Persian Gulf War, 1991 - American Wars - TimeLines of Liberty

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(2nd Persian Gulf War) The Persian Gulf War (Gulf War I)
1991
Last updated August, 2005.

Pre-war 1988-1989-1990 - The War 1991
Post War-1992-1993-1994-1995-1996-1997-1998-1999
Dates may be off by one day depending upon whether Eastern Standard Time or Saudi time.
Gulf War Statistics - Military Poetry

1988

May

Dismayed by the increased use of chemical warfare between Iraq and Iran, U.N. Resolution 612 was passed on May 9th, condemning both Iraq and Iran for the continued use of chemical weapons in the conflict between the two countries.

1988

Mar.

Iraqi government forces use a Weapon of Mass Destruction on the Iraqi Kurdish town of Halabja on March 16th. The poison gas attack caused a casualty count that may be as high as 7,000. Chemical agents used include mustard gas and the nerve agents Sarin, Tabun, and VX. The chemical attack is the largest against a civilian population in modern times.

1988

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 619, August 9th, establishes the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group.

1988

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 620, August 26th, condemns the use of chemical warfare by both countries of the Iran-Iraq conflict.

1989

Feb.

U.N. Resolution 631, February 8, extends the mandate of the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group for nearly 8 months.

1989

Oct.

National Security Directive 26 (NSD-26) the U.S. Policy Toward the Persian Gulf was signed by President George H. W. Bush on October 3rd. The directive states, "The United States should propose economic and political incentives for Iraq to moderate its behavior and to increase our influence."

1990

Mar.

British journalist, Farzad Bazoft is hung in Iraq. He was accused of spying.

1990

Mar.

U.N. Resolution 651, March 29, 1990, extends the mission of the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group for six months.

1990

Apr.

In April Saddam Hussein states in an announcement Iraq would, "make the fire eat up half of Israel."

1990

Jul.

Saddam Hussein accuses Kuwait of theft of oil from the Rumailia Oil Field and of overproduction of oil, on July 17th.

1990

Jul.

On July 24th, Secretary of the Navy Lawrence Garrett tells a congressional committee, "our ships in the Persian Gulf were at a 'heightened state of vigilance,' " Later his spokesman claims Garrett made a mistake.

1990

Jul.

State Department spokeswoman Margaret Tutweiler states on July 24th, "we do not have any defense treaties with Kuwait, and there are no special defense or security commitments to Kuwait."

1990

Jul.

"We have no opinion on the Arab-Arab conflicts, like your border disagreement with Kuwait." U.S. Ambassador April Glaspie speaking in a meeting with Saddam Hussein on July 25th. Some people have believed this statement was a "green light" to Saddam with plans to invade Kuwait the next week.

1990

Jul.

The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee is told by Assistant Secretary of State John Kelly, on July 30, that the U. S. has no obligation to aid Kuwait, should an invasion by Iraqi forces occur.

1990

Jul.

A meeting in the "tank" (Joint Chief of Staff's secure conference room) on July 31st was chaired by General Colin Powell to discuss the situation. The Defense Intelligence Agency insisted an Iraqi attack was imminent. Lt. Gen. Thomas Kelly (director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff) states, "They're not going to invade. This is a shakedown." General Norman Schwarzkopf had been told by a senior Kuwaiti military official that Kuwait was not going on alert to not, "play Saddam's game and give him an excuse to attack." The consensus among the key leaders was that Saddam was only bluffing.

1990

Jul.

During the night of July 31st Iraqi tankers fueled, preparing for the push into Kuwait. When dawn breaks they begin rolling towards Kuwait.

1990

Aug.

By August the U.S. Air Force will have purchased 59 F-117 stealth aircraft.

1990

Aug.

Col. John Mooneyham (chief of the U.S. military liaison office in Kuwait) receives a phone call at 11 p.m. on August 1st. Westinghouse Company civilian contractors observe, on radar, a massive armor formation heading towards the Kuwaiti border.

1990

Aug.

Iraqi forces under orders of Saddam Hussein invade Kuwait on August 2nd, just after midnight.

1990

Aug.

