As a result of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, Operation Desert Shield was implemented by the United States on August 7. Seeking to dissuade Iraq from advancing further into the country, the United States began organizing troops, equipment, and other supplies needed to support a wartime army. By moving resources by air and sea, the presence of the American military was made known in the region with resources organized in countries allied with Saudi Arabia. We subsequently mobilized and began Operation Desert Storm on January 17, 1991 at 3 am in Arabia, the time the first tanks rolled into the country. on the Saudi border, this conflict would continue until the official ceasefire came into force on 11 April of the same year (Operation). During the 10 months of the First Persian Gulf War, the Military Sealift Command conducted the U.S. Army's largest modern sealift operation of war materials. The United States' ability to mobilize and sustain during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm showcases America's national security objectives of forward power projection, maritime supremacy, and effective planning of their maritime transportation strategy. In the past the ability to control forces outside territorial boundaries has been difficult and can still be a challenge at times. Getting information where it's needed and when it's needed was an equally important issue in the 1990s, but with the advent of technologies like the satellite phone and the global positioning system, directing military forces outside the United States has become a problem. easier than ever. Forward power projection is the control of military forces outside of one's territory, and during Operation Desert Shield and Storm this was actually shown... middle of paper... capable of moving a large amount of equipment from the States to the Persian Gulf. While achieving the Navy's goals of forward power projection, remote command, maritime supremacy, control of international sea lanes and strategic sea transportation, moving war materials and personnel where they are needed on the ocean when needed. Works cited "Military Maritime Transport Command". History of MSC. U.S. Navy, n.d. Web. 22 February 2014. “The Timeline of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.” Defense.gov news article: Timeline of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. U.S. Forces Press Service, 8 August 2000. Web. 22 February 2014. Ronald, Rost F. Sealift in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm: 7 August 1990 to 17 February 1991. Rep. Alexandria: Center For Naval Analyses, 2003 . Sealift in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Naval Analysis Center. Network. February 22. 2014.