Operation Secret Surprise
| Operation Secret Squirrel | |
|---|---|
| File:Secret Squirrel.png Secret Squirrel mission patch |
Operation Secret Squirrel was the official name for the long-range B-52G Stratofortress cruise missile strike against Iraqi targets that initiated the bombing campaign during the Gulf War in 1991.[1] But it was given the unofficial nickname Operation Secret Squirrel by the B-52 crews. The mission took place from January 16, 1991, and ended January 17, 1991. Lt. Col. John "Jay" Beard was the mission commander and Barksdale AFB's 596th Bomb Squadron's commanding officer.[2]
Background
Fifty-seven B-52s from Barksdale AFB were chosen to take part in this top-secret mission to attack high-priority Iraqi power and communication targets[3] at the start of Operation Desert Storm. Each B-52G bomber was loaded with GPS-guided AGM-86C conventional air-launched cruise missiles (CALCM). The cruise missiles had only recently been cleared for use with 1000-pound conventional blast fragmentation warheads.[4]
In the early morning of January 16, 1991, the crews from the 596th Bomb Squadron, 2d Bomb Wing, got the order to take off on their epic non-stop bombing mission. Eight targets, including power plants at Mosul and a telephone exchange in Basra, required the first aerial refueling rendezvous somewhere near the Azores.
Doom 34 called to say they had shut down an engine on takeoff due to fluctuating oil pressure. Normally, this would have been an abort, but the crew refused to be left behind.
They made their first aerial refueling with KC-135s out of Lajes Field, Azores. The bombers pressed on to the next aerial refueling, which was over the Mediterranean, with KC-10 tankers out of Moron AB, Spain.
Flying lights-out and in radio silence, the bombers’ route took them across the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the Arabian desert. After entering Saudi airspace, they began to arm the missiles and started their run to the launch point. Prior to the launch, about 100 miles south of the border in the far western part of Saudi Arabia, four missiles were having software problems and couldn't be launched. The crews were under strict orders not to launch any missiles with problems in case they caused collateral damage.
The launching of the remaining operative cruise missiles took ten minutes, staggered to avoid the risk of collision. The missiles headed north towards their targets. Fifteen hours had nearly passed since takeoff. The bombers turned west towards for their next refueling.
The pilots experienced bad weather over the Mediterranean, with visibility just within the minimum required for safe refueling. Running low on gas, all bombers safely refueled with KC-10s out of Spain.
Four of the bombers were carrying 2500-pound hung missiles. Strong wind and the heavy drag from the planes with hung missiles and seized engines would require another refueling for the flight back to Barksdale.
Two emergency KC-135 "strip tankers" from Robins AFB, Ga., were launched and refueled the B-52s low on fuel over the Atlantic.[4]
All seven B-52 bombers returned safely after the 35 hours and 24 minutes,[5] 14,000-mile nonstop mission.[1] Setting a new world record for the longest bombing mission and the first time a GPS-guided missile had been used in combat.
Operation Secret Squirrel remained classified until January 16, 1992, when crewmembers and maintainers were officially presented with commendation medals for their efforts.[6]
B-52G Bombers Used
- 58-0177 "Petie 3rd"
- 59-2564 (Unnamed)
- 59-2582 "Grim Reaper II"
- 59-6475 "Miami Clipper II"
- 58-0238 "Miss Fit II"
- 59-0183 "Valkyrie"
- 58-0185 "El-Lobo"
Gallery
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B-52G 58-0177 "Petie 3rd"
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B-52G 58-0238 "Miss Fit II"
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B-52G 59-2582 "Grim Reaper II"
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B-52G 59-6475 "Miami Clipper II"
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B-52G 58-0185 "El-Lobo"
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Operation Secret Squirrel Saw B-52s Rippling Off Cruise Missiles At Iraq 25 Years Ago". Retrieved 7 August 2019.
- ↑ "Surprised by Secret Squirrel". Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ↑ "Desert Storm: 2nd Bomb Wing leads the air war". Retrieved 7 August 2019.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "The Secret Squirrels". Retrieved 7 August 2019.
- ↑ "Celebrating the 26th anniversary of Secret Squirrel". Retrieved 7 August 2019.
- ↑ "Photos". Retrieved 8 September 2019.
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