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Persian Gulf War begins
The invasion of Kuwait led to a United Nations Security Council embargo and sanctions on Iraq and a U.S. -
U.S. Airforce arrives in Saudi Arabia
The U.S. and its allies flew more than 116,000 combat air sorties and dropped 88,500 tons of bombs over a six-week period that preceded the ground campaign. -
U.S. ground force arrive in Saudi Arabia
Ground combat was confined to Iraq, Kuwait, and areas on Saudi Arabia's border. -
UN Security Council
UN Security Council authorizes use of force to eject Iraq from Kuwait. -
Congress authorizes use of force to eject Iraq from Kuwait
House approves military action against Iraq, Jan. 12, 1991. -
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Desert Storm commences as U.S. warplanes attack military targets in Iraq and Kuwait. -
First hostile fire
U.S. troops fire and Iraqi soldiers in Saudi Arabia. -
First oil well fires
The first oil well fires were stared in Kuwait. -
Coalition forces
Coalition forces declare air supremacy. -
Oil wells being ignited
Majority of oil well fires ignited. -
Ground war begins
The U.S. warplanes were accompanied by troops sent by NATO allies as well as Egypt and several other Arab nations, designed to guard against a possible Iraqi attack on Saudi Arabia. -
SCUD attack
SCUD attack in Dhahran killing U.S. troops. -
Cease-fire takes effect and offensive operations end
With the remarks, “Kuwait is liberated. Iraq’s army has been defeated,” President Bush began his announcement to the nation on the U.S. and coalition forces' -
U.S. troops destroy munitions dump at Khamisiyah
United States troops went to Khamisiyah to destroy munitions dump. -
Last U.S. ground troops return to the United States
Just 147 U.S. personnel and 47 British troops were killed in action; for the duration of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, U.S. noncombat deaths actually exceeded combat fatalities in the Kuwaiti theater. Approximately 1,000 coalition troops were wounded.