Operation Vigilant Warrior

Operation VIGILANT WARRIOR was a military operation from 8 October 1994 to 15 December 1994 by the United States in response to two divisions of Iraqi Republican Guard troops moving toward the Kuwaiti border. A quick response by United States President Bill Clinton allowed USCENTAF command and staff to deploy to Riyadh within days.

On the evening of 7 October 1994, 1st Brigade of the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) based at Fort Stewart GA went on alert. The following day, lead elements of that Brigade, consisting of four line companies each from the 2/7 Infantry Battalion and 3/69 Armor Battalion plus the 2/7 Infantry Battalion Headquarters, deployed by air on orders to Camp Doha, Kuwait. Those elements completed the air movement within 48 hours. Within 72 hours, that reinforced brigade drew pre-positioned equipment stored at Camp Doha In addition two Patriot missile batteries from Fort Polk, Louisiana were dispatched to theater.

On 8 October, 1st Force Service Support Group (FSSG), I Marine Expeditionary Force, was put on alert. The 1st FSSG Forward (FWD) was manned up to deploy as the lead element for the 1st FSSG. The FSSG FWD deployed 120 Marines and equipment from March Air Force Base, CA to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia via Air Force Cargo Aircraft on 28 October 1994. The unit then traveled north by convoy to the port of Al-Jubayli. At the same time, the 3rd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) deployed from Fort Benning GA to the port of Ad-Dammam, which would draw pre-positioned afloat equipment.

Also on 8 October, the 23rd Wing's (Flying Tigers) 75th Fighter Squadron (Tigersharks) and its full complement of A-10s initially deployed from Pope AFB, North Carolina to Dhahran AB, Saudi Arabia, followed by the first forward deployment to Ahmed al Jabber AB, Kuwait. This allowed better face-to-face coordination with tactical air control parties (TACP) assets further forward deployed at Camp Doha, Kuwait and points North. They initiated the first of a series of 120-day rotations for the A-10 community that continued until Operation IRAQI FREEDOM commenced.

The United Kingdom's contribution was two warships, HMS Cardiff (D108) and HMS Cornwall (F99), doubling their deployment of RAF Tornado GR1s (originally six) and increasing their troop numbers to 1,000. Elements of the 45 Commando were airlifted into Kuwait. The Commandos operated alongside the 1st Brigade of 24th Infantry Division.

Iraq recalled its ground forces during the last weeks of October. With no remaining need for the combat troops, retrograde began within a few days. The Marines departed from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on 5 November 1994. Much of the 24th Infantry Division turned in the pre-positioned equipment and rotated out of Kuwait before Thanksgiving Day, but trail elements remained until the first days of December.

The Joint Meritorious Unit Award given went to HQ US Training Mission Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 8 October 1994 through December 15, 1994, for Operation Vigilant Warrior. US Service members who participated were authorized the Southwest Asia Service Medal, but not the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) nor the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) due to these events taking place after the end dates of those specific medals.

President Clinton visited the deployed troops in late October. On October 28, he spoke to the members of the 1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division at their positions in the desert to the northwest of Kuwait City. Clinton emphasized the speed at which the brigade deployed deterred a repeat of the 1991 invasion of Kuwait. Clinton stated, "You got here in a very big hurry. And because of that, Iraq got the message in a very big hurry. It withdrew its forces that were massed near the Kuwaiti border." And to the joy of the deployed troops, he also announced they would be home before Christmas and they would receive additional combat zone deployment allowances (amounting to $300 per month for enlisted soldiers).