1990 Gulf War

160mm M160 in the 1990 Gulf War

U.S. National Archives image records document an Iraqi M-160 160 mm mortar abandoned at a Kuwait City outpost after Iraqi forces withdrew during Operation Desert Storm.

Weapon profile160mm M160
SideIraqRoleCaptured, Seized & Recovered
160mm M160, 160 mm towed heavy mortar, Artillery - 1990 Gulf War
Image source: Commons 160 mm M-160 4055 Image

Evidence Map

ClaimEvidence typeSources
An Iraqi M-160 160 mm mortar was documented at a Kuwait City outpost after Iraqi forces withdrew during Operation Desert Storm.U.S. National Archives image record

Sources: NARA Abandoned Iraqi M-160 Image

A U.S. soldier inspected an Iraqi M-160 160 mm mortar abandoned when Iraqi forces withdrew from Kuwait City.U.S. National Archives image record

Sources: NARA Soldier Inspects Iraqi M-160 Image

The cited records support Iraqi conflict materiel presence and abandonment, not a specific firing mission or target effect.Scope limit from cited evidence

Sources: NARA Abandoned Iraqi M-160 Image, NARA Soldier Inspects Iraqi M-160 Image

Timeline

160mm M160 In 1990 Gulf War

  1. Iraqi M-160 photographed abandoned in Kuwait City

    National Archives image records document an Iraqi M-160 160 mm mortar abandoned at a Kuwait City outpost after Iraqi forces withdrew during Operation Desert Storm, with a companion image showing a U.S. soldier inspecting the mortar.

    Sources: NARA Abandoned Iraqi M-160 Image, NARA Soldier Inspects Iraqi M-160 Image

Documented Use

Direct proof of use

The 160mm M160 appears in the 1990 Gulf War through U.S. National Archives image records mirrored by the NARA and DVIDS Public Domain Archives. One record identifies an Iraqi M-160 160 mm mortar standing abandoned at an outpost after Iraqi forces withdrew from Kuwait City during Operation Desert Storm.

A companion image record shows an American soldier inspecting an Iraqi M-160 160 mm mortar abandoned when Iraqi forces withdrew from Kuwait City. Both records list the operation as Desert Storm, place the scene at Kuwait City, identify the country as Kuwait, and name Tech. Sgt. David Mcleod as the camera operator.

Sources: NARA Abandoned Iraqi M-160 Image, NARA Soldier Inspects Iraqi M-160 Image

Timeline

On March 10, 1991, after the coalition ground campaign had expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait, the National Archives image records documented the abandoned M-160 at Kuwait City. The records support Iraqi possession or fielding in the conflict and post-withdrawal recovery or inspection by U.S. personnel.

The cited image records do not document a dated firing mission, target, unit designation, or battle damage caused by the mortar. They support the narrower claim that an Iraqi M-160 was present as conflict materiel in Kuwait City during Operation Desert Storm's aftermath.

Sources: NARA Abandoned Iraqi M-160 Image, NARA Soldier Inspects Iraqi M-160 Image

Operational role

Within this catalog entry, the M-160's Gulf War role is recorded as captured, seized, or recovered Iraqi equipment rather than a confirmed fire-support event. The direct evidence places the mortar with Iraqi forces and then abandoned after withdrawal from Kuwait City.

That distinction matters because the records identify the weapon, user side, location, operation, and abandonment context, but they do not say when or whether this specific mortar fired during the campaign.

Sources: NARA Abandoned Iraqi M-160 Image, NARA Soldier Inspects Iraqi M-160 Image

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