In the early hours of August 2nd, the Tawakalna mechanized and Hammurabi armored divisions of the Iraqi Republican Guard attacked along Highway 6 that leads from Safwan. The Medina armored division heads west through the Rumaylah oil fields.

1990

Aug.

Another early August 2nd morning attack was executed by Iraqi warships firing upon Kuwait City. Helicopters and small craft are used by Iraqi special forces commandos to assault the city, attacking government buildings and the emir's Dasman and Bayan palaces.

1990

Aug.

Daybreak of August 2nd allows the Iraqi MiG-23 Flogger and Su-25 Frogfoot jets their attack on the two Kuwaiti airfields. In the space of five hours after the border crossing the Iraqi forces had secured Kuwait City.

1990

Aug.

About the mid-day of August 2nd elements of the Kuwait 35th brigade is pushed into the neutral zone of Saudi Arabia by the Iraqi forces. It is later revealed that many feared the Iraqi invasion of Saudi Arabia.

1990

Aug.

The U.N. Security Council adopts Resolution 660 on August 2nd, 1990, condemning Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and demands the withdrawal of Iraqi troops. It was passed by the U.N. Security Council with a vote of 14 to 0.

1990

Aug.

Iraqi military leaders failed to consider the one-hour time difference between Kuwait City and Baghdad which contributed to the botching of the plans to capture the Kuwait royal family. The senior royal family members had escaped to Saudi Arabia.

1990

Aug.

On August 3rd Kuwait Air Force (KAF) A-4Q Skyhawk and French Mirage F1 pilots had been flying sorties against the Iraqi units. After their bases had been over ran they retreat to Saudi Arabia and Bahraiin.

1990

Aug.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 661, August 7th, Responds to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, ordering a world wide trade embargo against Iraq. Iraq is barred from selling oil on the international market.

1990

Aug.

Secretary of Defense Cheney visits Saudi Arabia on August 7th.

1990

Aug.

The 82nd Airborne and several fighter squadrons are dispatched to the gulf on August 7th.

1990

Aug.

Having not mentioned the use of force the Soviet Union claimed the U.N. Charter and Resolution 661 lacked authority to do more than compel voluntary compliance.

1990

Aug.

On August 8th Iraq annexes Kuwait.

1990

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 662, August 9, 1990, "Demanding once again that Iraq withdraw immediately and unconditionally all its forces to the positions in which they were located on 1 August 1990." It also declares the annexation of Kuwait by Iraq invalid.

1990

Aug.

On August 11th the first seven B-52G bombers from Loring Air Force Base in Maine, sent by the Strategic Air Command, arrived at Diego Garcia airbase in the Indian Ocean with full conventional weapons loads. By August 16th the Strategic Air Command will have dispatched 20 B-52G bombers to the war theater.

1990

Aug.

General Colin Powell issues the first order to "quarantine" on August 11th. Hours later the orders are changed to "interception." General Schwarzkopf orders Operation Stigma, a maritime interception operation.

1990

Aug.

An interdiction of Iraqi shipping program is announced by the U.S. on August 12th.

1990

Aug.

Operation Stigma commences on August 17th.

1990

Aug.

The USS England intercepts two cargo ships, the Al Abid and the Al Bayaa, in the Persian Gulf on August 17th. General Schwarzkopf allows two "empty" cargo ships to continue to Iraq. Schwarzkopf is called by General Colin Powell and is reprimanded for disobeying orders. Schwarzkopf replies with, "Now that you've made it clear what you want, the next tanker that comes through, we'll blow it away."

1990

Aug.

On August 18th the first shots of Operation Desert Shield are fired.

1990

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 664, August 18th, 1990, requires Iraq allow "third-State nationals access to their consulates and that Iraq take no action against such persons.

1990

Aug.

Among interceptions of Iraqi ships on late August 18th the frigate USS Reid intercepts an Iraqi tanker, the Khaniqin, while in Iranian waters. With confirmation to disable the civilian ship Vice Adm. Henry H. Mauz tells Schwarzkopf he will wait until morning to avoid a night engagement. President Bush decides to allow the Khaniqin to continue and then the .

