The Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq Wars

Iraq Invades Kuwait

Aug 2, 1990

Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait and declares it a province of Iraq.

Operation Desert Shield

Aug 7, 1990

U.S. sends troops to Kuwait. They are not given orders to attack Iraqi army, but to stay stationed there.

Operation Desert Storm

Feb 24, 1991

Operation Desert Storm begins. U.S. soldiers stationed in Kuwait are ordered to remove Iraq and Saddam Hussain by any means neccesasary.

9/11

Sep 11, 2001

Terrorists attack the World Trade Center, Pentagon and make and attempt on the White House.

Bush Demmands Handover of Osama Bin Laden

Sep 20, 2001

President Bush demmands the handover of Osama Bin Laden by Afghanistan or face immediate war.

Operation Enduring Freedom

Oct 7, 2001

Operation Enduring Freedom begins. After Osama Bin Laden is not handed over the U.S. invades Afghanistan and the Afghan War begins.

Hamid Karzai Sworn In

Dec 22, 2001

Hamid Karzai is sworn in as Afghanistan's President. This represents a U.S. victory over Afghanistan's conventional forces and the first democracy in Afghanistan in years.

First Troops Sent to Iraq

Jan 1, 2003

After Congress gives military power to the President for use against Iraq the first troops are sent to the country, but no orders are given to engage.

Ultimatum Given to Saddam

Mar 17, 2003

Saddam Hussein is given the ultimatum to leave Iraq in 48 hours or face war from the U.S.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Mar 19, 2003

Operation Iraqi Freedom begins. U.S. troops are given the order to take Baghdad/Iraq and remove Saddam Hussein.