The United States Navy sent their naval forces in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf including six Aircraft Carriers to take part in Operation Desert Storm, including others that arrived before or after the war started and ended (as part of Operation Southern Watch).
Units in Operation Desert Shield
Before Operation Desert Storm, the US Navy helped with the buildup of forces in the Middle East. Both Independence and Dwight D. Eisenhower didn't take part in the actual conflict.
Battle Group Delta'* (Relieved by USS Midway on November 1 1990) - Persian Gulf ===
USS Independence CV-62
USS Jouett CG-29
USS Antietam CG-54
USS Goldborough DDG-20
USS Reasoner FF-1063
USS Brewton FF-1086
USS Barbey FF-1088
=== USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69 (August 8 to 24th) - Persian Gulf ===
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69
USS Ticonderoga CG-47
USS Tattnall DDG-19
USS Scott DDG-995
USS Peterson DD-969
USS John Rodgers DD-983
USS John L. Hall FFG-32
USS Paul FF-1080
== Units in Operation Desert Storm ==
=== Battle Group Alfa (October 2, 1990 to April 17, 1991 - Persian Gulf) ===
USS Midway CV-41 (Flagship of Battle Force Zulu) USS Bunker Hill CG-52 USS Mobile Bay CG-53 USS Hewitt DD-966 USS Oldendorf DD-972 USS Fife DD-991 USS Curts FFG-38
Unlike the other carriers in the Gulf War, USS Midway couldn't carry the S-3 Viking or the F-14 Tomcat due to her size constraints meaning the ship instead had three F/A-18 squadrons.
=== Saratoga Carrier Battlegroup (August 7, 1990 to March 28, 1991) - Red Sea ===
USS Saratoga CV-60
USS South Carolina CGN-37
USS Biddle CG-34
USS Philippine Sea CG-58
USS Spruance DD-963
USS Sampson DDG-10
USS Elmer Montgomery FF-1082
USS Thomas C. Hart FF-1092
=== Battle Group Echo (December 8, 1990 - June 8 1991) - Persian Gulf ===
USS Ranger CV-61
USS Horne CG-30
USS Valley Forge CG-50
USS Princeton CG-59
USS Paul F. Foster DD-964
USS Harry W. Hill DD-986
USS Jarrett FFG-33
USS Francis Hammond FF-1067
USS Ranger had a very different air wing compared to most carriers in the Gulf War as it was in the 'Grumman Air Wing' format. This meant it didn't have the F/A-18 or A-7E Corsair, which were the 2 different light attack aircraft used on many of the carriers, replacing them with 2 A-6E intruder squadrons.
=== USS America CV-66 (December 28, 1990 - April 18, 1991) - Red Sea (Later Persian Gulf) ===
USS America CV-66
USS Virginia CGN-38
USS Normandy CG-60
USS William V. Pratt DDG-44
USS Preble DDG-46
USS Halyburton FFG-40
USS America crossed through the Suez Canal on January 15 1991, the same day the UN deadline for Iraq leaving Kuwait ended.
At daylight on January 19 1991 (2 days after the first night), CVW-1 conducted their first strikes against Iraq.
=== USS John F. Kennedy CV-67 (August 15, 1990 - March 28, 1991) - Red Sea===
USS John F. Kennedy CV-67
USS Mississippi CGN-40
USS Thomas S. Gates CG-51
USS San Jacinto CG-56
USS Moosbrugger DD-980
USS Samuel B. Roberts FFG-58
=== USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71 (December 28, 1990 - June 28, 1991) - Persian Gulf (Later Red Sea) ===
USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71
USS Richmond K. Turner CG-20
USS Leyte Gulf CG-55
USS Caron DD-970
USS Hawes FFG-53
USS Vreeland FF-1068
USS Theodore Roosevelt launched her first strikes two days after the first night on the morning of January 19 1991. After the Gulf War, Theodore Roosevelt took part in Operation Provide Comfort after transiting the Suez Canal on April 20, 1991.
== Units in Operation Southern Watch (1991-2003) ==
=== Battle Group Bravo (February 25, 1991 - August 24, 1991)===
USS Nimitz CVN-68
USS Texas CGN-39
USS Chancellorsville CG-62
USS Rentz FFG-46
USS Stein FF-1065
USS Harold E. Holt FF-1074
Carrier Air Wing 9 - Tail Code: NGSquadronAircraftNotesVF-24 Fighting RenegadesF-14A+ TomcatVF-211 CheckmatesF-14A+ TomcatF-14A+ renamed F-14B in 1992.VFA-146 Blue DiamondsF/A-18C (N) HornetNight Attack HornetVFA-147 ArgonautsF/A-18C (N) HornetNight Attack HornetVA-165 BoomersA-6E SWIP Intruder/KA-6D IntruderVAQ-138 Yellow JacketsEA-6B ProwlerVS-33 ScrewbirdsS-3A VikingVAW-112 Golden HawksE-2C HawkeyeHS-2 Golden FalconsSH-60F/HH-60H Oceanhawk === Battle Group Foxtrot (May 26, 1991 - November 25, 1991)===