January 17, 1991

Air Assault

 

Plane
Planes Attacking Iraq

On the morning of January 17, Allied forces began the first phase of Operation Desert Storm: the attack on Iraq. American forces systematically first destroyed the Iraqi border radar stations. Next they attacked other key elements of the Iraqi anti-aircraft network. Finally they began bombing key targets in downtown Iraq, including the Presidential palace, communication centers and power stations. The Allied forces lost only 2 planes during the attacks. The attacks continued day and night.