Persian Gulf War

The Persian Gulf War began on Tuesday, Aug.2, 1990, when Iraqi land forces under President Saddam Hussein invaded Iraq’s southern neighbor Kuwait. Within days, President George H.W. Bush ordered U.S. forces to prepare for military operations in the Middle East. On Monday, August 6, the Department of Defense initiated Operation Desert Shield to defend Saudi Arabia from attack by the Iraqis.

During Desert Shield, the Coast Guard mobilized personnel and units to ensure the safe conduct of military shipping to the Persian Gulf and enforcement of United Nations sanctions in the theater of operations.

Coast Guard Operations in Desert Shield and Desert Storm 35 years ago!

William H. Thiesen, Ph.D. — August 6, 2025

Units and personnel of the United States Coast Guard and its predecessor services have served with distinction in every major American conflict since the founding of the United States and the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991 and operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm proved no exception to this rule.

Persian Gulf War

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Coast Guard Operations in Desert Shield and Desert Storm 35 years ago!

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