U.S. Troops and Aircraft Sent to Saudi Arabia

August 7, 1990, in Marine Corps history.
U.S. Troops and Aircraft Sent to Saudi Arabia
Posted on 8/7/2026

On August 7, 1990, President George H.W. Bush ordered U.S. military troops and aircraft to Saudi Arabia as part of a multinational force to defend that nation against possible Iraqi invasion. The following week, the Marine Corps announced that it had committed 45,000 Marines to the Persian Gulf area as a part of Operation Desert Shield, which would become the largest deployment of U.S. forces since the Vietnam War.

*Image info: Four Marine Corps CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters, foreground, and six AH-1 Sea Cobra helicopters sit on the flight line at Landing Zone 32 Site Alpha during Operation Desert Shield, January 1991.
(U.S. Government photo/released).


Sale for Marine Corps Family Day at the EGA Shop

Show Your Support During Boot Camp

CLICK TO SHOP NOW

Thirteen weeks is a long time! Show your support when your recruit is in boot camp! Wear these shirts DURING their journey! In 1st Battalion, wear RED on MONDAY. In 2nd Battalion, wear YELLOW on Tuesday. In 3rd Battalion, wear BLUE on Wednesday!

EGA Shop, purchase Marine Corps Clothing and Support Our Troops at the same time!
a Place to Connect& Share®
Marine Parents and the Marine Corps
Recruit Parents
Whats After Boot Camp
After The Corps