Accession Number:

ADA360696

Title:

The Battle of Khafji: An Overview and Preliminary Analysis

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

AIR UNIV MAXWELL AFB AL SCHOOL OF ADVANCED AIRPOWER STUDIES

Personal Author(s):

• Titus, James

Report Date:

1996-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

39.0

Abstract:

In the early evening of 29 January 1991, Iraqi armor and mechanized infantry in eastern and southern Kuwait attacked US Marine Forces, Central Command MARCENT and Arab Joint Forces Command-East JFC-East units at several points along the Kuwaiti-Saudi Arabian border. The Iraqi offensive lasted a little over four days, continuing until 2 February. Known collectively as the Battle of Khafji, the series of engagements between Iraqi forces. In hopes of stimulating additional research on an important airpower victory, this paper traces the major events associated with the battle and offers a preliminary analysis of the role and impact of airpower. Three issues are considered in some detail the apparent influence of airpower on Iraqi strategy and military behavior in the days before the battle close air support CAS operations along the Kuwaiti-Saudi border and most importantly, the use of airpower to isolate the battlefield and attack Iraqi follow-on forces. Finally, some consideration is given to the implications of the Khafji battle for professional airmen.

Descriptors:

• *WARFARE
• *AIR POWER
• MILITARY FORCES(UNITED STATES)
• GROUND LEVEL
• GULFS
• IRAQ
• KUWAIT
• MARINE CORPS
• IMPACT
• MILITARY FORCES(FOREIGN)
• AIR FORCE PERSONNEL
• JOINT MILITARY ACTIVITIES

Subject Categories:

• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE