The Persian Gulf War Occurred 35 Years Ago

The Persian Gulf War, commonly known as Operation Desert Storm, started on Jan. 17, 1991, with intense air strikes by U.S. troops and allies targeting Iraqi forces, followed by a ground assault on Feb. 24 that lasted only four days, freeing all Iraqi forces from Kuwait by Feb. 28.

In the photo, several members of the U.S. Special forces hold a U.S. flag to celebrate their victory over the Iraqi army on Feb. 27, 1991, in Kuwait City.

The Gulf War, sometimes referred to as the "Video Game War," was a pivotal turning point in warfare due to the widespread use of "smart bombs."

These bombs helped coalition forces hit important targets accurately, reducing damage to the surroundings and civilian deaths. The footage of laser-guided bombs hitting Iraqi bunkers on TV highlighted this change in air warfare. For the first time, technology played a role as significant as strategy in battles, setting a new standard for future wars.

This article is featured in the 2026 January/February issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Ismael Rodriguez Jr., associate editor for VFW magazine.