THE UNITED STATES NAVY IN "DESERT SHIELD" I "DESERT STORM" I. OVERVIEW THE ROLE OF THE NAVY "...My administration, as has been the case with every President from President Roosevelt to President Reagan, is committed to the security and stability of the Persian Gulf." -- President George Bush Address to the Nation 8 August 1990 "Our action in the Gulf is about fighting aggression and preserving the sovereignty of nations. It is about keeping our word, our solemn word of honor, and standing by old friends. It is about our own national security interests and ensuring the peace and stability of the entire world." -- President George Bush Remarks to Pentagon Employees 15 August 1990 "When a crisis confronts the nation, the first question often asked by policymakers is: WIiat naval forces are available and how fast can they be on station?" -- Admiral C.A.H. Trost, USN Chief of Naval Operations May 1990 OVERVIEW. After the world's fourth largest multinational naval force. army poured across the border into Kuwait on 2 August 1990, the United States deployed a At the time of the invasion, the Navy major joint force which served as the founda- was already on station in the region. The ships tion for a powerful 33-nation military coalition of Joint Task Force Middle East, a legacy of U.S. to stem Iraq's brutal aggression. The United Navy presence in the Persian Gulf since 1949, States Navy provided the sea control and mari- were immediately placed on alert. Battle time superiority which paved the way for the groups led by USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) introduction of U.S. and allied air and ground and USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN forces, and offered strong leadership for the 69) sped from the Indian Ocean and Eastern -1-
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