CMH Publication 70-56-1. This study describes how the United States Army, Europe (USAREUR), under the command of General Crosbie E. Saint, supported the armed response of the United States and the United Nations to Iraq's August 1990 invasion of Kuwait at the very time it was managing a fundamental transition in its fifty-year history of defending Central Europe. Discusses the complicated planning for the deployment and the rapid-fire implementation.

From the Fulda Gap to Kuwait describes how the United States Army, Europe, under the command of General Crosbie E. Saint, supported the coalition's armed response to the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. With the changed threat environment of the post-Cold War period as a backdrop, Stephen P. Gehring credits effective planning and preparations in the late 1980s for USAREUR's successful transition in 1990 from a basically static heavy force focused on the defense of Europe to a smaller mobile heavy force capable of deploying rapidly for contingency operations anywhere in the European Command's area of responsibility. This initiative, according to Gehring, had irrevocably launched USAREUR on a new phase in its history. He examines in depth how USAREUR planned, assembled, prepared, and deployed its personnel, equipment, and war reserves to the Persian Gulf to stop and reverse Iraqi aggression, providing the decisive armored units and firepower that proved so critical to the success of coalition operations in Southwest Asia. He also covers contingency and logistical planning, the programs to support the residual community in Europe, and the subsequent redeployment and force reduction. His study of the versatility, deployability, and lethality of USAREUR forces underscores the value of a trained and ready Army, and those now involved in planning and executing Army Transformation will learn much from this remarkable story.

Describes how the U.S. Army, Europe (USAREUR), assembled, prepared and deployed the powerful forces it contributed to the coalition effort in the Persian Gulf War when Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. Also shows USAREUR accomplished these challenging missions while maintaining its continuing security responsibilities on the Continent and preparing to execute its program of force reductions. Includes background, early SW Asia support, planning a major USAREUR role in SW Asia, deployment of VII Corps, additional deployments and sustainment support, the home front, and redeployment. Tables and maps. Illustrations.

The magazine of mobile warfare.

“No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great—Duty First!” For a century, from the Western Front of World War I to the wars of the 21st century, this motto has spurred the soldiers who wear the shoulder patch bearing the Big Red One. In this comprehensive history of America’s 1st Infantry Division, James Scott Wheeler chronicles its major combat engagements and peacetime duties during its legendary service to the nation. The Centennial Edition adds new chapters on peacekeeping missions in the Balkans (1995 – 2004) and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (2001 – 2017), along with a new introduction and conclusion. The oldest continuously serving division in the U.S. Army, the “Fighting First” has consistently played a crucial role in America’s foreign wars. It was the first American division to see combat and achieve victory in World War I. One of the few intact divisions between the wars, it was the first army unit to train for amphibious warfare. During World War II, the First Division spearheaded the invasions of North Africa and Sicily before leading the Normandy invasion at Omaha Beach and fighting on deep into Germany. By war’s end, it had developed successful combined-arms, regimental combat teams and made advances in night operations. Wheeler describes the First Division’s critical role in postwar Germany and as the only combat division in Europe during the early Cold War. The division fought valiantly in Vietnam for five trying years while pioneering “air-mobile” operations. It led the liberation of Kuwait in Desert Storm. Along the way, Wheeler illuminates the division’s organizational evolution, its consistently remarkable commanders and leaders, and its equally remarkable soldiers. Meticulously detailed and engagingly written, The Big Red One nimbly combines historical narrative with astute analysis of the unit’s successes and failures, so that its story reflects the larger chronicle of America’s military experience over the past century. Published in collaboration with the Cantigny First Division Foundation and the Cantigny Military History Series, edited by Paul H. Herbert.