U.S. and Iraq Timeline

Year Operation Why U.S. forces were involved
1990–91 Desert Shield Iraq had invaded Kuwait, so the United States deployed a massive coalition force to defend Saudi Arabia and prepare for the liberation of Kuwait.
1991 Desert Storm The coalition launched the war to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait and destroy Iraq’s ability to threaten its neighbors.
1991–96 Northern Comfort U.S. and coalition forces protected Kurdish civilians in northern Iraq and supported the humanitarian mission that followed the Gulf War.
1991–2003 Maritime Interception Force U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships, along with coalition navies, enforced the UN embargo against Iraq, intercepting and inspecting merchant vessels suspected of carrying prohibited goods.
1992–2003 Southern Watch U.S. and coalition aircraft enforced the southern Iraq no-fly zone to restrict Saddam Hussein’s military activity and protect populations in southern Iraq.
1992–93 Intrinsic Action Army armored formations rotated through Kuwait to maintain a forward deterrent and demonstrate that the United States could rapidly reinforce the Gulf if Iraq threatened its neighbors.
1994 Vigilant Warrior Iraq moved large numbers of troops toward Kuwait, prompting the United States to rapidly deploy heavy Army forces and other assets to deter another Iraqi invasion.
1995 Vigilant Sentinel Renewed concern over Iraqi military activity triggered another rapid U.S. buildup in the Gulf, reinforcing Kuwait and demonstrating continued U.S. commitment to its defense.
1996 Desert Strike Iraq attacked Kurdish forces in northern Iraq, leading the United States to conduct cruise-missile and air strikes while reinforcing its regional military presence.
1997–98 Desert Thunder Iraq obstructed UN weapons inspectors, so the United States assembled a major military force in the Gulf to pressure Saddam Hussein into allowing inspections to continue.
1998 Desert Thunder II Iraq again challenged the weapons-inspection regime, prompting another major U.S. military buildup in preparation for possible combat.
Dec. 1998 Desert Fox After Iraq continued obstructing weapons inspections, the United States and United Kingdom launched a major four-day air and cruise-missile campaign against Iraqi military and weapons-related targets.
1999–2001 Intrinsic Action / Southern Watch Rotating Army forces continued training and deterrence in Kuwait while U.S. and coalition aircraft enforced the southern no-fly zone.
2001–02 Southern Watch / Maritime Interception Despite the war in Afghanistan, the United States continued containing Iraq through the southern no-fly zone, Gulf naval presence, sanctions enforcement, and rotational ground forces.
2002–03 Southern Focus Coalition forces dramatically increased attacks on Iraqi air-defense systems, reducing Iraq’s ability to challenge coalition aircraft before the invasion.
2002–03 Kuwait Force Buildup The United States transformed its longstanding Gulf deterrent into a full invasion force, moving major Army, Marine, airborne, Special Operations, air, and naval formations into the region.
2003 Operation Iraqi Freedom The U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq from Kuwait and other directions, overthrowing Saddam Hussein’s government and beginning the occupation and stabilization of Iraq.
2010–11 Operation New Dawn The U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially ended on September 1, 2010. Remaining forces shifted primarily to advising, assisting, training Iraqi Security Forces, conducting partnered counterterrorism operations, and supporting the Iraqi government.
2014–present Operation Inherent Resolve The United States and coalition partners intervened against ISIS after the group seized large areas of Iraq and Syria. The campaign combined air operations, Special Operations, ground support, training, and assistance to local forces to defeat ISIS and prevent its resurgence.

References

Carney, Stephen A. Allied Participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Washington, DC: U.S. Army Center of Military History, 2011.

Moger, Jourden Travis. Between Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom: U.S. Army Operations in the Middle East, 1991–2001. Washington, DC: U.S. Army Center of Military History, 2021.

U.S. Army Center of Military History. Department of the Army Historical Summary, Fiscal Year 1993. Washington, DC: U.S. Army Center of Military History.

U.S. Army Center of Military History. Department of the Army Historical Summary, Fiscal Year 1995. Washington, DC: U.S. Army Center of Military History.

U.S. Army Center of Military History. Department of the Army Historical Summary, Fiscal Year 1998. Washington, DC: U.S. Army Center of Military History.

U.S. Army Center of Military History. Humanitarian Intervention. Washington, DC: U.S. Army Center of Military History.

U.S. Army Center of Military History. The Army Command Post and Defense Reshaping, 1987–1997. Washington, DC: U.S. Army Center of Military History.

U.S. Army Center of Military History. Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: March–May 2003. Washington, DC: U.S. Army Center of Military History, 2009.

U.S. Army Center of Military History. “Chronology of Army History.” Washington, DC: U.S. Army Center of Military History.

U.S. Army Transportation Museum. “War in Iraq (2003–2011).” U.S. Army Museum Enterprise.

U.S. Army. “U.S. Combat Mission Ends in Iraq, Obama Says.” September 1, 2010.

U.S. Central Command. “Iraq and Syria Operations Against ISIL Designated as Operation Inherent Resolve.” October 15, 2014.

U.S. Navy. The United States Navy in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Washington, DC: Chief of Naval Operations, May 15, 1991.

U.S. Navy, Naval History and Heritage Command. “A Common Goal: Joint and Multinational Operations.” The United States Navy in Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

U.S. Navy, Naval History and Heritage Command. “Lessons Learned.” The United States Navy in Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

U.S. Navy, Naval History and Heritage Command. “Overview: Desert Storm—The Role of the Navy.” The United States Navy in Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

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