Like the defeat of Germany and Japan in World War II, the victory over Iraq in 1991 proved to be a watershed in the history of American military policy and strategy. The biggest military operation mounted by the United States since the Vietnam War, Desert Shield/Desert Storm was also exceedingly complex and difficult to execute. One of the keys to its success was the coordinated planning and direction provided by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Colin Powell, and the officers of the Joint Staff, working in collaboration with the military Services; the theater commander, General Norman Schwarzkopf; and the allies who made up the anti-Iraq coalition. The result was not only an awesome display of American-led military power, but also a reaffirmation that joint planning and joint direction of components in the field were increasingly essential to success in modern warfare