Desert Storm Air Defense Essay

In Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Iraqi forces fired 93 Scud missiles at coalition forces in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. (Rostker) Air Defense Artillery (ADA) played an immensely significant role in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm with units from 11th Brigade Air Defense Artillery and the 32d Air Defense Command rapidly deploying into theater. The effectiveness of the units and their roles in fighting this war proved that Air Defense Artillery was critical to the success of the campaign. Although Patriot Batteries placed strategically throughout Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Israel played a tremendous tactical role in these wars, High-Medium Air Defense (HIMAD) was not the only type of surface to air missile system in place

(Kangas) Other notable successes came from elements like 5-62 ADA. They were the first air defense units to move into Iraq attached to Airborne unit troops and equipment. Their mission was to assist ground forces with the Stinger and Vulcan weapon systems under the protection of Patriot Batteries from the 11th BDE. (Kangas) In return for the protection, 5-62 ADA Stinger units would offer critical air coverage to Patriot due to its weakness and vulnerability to low flying aircraft. 11th BDE would report no casualties throughout their mission. They also reported mission success with the most engagement of Scud missiles, most intercepts of scud missiles, and the most Patriots missiles launched during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

(Rostker) Air Defense Artillery played an immensely significant role in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm with units from 11th Brigade Air Defense Artillery and the 32d Air Defense Command rapidly deploying into theater. There was no doubt of the effectiveness of the air defense units in Desert Storm and Desert Shield. The air defense units displayed sound defensive tactics and preparation for the campaigns. They demonstrated excellent capabilities providing coalition and ground forces the much-needed assistance to succeed during the war. No matter how much people have criticized Air Defense Artillery following Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the units played a critical role in the Army’s strategy to win the Gulf War. Air Defense Artillery remains one of the most respected assets to the United States Army, ready to deploy its units and weapon systems at anytime and anywhere in support of freedom.

Works Cited

Brigade General Scales, Robert H. JR. Certain Victory. The U.S. Army in the Gulf War. NewYork: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1993.

Desert Vets. 06 March 2011 <www.desertvets.org/main-pages/desert-storm.htm>.

Finlan, Alastair. The Gulf War 1991. Great Britain: Osprey Publishing, 2003.

Global Security. 05 March 2011 <www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/desert_storm.htm>.

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