Baseball Cards from Operation Desert Storm
In 1990, Iraq under the rule of Saddam Hussein invaded neighboring Kuwait. This invasion triggered Operation Desert Shield, the buildup of American-led coalition forces in Saudi Arabia, and later Operation Desert Storm which began in January 1991. Over half a million American troops were deployed to the Persian Gulf region for what was expected to be a prolonged conflict.
As troops began arriving in Saudi Arabia in August 1990, many looked for ways to pass the time while waiting for the order to engage Iraqi forces. Card collecting was a popular hobby for many service members, and trading baseball cards provided a welcome distraction and connection to home. Obtaining new packs of cards in the desert proved difficult. Mail was slow to arrive and PX stock was limited.
Enter enterprising airmen and soldiers who saw an opportunity. Knowing the demand for cards among their fellow troops, some began bringing boxes of newly released packs from the States. They soon found others eager to trade. Improvised card shops and trading areas sprung up wherever groups gathered. Soldiers swapped duplicates and searched out rare cards to complete sets. The activity boosted morale as troops bonded over their collections.
One airman, Mike Conley from Indiana, had the foresight to pack multiple unopened boxes in his duffel before deploying. “I figured guys would want something familiar from home,” he recalled. Within days of arriving, Conley had traded and sold all but a few packs from his stock. The cards provided a welcome link to normalcy. As one soldier said, “For a little while, you could forget where you were and just focus on the stats on the back of the card.”
The conditions and locations of the early card trades were far from ideal baseball card show environments. Makeshift tables were set up in tents, vehicles, or anywhere with enough space. Sand and dust were constant companions. But the thrill of finding a sought-after rookie or star player transcended surroundings. Stories spread of epic multi-card deals and lucky pack pulls that unearthed gems.
As months passed, more troops arrived with additional supplies. Card shops in places like Dhahran and Riyadh grew more organized with boxes and plastic sleeves on tables. Pricing guides from back home provided a structure for valuations in the trades. During down time, groups could often be found poring over the latest Beckett magazine, discussing the skyrocketing value of certain rookies or sets from years past.
The operation took on a new dimension when Desert Storm began in January 1991. As the air war commenced and ground troops moved into positions, cards provided a distraction during lulls in combat or tense waiting periods. Stories abound of last-minute swaps made as units rolled out, with notes tucked inside sleeves promising to complete deals upon return. Cards were a small comfort amid the uncertainty of war.
After the 100-hour ground campaign that liberated Kuwait, troops began the journey home. But the card scene they had created would live on. Many servicemen, including Conley, shipped boxes of remaining inventory back to the U.S. to sell. The profits helped offset their expenses and provided a nice bonus. More importantly, the shared hobby had fostered camaraderie in a stressful environment. For years after, veterans stayed in touch through annual card shows and reminiscing about their desert swaps.
Today, nearly 30 years later, cards from Desert Storm have taken on a special significance. The early 1991 sports releases hold nostalgia for those who traded them overseas. But they also serve as an tangible reminder of service and sacrifice. On the back of each card is a small piece of history, connecting the figures on the front to troops half a world away. While values have risen over the decades, for many vets the true worth lies in the memories of lighthearted distraction during a serious time. Baseball cards were an unexpected bright spot, bringing home a little closer to those deployed in the sands of the Persian Gulf.