1990

Aug.

Interception operations are suspended on August 19th with frantic diplomatic activity following.

1990

Aug.

The first squadron of stealth bombers, numbering 18 F-117s, are deployed to King Khalid Air Base at Khamis Mushait on August 21st.

1990

Aug.

The Armed Services Surgeons General agrees with intelligence assessments that U.S. forces should be vaccinated against the biological weapons Iraq had engineered which, it was believed, included anthrax.

1990

Aug.

The Call up of the Reserves is authorized by President Bush on August 22nd.

1990

Aug.

Beginning August 23rd Navy SEALs conduct nightly patrols along the Kuwaiti shores. SEAL platoons and Saudi naval commandos will have maintained a continual presence north of Al-Khafji, near the Kuwaiti border, by October.

1990

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 665 is approved on August 25th authorizing the enforcement of the sanction of Resolution 661 using, "...such measures commensurate to the specific circumstances as may be necessary under the authority of the Security Council to halt all inward and outward maritime shipping...."

1990

Aug.

Gen. Schwarzkopf issued an order on August 30 that places restrictions on the troops to accommodate Islamic Law and Arabic customs. Instructions were given to remove any religious insignia in the presence of Saudi personnel. Worship services were held in secret behind closed doors away form Saudi citizens.

1990

Sep.

On September 5th Salman Pak was identified in the New York Times as Iraq's biological weapons facility. It would later be speculated that Salman Pak would be a target for an air attack by allied forces.

1990

Sep.

The last special operations AC-130 gunship, with 962 fixed-wing aircraft and over 1000 helicopters, arrives on September 12th at King Fahd airport in Saudi Arabia.

1990

Sep.

U.N. Resolution 666, September 13, 1990, addresses humanitarian concerns expecting "... Iraq to comply with its obligations under resolution 664..."

1990

Sep.

Several diplomatic missions in Kuwait City are stormed on September 14th, by Iraqi forces.

1990

Sep.

CIA Director William Webster publicly acknowledged in September, Iraq had a "sizable stockpile" of biological weapons.

1990

Sep.

U.N. Resolution 667, September 16, 1990, invokes the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (April 18, 1963) in condemning Iraq for the closures of the diplomatic and consular missions in Kuwait and withdrawing the privileges and immunities of the missions and their personnel.

1990

Sep.

The ground war offensive planning began on September 18th under the cloak of secrecy.

1990

Sep.

U.N. Resolution 669, September 24, 1990, pertains to a request by the Jordanian Government for relief from effects of the implementation of resolution 661.

1990

Sep.

U.N. Resolution 670, September 25, 1990 pertains to flights and shipping and rights of nations to inspect those in route to Iraq or Kuwait passing through their territorial waters or airspace.

1990

Sep.

U.N. Resolution 671, September 27, 1990, extends the mission of the U.N. Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group for two months.

1990

Oct.

Secretary Cheney (later becomes Vice President Cheney) abandons efforts, on October 2nd, to gain permission to base B-52s in the Gulf. Many Gulf countries did not want any symbol of America's nuclear arsenal in their country. Saudi Arabia eventually allows the B-52 bombers to be based at Jeddah but that the deployment be kept secret and the aircraft not be delivered until the air attack begins.

1990

Oct.

Unverified reports say that Saddam Hussein visited Kuwait City on October 3rd and orders the execution of renegade soldiers who pillaged and plundered without authorization.

1990

Oct.

Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf at his Central Command headquarters in Riyadh on October 6th receives a phone call from General Colin Powell informing of the need for a briefing on the state of offensive planning for Iraq.

1990

Oct.

At the White House on October 11th, President Bush is briefed on the ground and air efforts, by Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Robert Johnston, Schwarzkopf's chief of staff, and Brig. Gen. Buster Glosson, head of the Black Hole. This meeting generated the "left hook" ground offensive and the deploying of the VII Corps of the U.S. Army from Europe.

1990

Oct.

Secretary Cheney orders development of options for an attack in western Iraq. These plans emphasized the concentration on fixed and mobile Scud missile launches.

1990

Oct.

