Can the USAF replay its Desert Storm Operations today against China?

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 21:28:11 -0500

In 1991, as part of the Desert Storm, the US and its allies flew more than 116,000 combat air sorties and dropped 88,500 tons of bombs over six weeks before the ground campaign.

The air missions were so successful that the ground campaign was over in 100 hours. However, as the USAF completes 76 years of existence today, its declining prowess suggests it will struggle to conduct Operation Desert Storm against peer adversaries like China.

Operation Desert Storm in the Gulf saw an expansive use of stealth aircraft and precision-guided munitions. The air power was used so effectively that the ground campaign drove the Iraqi forces out of Kuwait in just four days.

LTC Eric Udouj @LtCol Charlie Brown Lt Col Charlie Brown MSG Izy Veguillacruz MSG Private RallyPoint Member Col Private RallyPoint Member MSG Felipe De Leon Brown COL Dan Ruder Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Maj Marty Hogan MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy COL Mikel J. Burroughs SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Dec 6 at 2023 10:04 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 22:04:36 -0500

That's kind of an apples and oranges comparison. Any conflict with China would most likely not have months of build-up like was experienced prior to Desert Storm. I'd have to quibble a bit on the comment of "declining prowess".
Our stealth aircraft and precision guided munitions have improved significantly since 1991 and despite the hype about China's stealthy aircraft, you have to remember that they were designed to be "like" US aircraft. I'll go along with describing China as a peer advisory but you really must remember that their hardware is, and most likely always will be, trying to keep up with the US.
That said, the big factor is basic military doctrine of China vs that of the US. China's military simply not structured to allow subordinate commanders, or even individual pilots, to operate in any given situation on their own. China's military is structured on the Soviet/Russian doctrine, and I think Ukraine has shown us how inefficient that doctrine can be.

Response by COL Dan Ruder made Dec 7 at 2023 2:36 AM

COL Dan Ruder — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 02:36:58 -0500

My cheeks involuntarily cringed at the notion that the US could “replay” the uncontested air superiority of the 1991 Gulf War in a potential war for the air against China. I suspect that many readers may also perceive the posted question as rhetorical. Nevertheless, Max Boot stated “[t]he past is an uncertain guide to the future, but it is the only one we have.” Therefore, a historical perspective should consider not only the first Gulf War but also Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, and even Syria. We flew combat missions against adversaries without advanced IADS or sophisticated A2/AD capabilities, enemies who didn’t have a lethal air force (or no air force at all), and possessed small caliber anti-aircraft capabilities. These were periods characterized by rapid and episodic airpower conquest against unimposing adversaries. Consequently, I find it improbable that we can "replay" Desert Storm, given the significant changes in the character of warfare against a foe with advanced anti-access and aerial denial capabilities, iron domes, high-tech IADS, 5th Gen fighters, advanced space-based capabilities, EW/Cyberattack capabilities, and stolen knowledge of U.S. tech capabilities and limitations. The character of air warfare will be a constant contest instead of the episodic victories witnessed since 1991. To paraphrase a sister service colleague (F22 fighter pilot), we have the greatest Air Force in the world, but arguably, it has faced the most unchallenged success of any of the Services.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Dec 7 at 2023 8:30 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:30:43 -0500

Totally different set of circumstances

Response by SMSgt Henry Kiester made Dec 8 at 2023 10:30 AM

SMSgt Henry Kiester — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 10:30:36 -0500

I would rather like to have a US Military so strong, that no other country would consider going to war against us.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Dec 9 at 2023 10:11 AM

LTC Eugene Chu — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 10:11:58 -0500

Not a good analogy like others mentioned. Future conflict with China would likely be over Taiwan. Archipelago terrain is totally different than the land based conflict that Desert Storm was in Middle East. Naval aviation would be more of a factor than Air Force.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Dec 11 at 2023 11:04 AM

CPL Sheila Lewis — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 11:04:19 -0500

I was part of Operation Desert Storm...

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Dec 11 at 2023 11:04 AM

CPL Sheila Lewis — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 11:04:36 -0500

No.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 11 at 2023 11:19 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 11:19:17 -0500

Sir, think please- you are comparing apples to pumpkins. Iraq was using dated Russian ADA to an extent. China is a tech giant, and their ADA causes many concerns among the USAF. Ditto for fighter aircraft. It would take a long time to gain air superiority in China, Iraq lost air superiority and ADA in a matter of hours.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 12 at 2023 9:42 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 09:42:27 -0500

No, Chuck Horner retired a long time ago.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2023 10:16 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 10:16:12 -0500

In a word...No. China has a better Air Force fleet with better trained pilots than what Iraq had. Plus, we won't have the ability to build up like we did back then. Too much media attention to keep things quiet.