Coalition forces launched a massive air campaign against Iraq, initiating Operation Desert Storm with 2,250 combat aircraft and advanced stealth technology in a coordinated multinational assault.

Operation Desert Storm marked a defining moment in modern military history when coalition forces launched a massive air campaign against Iraq on January 17, 1991. The operation began in the early hours of the morning when F-117 Stealth fighters struck Baghdad's key military targets initiating what would become one of the most intensive air campaigns ever conducted.

The air offensive represented a revolutionary approach to warfare combining cutting-edge technology precision-guided munitions and unprecedented coordination among multinational forces. Led by the United States the coalition's air campaign involved over 2,250 combat aircraft executing round-the-clock missions against Iraqi military installations command centers and communication networks.

Operation Desert Storm marked the beginning of a sophisticated air campaign against Iraqi military installations. The coalition forces executed a coordinated assault that demonstrated unprecedented technological advancement in modern warfare.

The Gulf War air campaign commenced on January 17, 1991, at 2:38 AM local time (Baghdad). Coalition forces launched their initial attacks in the pre-dawn hours, capitalizing on the cover of darkness. The first wave involved:

• F-117 Stealth fighters striking command centers
• Tomahawk cruise missiles targeting air defense systems
• Apache helicopters destroying Iraqi radar installations

Initial Strike Forces	Number of Aircraft
F-117 Stealth Fighters	48
Coalition Combat Aircraft	2,250
Cruise Missiles Launched	320

Coalition forces targeted critical military infrastructure in Baghdad through precision bombing missions. Primary targets included:

• Military command centers
• Communication networks
• Air defense installations
• Radar facilities
• Weapons storage facilities

Target Category	Number of Sites
Command Centers	28
Air Defense Sites	39
Communication Hubs	31
Power Plants	17

The stealth aircraft penetrated Iraqi air defenses undetected, striking strategic locations with precision-guided munitions. These attacks systematically dismantled Iraq's military command structure while minimizing civilian casualties.

The Gulf War air campaign's first phase demonstrated unprecedented coordination among coalition forces in modern warfare. Coalition aircraft executed 2,775 sorties within the first 24 hours of Operation Desert Storm, establishing immediate air superiority over Iraq.

The multinational air campaign comprised forces from:

• United States Air Force contributed 1,200 combat aircraft including F-117 stealth fighters F-15E Strike Eagles
• British Royal Air Force deployed 60 Tornado GR1 bombers Tornado F3 fighters
• French Air Force operated 40 Jaguar strike aircraft Mirage F1 fighters
• Saudi Air Force provided 200 F-15C Eagles F-5E Tigers
• Canadian Air Force dispatched 24 CF-18 Hornet fighters
• Italian Air Force deployed 10 Tornado IDS strike aircraft

• Command Control Centers: 28 facilities struck in Baghdad Kuwait
• Air Defense Network: 39 early warning radar sites surface-to-air missile installations
• Military Communications: 31 telephone exchanges satellite ground stations
• Power Infrastructure: 17 electrical power plants distribution facilities
• Transportation Hubs: 8 airfields 3 port facilities
• Chemical Weapons: 13 suspected storage facilities production plants

Asset Type	Targets Struck	Success Rate
Command Centers	28	85%
Air Defense Sites	39	92%
Communication Hubs	31	88%
Power Plants	17	95%
Airfields	8	90%
Chemical Facilities	13	78%

Operation Desert Storm showcased groundbreaking military technologies that transformed modern warfare. The coalition forces deployed an unprecedented array of sophisticated weapons systems during the air campaign.

The Gulf War air campaign introduced large-scale deployment of precision-guided munitions (PGMs). Coalition forces utilized 9,342 laser-guided bombs throughout the campaign, achieving an 85% success rate on designated targets. These smart weapons incorporated advanced guidance systems:

• Paveway III laser-guided bombs with enhanced accuracy within 3 feet of targets
• GBU-15 electro-optical guided bombs for all-weather precision strikes
• AGM-65 Maverick missiles featuring infrared guidance systems
• AGM-88 HARM missiles targeting radar installations
• BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles with GPS navigation

F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighters played a crucial role in penetrating Iraqi air defenses. Key statistics of stealth operations include:

Metric	Value
Total F-117 missions	1,271
Success rate	80%
Direct hits on targets	1,669
Aircraft losses	0
Combat radius	550 miles

The stealth aircraft executed precision bombing missions against:

• Command bunkers
• Air defense radar stations
• Communications centers
• Weapon storage facilities
• Military installations in heavily defended areas

The F-117's radar-absorbing materials combined with its angular design made it virtually invisible to Iraqi radar systems, enabling deep strikes into enemy territory during the January 17, 1991 initial assault.

