READY FOR TODAY – EVOLVING FOR TOMORROW
Deception Case Study: Amphibious Demonstration – Op DESERT STORM
Image 1
Image 1 is a leaflet widely used during Op
Desert Storm by PSYOPS to cause the
Iraqis to perceive a powerful amphibious
task force would come from the Persian
Gulf to push back the Iraqis. Allied
forces then conducted a hook movement
through Iraq, as depicted in Image 2,
to catch the Iraqis off guard. The leaflet
aimed to cause Iraqi leaders to position
forces closer to the shore to repel the
assault. The U.S. Marines were part
of the deception plan, but their leaders
were not informed of that fact. They
were led to believe they would actually
conduct the amphibious assault and
performed a number of demanding battle
drills in preparation for their perceived
mission. As the ground war commenced,
17,000 Marines stood ready off shore.
GEN Schwarzkopf ensured a media
black-out occurred in the build-up of
the operation to ensure no leaks of the
deception would make it to the media.
He later apologised to the Marines for
not having the opportunity to conduct the
mission for which they trained so hard.
Nevertheless, the Marines’ preparations
were the core of the deception plan and
the quick allied victory. It tied down at
least seven Iraqi divisions, even after the
ground campaign was underway.
Image 2
ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS
65