U.N. Resolution 674, October 29, 1990, again reiterates the condemnation of the invasion of Kuwait and Demands Iraqi forces stop taking third-State nationals hostage and "the mistreating and oppressing Kuwaiti and third-State nationals..."

1990

Oct.

Tom Foley, House Speaker presents President Bush a letter on October 31st, signed by 81 democrats. Raising concerns of an imminent offensive they write, "We believe the consequences would be catastrophic, resulting in the massive loss of lives, including 10,000-50,000 Americans." They also stated they were, "emphatically opposed to any offensive military action."

1990

Oct.

At a White House meeting on October 31st President Bush approves a deployment of the Army's VII Corp from Europe. He decides to wait until after the congressional elections to make it public.

1990

Nov.

The deploying of the VII Corps of the U.S. Army from Europe is announced on November 8th, to give an "offensive option" to U.S. forces.

1990

Nov.

Public Opinion had been divided over the war; after President Bush's announcement to double the forces in in the Gulf, his approval rating dropped to its lowest point. Those closer to the conflict were much more supportive of action against Iraq than the public who were not privy to all that led up to and continued the conflict.

1990

Nov.

The Kuwaiti resistance, by November, was finding itself contained by the Iraqi occupying forces. This limited Special Operations Forces forces attempts to organize the resistance movement inside Kuwait.

1990

Nov.

The U.N. Security Council Resolution 678 is passed on November 11th, ordering Saddam to withdraw Iraqi forces from Kuwait and free all hostages by January 15th, 1991. The order authorized military intervention if Iraq did not comply.

1990

Nov.

During a CNN interview, on November 16th President Bush says, "I am going to preserve all options."

1990

Nov.

In Washington D.C. 45 Democrats file a law suit, on November 20th, to require the President to seek Congressional approval prior to ordering military operations; the suit is eventually thrown out of court.

1990

Nov.

On Thanksgiving President Bush visited the Troops in Saudi Arabia and states, "Those who would measure the timetable for Saddam Hussein's atomic weapons program in years may be underestimating the reality of the situation and the gravity of the threat," continuing his address to the soldiers, "Every day that passes brings Saddam one step closer to realizing his goal of a nuclear weapons arsenal, and that's why more and more, your mission is marked by a real sense of urgency."

1990

Nov.

U.N. Resolution 676, November 28, 1990, extends the mission of the United Nations Iran-iraq Military Observer Group for two months.

1990

Nov.

U.N. Resolution 677, November 28, 1990. condemns Iraq for attempts "to alter the demographic composition of Kuwait and to destroy the civil records maintained by the legitimate Government of Kuwait."

1990

Nov.

Final authorization is given by the UN Security Council in Resolution 678 on November 29th, to use force should Iraq fail to withdraw from Kuwait by midnight EST January 15 (8 a.m. Saudi time).

1990

Nov.

President Bush on November 30th, invites Tariq Aziz to Washington D.C. offering to send Secretary of State James Baker to Baghdad.

1990

Dec.

A Scud missile is test launched on December 2nd, the first since the Iraqi invasion. Three missiles were launched from Al Amarah New Airfield, south of Baghdad half way to Basra.

1990

Dec.

The Iraqi Air Force fly 209 sorties with one being a reconnaissance mission looking for the possibility of Israeli and coalition activity as a result of the Iraqi test launches of Scud missiles.

1990

Dec.

A second squadron of stealth aircraft, numbering 20 F-117s, is deployed to Saudi Arabia on December 3rd.

1990

Dec.

President Bush's concentration on the potential threat of Saddam's nuclear weapons eased some public concerns as reflected in a USA Today poll released on December 3rd showing Bush's approval rating had climbed 6 points from the previous week.

1990

Dec.

The last of 59 stealth (F-117) aircraft is delivered in early December.

1990

Dec.

Iraq's highest level of sorties since the invasion has Saddam's air warriors flying 213 sorties

1990

Dec.

Sometime in December President Bush had privately decided not to retaliate with nuclear weapons even if Saddam used chemical munitions. Secretary of State James Baker later says, "There was obviously no reason to inform the Iraqis of this."

