Operation Desert Storm

944 Words2 Pages

Many remember Operation Desert Storm as America’s first war against Saddam Hussein, the dictator of Iraq. For a lot of Americans, this was their first introduction to war itself. One major factor that sticks out about this war is the belief of chemical weaponry use against allied forces and how the Chemical Corp played a part in the defense of these believed horrendous attacks. Although this belief was not found to be true, elements from the 9th Chemical Detachment as well as personnel from the Army’s Technical Escort Unit and other various chemical units were on ground to ensure a quick response in case of any CBW attack. (BG Russ Zajtchuk and COL Ronald F. Bellamy, 1997). This assignment will give you an insight to what is known as the “100 hour war”.

To first understand the Chemical Corp’s role during Operation Desert Storm, one must have knowledge of why the war began. Iraq invaded Kuwait in what was said to be done in a very aggressive manner, given the fact that Iraq at the time had the 4th largest Army in the world. Saddam Hussein was trying to gain control of the oil produced in Kuwait in order to pay off the debt accumulated in the Iran/ Iraq war. Kuwait was and still is a large supplier of oil to the United States as well as Saudi Arabia. Saddam Hussein was under the impression that his fellow Arab states would stand by and allow his occupation to occur. Iraq’s invasion threatened the oil connection between both countries and the United States. The President of the United States at that time, George Bush Sr., then gave Iraq a choice. Depart Kuwait or face the wrath of the United States Military.

The ultimatum was not met and therefore the air strikes commenced. You must also know that there was a lot of ...

... middle of paper ...

...try that would stand by while an ally was being bullied and did nothing, would not be much of a country. At least not one built on morals and values. The death toll was high on both sides and the monetary price of war was extensive as well, yet in the end, a friend in need was helped and a tyrant was put in his place. This served and continues to serve as an example of what one country’s bravery can do.

Works Cited

ONLINE HIGHWAYS. (2005). Desert storm. Retrieved from http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2020.html BG Russ Zajtchuk and COL Ronald F. Bellamy. (1997). Part I, warfare, weapons, and the casualty," textbook of military medicine: Medical aspects of chemical and biological warfare. Retrieved from http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/bw_ii/bw_s02.htm

William Burr and Jeffrey T. Richelson (1995). Operation desert storm: Ten years later.

Open Document