Operation Desert Storm: Liberation of Kuwait By Jacob Markson On the 12th April, 2025 our gaming group held a very successful WWIII: Team Yankee themed tournament. 18 players gathered for 3 rounds of Red vs Blue Desert Storm game day, featuring prizes for the most thematic Coalition and Iraqi forces as well as best table.

Overview The rounds were 2 hours and 30 minutes with only a couple of games timing out. Forces representing the Iraqi forces were set to 70 points and Coalition were allowed to bring up to 85 points. Special rules would make up for the Iraqi point difference. Missions were predetermined by table. Players could expect to play a player and/or table more than once. A commander was assigned to each side, and each side would in secret assign players to a table.

Special Rules Free World Coalition forces were to be of USA, UK, or France if possible and were to include at least one “top” tank such as the M1 Abrams, Leo 2, and Challengers. Forces were to also include a strike aircraft unit. Iraqi forces were not to include any top of the line equipment such as a Tunguska and T80 tanks. They were also not to include any air assets and to include at least one unit of T72 tanks (other than the B variant). Deep reserves would not apply to Iraqi forces if they were the defender in a mission. Due to the real-life overwhelming victory (and point difference) Iraqi players would get an extra victory point if they lost and made it to turn 4, 2 points if turn 5, and 3 points if turn 6. Air strikes by Coalition players may go awry, especially at night. Each time strike aircraft arrives the Iraqi player gains control of the package on a roll of a 6 during daytime and 5+ during nighttime. At the start of the 3rd turn a Scud Strike would occur. Coalition players would get a chance to shoot it down, Iraqi players would place a ranged in marker and roll a die. On a 1 or 2, the Coalition player would get to move the marker. Then the Iraqi player would roll a die to see what kind of warhead was loaded to include a dud.

Round 1: ~February 24, 1991 – Light the Candle Iraq defends and Coalition attacks and all games are at night. Tables 1 and 7 Covering Force Tables 2 and 8 No Retreat Tables 3 and 9 Dog Fight Tables 4 Breakthrough Table 5 Killing Ground Table 6 Hold the Pocket

This round saw the Coalition winning most of the games. The entire game in darkness was tough scenario for the Iraqi defenders. Coalition suffered from a number of friendly fire incidents, not that they had any major effect on the game. Some Iraqi players would get a SCUD launch, with mine of course, taking out a group of my T-72Ms due to “friendly fire”.

Round 2: ~February 26, 1991 – Battle of 73 Easting Iraq defends and Coalition attacks. Tables 1 and 7 Encounter Tables 2 and 8 Probe Tables 3 and 9 Dustup Tables 4 Free for All Table 5 Counterstrike Table 6 Breakthrough

Iraqi forces had a much better round with gaining the majority of wins. Once again, a number of Coalition flights had friendly fire incidents. Most of the “stolen” aircraft once again either missed altogether or were combat ineffective. SCUD strikes would range from moderately effective to being entirely combat ineffective.

Round 3: ~February 27, 1991 – Task Force Ripper: Race to Kuwait City International Airport Iraq defends and Coalition attacks. Tables 1 and 7 Escape Tables 2 and 8 Bridgehead Tables 3 and 9 Hold the Pocket Tables 4 Valley of Death Table 5 Killing Ground Table 6 No Retreat Iraqi players would have most of the wins in the final round. This last push would give Iraqi forces the overall "win".

Results First and foremost, this was a ton of fun, and the group looks forward to the next event. Our results would see history overturned and the Coalition’s victory would be hard fought as the Iraqi side had the most wins. We did have a 4-way tie for second place, which I thought was rather surprising.  Each side did have at least one “senior” player, but the Coalition had more newer players. After each round it wasn’t uncommon to hear people explaining a tactic or rule to help others gain a better understanding. I take pride in being part of the Screaming Eagles group, which is both known for being very competitive as well as welcoming. ~ Jacob