1990

Dec.

The bio-defense vaccine plan is approved on December 19th by Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney. Special Operations Forces are the first to receive the inoculations as they were administered on a priority basis beginning on January 17, 1991.

1990

Dec.

The final war council of Desert Shield is held on December 20th when Saudi Arabia military commanders sit down with Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin Powell, and Under Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz.

1990

Dec.

Plans for a second front, the preliminary operations order for Combined Joint Task Force Proven Force, is completed on December 21st.

1991 The War

1991

Jan.

Baker and Aziz meet for 6 hours in Geneva with no results.

1991

Jan.

A resolution is passed by the U.S. Congress on January 12th that authorizes President Bush to use military force to repel Iraq from Kuwait.

1991

Jan.

President Bush gathers a coalition of nations to help in the enforcement of the U.N. Resolution 678. Saudi Arabia allows a U.S. led Coalition Base to be set up within its borders.

1991

Jan.

The United Nations deadline for the Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait expired on January 15th, with its being ignored by Saddam Hussein. President Bush begins preparing for the start of Operation Desert Storm.

1991

Jan.

Seven B-52 bombers take off from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana on January 16th, for a 35-hour, 14,000-mile flight (the longest in Air Force history) to Iraq.

1991

Day 1

The U.S. Government makes the first statement of Operation Desert Storm.

1991

Jan. 17

Operation Desert Storm air attacks begin at 3am in Iraq on January 17. Massive air and missile sorties target Iraq and Kuwait. President George Bush declares, "We will not fail."

1991

Jan. 17

"The liberation of Kuwait has begun..." states Marlin Fitzwater,

1991

Jan. 17

Special Operations Forces are the first to receive the the bio-defense vaccinations on January 17, 1991 Eventually 150,000 soldiers will receive the inoculations.

1991

Jan. 17

Looking back on January 17th Lt. Gen. Charles Horner later says, "We flew in one day as many sorties as [Saddam] faced in eight years of war with Iran,"

1991

Jan. 17

Gen. Schwarzkopf on January 17 defines the first military objective to "attack Iraqi political/military leadership and command and control." The only time in Operation Desert Storm the objective stated to "attack" rather than "destroy."

1991

Jan. 17

During the night of the first air attacks 36 stealth f-117s would have crisscrossed Kuwait and Iraq, dropping bombs on a variety of targets.

1991

Jan. 17

The Stealth bombers attacked 30% of the strategic targets and were responsible for 47% of targets destroyed.

1991

Jan. 17

Attempting to provoke Israel, Iraq launches the first Scud missile at Israel, on January 17th.

1991

Jan. 17

The worse incident of collateral damage was when an air-launched cruise missile missed its target by 300 feet hitting an 8 story apartment building killing 11 civilians and injuring 49.

1991

Jan. 17

On January 17th, when Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney arrived at the Capitol to review the day's events, the members of Congress rose and cheered.

1991

Day 2

The Pentagon announces on January 18th that 2000 sorties would be flown daily during the initial phase to maintain 24 hour pressure on the Iraqi government and forces.

1991

Jan. 18

Iraqi President Hussein declareson January 18th, "The great showdown has begun! The mother of all battles is under way."

1991

Jan. 18

The first anti-missile of the war, a U.S. Patriot missile intercepts and downs a scud missile launched at Saudi Arabia on January 18th.

1991

Day 3
Jan. 19

Speculation of retaliation by Israel for the Scud attack is suppressed on January 19th, when President Bush announces Israel's promise to not retaliate.

1991

Day 4

America begins to defend Israel, using Patriot missiles, after the second attack of 3 Scud missile kills 17 in Tel Aviv, Israel on January 20th. Iraq will have launched several with only 8 Scud missiles making it into Israel during the war.

1991

Jan. 20

The first Iraqi prisoners of war are captured in a raid on Kuwait oil platforms by U.S. troops on January 20th.

1991

Day 5

Captured Allied Airmen are interviewed on Iraqi TV on January 21sth.

1991

Jan. 21

10 Scud missiles are fired at Saudi Arabia on January 21st; none reach their target with nine destroyed by Patriot Missiles and one falling off-shore.

