Battle of Khafji: An Overview and Preliminary Analysis

摘要

In the early evening of 29 January 1991, Iraqi armor and mechanized infantry in eastern and southern Kuwait attacked US Marine Forces, Central Command (MARCENT) and Arab Joint Forces Command-East (JFC-East) units at several points along the Kuwaiti-Saudi Arabian border. The Iraqi offensive lasted a little over four days, continuing until 2 February. Known collectively as the Battle of Khafji, the series of engagements between Iraqi forces. In hopes of stimulating additional research on an important airpower victory, this paper traces the major events associated with the battle and offers a preliminary analysis of the role and impact of airpower. Three issues are considered in some detail: the apparent influence of airpower on Iraqi strategy and military behavior in the days before the battle; close air support (CAS) operations along the Kuwaiti-Saudi border; and most importantly, the use of airpower to isolate the battlefield and attack Iraqi follow-on forces. Finally, some consideration is given to the implications of the Khafji battle for professional airmen.