UNITED STATES NAVY IN DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM

21 Jan (continuing) U.S. ships have conducted nearly 7,000 maritime interceptions operations in
regional waters. No direct ground confrontation.
U.S. warns Iraq will be held accountable-for mistreatment of U.S. prisoners
of war after Iraq announces captured Americans will be placed at
strategic target sites as "human shields."
6 Iraqi SCUD missiles fired into Saudi Arabia in three attacks over 12 hours.
U.S. Patriot missiles intercept two SCUDs, one landed in the sea north-
west of Al Jubayl, two others fell into the desert. No injuries.
USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) Carrier Battle Group arrives on
station in the Persian Gulf region.

22 Jan DOD announces that over 10,000 sorties have been flown, no U.S. aircraft
lost in air-to-air engagements. Oil storage tank fires started by Iraqis
in Wafra, Shuaiba and Mina Abdullah, Kuwait having little effect on air
operations.
USAF special operations forces recovered one crewinember of F-14 downed
on 21 January, LT Devon Jones. Second aircrewmember is missing.
4 USN A-6s attacked and disabled an Iraqi T-43 class ship--capable of laying 20
mine~--in the northern Arabian Gulf. Vessel was seen sinking.
U.S. ships attacked 3 Iraqi patrol boats, disabling one, and chasing off two
others. 3 additional mines were found and destroyed.
Iraqi launches SCUD missile against Israel. U.S. Patriot missile crew had a
generator problem, Israeli Defense Forces fired a Patriot missile. SCUD
impacted in Tel Aviv killing 3 and wounding nearly 100.
U.S. troop strength has increased to 474,000 (Iraqi -545,000) and there are
165,797 Reserves/National Guard recalled (13,303 Navy, 22,048 USMC).

23 Jan At D +7 days, 12,000 sorties have been flown (6,000 attack, 6,000 support).
USAF F-16 downed by artillery fire over Kuwait; pilot ejected over
Persian Gulf, rescued by Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light)-
44, Detachment Eight, embarked on USS NICHOLAS, first over-water
combat search and rescue. DOD reports 2 noncombat-related aircraft
losses: USMC AV-8 in training accident, pilot killed, and USA AH-64
in ground mishap, no injuries. 14 total U.S. aircraft lost: 11 fixed wing
(9 from hostile ground- fire), 3 helos (non-combat).
USN A-6s disable an Al Qaddisiyah-class Iraqi tanker that had been collecting
and reporting intelligence data, setting off three explosions, and killing
three. A-6s also attacked and sank a Winchester-class hovercraft being
re-fueled by the tanker, and a Zhuk patrol boat.
SECDEF Dick Cheney and cJCS General Colin Powell assess first week of
Operation DESERT STORM: Objectives are being achieved and cam-
paign has achieved air superiority over Kuwait and Iraq; have destroyed
Iraq's two operating nuclear reactors and is neutra~1izing Iraqi ground
radar/air defenses. Air-to-air engagements are no match. Warns Iraq
still has significant military capability, may be "hunkering down", expect-
ing range of responses including air strikes, more SCUDs, ground
attacks or terrorism. Will continue air campaign as part of overall land,

A-iS