Operation Desert Storm

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Operation Desert Storm began in early August 1990 when Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, a neighboring country, The United Nations Security Council promptly demanded Hussein’s withdrawal from Kuwait, but when he ignored the orders, Arab nations appealed to the United States and other Western nations for intervention. The operation kicked off with a massive U.S.-led air offensive on January 17, 1991, effectively crippling the Iraqi air force. Coalition forces then shifted their focus to ground attacks. Operation Desert Sabre, launched on February 24, 1991. Operation Desert Sabre was a large, allied ground offensive. In four days, the coalition forces liberated Kuwait. President George H. Bush called for a ceasefire on February 28, effectively ending the Persian Gulf War. The U.S. Navy had already positioned ships in the region with Joint Task Force Middle East ships placed on alert. Using one of the larges strategic sealifts in history, over 240 ships transported more than 18.3 billion pounds of equipment and supplies to the areas. With amphibious forces stationed in the Arabian Gulf, the allies were able to efficiently navigate Iraqi defenses and conduct their mission.
This week we salute Erik Fritz. Originally from Medora North Dakota, Erik moved to Forsyth in 1995. He served four years in the U.S. Navy from 1988 to 1992. He went to basic training in Orlando Florida. Erik’s military occupational specialty was 3905, an intelligence specialist. He served with the commanders second fleet. During Desert Storm, he was attached to the 27th Marine Expeditionary unit. He was the only sailor attached to the unit that was not a Medical Corpsman. Erik has been a bladesmith since 2004. The American Bladesmith Society classifies Erik as journeyman bladesmith. He is married to Alicia, and they have three children.