Naval organization of the U.S.-led coalition during the Gulf War

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USS Sacramento (AOE-1), center, conducts an underway replenishment with USS Wisconsin (BB-64), foreground, and USS Missouri (BB-63) during Operation Desert Shield, 14 January 1991. SacUnrep.jpg
USS Sacramento (AOE-1), center, conducts an underway replenishment with USS Wisconsin (BB-64), foreground, and USS Missouri (BB-63) during Operation Desert Shield, 14 January 1991.

During the Gulf War of 1991 United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) reported to United States Central Command. After discussions between General H. Norman Schwarzkopf (CINCCENT) and Admiral Huntington Hardisty (CINCPAC), Vice Admiral Henry H. Mauz Jr. ("Hank" Mauz), Commander Seventh Fleet, was appointed as Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (COMUSNAVCENT).

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After arrival in-theatre in late 1990, Vice Admiral Mauz "retained the Middle East Force, Commander Task Group 150.1 (CTG 150.1), for most warfighting functions inside the Persian Gulf. Under the CTG 150.1 designation, Rear Admiral William M. "Bill" Fogarty would control only the half-dozen ships or so of the Middle East Force, augmented by the battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64) when it arrived. Under a second hat, CTG 150.2, Fogarty would be the commander of the U.S. Maritime Interception Force. For this job, his authority would extend outside the Persian Gulf to ships operating in the North Arabian Sea and Red Sea, but only for interception operations." [1] The CVBGs in the North Arabian Sea and Red Sea were designated Task Groups 150.4 and 150.5 respectively; the Amphibious and Landing Forces were CTG 150.6 and CTG 150.8 (Major General Jenkins). Rear Admiral Stephen S. Clarey was Commander U.S. Maritime Prepositioning Force, Task Group 150.7, which was disestablished on 12 September 1990. [2] [3]

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transited from the Mediterranean/Suez Canal into the Red Sea on 8 August 1990 with USS Ticonderoga, USS John L. Hall, USS Suribachi (AE-21) and USNS Neosho (T-AO-143), the last two underway replenishment ships (CH-90, pp13–14). [4] On 23–24 August, the Red Sea Battle Group was turned over to the USS Saratoga group, and 'Eisenhower' and 'Ticonderoga' left Sixth Fleet on 3 September.

From 1 January 1991, the six carriers deployed were divided into Battle Force Yankee (two carriers, including Saratoga, in the Red Sea under Rear Admiral Riley Mixson, Commander, Carrier Group Two/Task Force 155) and Task Force 154, Battle Force Zulu (four carriers in the Arabian Sea/Persian Gulf under Rear Admiral Daniel P. March, Commander, Carrier Group Five). TF 150 was Vice Admiral Henry H. Mauz, Jr. himself, TF 151 the Middle East Force, now including USS Bunker Hill, TG 150.3 Naval Logistics Support Force (Rear Admiral Bob Sutton), and TF 156 the amphibious force. [5] Conduct of the Persian Gulf War Fig VII-3, lists the PG, Red Sea, and Middle East Forces; the Amphibious Force, the Logistics Support Force, at some points, the Mediterranean Strike Group, and NAVCENT Rep Riyadh.

Rear Admiral "Mixson also commanded CTG 150.9, the Mediterranean Strike Group, which included ships and a submarine launching TLAMs (eight) into Iraq several days after" the beginning of the Coalition assault on 17 January 1991. [6]

On 15 February, France placed one frigate, Jean de Vienne (D-643), [7] under U.S. operational control to escort Coalition combat logistics ships, but it was not authorised to take part in offensive operations. [8]

Middle East Force, Task Force 151

Ships of Battle Force Zulu / TF 154 after the ceasefire. USS Midway was the flagship of Battle Force Zulu. US Navy Battle Force Zulu 1991 - DN-ST-91-07575.jpg
Ships of Battle Force Zulu / TF 154 after the ceasefire. USS Midway was the flagship of Battle Force Zulu.

Task Force 154, Battle Force Zulu

Task Force 155, Battle Force Yankee

Battle Force Yankee included two carriers, including Saratoga, in the Red Sea under Rear Admiral Riley Mixson, Commander, Carrier Group Two/Task Force 155). [21]

Two F/A-18As from VFA-87 about to refuel from an A-6E from VA-36 during Desert Storm in 1991. F-18As VFA-87 with A-6E during 1991 Gulf War.jpg
Two F/A-18As from VFA-87 about to refuel from an A-6E from VA-36 during Desert Storm in 1991.

