January 17, 1991

Jan. 17, 1991
War begins in the Persian Gulf. Operation Desert Shield becomes Operation Desert Storm. More than 1,200 combat sorties are flown, and 106 cruise missiles are launched against targets in Iraq and Kuwait during the first 14 hours of the operation.

Related Content

USAF to Start Rotating Fighters to Misawa

May 12, 2025
The Air Force will rotate fighters through Misawa Air Base, Japan starting this summer to bridge the gap between the F-16 drawdown and the F-35 delivery, expected to start in Spring 2026.

AFRL Taps Rocket Lab for Space Cargo Experiment

May 12, 2025
An ambitious U.S. military program to explore using rockets to deliver cargo around the globe took another step forward with an announcement of an experimental mission planned for 2026.

ACC Unveils New Way to Measure Readiness

May 9, 2025
Air Combat Command is changing how it measures and tracks readiness for its fleet of aircraft, with a top general saying the focus is on “simplicity” and better articulating what its wings need. 

Kadena Sends ‘Message You Can’t Ignore’ with Huge Elephant Walk

May 9, 2025
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. In a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…

New Study: Air Force Needs to Work Now on How to Sustain CCAs in the Field

May 8, 2025
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.