. Iraq started a rounding up all foreigners in

Kuwait but many make it out overland. Saudi King Fahid formally asks the

US and other friendly states to send troops. Several hundred westerners are

forcibly rounded up in Kuwait and bussed to Bagdad. Iraq shuts down its two

oil pipelines through Turkey. Saudi troops probe into the neutral zone

between Kuwait and their border. 2,000 US military and 4 x AWACS are

in Saudi Arabia at this time. Iraq is moving 70,000 troops from the Iranian

border area to Kuwait to dig fortifications.

07 Aug 90 Bush orders the deployment of US combat troops and aircraft to Saudi Arabia.

Cheney meets with Saudi officials and briefs them on US Intel findings. Saudi's

agree to open their bases to US Forces. GCC neighbors also agree to allow US

Forces to stage, store, and operate out of their bases. The "Rape of Kuwait"

continues as the XVIII Airborne Corps is put on alert. The USS Independence

Battle Group is in the Gulf of Oman, the Eisenhower BG transits the Suez, while

the Saratoga & Wisconsin Battle Groups depart the East Coast. The 71st TFS

from the 1st TFW at Langley AFB, Virginia, deploys with 24 x F-15C's in

4 x cells of six aircraft non-stop for 14.5 hours to Dhahran. The Eagle's were

fully armed with eight missiles during the entire trip and each cell trailed the

the others by 30 minutes. The 2nd Squadron left on the 8th. Saddam threatened

to "pluck out the eyes" of anyone who attacks Iraq.

08 Aug 90 Iraq declares Kuwait as a "province" of Iraq by annexation. Britain agrees

to join the growing multi-national force in the Persian Gulf. Bush

addresses the nation and says he has directed the 82nd Airborne to draw a

"Line in the Sand". Major Naval/Marine components enroute. First US Ground

arrive on Saudi soil (82nd Airborne). Congress briefed by Cheney & Powell.

The British Government announces that it will send forces to the Gulf. A force

of B-52 Bombers deploy to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. President Bush declares that a "line has been drawn in the sand". Over 200,000 Iraqi's are

now said to be in Kuwait. Baker meets with Turkey's Ozal for help on creating a second "front" with forces operating out of Turkish NATO bases. Israel tests and

Air Defense Missile and Shamir says Israel is ready. Saddam meets with Arafat.

09 Aug 90 UNSC Resolution 662, declaring "annexation" of Kuwait as being Null and

Void under International Law. US Troops start arriving in numbers. The

operation is officially titled "DESERT SHIELD". 12 x F-15C/D pre-paid

attrition spares are to be wavered from the Metzenbaum Amendment by

President Bush and shipped to the RSAF from USAF stocks. Saudi's presently

have 58 x delivered and 2 x more being delivered, but 60 x was the

imposed legal limit. It is believed that only 1 x Saudi F-15 was lost in an

accident and that aircraft was replaced. UK Def Sec Tom King announced that

England will send Tornado and Jaguar Squadrons to the Gulf with troops and

support personnel. Group Capt R.S. "Rick" Peacock-Edwards arrives

with an advanced party. 3000 US Citizens in Kuwait are not allowed to leave. Bush sends letter to Congress complying with War Powers Act.

10 Aug 90 12 of 20 Arab League States agree to send an all-Arab Military Force to

Saudi to join the American Force but not to be commanded by it. Islamic

Forces will come under the Saudi National Defense Forces. General

Norman Schwarzkopf, commander CENTCOM, is named Operation

Commander. Army announces that the 24th Inf Div will be deployed from

Ft Stewart, Georgia. Saddam declares "Jihad" against the US and Israel.

F-16's from Shaw AFB & C-130's from Pope AFB begin arriving in Saudi.

USN activates Mercy & Comfort Hospital Ships. The first UK F-3 Tornado's

arrive in Dhahran AB. Egyptian and Moroccan forces start arriving in Saudi. Checkmate's Col John Warden first meets with Gen Schwarzkopf in Tampa to outline the proposed "air campaign".

11 Aug 90 Army announces that elements of the 101st Airborne Division (Air

Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky., will go. 1st MAR DIV from Camp Pendleton

mounts out and F-16's are sent from Shaw AFB, SC, and Hill AFB, Utah.