Task Force 156, Amphibious Force

A U.S. Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A from VFA-87 dropping Mk 82 bombs during a sortie in the 1991 Gulf War. F-18A VFA-87 dropping boms during 1991 Gulf War.jpg
A U.S. Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A from VFA-87 dropping Mk 82 bombs during a sortie in the 1991 Gulf War.
The U.S. Navy aircraft carriers USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway, probably during the 1991 Gulf War in the Red Sea. USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway c1991.jpg
The U.S. Navy aircraft carriers USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway, probably during the 1991 Gulf War in the Red Sea.

Task Force 158, Landing Force

Coalition Naval Forces

Royal Navy, east of Suez

A Lynx helicopter of the Royal Navy flies over the Greek destroyer HS Kriezis (DD-217), part of Operation Desert Shield. A Westland Lynx helicopter of the Royal Navy flies over the Greek destroyer HS Kriezis (DD-217) during Operation Desert Shield.JPEG
A Lynx helicopter of the Royal Navy flies over the Greek destroyer HS Kriezis (DD-217), part of Operation Desert Shield.
A Royal Navy Type 22 frigate underway in the Red Sea, in 1991. The ship is either HMS Battleaxe (F89) or HMS Brazen (F91). Royal Navy Type 22 frigate underway in the Red Sea, in 1991.jpg
A Royal Navy Type 22 frigate underway in the Red Sea, in 1991. The ship is either HMS Battleaxe (F89) or HMS Brazen (F91).
A Royal Navy Westland Sea Lynx HAS.3 aboard the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Leftwich (DD-984) during the 1991 Gulf War. Royal Navy Westland Lynx HAS.3 aboard USS Leftwich (DD-984) during the 1991 Gulf War.jpg
A Royal Navy Westland Sea Lynx HAS.3 aboard the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Leftwich (DD-984) during the 1991 Gulf War.

During the Gulf Conflict, the Royal Navy "had a pivotal role in joint operations". Westland Lynx helicopters were tasked with finding and destroying Iraqi Navy vessels. A large element of the Royal Navy undertook the coalition's mine hunting in the northern Gulf. In clearing the Gulf of mines, the Royal Navy minehunters enabled the battleships USS Missouri and USS Wisconsin to sail into Kuwaiti waters, from where they would fire their 16-inch guns on Iraqi positions ashore. The Type 42 destroyers provided air defence for these vessels, notably when HMS Gloucester was able to intercept a missile fired at Missouri. [38] In total, the Fleet Air Arm destroy some 15 Iraqi patrol vessels, achieving a 93% hit rate, and accounting for 1/4 of all ships destroyed in the war. [39]

Preliminary command arrangements for the BAe Nimrod detachment to be sent to the Gulf were made on 10 August 1990:

"The Joint Commander of British forces in the Gulf (the AOC-in-C Strike Command) assumed operational command of the Nimrod detachment, while operational control was vested in the Air Commander British Forces Arabian Peninsular. Tactical command of the Nimrod detachment was exercised by the Detachment Commander, who reported to the Air Commander, but it was accepted that tactical control (TACON) might be delegated to the Royal Navy Task Group already deployed in the Gulf, Task Group 321.1 (under the Commander Task Group (CTG 321.1), the Senior Naval Officer Middle East." [40]

It appears that command of Task Force 321 was retained by the Commander-in-Chief Fleet at Northwood Headquarters in the northwest of London. On 29 November 1990 Commodore Chris Craig relieved Commodore Paul Haddocks as Senior Naval Officer Middle East. [41]

Ashore supporting the 1st (UK) Armoured Division was the Support Helicopter Force Middle East, which included a composite Royal Marine Westland Sea King HC.4 made up of six aircraft each from 845 Naval Air Squadron and 848 Naval Air Squadron, totalling 12. [54]

Western European Naval Force

In September 1990, at one of the early coordinating meetings for the maritime interception operation, French and Italian representatives asked for a separate role for the naval units of the Western European Union (WEU) states. The WEU states were therefore assigned a separate operating area off the United Arab Emirates. [55] The WEU decided to place their ships under the operational command of the French Amiral Ocean Indien (ALINDIEN). [56]

