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Arabia.  Our initial mission, then, was to move US forces quickly into

position to deter an invasion and defend Saudi territory.


       Later, when the United Nations Security Council passed resolutions

calling for a range of economic sanctions against Iraq, the US military's

mission was   adjusted  to support the multinational coalition's maritime

interception  effort.


       Because of the tremendous distances involved, our deployments

were staged to get the most critical elements into the theater first.   The

emphasis   was  on providing an immediate deterrent presence with air,

naval, and light ground forces while heavier ground forces were moved by

sealift.


       By 8 August, two days after the order was given, carrier battle

groups led by USS Independence and USS Eisenhower were already on

station in the area.   Units of the 82nd Airborne Division and a Maritime

Prepositioning Squadron were en route to Saudi Arabia.    F-15s from the

1st Tactical Fighter Wing, with their superior air-to-air capability, were

also en route.   There can be no question that, once King Fahd requested our

assistance,  the determined and rapid response of our most mobile, ready

forces fully accomplished the mission of deterring any further aggression

by  Iraq.


       Other forces quickly followed.  Marine Corps units were married with

their heavy equipment pre-positioned at Guam and Diego Garcia--an

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