Operation Desert Storm occurred 31 years ago, only five months after Iraqi forces invaded and annexed Kuwait. For veterans, like my uncle Louis Latigue who served as a tank platoon leader with the 24th Infantry Division, the experience was one of courage, endurance, and sacrifice. As technology is advancing and political tensions rise, let’s look back at the Gulf War and hear how conditions really were.
“My unit was ready to go when we got the call. We were trained for rapid deployment and understood that we’d be the first unit sent to confront any global threat. While there was a lot of uncertainty about how long we’d be gone, there was never a doubt in my mind that we were prepared,” said Lartigue, referring to the moments before deployment.
While conditions were harsh in the desert, Lartigue and his soldiers found ways to break away from reality for short moments. Playing cards and painting bottle caps were a substitution for poker chips to keep soldiers entertained. In the desert there were no showers and keeping clean was a hassle, so they bathed and washed their uniforms in an igloo water cooler.
Today’s military has access to innovations like GPS, drones, and advanced communication systems that could have made operations in the desert much more efficient and safer.
“With drones and better reconnaissance, we could have gathered intelligence much more effectively. We had to rely on foot patrols or helicopters, which were risky. Modern technology would have allowed us to track enemy movements and plan attacks with greater precision,” said Lartigue.
As veterans like Louis Lartigue continue to reflect on their experiences, the choice to join Desert Storm will always stay with them, through the happy and the sad. However, it’s certain that the innovations of today would have made a significant difference in the way soldiers experienced the conflict.
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