Royal Navy, Mediterranean

See also

Notes

  1. Pokrant 1999, p. 20.
  2. Pokrant 1999, p. 21.
  3. Edward J. Marolda and Robert John Schneller, Shield and Sword: The United States Navy and the Persian Gulf War, p.84.
  4. "CVN-69 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower". www.historycentral.com. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  5. Pokrant 1999.
  6. H-Gram 058 PD-USGOV
  7. 1 2 "La Marine dans la Guerre du Golfe". www.netmarine.net. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  8. Conduct of the Persian Gulf War, 262.
  9. "Storm from the Sea: Rear Admiral William M. Fogarty".
  10. Pokrant 1999, p. 3.
  11. 1 2 Morin & Gimblett 1997, p. 185.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Thompson 2021.
  13. https://www.history.navy.mil/research/archives/Collections/command-operations-reports/ships/h/halyburton-ffg-40-i/pdf/1991.pdf
  14. "USS America (CV 66) Operation Desert Storm Cruise Book 1991 - Operation Desert Storm". www.navysite.de. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  15. "CVW-5(NF)/CV-41". www.gonavy.jp. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  16. "Princeton Leaves the War". July 1991.
  17. "CVW-2(NE)". www.gonavy.jp. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  18. USS Theodore Roosevelt 1990.
  19. "CVW-8(AJ)". www.gonavy.jp. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  20. VFA-15 Command History (1991). VFA-15, United States Navy. 1992.
  21. Pokrant 1999.
  22. "Gulf War: January 1991." US Navy.
  23. 1 2 "USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm Cruise Book 1990-91 - The Cruise". www.navysite.de. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  24. "1990–1999". public1.nhhcaws.local. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  25. "CVW-17(AA)". www.gonavy.jp. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  26. "Interview: The Path Ahead for 'Gators and Marines". November 1992.
  27. Dinackus, Chart 18-2
  28. Friedman 1992, p. 321.
  29. Ship list from Friedman, Desert Victory, 321.
  30. 1 2 Dinackus 2000, p. 18-2.
  31. Brown, Marines in the Persian Gulf, pp. 20–26, 103.
  32. Brown, pp. 11–12, 103
  33. Quilter, p. 10
  34. This force remained afloat off the Kuwaiti cost throughout most of Operation Desert Storm; used primarily as a feint to pin down Iraqi forces along the coast, but the real option of an amphibious assault remained open until the rapid collapse of Iraqi ground forces became clear. Quilter, p. 65
  35. Friedman 1992, p. 312.
  36. Canada, Veterans Affairs (2020-02-24). "Gulf War - Canadian Armed Forces - History - Veterans Affairs Canada". www.veterans.gc.ca. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  37. 1 2 3 4 5 "First Gulf War, 1990–1991 | Australian War Memorial". 2012-03-31. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  38. 1 2 3 Moorhouse, Dan (2021-02-27). "Operation Granby: The 1st Gulf War". Schoolshistory.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  39. "Fleet Air Arm History: 1990's" (PDF). Fleet Air Arm Officer's Association. 20 November 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  40. Review 2016, p. 209.
  41. Review 2016, p. 18.
  42. Roberts 1999, p. 211.
  43. 1 2 3 4 "Naval Party, Royal Navy, 1942-1991 by Ben Warlow". naval-history.net. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  44. 1 2 3 4 'ALL OF A SUDDEN It Became Very Real' - Naval Veteran Recalls First Gulf War, 5 March 2021, retrieved 2021-06-13
  45. 1 2 3 The London Gazette, Supplement to The London Gazette, 29th June 1991: No. 52588 . Westminster, London, United Kingdom. Retrieved 13 June 2021
  46. "RAF - British Forces involved in Operation Granby". 2018-02-01. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  47. 1 2 3 "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment 1947-2013". naval-history.net. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
  48. 1 2 Sturtivant, p. 413
  49. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "British Minehunters First To Hit Gulf Waters In Military Buildup With AM-Gulf Rdp, Bjt". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  50. 1 2 Richards & Smith 2006, p. 112.
  51. "Op Granby | Gulf-war | Britain's Small Wars". britains-smallwars.com. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  52. "History : 829 : Naval Air Squadrons : Fleet Air Arm : Operations and Support : Royal Navy". 2008-10-15. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  53. "Royal Marines - Operations | History". www.eliteukforces.info. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  54. Johann Price, British Ground Force in the Gulf War, 1990–91
  55. "Shield and Sword," 86-87.
  56. 1 2 "The Operation Southern Breeze". www.wielingen1991.org. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  57. "ZINNIA mine countermeasures support ship (1967)". www.navypedia.org. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  58. Iain Ballantyre, Strike from the Sea, Pen & Sword, 2004, 101-102.
  59. "History : 814 : Naval Air Squadrons : Fleet Air Arm : Operations and Support : Royal Navy". 2008-10-13. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  60. "History : 820 : Naval Air Squadrons : Fleet Air Arm : Operations and Support : Royal Navy". 2008-10-13. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  61. Roberts 2009, p. 211.

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References