Longest Bombing Mission - Flight History Website of Covert Operation Squirrel: The story of the secret long-range mission of the B-52 Stratofortress that launched Operation Desert Storm.
Secret Operation Squirrel: The story of the covert long-range B-52 Stratofortress mission that launched Operation Desert Storm.
Longest Bombing Mission
Secret Squirrel helped American troops defeat Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, whose troops invaded neighboring Kuwait.
Boeing B 52 Stratofortress
In the early hours of January 16, 1991, the United States Air Force (USAF) sent seven B-52G Stratofortresses from the 2nd Bomb Wing (BW) to Iraq on a covert mission that would mark the start of Operation Desert Storm. .Becomes
This opening salvo, launched by the 596th Bomb Squadron (BS), paved the way for US forces to defeat Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, whose troops had invaded neighboring Kuwait. Then Strategic Air
The "Secret Squirrel" mission patch was created by people who participated in historical missions. This mission marked the first combat launch of the AGM-86C, Conventional Air Cruise Missile, GPS-guided munition.
Operation Surprise Senior was the mission led by the SAC during Operation Desert Shield. The term Senior Surprise was the mission's official name, but the flight crew and rangers creatively came up with the name Secret Squirrel so they could follow maps and discuss missions in uncharted territory.
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At the start of Desert Shield, a select group of aircrews and support from the 596th Bomb Squadron (BS) were briefed on the combat use of a new type of weapon, the Conventional Air Launch Cruise Missile (CALCM).
“I was first briefed on the mission in August 1990 and then I had six months to train on a new weapon. We can't tell anyone," said Warren Ward, vice president of programming for Global Air Force Command (AFGSC) and co-pilot of the 596th B-52G BS Stratofortress, during Operation Surprise Head. "The 62nd BS and part of the 596th BS advanced rapidly but the majority of the 596th remained in Barksdale. We watched our brethren in arms advance but we are still lagging behind comrades. We must work under a veil of secrecy."
A B-52G Stratofortress was serviced on the runway before flying a bombing mission against Iraqi troops during Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft was armed with 750 pound M-117 bombs.
Following the briefing, the group began extensive training to ensure the aircraft could fly long-range missions safely and efficiently.
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On the morning of January 16, 1991, seven B-52G Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base (AFB) took off towards Iraqi targets, dropping 35 new AGM-86C CALCMs on Saddam's troops and hitting key communications infrastructure. . and quietly returned.
This is also the first time GPS has been used to guide a missile to a target.
Boeing AGM-86B (ALCM) at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The AGM-86C CALCM differs from the AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile in that it carries a conventional warhead/warhead instead of a nuclear warhead and uses GPS-assisted INS. (US Air Force photo)
Cabbage. Trey Morriss, deputy commander of the 307th BW, is the new captain while serving as the B-52G's electronic warfare officer during the Secret Squirrel mission.
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“The Secret Squirrel Mission was used to blind Iraq by eliminating several forces and communication nodes throughout the country. This greatly hampered their response in the early stages of the war," Morriss said. “We have proven to the American people, our allies, coalition partners, and even our enemies that we will do what we say we will do. By doing so, we have strengthened the B-52's long-range strike capability."
“The B-52 provides an outstanding first strike capability in any conventional war,” said Morriss. "It gives us the possibility to destroy the enemy with the first strike and engage them with other possibilities. We have also proved to the world that we are on the verge of a new kind of modern warfare with GPS guided weapons. The results speak for themselves."
A KC-135 Stratotanker operator orchestrated the explosion of a B-52 Stratofortress during air operations for Operation Desert Storm in Southwest Asia February 1, 1991. (US Air Force photo by Senior Aviator Chris Putnam/released)
Interestingly, during "Secret Squirrel", the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fucker, designation B-52) faced unexpected dangers while flying to the Middle East, but still believed in their training. These threats include potential adversary activity, landings in friendly territory that may not be ready to accommodate US military aircraft or some system failure on board.
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"The risks are unpredictable," explains Russell Mathers. who joined Secret Squirrel as a B-52 pilot "We didn't know if anyone was going to shoot us."
Secret Squirrel clocked 35 hours and 24 minutes to record the longest combat flight spanning a total of 14,000 miles. Covert operations also set the standard for long-range attacks.
Indeed, as Mathers said, after Desert Storm SAC learned a valuable lesson about long-range combat missions. “What we have learned as a bomber community is that the bomber is still a great weapon system. We also learned how physiologically difficult it is to fly these missions and prepares the human body for 30 or 40 hours of flight.”
When the "Secret Squirrel" entered service in the Desert Storm, the B-52 played an important role throughout the campaign. In fact, the crew of approximately 70 B-52Gs flew 1,741 missions for a total of 15,269 combat hours and dropped 27,000 tons of ordnance.
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Staff Sergeant. Brian D. Land controlled the .50 caliber tail gun on a B-52G Stratofortress during Operation Desert Shield.
Jim Bowles, program analyst for AFGSC, served as B-52 instructor pilot and aircraft commander during Desert Storm. Bowles said he was fortunate to fly with a copilot, electronic warfare officer, radar navigator, and gunner, all of whom were instructors in his duties. "We know our planes, and we know our training. While there is some apprehension about going to war and potentially not coming home, there is also confidence because we know we can carry out our mission. When I'm in The Storm Looking at the desert, it feels like yesterday. These are deep memories for me and my family.It was a defining moment that shaped me for the rest of my Air Force career.
Squirrel Secret until January 16, 1992, when airmen and coast guard crews who completed the mission were awarded airborne medals, achievements, and commendations for their efforts.
Twenty-five years after Operation Surprise Senior, known as "Secret Squirrel," the crew member who launched Operation Desert Storm, on January 15, 2016, at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. they got together again. One of the B-52 Stratofortress bombers at Barksdale displayed a "Secret Squirrel" wrap to commemorate the anniversary. This 35 hour mission was the first combat use of the Conventional Airborne Cruise Missile (CALCM). (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Dachelle Melville/released)
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Sources: Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton, 2nd Bomb Wing and US Air Force General Services; Image credit: US Air Force
Dario Leone Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of "The Aviation Geek Club" one of the most read military aviation blogs in the world. Her writing has been published in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flew Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.
Aviation History/Military Aviation Panel Barksdale Unveils Details About Covert Operation Squirrel, the Top Secret BUFF mission that was the first strike of Operation Desert StormJan 24 2019ByDario Leone Aviation History/Military AviationB-52 Crew Members Involved in Secret Operations 29. Celebrate Event Anniversary February 4, 2020 By Dario Leone Aviation History / Military Aviation
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