GW1 vs GW2: Troop Numbers
by teece
Thu Apr 15, 2004 at 10:39:34 AM PDT
This is a short and simple diary.
It occurred to me that I did not know how many troops we deployed in Gulf War I. In Gulf War II we have 130,000. Our mission, while against a weaker enemy, is far broader: occupy Iraq and construct a stable, democratic nation.
The mission of GW1 was to kick Iraq out of Kuwait, a much smaller geographic area.
There have been repeated claims of a troop shortage in Iraq today. So, in the less expansive mission of Gulf War I, how many troops did we have?
Answer:
Gulf War I: 490,000 US; 210,000 Coalition
Gulf War II: ~130,000 US; ~20,000 Coalition
sSource (for GWI numbers. GWII from memory)
Saddam's army was undoubtedly stronger in 1991. Nonetheless, the difference between our commitment now and then is rather amazing.
- teece's diary :: ::