Two Iraqi pilots land their MiG-23's in Saudi Arabia and defect. Iraqi

recce aircraft are turned back over Saudi airspace. Iraq orders all Embassy's

in Kuwait City closed, Emer Arab Summit votes 12 to 8 for a Pan-Arab force

to join the coalition and US troops arriving in Saudi. Egyptian and Moroccan

troops begin arriving. An advanced contingent of 500 Egyptian troops land

in Saudi Arabia. The first UK Jaguar's land at Thumrait, Oman.

12 Aug 90 Saddam Hussein says he will resolve the Gulf crisis if Israel will pull out

of the occupied territories. Baker says Navy will interdict Iraqi oil

shipments. The US Press Pool departs for Saudi Arabia. 24 x F-15E Strike

Eagles deploy from Seymour Johnson AFB to Thumrait, Oman as the US Army's

11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade arrives in Saudi.

13 Aug 90 American and Brits in Kuwait are rounded up into two hotels for shipment

to Iraq. Ships sail from Savannah with 24th InfDiv equipment. Jordan's King

Hussein launches a verbal attack on the US. Wisconsin BG at Gibraltar.

4th MEB embarks with 13 amphib ships. Blue Ridge, command ship for the

7th Fleet, heads for the Gulf.

14 Aug 90 Jordan's King Hussein flies to Washington. USAF KC-10, KC-135,

RC-135, and E-3A aircraft arrive on Saudi soil. 1st MEF deploys and the

4th MEB departs Norfolk with 13 ampib ships. USN Military sealift

activates the Fleet Ready Reserve of 45 ships. French Def Min Chevenment

speaks out against French involvement in the conflict. Advanced elements

from the 1st MEF (1st MARDIV and 3rd MAW) and 7th MEB arrive in Saudi.

Comfort sails for the Gulf. In a letter to Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Saddam offers to concede to Iranian terms for a peace treaty, including the withdrawal of Iraqi troops from the Iranian border areas and

accepting the 1975 Algiers accord provisions of territory borders.

15 Aug 90 Army announces that the 1st Corps Support Command, 197th Inf Brigade

(Mech), 229th Aviation Reg, and the 3rd Armored CAV Reg will deploy.

The USAF deploys A-10's from the US and England. The Navy announces

that it will start "intercepting" Iraqi bound shipping. First F-117's deploy

to Saudi Arabia. Saratoga Group transit Gibraltar, Kennedy departs East

Coast. 1st MEB departs Hawaii, Diego Garcia propositioned ships arrive

to unload in Saudi, and the Mercy sails. 3 x F-15C/D's from a new order

of 25 x arrive in Israel to start forming the IAF's 3rd F-15 Squadron. As time

went on, and Israel's own defense budget was reduced these F-15's still remain in the two well know Israeli squadrons at Tel Nov. 22 x used USAF F-15A's were also given to Israel, however those aircraft have never flown after arrival and

are being utilized for spare parts. Additional USAF F-15"s would be contracted

by IAI for major MISIP retrofit work in Israel. This program was eventually cancelled

by the USAF for lack of quality work, but in the end it appeared to be a cover so

the IAF could start manning up some of their F-15 hulks and upgrading their

F-15 radars and avionics packages to USAF standard. None of the delivered

USAF aircraft returned to the states. The Israeli depot at Tel Nov does some of

the best work on aircraft in th world.

16 Aug 90 USAF F-15's get their first radar contacts on Iraqi fighters that quickly

turn back from their border patrols. Saddam Hussein announced that he

could not ensure the safety of downed US pilots. Iraq orders 4000 and

2500 UK citizens to report to approved hotels or face being rounded up by

security units. Iraq has over 160,000 troops in Kuwait & building. Saddam says

in a speech that thousands of American's will go home in coffins. The US military

and political commands realize that US casualties are his measure of success

and this starts the seeds of thought not to have that happen. In the end, this might

have been Saddam’s savior because the war’s end was called before he became

killed or over-thrown.

