Operation Desert Storm happened 35 years ago, following the earlier defensive phase known as Operation Desert Shield. WGAL’s Susan Shapiro talked to retired Colonel Frank Hancock on “In Focus” because of his leadership role during the war and because he had recently written a detailed book, Operation Desert Storm: How Two Young Intelligence Analysts and an Infantry Battalion Changed the War in Iraq. The interview also highlighted Hancock’s ongoing work with the Army Heritage Center Foundation, which supported the preservation of soldiers’ experiences for public learning.You can watch the full interview in the video player above.Hancock’s path to the ArmyHancock explained that his decision to pursue a military career had been shaped by family history and opportunity. His father had flown B‑24 bombers during World War II, and a reserve lieutenant colonel later encouraged Hancock to consider West Point. Although he initially dismissed the idea, Hancock applied, was accepted, and graduated in 1972. He then completed a roughly 30‑year career, choosing the infantry and attending airborne and Ranger schools. His assignments included service in Germany and with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, where he eventually assumed command of an infantry battalion of about 700 soldiers in June 1990.How Desert Shield became Desert StormHancock summarized the geopolitical trigger for the conflict. After a costly war with Iran, Saddam Hussein had faced heavy debt and sought a way out by invading Kuwait. Iraqi forces then positioned themselves near the Saudi border, raising fears that Saudi Arabia could be next. Hancock said President George H. W. Bush had not been willing to allow Iraq to seize both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, which would have given Hussein control over roughly half of the world’s oil. The United States mobilized rapidly, beginning with Desert Shield as the defensive buildup. Forces started flowing into the region in August 1990, and the coalition ultimately amassed more than 600,000 service members to confront what Hancock described as a large, well‑equipped Iraqi military influenced by Soviet doctrine and matériel.A battalion story driven by intelligence and communicationHancock said he wrote his book partly because he had been near the “epicenter” of events and believed the battalion’s experience offered lessons about leadership and communication. He traced the project back to a War College strategy paper he wrote in 1992, later digitized by the Army Heritage Education Center. In 2023, he gathered input from 26 soldiers who had served with him to help tell the story accurately.A central episode involved two young intelligence analysts—Sergeant Jesus Gonzales and Captain Jose Patino—who detected a danger others had missed. They concluded that an intended helicopter landing zone was not empty, as higher‑level intelligence suggested, but occupied by Iraqi forces positioned in a way that concealed them. The analysts briefed Hancock, who then pressed the concern up the chain of command despite resistance. The landing plan was adjusted by about a mile, and when the air assault occurred, the originally planned area showed heavy combat activity. Hancock later learned that hundreds of Iraqi troops had been dug into the terrain, along with substantial ammunition stores. He credited the analysts’ persistence and reasoning with preventing catastrophic losses.Lessons, Legacy, and Ongoing ServiceHancock reflected that desert conditions had been punishing and demanded constant leadership attention. He argued that the U.S. military of 1990 had differed sharply from the post‑Vietnam force, having become a highly trained, professional volunteer military with strong leadership and equipment advantages that helped reduce casualties. He also expressed confidence in today’s Army, describing it as a descendant of that era’s force.Beyond the military, Hancock described remaining active through education programs, refereeing, and teaching ballroom dancing, which he linked back to leadership and coaching skills. Hancock emphasized the value of preserving soldier stories through institutions like the Army Heritage Center Foundation. His book is available at major book retailers and through Amazon.
Operation Desert Storm happened 35 years ago, following the earlier defensive phase known as Operation Desert Shield.
WGAL’s Susan Shapiro talked to retired Colonel Frank Hancock on “In Focus” because of his leadership role during the war and because he had recently written a detailed book, Operation Desert Storm: How Two Young Intelligence Analysts and an Infantry Battalion Changed the War in Iraq.
The interview also highlighted Hancock’s ongoing work with the Army Heritage Center Foundation, which supported the preservation of soldiers’ experiences for public learning.
You can watch the full interview in the video player above.
Hancock’s path to the Army
Hancock explained that his decision to pursue a military career had been shaped by family history and opportunity. His father had flown B‑24 bombers during World War II, and a reserve lieutenant colonel later encouraged Hancock to consider West Point.
Although he initially dismissed the idea, Hancock applied, was accepted, and graduated in 1972. He then completed a roughly 30‑year career, choosing the infantry and attending airborne and Ranger schools.
His assignments included service in Germany and with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, where he eventually assumed command of an infantry battalion of about 700 soldiers in June 1990.
How Desert Shield became Desert Storm
Hancock summarized the geopolitical trigger for the conflict. After a costly war with Iran, Saddam Hussein had faced heavy debt and sought a way out by invading Kuwait. Iraqi forces then positioned themselves near the Saudi border, raising fears that Saudi Arabia could be next.
Hancock said President George H. W. Bush had not been willing to allow Iraq to seize both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, which would have given Hussein control over roughly half of the world’s oil.
The United States mobilized rapidly, beginning with Desert Shield as the defensive buildup.
Forces started flowing into the region in August 1990, and the coalition ultimately amassed more than 600,000 service members to confront what Hancock described as a large, well‑equipped Iraqi military influenced by Soviet doctrine and matériel.
A battalion story driven by intelligence and communication
Hancock said he wrote his book partly because he had been near the “epicenter” of events and believed the battalion’s experience offered lessons about leadership and communication. He traced the project back to a War College strategy paper he wrote in 1992, later digitized by the Army Heritage Education Center. In 2023, he gathered input from 26 soldiers who had served with him to help tell the story accurately.
A central episode involved two young intelligence analysts—Sergeant Jesus Gonzales and Captain Jose Patino—who detected a danger others had missed. They concluded that an intended helicopter landing zone was not empty, as higher‑level intelligence suggested, but occupied by Iraqi forces positioned in a way that concealed them.
The analysts briefed Hancock, who then pressed the concern up the chain of command despite resistance. The landing plan was adjusted by about a mile, and when the air assault occurred, the originally planned area showed heavy combat activity.
Hancock later learned that hundreds of Iraqi troops had been dug into the terrain, along with substantial ammunition stores. He credited the analysts’ persistence and reasoning with preventing catastrophic losses.
Lessons, Legacy, and Ongoing Service
Hancock reflected that desert conditions had been punishing and demanded constant leadership attention. He argued that the U.S. military of 1990 had differed sharply from the post‑Vietnam force, having become a highly trained, professional volunteer military with strong leadership and equipment advantages that helped reduce casualties.
He also expressed confidence in today’s Army, describing it as a descendant of that era’s force.
Beyond the military, Hancock described remaining active through education programs, refereeing, and teaching ballroom dancing, which he linked back to leadership and coaching skills.
Hancock emphasized the value of preserving soldier stories through institutions like the Army Heritage Center Foundation. His book is available at major book retailers and through Amazon.