1991

Day 6

With 8000 sorties in five days U.S. officials reveal on January 22nd the elusiveness of the Scud missile launchers that still remain a threat.

1991

Jan. 22

On January 22nd Iraq claim to be using Allied prisoners of war as human shields in attempts to deflect Allied air attacks.

1991

Day 7

Iraq fires 6 Scud missiles into Saudi Arabia on January 23rd. A Patriot missile intercepts, destroying one Scud while the other 5 fall in areas of no consequence.

1991

Jan. 23

Iraqi troops set oil tanks and oil wells on fire on January 23rd.

1991

Jan. 23

A Scud missile kills three people in Tel Aviv, Saudi Arabia on January 23rd, when U.S. Patriot missiles fail to take it down.

1991

Day 8

Saddam Hussein claims the Allied planes bombed a baby-formula plant on January 24th. The U.S. officials say it was a chemical factory.

1991

Jan. 24

Scuds are fired at Israel and Saudi Arabia on January 24th resulting with no casualties.

1991

Jan. 24

The U.S. President, George H. W. Bush on January 24th makes a statement suggesting Saddam Hussein should be brought to "justice" and that the removal of Saddam as Iraqi president be goal.

1991

Day 9

Allied air sorties surpass 15,000 on January 25th.

1991

Jan. 25

Two oil slicks moving south of Kuwait was reported on January 25th by Saudi officials. Iraq lays blame on the bombing while the Allies say the oil was released by Iraqi troops.

1991

Day 10

Japan announces on January 26th it will send military aircraft for assistance in a non-combat capacity.

1991

Jan. 26

On January 26th Iraqi warplanes land in Iran and are seized by the Iranian military.

1991

Jan. 26

Two people are killed by Scud missiles that are fired on January 26th at Israel and Saudi Arabia.

1991

Day 11

An unpredicted ten days of low cloud cover with 3 times the normal precipitation caused more then a third of planned F-117 strikes to be diverted or cancelled during the first ten days. By the end of the war half of all planned strikes would be affected by the weather.

1991

Jan. 27

U.S. F-15s down three Iraqi MiG-23s on January 27th in the first major dog fight of the war.

1991

Jan. 27

It is confirmed by the Pentagon on January 27th, the the USS Louisville is the first submarine to launch a cruise missile in combat.

1991

Jan. 27

Iraq fires more Scud missiles into Israel and Saudi Arabia with no casualties resulting.

1991

Jan. 27

On January 27th in Washington D.C. it is reported that more than 75,000 protestors march.

1991

Jan. 27

In an interviewed with Peter Arnett on January 27th, Saddam Hussein appeared on CNN and promises, "blood ... lots of blood ... let not the fickle politicians deceive you ... by dividing the battle into air and land parts - war is war."

1991

Jan. 27

Saudi Arabia's industrial and desalination plants and the coast environment is threatened by the growing massive oil spill.

1991

Jan. 27

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powell personally orders General Schwarzkopf to direct British and American Special Operations forces into full-scale Scud missile hunt.

1991

Day 12

To stop Iraq from continued dumping of oil into the gulf the Allies bomb the occupied oil facilities in Kuwait on January 28th.

1991

Jan. 28

Among many concerns about terrorism, the Super Bowl XXV has no incidences.

1991

Day 13
Jan. 29

Allied pilots injured in the bombing raids are claimed by Iraq on January 29th to have been captured.

1991

Day 14

Iraqi troops advance into Saudi Arabia taking Khafji, on January 30th.

1991

Jan. 30

A battalion force of U.S. Marines fire artillery, mortars, TOW missiles at Iraqi bunkers a half-mile away in Kuwait in the larges ground battle yet on January 30th. There were no U.S. casualties.

1991

Jan. 30

The U.S. and Soviet Union present an offer of a cease-fire in exchange for an unequivocal commitment to withdraw. Saddam Hussein refuses the offer.

1991

Jan. 30

As of January 30th U.S. forces exceed 500,000 in the Gulf.

