by Peter E. Davies.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 80 pages. 2026.
Subtitle: Operation Desert Storm 1991
Saddam’s real problem started when he failed to conquer Iran in the late 1980s and thought he could annex Kuwait in 1990. That was poor judgement and the Coalition’s air war commenced against Iraq’s rather sophisticated air defense network of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) ahead of the ground attack.
I have to admit to a little bit of tech overload at the design, development, and deployment of aircraft and missiles. Doctrine and training in the weapons was a little smoother reading for me.
As for the combat, the electronic cat-and-mouse game between hunting aircraft and defending missiles and radar sites was interesting. Put simple, the Iraqis got smarter with their efforts. More Coalition aircraft were shot down and damaged than I had thought. Yet superior training of Coalition aircraft crew reflected in the results of the aerial attacks.
The booklet contains 46 color photos, four black and white photos, two color maps, one black and white map, two color diagrams, one color two-page action illustration, and 16 color camouflage illustrations (eight aircraft, five missiles, one cockpit, and two vehicles).
Other books go into far more detailed examinations of the various aspects of air warfare during Operation Desert Storm, but this overview was sufficient for me.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
