May 1990,  I turned 17 and joined the Marine Corps DEP.  Desert Shield started in August 1990 and  I started my senior year of high school in September. The week of January 15 1991, I realized I had enough credits to graduate and requested to ship as soon as possible. I graduated high-school January 18 and shipped to MCRD San Diego on January 22 1991.

In mid February the ground war commenced while we were at Edson Range for rifle qual and our drill instructors treated us to a few hours of television showing the news coverage.  They gave us a fairly motivating talking to and asked who was enlisted for Infantry and when I and several others raised our hands they told us to really pay attention and realize it was a real possibility we could be in combat before the end of the year.  

I wasn't suprised by this  and that was why I had shipped early but that night there were a few recruits sobbing as the reality of their situation was sinking in. Of course by the end of the week the war was over.

Years later when I was a recruiter, I never glossed over what the Corps does and never sold the GI bill as nothing more than a benefit. I remembered that night and even discouraged a few young men from joining when it didnt seem like it was nothing more than the GI bill was why they were joining.  I told them they could get the same financial benefits in any branch. The Gulf War and later Somalia (where I spent 6 months Oct 1993 - April 1994) defined many of our time in service until September 2001.

Semper Fi

Peter Thomas voice is the best.. I can listen to him over and over again.. Forensic files best narrator of all time.

Peter Thomas (Forensic Files) is considered by many of his peers to be the greatest voice in American broadcasting. Received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart and served in 5 major campaigns including the Battle of Normandy and Battle of the Bulge.  A great American.

That scene where the F-15 locks onto its target through a sandstorm is unreal—it’s not just skill, it’s like the jet becomes an extension of the pilot’s instincts in the chaos of war.

My dads last war. 38 years of dedicated service . Chief Mitchell. 151st Air refueling wing. Utah ANG
Thanks for the video!!

I was working in Riyadh and on the 9 o'clock evening news on the 9th of January(1991) they showed James Baker arriving at his press conference - this was just after Tariq Aziz had rejected President Bush's final ultimatum for Iraqi forces to withdraw from Kuwait. I remember the look on Mr Baker's face, and said to the others watching: "That's it, this sh*t is going down".
The "air war" started at midnight Riyadh local time Wednesday 16th January (or 00:00 hrs Thursday 17th January if you like) when F-15 bombers took off from the Old Airport. I was living in an apartment in Olayah. It was a hell of a noise; maybe went on for up to 15 mins. I put my gas mask on and went back to sleep. They (the F-15s) returned 4-5 hours later (still dark) accompanied by the noise of air raid sirens - not sure why that was?

As a retired Army guy, I absolutely love the A-10.  They got several of my friends out of very bad situations.

I was there during the Gulf War as a civilian employee of Bechtel Corporation. We were constructing the King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) Project in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. This became one of the biggest US military base during the Gulf War. Just days after Iraq invaded Kuwait on Aug. 2, 1990, Bechtel evacuated most of it’s employees, they chartered planes and flew them back to their countries of origin. I was one of the few essential employees Bechtel management asked to stay to operate the essential airport utilities like the Jet Fuel Tank Farm, Apron Jet Fuel Hydrants and Fueling System, Central Plant, Central Water Pumping Station and Sewage Lift Stations. I and my other Bechtel colleagues operated the utilities to provide Jet Fuel to the US Jet planes, air conditioning, potable water to the US Military and Coalition Forces. The airport was just partially completed and not yet commercially operational then.
The first C-130 US Air Force plane landed at KFIA on Aug. 15, 1990. There were no operational airport communications systems then, the C-130 landed visually and was guided with a pick up with a Follow Me sign painted on a plywood. to the Terminal Apron. After this first landing the A10 Jet planes from Germany flew in. Military personnel and equipment started to build up. I could still remember the start of the war on Jan. 16, 1991 when the war started. I was in the camp and saw all the war  planes taking off, Operation Desert Storm has started. At night we would run to the bomb shelter every time there is a Iraqi Scud Missile attack. I was there side by side sitting with the American soldiers.
Proud to have served the US Military during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. I was there during the entire duration of the Gulf War operating the airport utilities to support our US Military.

They provided 6 aircraft carriers. That's a lot of firepower.

Understatement of the decade

I wasn't that old when they invaded, but still remember enough. On behalf on all Kuwaitis, I truly thank all of you for liberating my country. To all who served from the bottom of my heart thank you. I cant offer much but in the unlikely event that if any of you visit here again you have a place to stay. Bless you all.

They mentioned the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing. My homies from Eglin AFB in Fort Walton Beach Florida. My dad was stationed at Hurlburt Field which is part of Eglin. Hurlburt Field is where Jimmy Doolittle and his Raiders practiced short take offs for the mission to light up Tokyo. 33rd use to practice touch and go landings where the runway crossed US-98. If you're not use to it it surprises you. C130 Spectre Gunships also are also stationed at Hurlburt and it will startle you when it crosses 98 at tree top level. My dad supervised fueling the C130s.

Thank you for all who served in that crazy war. ❤❤❤

Hauling tank ammo behind 3AD an Apache came to our rescue, The M-1s were moving so fast they missed a couple of T-62s our AT-4s stopped 1 the other was out of range the Apache got him with a Hellfire missile .

The logistics to initiate and pursue the campaign are just staggering… a salute to all who participated.

Thanks for posting these awesome shows 👏

My late uncle retired Major USAF said to me 1 time that Navy/Marine pilots were nuts taking off and landing on a moving runway but added he would gladly fly along with any of them...

I remember being amazed at the firepower and especially the technology.  The weapons we have now are downright scary, even to those whose job it is to deploy them. A.I. will come into play heavily in future wars.

Thanks Dad, he was a E6 SSGT of a structural maintenance mechanic

this was awesome! my mom was a truck driver during this and she was so glad that she had the air power to guarantee her safety

Wonderful documentary. The true capabilities and value of Air Power was on showcsse in this war and earned the utmost respect that was deserved fior the accomplishments achieved