1991

Day 15

The advancement of Iraqi tanks and thousands of troops into Saudi Arabia is suppressed by U.S., Saudi, and Qatari troops on January 31st. Eleven Marines are killed.

1991

Jan. 31

U.N. Resolution 685, January 31st pertains to Iraq and Islamic Republic of Iran and extends the mission of the U.N. Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group.

1991

Jan. 31

The Scud threat is being reduced by the Allied air supremacy says General Norman Schwarzkopf, on January 31st.

1991

Day 16

Khafji, Saudi Arabia is retaken by Saudi and Qatari troops backed by U.S. artillery on February 1st.

1991

Feb. 1

Sheik Abdul-Aziz Bin Baz, the Saudi leading interpreter of Islamic law calls Saddam Hussein an "enemy of God."

1991

Day 17
Feb. 2

A 10-mile long Iraqi armored column headed into Saudi Arabia is bombed on February 2nd by the Allied Air Forces.

1991

Day 18
Feb. 3

Iraq launches 2 Scuds into Israel with no casualties. A Patriot missile downs a Scud over Saudi Arabia that injures two people.

1991

Day 19

The 40,000 sortie mark is reach on February 3rd, in the Allied air campaign. (Only 30,000 missions were flown against Japan in the last 14 months of World War II.)

1991

Feb. 4

A Nasiriyah marketplace is hit by a misguided bomb on February 4th.

1991

Day 20

Official relations between the United States and Iraq is restored on February 5th, after Iran offers to mediate peace talks with Iraq.

1991

Feb. 5

The Battleship Missouri fires into Kuwait at Iraqi positions on February 5th. It is the first time a ship has fired in combat since the Korean War.

1991

Day 21

The Air Force begins to target tanks on February 6th, without spotters on the ground. The camouflaged tanks would collect heat during the day and stand out at dusk with use of the infrared sensors on the aircrafts.

1991

Feb. 6

On February 6th, an Iraqi probe at the Saudi-Kuwait border is repelled by the first combat action, of the war, by Syrian forces.

1991

Feb. 6

Jordan's King Hussein on February 6th, condemns the American bombardments expressing his support for Iraq.

1991

Feb. 6

Heating and transportation problems are made worse on February 6th, when Iraq suspends fuel sales to civilians.

1991

Day 22

The first U.S. ground Scud mission involved 16 Delta commandos on February 7th.

1991

Feb. 7

120 Iraqi aircraft had already flown to Iran. Four Iraqi jets try to join them and are shot down by U.S. F-15 fighter planeson February 7th.

1991

Day 23

Defense Secretary Dick Cheney and Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell on February 8th, leave for the gulf theater to assess the war. Cheney and Powell are the President's top war advisors.

1991

Feb. 8

The Battleship USS Wisconsin fires its 16-inch guns at targets in Kuwait, joining the USS Missouri on February 8th. It is the first firing of the guns in combat for the Wisconsin since the Korean War.

1991

Day 24
Feb. 9

While in route to Saudi Arabia on February 9th, Defense Secretary Dick Cheney gives the strongest indication to date the ground war is coming closer to a close.

1991

Day 25

Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell, Desert Storm commander General Norman Schwarzkopf and other military leaders meet for more than eight hours on February 10th.

1991

Feb.10

Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev sends an envoy to Baghdad for talks with Saddam Hussein and warns military operations against Iraq may exceed the U.N. mandate.

1991

Day 26

The second time since the war began, Saddam Hussein addresses his nation, pledging victory and praising the people of Iraq for their "steadfastness, faith and light in the chests of Iraqis."

1991

Feb.11

The mainstream media had been relaying Saddam's propaganda. White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said in a February 11th briefing that Saddam "has a very extensive PR effort and it's disturbing to find ... that somebody is buying it,".

1991

Day 27

President Bush says the alliance is in no hurry to begin the ground war after a meeting with two top military advisors on February 12th.

1991

Feb.12

Egyptian News reports of February 12th state, the Iraq government estimates more than 15,000 Iraqi troops killed.

1991

Day 28

The largest action of warfare in the war so far is on February 13th when Allied forces begin a combined barrage from land, sea and air against the occupying forces in Kuwait.

