Direct proof of use
The M119 is documented in the 1990 Gulf War through an official U.S. Army equipment summary. The Army identifies the lightweight 105 mm howitzer as a smaller infantry-brigade howitzer used particularly for air-assault missions and says it was first used in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
That source places the system's initial combat use with coalition forces during the Gulf War. The same Army summary gives the weapon's approximate 4,700-pound weight and describes a roughly 12-mile range with 105 mm shells, supporting its role as a light field-artillery system rather than a heavy corps-level gun.
Sources: Army 250th Parade Equipment, Army M119A3 Product Page
Timeline
Operation Desert Shield began after Iraq's August 2, 1990 invasion of Kuwait, when U.S. and coalition forces deployed to defend Saudi Arabia and build combat power for a possible liberation campaign. The U.S. Army Center of Military History records the coalition air and missile opening of Operation Desert Storm on January 17, 1991, followed by the ground offensive on February 24 and the halt of offensive operations on February 28, 1991.
The M119-specific public source is less granular than the campaign history: it identifies the weapon's first use in Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991, but it does not name the exact battery, firing point, or mission date for that first use.
Sources: Army 250th Parade Equipment, U.S. Army War in the Persian Gulf
Operational role
Within the Gulf War record, the M119's supported role is light 105 mm artillery for U.S.-led coalition ground forces. Current Army product material describes the M119A3 family as providing continuous close fire to infantry brigade combat teams, with six-gun batteries, a 14 km unassisted range and 19.5 km rocket-assisted range, and air-assault or airborne transport compatibility.
For the 1990-1991 conflict, the available public evidence supports fielding and use in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, but not a complete incident-level account. The page therefore treats the M119 as documented coalition light artillery in the campaign and avoids attributing specific targets, ammunition expenditure, or unit actions beyond what the cited sources state.
Sources: Army 250th Parade Equipment, Army M119A3 Product Page, U.S. Army War in the Persian Gulf
