14 JAN 91
OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/STORM
GROUND RULES
The following information should not be reported because its publication or broadcast could jeopardize
operations and endanger lives:
1. For U.S. or coalition units, specific numerical information on troop strength, aircraft, weapons systems,
on-hand equipment or supplies (e.g., artillery, tanks, radars, missiles, trucks, water), including amounts of
ammunition or fuel moved by or on hand in support and combat units. Unit size may be described in general
terms, such as “company-size,” “multibattalion,” “multidivision,“ “naval task force” and “carrier battle group.”
Number or amount of equipment and supplies may be described in general terms, such as “large,” “small” or
“many.”
2. Any information that reveals details of future plans, operations or strikes, including postponed or
cancelled operations.
3. Information, photography and imagery that would reveal the specific location of military forces or show
the level of security at military installations or encampments. Locations maybe described as follows: all Navy
embark stories can identify the ship upon which embarked as a dateline and will state that the report is coming
from the “Persian Gulf,” “Red Sea” or “North Arabian Sea.” Stories written in Saudi Arabia maybe datelined
“Eastern Saudi Arabia,” “Near the Kuwaiti border,” etc. For specific countries outside Saudi Arabia, stories
will state that the report is coming from the Persian Gulf region unless that country has acknowledged its
participation.
4. Rules of engagement details.
5. Infomation on intelligence collection activities, including targets, methods and results.
6. During an operation, specific information on friendly force troop movements, tactical deployments and
dispositions that would jeopardize operational security or lives. This would include designations, names of
operations and size of friendly forces involved, until released by CENTCOM.
7. Identification of mission aircraft points of origin, other than as land- or carrier-based.
8. Information on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of enemy camouflage, cover, deception, targeting,
direct and indirect fire, intelligence collection or security measures.
9. Specific identifying information on missing or downed aircraft or ships while search and rescue
operations are planned or under way.
10. Special operations forces’ methods, unique equipment or tactics.
11. Specific operating methods and tactics, (e.g., air angles of attack or speeds, or naval tactics and evasive
maneuvers). General terms, such as “low” or “fast,” may be used.
12. Information on operational or support vulnerabilities that could be used against U.S. forces, such as
details of major battle damage or major personnel losses of specific U.S. or coalition units, until that information
no longer provides tactical advantage to the enemy and is, therefore, released by CENTCOM. Damage and
casualties may be described as “light,” “moderate” or “heavy.”
Figure 4-4.—Media ground rules during Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM.
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