The Coast Guard Reserve in Operations
Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 1990-1991
Story by William H. Thiesen, Ph.D., Coast Guard Atlantic Area Historian
Units and personnel of the United States Coast Guard
and its predecessor services have served with distinction
in every major American conflict since the founding of
the United States. The Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991 and
OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM proved
no exception to this rule.
The Persian Gulf War began on Tuesday, August 2nd,
1990, when Iraqi land forces under President Saddam
Hussein invaded neighboring Kuwait. Within days, President
George H.W. Bush ordered U.S. forces to prepare for military
operations in the Middle East. On Monday, August 6th, the
Department of Defense initiated OPERATION DESERT
SHIELD to defend Saudi Arabia from attack by the Iraqis.
During this operation, Coast Guard units served largely to
ensure the safe conduct of military shipping to the Persian
Gulf and enforcement of United Nations sanctions in the
theater of operations.
On Friday, August 10th, Coast Guard Marine Safety
Offices (MSOs) mobilized personnel to inspect the nearly
eighty Ready Reserve Fleet (RRF) vessels activated for
sea duty. MSOs throughout the nation also instituted a
flexible merchant marine manning and licensing program
to expedite the movement of RRF vessels. In addition,
Coast Guard MSOs became responsible for Port Security
Petty officer Sandy Mitten mans the stern .50 caliber machine gun. She was one of six women in PSU 303 and one of three women assigned machine
gun positions on board a Raider patrol boat. (U.S. Coast g uard)
Rese R vist Magazine
a l ight on Yeste RY ea R
50 RESERVIST � Issue 3 • 2016