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The 30th anniversary of the US-led response to Iraq’s illegal occupation of Kuwait has been marked by the Australian War Memorial.
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The Australian War Memorial has marked the 30trh anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, the military response by a US-led coalition of 35 nations against Iraq’s occupation of Kuwait in August 1990.
Memorial historian Dr Aaron Pegram recalled the full-scale war, which unfolded when coalition forces began military operations against Iraq in the early hours of 17 January 1991, beginning with a 42-day aerial bombing campaign against Iraqi military targets in Kuwait and the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
“On 24 February 1991, coalition ground forces moved from Saudi Arabia against Iraqi positions, destroying what was left of Iraq’s ability to resist,” Dr Pegram said.
“After two further days of air strikes, Baghdad radio announced Saddam’s forces had been ordered to withdraw from Kuwait to the positions they had occupied before 2 August 1990.”
He continued: “As they did so, they set fire to Kuwaiti oil wells and dumped millions of barrels of oil into the Persian Gulf.
“Less than 100 hours after the commencement of ground operations, a ceasefire was declared on 28 February 1991.”
Memorial director Matt Anderson noted the importance of acknowledging the contribution of Australians who took part in the Gulf War.
“Their stories and their experiences will be a feature of the proposed expanded galleries,” he said.
“Australia was one of the 35 nations that contributed to the liberation of Kuwait. Of the 1,800 Australian Defence Force members who deployed to the region in 1990 and 1991, most were members of the Royal Australian Navy.
“The RAN Task Group helped to enforce UN economic sanctions against Iraq through naval patrols in the Gulf of Oman, but during the conflict provided air defence for the US carrier battle group in the Persian Gulf and also carried out sustainment and logistical support for coalition vessels.”
Approximately 20 members of the ADF participated in Operation Desert Storm, supporting US and British formations, four ADF surgical teams served aboard the US hospital ship Comfort, and a RAN Clearance Diving team assisted with the disposal of unexploded Iraqi ordnance.
“The memorial is determined to ensure that when these Gulf War veterans visit the Australian War Memorial in future, their service will be recognised appropriately,” Anderson added.
“We will honour their service and, through the exhibits in the new galleries, help them to explain to their families, indeed to all Australians, what they were asked to do in our name.”
The Australian War Memorial has created an online hub with information to mark the anniversary.
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