17 Aug 90 Army announces that elements of the 2nd Armored Div & 1st CAV Div

will deploy. 38 x commercial aircraft from 16 x airlines are "drafted",

and the US decides to consider call up reserve units. All Westerners in Iraq'

are officially called hostages. Stage One of the US Civil Air Reserve Fleet

plan is activated to increase the airlift capacity of MAC. Bush declares that

he will call up reserves plus 38 x Civil Air Fleet (CRAF) aircraft. Overall

these commercial aircraft will fly over 5300 sorties for STORM/SHIELD.

First pre-positioned stores ships arrive in the Gulf. Oil at $27.36.

Wisconsin BG transits the Suez. 24th Inf Div (Mech) departs Savannah

with MSC Fast cargo Ships. At 1000 hrs, Col Alton C. Whitley, Jr., assumed

command of the 37th TFW from Col Anthony J. Tolin. At 1400, the Wing

received its deployment orders to mount out to Saudi Arabia.

18 Aug 90 US Frigates Reid & Bradley fire across the bows of 2 separate Iraqi tankers.

United Nations' Resolution 664 demands the released of all detained foreigners.

Iraqi force estimates in Kuwait number 170,000 troops & 1000 tanks.

19 Aug 90 Saddam Hussein offers to release all hostages if US forces pull out. Cheney

announces that VAdm Henry H. Mauz Jr (COM 7th FLT) will assume the command

of all naval forces in the Gulf (COMUSNAVCENT). First elements of the 37th TFW

(Stealth F-117's) starts deploying to Saudi Arabia. 21 x F-117's from the

415th TFS deploys to Langley AFB, Virginia as the 37th TFW HQ prepares to relocate to Tonopah AB near Nellis. F-117's prepare for leg to Saudi.

20 Aug 90 Iraq announces that it is moving Western "hostages" to military

installations. UAE allows US to use its bases, Saudi's up oil production.

1 x Army OH-58D (88-0302) damaged. 1st C-5 lands at King Khalid Air Base

(KKAB) with Col Whitley (37th TFW) and LtCol Ralph W. Getchell III, the CO of the 415th TFS and greeted by BGen Abdul Aziz Bin Khalid Al Sudairi, Base Commander and Col Faisal Eurwailli, OC Flying. King Khalid Air Base is also Khamis Mushait Air Base.

21 Aug 90 USAF says Desert Shield is largest airlift in history. 1 billion pounds of

cargo already delivered. Egypt sends 1 x Mech-Inf Div, Syria offers

1200 troops. 4449th Mobility Support Squadron (Holloman AFB) deployed

and built 50 hangers and over 200 support shelters. 4449th MOBSS then

built up from bare-base the 4th TFW(Prov) at Al Kharg. 18 x F-117's

of the first 22 x deployed arrive at Khamis Mushait. These aircraft are from

the 415th TFS commanded by Ralph Getchell.

22 Aug 90 Bush calls up 40,000 reserves for support role duties. Army announces

that elements of the 3rd US Army HQ will join CENTCOM HQ. Saudi's agree

to provide fuel for all US forces. Saratoga BG transits the Suez.

23 Aug 90 7th Med Command (USAREUR) and III Corps Arty deploys. An estimated 6 x

Iraqi Armored Divisions (Rep Guard) begin to regroup in the area South of

Basra as regular troops are moved into Kuwait. Saddam makes his now famous

TV appearance with British hostages. 3 x C-141B and 2 x C-5A Squadrons

from the Reserve and ANG forces start the airlift callup posted by the SecDef.

The 415th TFS launches 8 orientation sorties for their F-117's. The hosting

Saudi Wing used 4 x F-5, 3 x F15, and 1 x F3 to chase the Nighthawks.

24 Aug 90 Iraq rings nine embassies with troops, includes US, UK, and Canadian, cut of

of electricity & water. State Department accuses Soviets of having Advisors

in Iraq. Cheney invokes Feed & Forage Act of 1861 allowing DoD to spend more

budget then it has been allocated. Oil at $30.41, DOW closes 2532.92.

Wisconsin BG transits Hormuz into the Persian Gulf. The 1st USMC F/A-18

fighter/attack Squadrons arrive in Bahrain at Sheikh Isa. Three "A" and three

"C" Squadrons joined by one "D" unit will eventually form the core of MAG-11.

As of 24Aug90, SAC KC-135's flew 250 AIREF sorties (550 wet plugs) and

KC-10’s over 100 sorties (300+ wet plugs) along with 5000+ passengers.

