Because of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the presence of allied naval units in the Persian Gulf, the number of merchant ships operating in the Gulf quickly declined. Relatively few ships attempted to take cargos directly to Iraq. However, commercial traffic in the Red Sea remained high throughout Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm. Many ships carrying embargoed cargo to the Jordanian port of Aqaba for land shipment to Iraq were intercepted and turned away.

Typical Interdiction Operations

         The Maritime Interdiction Force ( MIF ) continues to monitor all ocean traffic and to challenge all vessels potentially carrying contraband cargo bound for Iraq. At any given time, 10 to 15 U.S. and allied ships are directly involved in interdiction operations.

         The U.S. Navy generally used the ship motor whaleboat for boardings. But in rough seas, it proved difficult to launch and to approach larger vessels. Navy crews engaged in interdiction operations expressed an urgent need for new rigid hull, inflatable boats for boarding operations.

Importance of Training

         U.S. Navy personnel generally learned to conduct interdiction operations once they arrived in theater. Although there were some similarities with drug interdiction operations in the Caribbean, maritime interdiction operations in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea were significantly different. Specialized training was necessary for the ships and their crews to be effective, but this requirement did not pose any difficulty.

         The level of training and experience operating out of home waters were significant factors affecting individual units' effectiveness in MIF operations. For example, a U.S. commander reported that Greek and Spanish naval units had not operated out of their home waters since the 1940's which, in turn, affected their confidence when deployed to the Persian Gulf region. In a similar vein, some allied navies expressed a preference for using. U.S. Navy helicopters to support MIF operations rather than their own helicopters. This preference was due primarily to a lack of experience with at-sea airborne operations.

Command and Control of MIF Operations

         There was no unified command structure for ships of the thirteen allied nations that participated in naval operations during Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm. But the lack of a unified command structure did not prevent effective coordination and conduct of operations. Naval commanders credit a long history of joint exercises between U.S. and allied navies for the successful level of coordination achieved.

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