A decade ago, the United States armed forces launched its largest offensive operation since the D-Day landings in World War II. The nature of the war was vastly changed; here was a purely desert environment, with sweltering heat during the day and bitter cold at night, making new demands on men and equipment. Indeed, the need for speed during the build-up in Saudi Arabia created shortages of many desert-specific items, resulting in the deployment of troups variously clad and equipped. Many weapons and items of equipment were seeing combat for the first time together with new and sophisticated electronics gear. In this book, G.I.s from all the branches of the US armed forces are illustrated together with the many specialist units that have grown in importance over the last few decades.