25 Aug 90 United Nations' Resolution 665 gives the US and other navies the right to

enforce the economic embargo by halting shipping to Iraq and Kuwait (Cuba &

Yemen abstain). Iraq says it will release US families of diplomats. The USAF

announced it is deploying F-111's with Pavetack to the Persian Gulf.

26Aug 90 Army announces elements of 13th Corps Sup Cmd and lists reserve units. The

CENTCOM Headquarters is airlifted from Florida to Saudi Arabia. UN Security

Council votes and agrees to allow force to upgrade embargo. Commander in Chief

of all US Forces in the Central Command, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf,

establishes his command headquarters in Saudi Arabia. F-117's at Khamis

Mushait stand alert-pad duties for the first time.

27 Aug 90 UN SecGen Javier Perez de Cuellar meets with Iraq FM Tariq Aziz in

Amman. 24th Inf Div equipment arrives in Saudi with 2 Fast Cargo Ships.

28 Aug 90 Iraq announces that its 19th Province of Kuwait has been re-established.

C-5A (68-0228 from the 60th MAW) crashes after takeoff from

Ramstein AB, killing 13 of 17. Nine were reservists who had volunteered

for duty in the Gulf (incident sometimes referred to have happened on the

29th). The US Navy had intercepted 170 ships and boarded 11. 3 x USN

Mine Sweepers and 1 x Mine CM ship depart Norfolk, Va. A Secret Israeli Intel briefing team arrives in Washington to explain their certainty that Saddam will

attack Israel if a war breaks out.

30 Aug 90 Bush asks others to help pay the burden. Army announces that elements of the

12th Combat Aviation Brigade USAREUR will deploy, and Public Affairs units

will be sent. The Commander of the Iraqi Air Force said that if war came "his

aircraft would simultaneously bomb Israel and Saudi Arabia". Iraq warned

Thailand not to allow US aircraft to stage out of its bases. Yeman denied that Iraqi

aircraft were kept there. US Officials confirm that Special Forces units are

helping to organize the Kuwaiti resistance groups. Jessie Jackson leaves Iraq with 20 hostages. The Kennedy Battle Group transits Gibraltar.

31 Aug 90 Perez de Cuellar meets twice more with Aziz, no progress. Soviets announce that they agree with the US presence in the Gulf. 172 Veterans Hospitals have gone on an "alert" status preparing for large numbers of wounded coming home.

01 Sep 90 Bush announces a surprise one-day summit with Gorbachev on 9 Sept. UK

Foreign Secretary Hurd calls for an Air Embargo of Iraq. Blue Ridge arrives

off Bahrain with COMSEVENTHFLT.

03 Sep 90 Eisenhower Battle Group with Ticonderoga transit Gibraltar.

04 Sep 90 Baker US is planning to maintain a long term presence in the Gulf. The Kuwaiti "Prime Minister", installed by Iraq, is executed in Kuwait City. Iraqi troops

in/around Kuwait are estimated at 265,000 troops and 2200 tanks. US

troop levels reach 100,000. Thousands of fleeing Pakistani workers are

robbed by Iraqi troops as they leave. Maj. Guy Fowl, deployed Deputy Commander

for Maintenance (37th TFW) initiated "Shade Tree Aircraft Repair (STAR)"

procedures to repair LRU's in country, an F-117 first. 4th MEB amphib ships

transit Suez, more of the US Army's 24th Infantry Division arrive.

v (1) F-16C lost to a possible engine problem...fire

... non-combat training flight

... fire seen coming from engine by wingman

... classified as engine failure shortly after takeoff

... 83-1151, 5C34, Blk 25B

... 33rd TFS / 363rd TFW from Shaw AFB

... pilot, Capt Richard Setzer, survived ejection

05 Sep 90 Britain and France suspend arms shipments to Jordan. The Turkish

Parliament gave its Armed Forces permission to use Turkish Armed

Forces in the Gulf Crisis. Japan loads 800 four-wheeled trucks for Gulf

Forces. The Iraqi Army Team withdrew from the World Military

Basketball Championship in France rather than play the US Army Team

scheduled. 160,000 Kuwaiti's & 60,000 refugees have fled to Saudi.

