Direct proof of use
The BGM-71 TOW was used by U.S. forces during the 1990 Gulf War's Operation Desert Storm campaign. A U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal history states that TOW was among the missile systems fired in combat in Southwest Asia and describes the system as represented in theater on HMMWVs, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Improved TOW Vehicles, and Cobra-mounted versions.
Marine Corps University documents specific AH-1 SuperCobra TOW use at the beginning of Desert Storm. On 17 January 1991, Marine AH-1s from HMLA-369 used BGM-71 TOW and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles against Iraqi observation posts near al-Khafji; the next day, AH-1s used TOW missiles, rockets, and 20 mm cannon fire against mortar tubes, ammunition trucks, and buildings from Ras al-Mishab.
Sources: Redstone Desert Storm Role, Marine Corps University Desert War
Timeline
TOW deployment began with the early Desert Shield buildup. Redstone records that on 9 August 1990, after deployment alerts for the 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division, 24th Infantry Division, and 197th Infantry Brigade, the TOW Project Office moved to upgrade missile guidance sets and M901A1 Improved TOW Vehicle loading rails before units deployed to Southwest Asia.
The first sourced combat-use milestones in this record are from the opening air campaign. Marine Corps University places HMLA-369 AH-1 TOW employment near al-Khafji on 17 January 1991 and additional TOW use from Ras al-Mishab on 18 January. Later in the same border fighting, AH-1s from HMLA-367 screened Marine infantry and destroyed four Iraqi tanks with TOW missiles near the Elbow.
Sources: Redstone Desert Storm Role, Marine Corps University Desert War
Operational role
In the 1990 Gulf War, the documented TOW role was anti-armor and direct fire support from vehicle and helicopter platforms. Redstone describes TOW as part of the antiarmor missile group deployed to Southwest Asia and says the system arrived early because of the large Iraqi armored threat. Its account identifies HMMWV, Bradley, Improved TOW Vehicle, and Cobra-mounted versions in theater.
The clearest incident-level accounts in the available sources involve Marine AH-1 helicopters around al-Khafji and the Kuwaiti-Saudi border. Those strikes used TOW missiles against observation posts, mortar positions, ammunition trucks, buildings, and Iraqi tanks, showing the weapon used against both armored and fixed or support targets during close air support and screening missions.
The compact parent row also reflects Redstone's Improved TOW Vehicle context. Redstone discusses M901 ITV readiness work, M901A1 rail modification for TOW 2A missile loading, and TOW 2 missile guidance-set upgrades, tying the vehicle-mounted TOW force to the Desert Storm deployment and ground campaign support.
Sources: Redstone Desert Storm Role, Marine Corps University Desert War
