Lest We Forget . . .
Thirty years ago – on 2 August 1990, at 2AM local time (7PM EDT on 1 August) – Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait.
By the end of 4 August 1990, Iraq had conquered Kuwait. Iraq immediately set up a puppet government (the Republic of Kuwait); Iraq then purportedly annexed Kuwait as it’s “19th Governorate” (AKA “19th province”) a few weeks later.
This invasion led directly to US involvement in the 1991 Gulf War. Operation DESERT SHIELD began on 8 August.
Category: Historical, We Remember
Feeling older, watched it on AFN Germany. And deployed a bit later.
Been there, done that. I too deployed from Germany with 2AD.
30 years, man how time flies.
Wait’ll it’s almost sixty: VN 65-66…
BTW, no disrespect meant–I have the greatest respect and admiration for those who had to fight in that damned desert. I’ll take the jungle and the mountains anytime.
Just remarking on how time flies…
Me too. Too damn many scorpions, poisonous bugs, and snakes in the desert.
Oh, wait……
I volunteered, but was told “no” (in other words, we already have enough people to kick Saddams ass, we don’t need any more”). Had a former roommate of mine from Ft. Riley killed (in a non combat accident) over there. Can’t remember if it was while hostilities were still ongoing…
I was glued to the TV screen. Live broadcasts 24 hrs/day. I think it was CSPAN carrying the live stuff.
Was like watching ‘Nam on TV as a kid.
Yep. Remember it well.
And we are STILL elbow deep in that Tar Baby. (Step) Son was on leave from the 24th Mech, we’d been out fishing when a message was left on the land line to get his azz back to Stewart.
Nephew was finishing MLRS at Sill. Brother J put his B1B in the air from Elsworth in Dakota.
Somebody rattle/boot up my memory banks, but wasn’t there some US grubmint official that told the Iraqis that we had no concerns about the security of Kuwait? And that the Iraqis took that as a signal that we would not take any action if they jumped over the border?
Yup. Was in college for 1990- 91 action, went to grad school, got commissioned and still a “Gulf War-era veteran” ’cause I entered active service before 30 NOV 95.
April Glaspie, Ambassador to Iraq. She told Iraq the US wasn’t taking sides on disputes between Iraq and Kuwait. Dems say she encouraged Saddam to invade Kuwait.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Glaspie
Transcript of Glaspie meeting with Saddam Hussein
http://www.harbornet.com/folks/theedrich/hive/Misc/April_Glaspie.htm
Your memory still functions … from NY Times –
CONFRONTATION IN THE GULF; U.S. Gave Iraq Little Reason Not to Mount Kuwait Assault
https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/23/world/confrontation-in-the-gulf-us-gave-iraq-little-reason-not-to-mount-kuwait-assault.html
Wasn’t activated until after DS/DS was over, and did my tour at CENTCOM Headquarters at MacDill AFB in Tampa. Was engrossed daily in post-DS/DS AOR matters, but from afar. Got to meet USCINCCENT GEN Schwarzkopf at a command ceremony after he returned from the AOR. Did not deploy into the Iraqi Sandbox until the OIF sequel, but that is another story…
Let’s see……
I was in Hawaii, Schofield Barracks, 88-92, (615th?) Maint for the 24th Dimension (ID).
I don’t recall that there was any active “recruiting” for DS/DS.
Doing college (International Relation… summer session courses, even) when invasion happened.
Got home from 6 months in Honduras late June. Sh*thead invaded and we started gearing up for Saudi. Arrived in country, staying in abandoned wooden barracks with no running water or toilets. By December found myself on a support team at KKMC living in tents. January, air war kicked off and in Feb the ground invasion started. We scorched earth for 4 days and then it all stopped. At the time I said that was premature nd we would be back. Lo and behold, some 12 years, my oldest son would be part of the invasion force in 2003. And we are still there and in Af-trashistan……sigh……
That’s what happens when “experts” make the decisions.
On spec op when Iraq went in, didn’t know full story for another month.
Watched the air war kick off as we were making preps to head into shipyard.
Was a recently discharged Naval veteran, and enlisted in the Army on August 26th since SoDamn Insane drew a line in the sand, and I wanted to see it. Landed in Daharan KSA 26 Feb 91.
I remember driving to Newark Aitport on the 1-9 truck rte and seeing Armor sitting on flat bed freight trains moving on the railroad tracks. No idea where they were going. The Brooklyn Navy yard was still occupied by the Military and I remember we left Brinks and I made the right turn onto the BQE service road and passed the main gate and the Marines had sandbags up with an M-60 behind the bags on each side. Blew the horn and gave them the thumbs up.