‘Go get ‘em:’ Stories from the Persian Gulf War
In AUG 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and ultimately started the Persian Gulf War.
The Gulf War (2 AUG 90 - 28 FEB 91) was a war between coalition forces, including the U.S and Iraq, that was launched in response to Iraq invading Kuwait. It was coined the world’s “shortest war” because joint U.S. and allied forces defeated Iraqi ground forces in Kuwait in just 100 hours.
There were two phases of the war – Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
Over 650,000 U.S. service members deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. These are two of their stories.
MSgt Michael Raff, USAF ret.
MSgt Michael Raff
MSgt Michael Raff (U.S. Air Force, ret.) was just a young A1C when he deployed to the island of Diego Garcia in AUG 1990. He was part of the 3rd Combat Comm Group, 31st Combat Comm Squadron based out of Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. He helped maintain the ground radar systems that air traffic control used for the safe launch and return of the bombers, refuelers, and other support aircraft during the Gulf War.
MSgt Raff enlisted in 1988 right after he graduated from high school. He’d always had a love for aircraft and was even in his school’s Junior Air Force ROTC program. He went to basic training at Lackland, technical training at Keesler, and follow-up specialized training at Tinker.
MSgt Raff had only been out of tech school for a few months when he deployed as part of Operation Desert Shield in AUG 1990. It was his first deployment and first time in actual operations, working directly with the air traffic controls. He felt tremendous pressure to get everything right.
Diego Garcia is a tiny island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. While MSgt Raff didn’t have to worry about SCUD missile attacks or possible chemical attacks of those in Saudi or Kuwait, he still lived in a tent and worked 12+ hour shifts at a time. He and his team played a key role in supporting the B-52s that were used in the aerial attacks.
In fact, MSgt Raff clearly recalls the moment when the bombers took off for the first time. The whole island got really quiet as the planes launched.
However, the thing MSgt Raff remembers most fondly is the overwhelming support from everyone back home. The letters and care packages from complete strangers reminded him and his fellow service members that they were remembered and the entire country was in their corner. It’s something he believes is lacking today and is one of the reasons why he gives back to the veteran community.
Today, MSgt Raff supports veterans in the South Mississippi Gulf Coast Community as an active member of Team RWB.
Cpl David Nevarez, USMC
Cpl David Nevarez
During the Persian Gulf War, Cpl David Nevarez (Marine Corps veteran) was a logistics specialist in the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines.
Nevarez is from Victoria, Texas and enlisted in the Marines in Sep 1983 because, well, he needed a job. He worked in construction and the economy was in a slump at the time. He completed boot camp at MCRD San Diego on 9 Dec 1983, Platoon 1099 Alpha Company.
5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade en route to the Persian Gulf. Nevarez remembers that day and how they were buzzed by two Soviet "Bear" Bomber aircraft. Radio transmission from the Soviets was "God Speed."
The 5th Marines deployed for Desert Storm the day after Thanksgiving 1990, most of them sent out via Navy ships, including Nevarez. He was aboard the USS Tripoli. Nevarez arrived in The Philippines the day after Christmas where he enjoyed his last little bits of liberty. On 2 Jan 1991, the USS Tripoli arrived in the Gulf. That night, shortly after the 5th Marines disembarked, the USS Tripoli hit a mine and the war became very “real deal” for Nevarez and his team.
During the air campaign of Operation Desert Shield, the 5th Marines engaged in PSYOP (psychological operations) to help give Iraq the illusion we were invading from a different location than planned. When that was completed, they waited.
Nevarez recalls the morning of 17 JAN 1991 very clearly because they were served steak and eggs for breakfast. He knew they were mobilizing for the ground invasion.
Nevarez, like most combat veterans, prefers to talk about the men he was with, like his driver Jose Torres or his commander Lt. Col. David Bedworth, rather than talk about his combat experience.
Nevarez does joke about how he waited 44 days to take a shower and how the camels and goats wouldn’t even approach him because he smelled so bad. He recalls how grateful the Kuwaiti people were and how the letters and care packages sent by people from all over the U.S. were a huge morale booster.
And the support didn’t stop when he came home. The flight back to the States was “phenomenal.” Nevarez and the service members traveling with him were greeted at LaGuardia Airport by crowds of well-wishers, handshakes, pats on the back, and a couple of celebratory beverages. When he arrived at Norton AFB, he kissed the ground.
The main body of the Regiment arrived via ship a few weeks after his arrival. Once the last Marine and equipment was off ship, he sent his last radio transmission. It was "5th Marine Regiment Marine and equipment accounted for."
The war had a lasting impact on Nevarez. For years, he couldn’t be around fireworks for the 4th of July or New Years. To this day, the Texas dust storms still bother him. He finds solace and purpose in serving his fellow veterans.
Seven years ago, Nevarez created the first Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee for the El Paso City Council. It’s designed to help “fill the gaps” for veterans – everything from employment to housing and transportation. He was the first chairman and still keeps a watchful eye on the committee to make sure veterans are being helped.
Show your support for Gulf War veterans, like Raff and Nevarez, by taking on our Gulf War Chocolate Chipper Monthly Mission.
