On the evening of January 16, 1991, many Americans sat in front of their televisions and watched the start of a war. Coalition aircraft were striking targets in Iraq and Kuwait, opening Operation Desert Storm. Because of the time difference, the attacks actually began in the early hours of January 17 in the Persian Gulf. Marine Corps aviators were part of that opening air campaign, and for thousands of Marine families back home, January 16 became a night of waiting and worry.
Quick Facts
- Operation: Desert Storm, the coalition effort to force Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.
- Start of the air campaign: Early morning of January 17, 1991, local time in the Gulf, which was the evening of January 16 in the eastern United States.
- Marine aviation command: 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, led by Major General Royal N. Moore Jr.
- First Marine strike: Marine Aircraft Group 11 launched a night strike against targets in southern Iraq, beginning at 4:00 a.m. local time on January 17.
- First day: The 3d Marine Aircraft Wing flew 144 combat sorties over Iraq and Kuwait.
- Whole campaign: The wing went on to fly more than 18,000 sorties.
The Road to January 16
Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. In the months that followed, the United States and a broad coalition of nations sent forces to Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region in what was called Operation Desert Shield. The Marine Corps deployed a large share of its strength, including ground units, logistics units, and the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing. The United Nations set January 15, 1991, as the deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait. When that deadline passed, Desert Shield gave way to Desert Storm.
January 16 or January 17?
Dates for this event can be confusing. The Persian Gulf is eight hours ahead of the eastern United States. The coalition air attacks began in the pre-dawn hours of January 17 in Iraq and Kuwait. In Washington, it was still the evening of January 16. That is why many Americans remember January 16 as the night the war started, while histories written from the Gulf often give January 17 as the first day. That same evening, President George H. W. Bush spoke to the nation from the Oval Office to explain why the coalition had begun military action.
Marine Aviation Joins the Fight
Marine aviation was ready from the opening hours. Marine Aircraft Group 11, based at Shaikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, operated F/A-18 Hornets, A-6E Intruders, EA-6B Prowlers, and KC-130 tankers. It was the largest Marine fixed-wing aircraft group ever assembled. At 4:00 a.m. local time on January 17, MAG-11 carried out the first Marine offensive action of the war, a coordinated night strike against strategic targets in southern Iraq. All of the Marine aircraft returned safely.
At dawn, more Marine squadrons joined in. Marine Aircraft Group 13 (Forward) sent AV-8B Harrier jump jets and OV-10 Bronco observation aircraft against targets in southern Kuwait. By the end of that first day, the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing had flown 144 combat sorties. Its commander, Major General Royal Moore, personally flew a number of missions during the campaign.
Weeks of Air Operations
The air campaign continued for more than five weeks before the ground offensive began in late February. During that time, Marine aircraft struck Iraqi positions, artillery, and supply lines, working to weaken the forces that Marine infantry and armor would soon face in Kuwait. Over the course of the operation, the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing flew more than 18,000 sorties. MAG-11 alone flew more than 7,500 combat sorties without losing an aircraft or a crew member. When the ground war came, Marine aviation shifted to supporting the Marines on the ground, which is exactly what the Corps trains its aviation to do.
Why the Marine Air-Ground Team Matters
The Marine Corps is built around the idea that air and ground forces fight as one team. Marine pilots train alongside the infantry they support, and many Marine aviators started out learning the same basics as every other Marine. Desert Storm showed that concept working on a large scale. The aircraft that opened the war on January 17 later flew close air support for the Marine divisions that pushed into Kuwait.
What This Means for Your Family
Many families of today’s recruits have a parent, aunt, uncle, or grandparent who served in or remembers the Gulf War. It can be meaningful to ask them about that January night and what it was like to wait for news. Those conversations help connect your recruit’s service to the people who came before.
Your recruit will learn in boot camp that every Marine is a rifleman first, whether they later fly jets, repair aircraft, or serve in the infantry. The Marines of the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing in 1991 included pilots, but also mechanics, ordnance specialists, fuel handlers, and air controllers, all working long hours to keep aircraft flying. If your Marine is headed toward an aviation job, they are joining that same team and that same tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Desert Storm start on January 16 or January 17, 1991?
Both dates are correct depending on where you were. The air attacks began in the early hours of January 17 in the Persian Gulf, which was the evening of January 16 in the eastern United States.
What was the first Marine Corps action of Desert Storm?
The first Marine offensive action was a night air strike by Marine Aircraft Group 11 against strategic targets in southern Iraq, beginning at 4:00 a.m. local time on January 17. All Marine aircraft returned safely.
Which Marine aircraft flew in the opening days?
Marine Aircraft Group 11 operated F/A-18 Hornets, A-6E Intruders, EA-6B Prowlers, and KC-130 tankers. AV-8B Harriers and OV-10 Broncos from Marine Aircraft Group 13 (Forward) joined at dawn on January 17.
Who commanded Marine aviation in Desert Storm?
Major General Royal N. Moore Jr. commanded the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, which controlled Marine aviation during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.