1991

Feb.13

Officials estimate a cost of 1 billion dollars over 6-months to fight the damage by the oil slick that has come ashore along the Saudi coast.

1991

Day 29

A Baghdad underground bunker, the Amiriyah shelter, identified by U.S. military intelligence as a military facility, is destroyed by two bombs, one a laser-guided "smart bomb" dropped by two U.S. Stealth fighters, on February 14th. Hundreds are killed and Iraqi officials claim the bunker was a bomb shelter. Confirmation of it being a command post came in 1994 or '95 when the head of Iraqi military intelligence defects to the west.

1991

Feb.14

During the first weeks of February American public opinion had rose to 45%, approving of the use of nuclear weapons to avoid the massive U.S. deaths of a ground campaign.

1991

Day 30

The Pentagon releases figures on February 15th that more than 1,300 of Iraq's 4,280 tanks have been destroyed, as well as 800 of 2,870 armored vehicles and 1,100 of 3,110 artillery components.

1991

Feb.15

The United Nations Security Council discusses the war in a closed session on February 15th.

1991

Day 31

The suburbs of Baghdad are bombed by American and British war planes on February 16th. 3 civilians were killed and at least 11 others injured.

1991

Feb.16

Iraq says on February 16th it will withdraw form Kuwait if certain conditions are met, among them include the Israeli withdrawal from the Arab occupied territories, forgiveness of Iraqi debts and Allied payment of costs of rebuilding Iraq. President George Bush dismisses the offer as a "cruel hoax."

1991

Feb.16

Allied forces continue moving supplies to the front preparing for a ground war.

1991

Day 32

The first nighttime raids by U.S. attack helicopters on Iraqi positions are on February 17th.

1991

Feb.17

130 civilians are killed by British Tornado jet strikes, claim Iraqi authorities.

1991

Feb.17

The southern part of Israel is the first target by Iraqi Scud missiles when two are launched but cause no casualties.

1991

Feb.17

Tariq Aziz, Iraq's foreign minister, travels to Moscow to discuss a possible negotiated end to the war.

1991

Feb.17

Abdul Amir al-Anbari, Iraq's ambassador to the U.N., claims Iraq will use its Weapons of Mass Destruction if the U.S. continues the bombing.

1991

Feb.17

U.S. officials claim that Iraq purposely staged damage of civilian areas to use in its propaganda.

1991

Day 33

Iraq's occupation of Kuwait will end "very, very soon," says President Bush on February 18th.

1991

Feb.18

20 Iraqis surrender to an Apache helicopter crew in one of seven clashes between U.S. and Iraqi troops along the Saudi Arabia and Kuwait border.

1991

Feb.18

Tariq Aziz, Iraq's foreign minister, says it's up to the Allies to act on Iraq's peace proposal. His comment was made while in route for talks in Moscow with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev on February 18th.

1991

Feb.18

The percentage of Iraq's forces in Kuwait that have been killed or wounded is estimated at 15 percent, on February 18th by officials of U.S. military intelligence.

1991

Day 34

The warships USS Tripoli and USS Princeton are damaged by mines in the Persian Gulf on February 19th but remain operational.

1991

Feb.19

A US. Air Force helicopter search team on February 19th rescues a U.S. pilot from Iraq, 40 miles north of the Saudi border. He had parachuted to safety when his plane was disabled.

1991

Day 35

Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz's return from Moscow with a Soviet peace proposal is reported by Baghdad Radio on February 20th.

1991

Feb.20

The Soviet Proposal falls short of what Iraq needs to concede to end the war, President Bush says, "well short."

1991

Feb.20

On February 20th Iranian news reports 20,000 Iraqis dead and 60,000 wounded per an Iraqi official.

1991

Feb.20

Targets inside Kuwait have been bombarded with heavy artillery fire by U.S. Marines for two days straight.

1991

Feb.20

Officials of the Saudi government report the gulf oil slick is smaller than feared being only 60 million gallons and not 400 million.

1991

Day 36

In fighting along the Saudi border one American is killed and seven wounded on February 21th.

1991

Feb.21