News Reader.info

The .gov means it’s official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you're connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and sent securely.

Desert Shield transitioned to Operation Desert Storm — the combat phase of the Gulf War in which the allied coalition forces.

These days, a retired Atlanta Gulf War soldier is far removed from combat, enjoying time with his grandchildren and volunteering at his church, but his memories of Operation Desert Shield

remain, 34 years later.

The 65-year-old Army Veteran was serving as a Howitzer gunner in Germany when his unit received the alert that they were mobilizing soon after President George Bush ordered the organization

of Operation Desert Shield on August 7, 1990, in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait on August 2.

“Operation Desert Shield was the effort of a coalition of 35 nations to defend Saudi Arabia from Iraqi aggression,” he said.  “In the months to follow, Desert Shield transitioned to

Operation Desert Storm — the combat phase of the Gulf War in which the allied coalition forces, led by the United States, liberated Kuwait.”

The Veteran, who spent 25 years on active duty, went on to describe how Desert Storm began in the air in January 1991 with the relentless bombing of targets in and around Baghdad. “The

subsequent ground offensive lasted a mere 100 hours from the start of the assault Feb. 24, 1991, until a cease-fire ended the fighting on Feb. 28,” he said.  “It was a conclusive victory for

the U.S.-led coalition.”