Saddam calls for Islamic Holy War. USS Acadia (AD-42) departs

San Diego with mixed crew of men and women (360w out of 1260 total).

06 Sep 90 Iraqi troops shot and wound an American in Kuwait evading capture. US

Troops now exceed 100,000 in theater. The total number of foreigners

in Iraq being held against their will is estimated to be 11,000. Iraqi

forces impose "life" penalty for people fleeing and "death" for those

helping any Westerners. 4th MEB amphib ships transit Suez.

07 Sep 90 Japan and S.Korea promise funding. The Dutch seize two Bulgarian trucks

with industrial equipment for Iraq and charge Eurometaal with illegal

exports to Iraq. First US evac flight with 167. Oil at $30.04. 13th MEU

amphib ships arrive in the Gulf of Oman with Comfort. Marine AH-1W

Cobra crashes and is damaged (HMLA-269).

08 Sep 90 4th MEB ships transit Suez Canal.

09 Sep 90 Bush-Gorbachev Summit brings agreement to act individually and

together against Iraq to free Kuwait. Bush did not get Gorbi's agreement to

pull out his advisors, although some would be. Soviets got US food and

supplies for approval on a military campaign against Saddam. Saddam

executed five officers from Elite Units, indicating that some of the Coup

Attempt rumors might have had substance. Jordan continues to receive

Iraqi Oil.

10 Sep 90 Saddam Hussein offers free oil to any nation that will bypass the UN embargo and

support his cause which is increasingly beginning to reference Israel and the

main objective of Iraqi actions. Congressman Les AuCoin said that Saddam had

discussed an invasion of Saudi to topple the House of Saudi and to divide-up the oil

resources of the remaining Arabs. Iran & Iraq renew full diplomatic relations.

Iraq offers any country free oil if it beaks with the coalition's blockade.

11 Sep 90 The US says that Cuba and Romania have made "oil deals" with Iraq and

that some East European countries are trying to sell weapons. France

rents the US four ships to carry troops and cargo to the Gulf. Bush tapes

11 minute TV message to the Iraqi people.

12 Sep 90 Iran announced a Holy War against US Troops in the Gulf and said that it

would accept Iraqi Oil for food. Gulf analysts are stunned over this. Muslim

clergy deny Saddam's ability to declare a "Jihad", but the Ayatollah Ali

Khameni declares one against the "non-believing Devils in the West" and

the Iraqi government cuts food rations of Western Hostages. Gen Mike Dugan,

USAF Chief of Staff, visits the 37th Wing at Khamis Mushait.

13 Sep 90 Iranian political elite members disavow yesterday's statements. UN

Resolution allows humanitarian food aid into Iraq or Kuwait only to

relieve human suffering, under conditions decided upon the Council.

The UN passes Resolution 666 permitting humanitarian food shipments.

Japan increases its pledge to $4 billion, Syria sends 10,000 troops.

1 x Army OH-58D crashes injuring one. 2 x Marine CH-53E's

crash with 3 injured (Burno 161390/?? from HMH-465)

14 Sep 90 Iraqi troops storm French and Belgian diplomatic residences in Kuwait

and detain some people briefly. The UK says it will send an armored unit to

the Gulf with 6,000 men. Oil at $31.76 and the DOW closes at 2564.11.

Kennedy BG transits the Suez. Mercy arrives off Oman with 4th MEB ships.

Under Operation Locusta, the Italian Government announced that it was sending

a composite Tornado GR-1 Squadron to Abu Dhabi. Baker meets with Hafiz al

Assad, President of Syria, who assures him of their common purposes.

15 Sep 90 Flight with 285 US and Canadian citizens arrive in US. Germany pledges

$2 billion and US forces reach 150,000. The French announce that they will

send a force of 4,000 troops to Saudi Arabia, and under Operation "Daguet", they agree to send tactical aircraft which will come under the command of

General de Brigade Aerienne Gellibert.

16 Sep 90 UN Resolution 667 condemns Iraq's aggressive acts against diplomatic

missions in Kuwait and the abduction of people in them. Bush's tape is aired

on Iraqi TV. Egypt starts sending one Mech Inf Division. USS O'Brian (DD-975)

makes the 1000th ship intercept, averaging 40 perday with 4 boardings).

