Space War Meets Info War

Operation DESERT STORM has been widely proclaimed as the first "space war" the United States foughtbut was it really? Or was it really the first "information age" war? Since our ability to operate in space was never challenged, I contend there was never really a battle for space superiority. There was however, a battle for information superiority. Both coalition and Iraqi forces conducted surveillance and reconnaissance operations to gain and exploit information, while simultaneously taking actions to mask their true intentions. The coalition forces were able to obtain information superiority over Iraq through the employment of superior intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets, and effective OPSEC and deception activities. This information superiority enabled the coalition forces to monitor Iraqi forces and convince Sadaam Hussein that an amphibious operation was forthcoming, while simultaneously moving forces to conduct the now famous "left hook" maneuver that caught Sadaam and his forces by surprise.