I was an M-1 Tanker in the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) in Desert Storm. Our mission was to lead the attack on the Iraqi mine field while being attacked with chemical, and biological weapons. It was a suicide mission for us, and we were awarded the Valorous Unit Award for extraordinary heroism in war. This book is about the mission, and the impact that it had on my life. “For all of the chest-pounding politicians and overheated pundits who are quick to recommend war, Desert Storm: Dreadnought should be required reading.”-BlueInk Review

From Saddam Hussein's first bold threats in 1990 to the stunning ground phase of Desert Storm in early 1991, the crisis in the Gulf captured the world's attention. This high-tech, low-cost war was televised nightly from beginning to end, accompanied by on-the-spot interpretations of strategy and its implications. But what did we learn from this crisis? Did the United States bungle its attempts at discouraging Saddam's aggressive actions, or is deterrence simply not a reliable foreign policy tool? Are chemical weapons truly the "poor man's atom bomb"? Does the war represent a good model for future crises, or did circumstances make this war more of an anomaly than a precedent? How did the ail-volunteer U.S. force perform? By combining exciting, detailed vignettes of the crisis with insightful discussions of its consequences, this book opens up an informed debate concerning the true military and geopolitical lessons of the conflict. Representing a distillation of the best thinking on defense and foreign policy in Washington, Desert Storm also incorporates the testimony of the inside players during the crisis—the people who actually planned and fought the war. Combining academic rigor and in-depth military expertise, the authors challenge the complacency of the emerging conventional wisdom regarding the conflict, taking us beyond mere chronicling and instant analysis to a riveting reenactment of the war and the serious consideration of its long-term implications.

Without oil, no engine can run. "Movement" is the oil that enables America's military forces to sustain an operation, and nothing happens until something moves! As America's military priorities are reordered, the ability to move quickly, sustain forces anywhere in the world, and pre-position equipment and materiel near likely areas of crisis is more important than ever. Because of the apparent ease of movement during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, however, decision makers may be prone to misinterpret the lessons of the Gulf War and fail to address movement capabilities properly for the future. A good example is a recent Congressional decision to divert funds from slated improvements to the Army's afloat pre-positioning capability to the building of an amphibious assault ship. The capacity to foster global stability and defend our national interests depends upon correct long-range planning for transport. Logistics, especially mobility, has long been a bill payer for combat equipment, so perhaps a reappraisal is in order. Lessons from the Gulf War can help reshape America's defense transportation system for the post-Cold War era. Commitment to a balanced and unified mobility strategy should provide the most cost-effective, rapidly deployable, and sustainable combat capability. Regional focus, particularly in a multiple-conflict scenario, and reduced forward presence will significantly increase America's reliance on movement in the future. Careful restructuring of military movement capabilities will lessen the risks of distance and time in an unstable world and contribute to the economic well-being of the nation. To do less might invite confrontation with adversaries willing to test the substance and purpose of U.S. reach.

Material taken from the conference panel and discussion titled: What should we have done differently?

Presents a day-by-day chronology of records and information available to the public about Desert Shield/Desert Storm, focusing on the movements and activities of the principals involved in the military action.