The USS Midway and Battle Group depart Yokosuka, Japan.

17 Sep 90 USAF CoS Mike Dugan fired by Cheney for making "unauthorized" statements

and basically thinking his mind. Beyond all precedent, he was relieved of duty.

The Tactical Air Forces were left in shock. McPeak named as successor. Saudi

Arabia and the Soviet Union re-establish full diplomatic ties.

18 Sep 90 Schwarzkopf asks Army planners to begin work on a Ground Offensive

19 Sep 90 Bagdad begins to confiscate all assets owned by countries doing in the

embargo. Reports back on Gen Dugan's firing imply political rather than

substantive reasons for his release.

v F-16C, Blk 40E, from the 347th TFW at Moody AFB

89-2027/1C180 Crashed on a training mission in S.C.

was not carrying a LANTIRN Pod

20 Sep 90 New York Times quotes the French Magazine L'Express saying that Saudi sources

said that their Thomson CSF Crotale Acquisition Radar for the "Shahine (Crotale)

SHORAD" System could track the F-117A at 16.8 km (10.5 mi/9.2 NM). USAF responded it was not employing them in the "full stealth" mode with antennas out.

Oil prices push above $35 per barrel. Saudi's cut oil to Jordan. Imminent

Danger Pay (IDP) approved for Gulf personnel.

21 Sep 90 Saddam makes his "Mother of all Battles" speech. Iraq expels Western

Military attaché’s from Embassy's in Bagdad, US sends 3 Iraqi's home.

22 Sep 90 The 2000th American evacuated from Kuwait & Iraq arrives in London. Two

C-141's deliver 37th TFW avionics vans to Khamis Mushait.

23 Sep 90 The French Foreign Legion's 1st Parachute Regiment with 2600 men of the

6th Light Armored Division arrive in Saudi Arabia. Mercy & Comfort

together in the Gulf making Navy Medical History. Col Whitley, CO 37th TFW,

issues Special Order #1 assigning all attached personnel to his wing for the War.

Saddam threatens to attack Saudi Oil Fields, other Arab nations, and Israel if the sanctions and embargo on Iraq hurts too much.

24 Sep 90 UN Resolution 669 stresses that only the Sanction's Committee has the power

to permit food, medicine, and other things into Iraq. World Oil prices rise to

$38.25 a barrel. The Pentagon accuses the Russians of having 500 to 1000

military personnel still in Iraq. Bush creates the Gulf Crisis Financial Coordination Group, headed by Treasury Sec Brady, to coordinate multilateral aid to nations hurt by the embargo on Iraq.

25 Sep 90 UN Resolution 670 expands its economic embargo to include air traffic in or

out of Iraq and Kuwait, except those flights authorized. Also calls on UN

members to detail any Iraqi ships that break the embargo. 13 of 15

members in Security Council OK. Iraq troops at 430,000 with 3500 tanks

and 2500 APC's and 1700 arty pieces. Gen Schwarzkopf visits the 37th TFW.

26 Sep 90 The Egyptian 3rd Mechanized Division arrives in Saudi. A Navy SH-3H

crashes off of the USS JF Kennedy from HS-7.

27 Sep 90 The UK and Iran renew diplomatic relations.

28 Sep 90 Dow stands at 2452.47 having fallen from 2864.60, and the cost of

living index rose almost 1% in one quarter due to the oil price increase

from $23 to $39. Scowcroft warns that the systematic destruction of Kuwait

reduces the time frame by which the US must act.

29 Sep 90 Pentagon quietly announces its timetable for military action has shortened.

3 x UH-60 Blackhawks from the 101st Airborne are damaged in an accident

that injures five.

30 Sep 90 4000 men from the French FAR (Rapid Intervention Force) arrive.

v (1) F-15E Strike Eagle crashes on a night training mission

based at Thumrait, Oman

... 87-0203, 336th TFS / 4th TFW, 2 x KIA

... Maj Peter S. Hook was the pilot (ex F4 IP)

... Capt James P. Poulet, WSO

... seems to have been an unavoidable ground impact

Gulf War 1991 Chronology

1989 - 1990 Operations, Part 1