The Gulf War air campaign devastated Iraq's military capabilities through precision bombing strikes. Coalition forces achieved unprecedented success in dismantling Iraq's defensive infrastructure while minimizing civilian casualties.

The air campaign inflicted extensive damage on Iraq's military infrastructure:

Target Type	Damage Assessment
Command Centers	75% destroyed
Air Defense Sites	85% neutralized
Military Airfields	95% disabled
Ammunition Depots	65% destroyed
Military Communications	80% disrupted

Coalition stealth aircraft targeted hardened bunkers with precision-guided munitions, destroying critical command nodes. The systematic bombing campaign disabled 95% of Iraq's electrical power generation capacity feeding military installations, crippling their ability to coordinate defensive operations.

The Operation Desert Storm air campaign delivered decisive strategic benefits:

• Established complete air superiority within 72 hours
• Isolated Iraqi ground forces by destroying supply lines
• Prevented effective military communications between Baghdad and field units
• Degraded Iraqi air defense networks, allowing unrestricted coalition air operations
• Eliminated Iraq's ability to launch coordinated counterattacks
• Reduced Iraqi ground forces' combat effectiveness by 50% before land operations began

F-117 stealth aircraft penetrated Baghdad's most heavily defended sectors, striking key leadership facilities without losses. The precision bombing campaign's success enabled coalition forces to execute subsequent ground operations with minimal resistance from Iraqi forces.

After establishing air superiority, coalition forces initiated systematic preparations for ground operations. The transition period focused on weakening Iraqi defenses while positioning allied ground forces for the impending land campaign.

Coalition forces achieved complete control of Iraqi airspace by January 20, 1991. The Gulf War air campaign neutralized 85% of Iraq's surface-to-air missile sites, destroyed 52 Iraqi aircraft, and disabled 27 airfields. F-117 stealth aircraft maintained a continuous presence over strategic locations, executing 75 precision bombing missions against reinforced bunkers and command centers.

Air Campaign Achievement	Impact Percentage
SAM Sites Neutralized	85%
Airfields Disabled	95%
Air Defense Radar Coverage	90% reduction
Iraqi Aircraft Losses	52 destroyed

Coalition ground units positioned themselves along strategic entry points while the air campaign systematically degraded Iraqi defensive positions. Apache helicopters conducted 267 precision strikes against Iraqi armor concentrations, destroying 245 tanks and creating several breach points in defensive lines. Operation Desert Storm's air campaign reduced Iraqi frontline unit effectiveness to 43% through targeted attacks on:

• Supply routes connecting forward units to Baghdad

• Artillery positions along the Kuwait-Saudi border

• Ammunition storage facilities within striking distance

• Communication networks between command posts

• Defensive fortifications along planned invasion routes

• Destroying 58% of Iraqi armor capabilities

• Disrupting 72% of military supply lines

• Neutralizing 81% of hardened artillery positions

• Creating multiple gaps in minefields through specialized munitions

• Operation Desert Storm's air campaign began on January 17, 1991, at 2:38 AM local time in Baghdad, marking the start of the Gulf War
• The initial assault involved 2,250 combat aircraft, including 48 F-117 Stealth fighters and 320 cruise missiles, targeting key military installations
• Coalition forces executed 2,775 sorties within the first 24 hours, striking critical targets including command centers, air defense sites, and communication hubs
• The air campaign achieved unprecedented success rates, with 85-95% effectiveness in destroying military infrastructure while minimizing civilian casualties
• Advanced technology, particularly stealth aircraft and precision-guided munitions, played a crucial role in penetrating Iraqi defenses without losses
• Within 72 hours, coalition forces established complete air superiority, effectively crippling Iraq's military capabilities and paving the way for ground operations

The air campaign of Operation Desert Storm stands as a pivotal moment in military history that revolutionized modern warfare. The unprecedented coordination of multinational forces combined with cutting-edge technology demonstrated the devastating effectiveness of air superiority in achieving military objectives.

The success of the operation transformed military strategy worldwide setting new standards for precision strikes minimal civilian casualties and technological innovation. Desert Storm's air campaign proved that well-planned aerial operations could decisively shape the outcome of conflicts while fundamentally changing the way nations approach warfare in the 21st century.