Operation Vigilant Sentinel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Operation Vigilant Sentinel
Part of the Iraq Disarmament Crisis
Date December 1, 1995 - February 15, 1997 Location Persian Gulf Result Withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwaiti border
Belligerents
United States Kuwait	Iraq
Commanders and leaders
	Saddam Hussein
Strength
20,000+	375,000~
Casualties and losses
none	none

Operation Vigilant Sentinel was a military operation by the United States and Kuwait between 1995 and 1997. It was a quick response to Saddam Hussein, who was the leader of Iraq at the time. His army had moved closer to the border with Kuwait, which worried many countries. This operation aimed to stop Iraq from threatening Kuwait and expanding its control over certain areas.

What Was Operation Vigilant Sentinel?

Operation Vigilant Sentinel was a way for the United States and its allies to show Iraq that they were serious about protecting Kuwait. It involved sending many soldiers, planes, and ships to the region. The main goal was to prevent any fighting and make sure Iraq pulled its troops back from the border.

Why Did It Happen?

In 1995, Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, began moving its military forces towards the border with its small neighbor, Kuwait. This caused a lot of concern because Iraq had invaded Kuwait before. To stop any new threats, the United States decided to send its own forces to the area. They also wanted to make sure that "no-fly zones" in Iraq were respected. These were areas where Iraqi planes were not allowed to fly, set up to protect certain groups of people.

How Did the US Respond?

The United States quickly sent different parts of its military to the Persian Gulf region. This included air force units, army soldiers, and naval forces with Marines.

Air Control and Support

One of the first groups to arrive was the 74th Air Control Squadron on August 24, 1995. Their job was like being air traffic controllers for military aircraft. They helped manage the airspace, track planes, and guide weapons if needed. They were part of a larger system that helped control military aircraft in the area.

Army Deployments

Later, in October 1996, the US sent about 3,500 soldiers to Kuwait. This was to show Iraq that the US was ready to defend Kuwait if needed. The US Army also practiced how to quickly move a large group of soldiers and their equipment. They even did a big training exercise called "BRIGHT STAR 95" in Egypt with soldiers from six other countries. This helped them learn how to unload equipment from ships and get it to soldiers quickly.

Naval and Marine Support

The United States Navy and United States Marine Corps also played a big part. They sent combat forces, including the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The Military Sealift Command, which moves military equipment by sea, also helped. Ships carrying equipment for a large Marine force were sent to the region. These ships stayed ready to respond quickly if Iraq made any more threats against Kuwait or even Jordan.

What Was the Outcome?

The quick and strong response from the United States and its allies worked. Saddam Hussein and Iraq saw that the international community was serious. Because of this, Iraq decided to pull its forces back from the Kuwaiti border. Operation Vigilant Sentinel successfully prevented a potential conflict without any fighting or casualties.