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An Analysis and Lessons learned of the USMC’s Maritime Interception Operations in the Persian Gulf War in 1990

LEE PYO KYU 1

1단국대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to analyse the maritime interception operations conducted by the 13th MEU and 4th MEB during the Persian Gulf War in 1990 using the framework posited by the maritime strategists, and to evaluate the value of the Marine Corps in the maritime interception operation. According the results of this study, the five interception operations conducted by the USMCs were very effective. They participated in the each operation at the last 5th stage: Forcible entry using Helicopter movement and fast rope insertion, and controled the crews and engines. After that the other teams such as the international law enforcement, military police, and ship inspection teams were board and ended the operations. With these operations, gave significant damages on the accumulations of Iraqi military power and raised positive responses from the international community. As a result, they ultimately contributed the victory of the multinational coalition forces. The factors that those operations were successful are found from the flexible commanding relationship of the theater command and control system, through preparedness in peacetime and before waging the operations like real war. In addition to this, the cooperations among the various operational elements provided by the USMC, US Navy and the other international fleets. These kinds of maritime interception operations against enemy fleet, commercial and passenger ships do not merely contribute to the maritime control in the theater, but also influence to the sustainment capabilities of the opponent. Consequently, the great maritime strategists, Geoffrey Till evaluate them as the decisive operations directly approaching the enemy’s center of gravity. If a Korean war is occurred in the future, the procedures of waging war in the coastal area would be very similar with those of the persian Gulf War at the initial stage. Therefore, we need to establish the concept and definition of maritime interception operations and to continuously research the relevant subjects accepting the lessons of this study.

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