Av-8b Harrier Ii Units Desert Storm

WHEN IRAQ INVADED KUWAIT IN AUGUST 1990, A COALITION OF NATIONS LAUNCHED OPERATION DESERT SHIELD IN ORDER TO DEFEND SAUDI ARABIA. THE HARRIER II WAS AMONG THE FIRST TACTICAL AIR ASSETS TO BE DEPLOYED TO THE REGION TO SUPPORT GROUND FORCES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO HALT THE ADVANCE OF IRAQI FORCES AT THE BORDER WITH KUWAIT AND SAUDI ARABIA. DURING OPERATION DESERT STORM, THE FIVE UNITS FLYING THE AV-8B IN-THEATRE BECAME SOME OF THE TOP TACTICAL SQUADRONS OF CHOICE BY AIR MISSION PLANNERS FOR ALLIED BATTLEFIELD PREPARATION AND CLOSE AIR SUPPORT.