January 17, 1991

Operation Desert Storm launches when US Air Force EF-111A and US Navy/US Marine Corps EA-6B crews unleash a torrent of noise and deception, jamming signals on Iraq’s airwaves. Supported by the EC-130s’ jamming of all known communications frequencies, this paralyzes much of Iraq’s communications network. Desert Storm marks the first time that US Army helicopters fly with electronic warfare equipment for protection from short-range infrared, radar-guided missiles, and radar controlled anti-aircraft artillery.