The Exact Kickoff Date Of Desert Storm You Should Know
Operation Desert Storm began on January 17, 1991, when a U.S.-led coalition launched air strikes against Iraq; the ground phase followed on February 24, 1991, and the campaign ended on February 28, 1991.
What Desert Storm was
Operation Desert Storm was the combat phase of the Gulf War, launched after Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990. In the most common historical usage, the name refers specifically to the coalition offensive that started with air attacks on January 17, 1991 and then moved into the ground war in late February.
Key dates
The operation is usually remembered through a short timeline: Iraq invades Kuwait on August 2, 1990; the coalition buildup known as Desert Shield follows; Desert Storm starts on January 17, 1991; the ground assault begins on February 24, 1991; and the war ends on February 28, 1991. These dates are the standard answer when people ask when Desert Storm happened.
| Event | Date | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Iraq invades Kuwait | August 2, 1990 | Starts the crisis that leads to the Gulf War |
| Operation Desert Storm begins | January 17, 1991 | Coalition air campaign starts |
| Ground offensive begins | February 24, 1991 | Coalition forces enter Kuwait and southern Iraq |
| Campaign ends | February 28, 1991 | Kuwait is liberated and combat stops |
Why the date can be confusing
People sometimes mix up Desert Storm with Desert Shield, the earlier troop buildup that began after the invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. Others use "Desert Storm" to mean the whole Gulf War, even though historians often separate the air and ground phases from the broader conflict.
Military context
The coalition's air campaign was massive and began just after midnight on January 17, 1991, targeting Iraqi command sites, air defenses, and infrastructure. The U.S. Department of War says the coalition flew more than 116,000 combat air sorties and dropped 88,500 tons of bombs during the operation, underscoring how large the campaign was.
Operation Desert Storm also marked a turning point in modern warfare because coalition forces used GPS navigation, satellite communications, and large-scale joint operations in ways that shaped later U.S. military planning. The ground phase was especially brief, lasting about 100 hours before Kuwait was liberated.
Fast facts
- Official start date: January 17, 1991.
- Ground war start: February 24, 1991.
- End date: February 28, 1991.
- Coalition size: 34 nations in some summaries, and 40-plus allied nations in later official descriptions.
- Main result: Iraqi forces were pushed out of Kuwait.
Timeline
- Iraq invades Kuwait on August 2, 1990.
- Coalition forces build up in Saudi Arabia under Desert Shield.
- Operation Desert Storm begins on January 17, 1991.
- The ground offensive begins on February 24, 1991.
- Combat ends on February 28, 1991.
Historical significance
Desert Storm mattered because it showed the scale of post-Cold War U.S.-led coalition warfare and introduced technologies that became standard in later conflicts. It also became one of the most closely watched wars in modern media history, with live front-line coverage shaping public understanding of combat.
"Operation Desert Storm officially began on January 17, 1991."
Bottom line
If you are looking for the date, Operation Desert Storm began on January 17, 1991, with the ground offensive following on February 24, 1991 and the campaign ending on February 28, 1991. That is the clearest historical answer to "when was Desert Storm".
Everything you need to know about The Exact Kickoff Date Of Desert Storm You Should Know
Was Desert Storm in 1990 or 1991?
Desert Storm was in 1991, although the crisis that led to it began in 1990 when Iraq invaded Kuwait. That is why some people remember both years when discussing the Gulf War.
How long did Desert Storm last?
The air campaign lasted about five to six weeks depending on how it is counted, and the ground war lasted about 100 hours. The overall Desert Storm combat phase ran from January 17 to February 28, 1991.
Is Desert Storm the same as the Gulf War?
Not exactly. The Gulf War is the broader conflict, while Desert Storm usually refers to the coalition offensive that began on January 17, 1991 and ended on February 28, 1991.
Why is Desert Storm still remembered?
It is remembered for the speed of the coalition victory, the size of the air campaign, and the way it changed expectations for precision warfare and battlefield technology. It also marked a major early military crisis after the Cold War.