Digital Artifact Project - Century of War
Gulf War Strategy
- The military campaign against Iraq was a two-phase operation.
- The first phase involved a massive air campaign to minimize coalition casualties.
- The first stealth bombers used in combat were flown by US Air Force, and completely overwhelmed Iraqi forces with firepower.
- The second phase involved the movement of hundreds of thousands of ground fighters.
- US Commanders aimed to flank the Iraqi defenses. Iraq commanders believed a large amphibious landing was near. Instead, the coalition troops were brought in by helicopter and attacked the Iraqi's from the rear.
- The Iraq military was demoralized and desertion was high. The ground war was over in 100 hours.