File: aacwr_16.txt
Page: 16
Total Pages: 49

* * * U N C L A S S I F I E D * * *

hours, coalition ground forces had recaptured Kuwait city and set up a forward headquarters at the international airport. In the western region, coalition forces continued the drive into the enemy's rear. With Iraqi forces in full retreat, President Bush announced a temporary cease-fire, "pending Iraqi acceptance of coalition conditions to end the conflict." As described below, USAFE units made noteworthy contributions to this swift, impressive victory.

The 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, was the first USAFE unit to send aircraft to Southwest Asia, to Taif, Saudi Arabia, in August. Within 24 hours of the 48th's arrival, four of the wing's F-lllFs were on 30-minute alert. Because only 18 aircraft deployed at first, the 48th's deployed crews could fly only about four sorties per day for training. With the deployment of 14 ore in September, the wing increased its daily sorties to 16. Crews initially flew day missions for orientation but changed to a night schedule, as the F-lllFs would fly night sorties during the war.

For the first 20 days of the war, USCENTAF assigned the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing targets such as hardened aircraft shelters and hangars, bridges, supply lines, command and control facilities, and arms and chemical production and storage facilities. On the twenty-first day of hostilities, uscentaf changed the 48th's primary mission to destroying enemy armor. The wing also flew two highly-publicized missions during the Gulf war: the stoppage of a major oil spill in the Persian Gulf and the first combat use of the newly developed GBU-28 laser-guided bob.

In mid-August 1990, Headquarters USAFE had planned to deploy 401st Tactical Fighter wing F-16Cs from Torrejon AB, Spain, to various bases in Greece and Italy to provide combat air patrol for U.S. aircraft transiting the Mediterranean area to Southwest Asia. While USAFE scrapped the plan, the wing's preparations proved helpful for the deployment of the wing's F-16Cs to Doha, Qatar, later that month. The 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron left Torrejon in four flights of six F-16Cs accompanied by Strategic Air Command (SAC) tankers. Each plane had six AIM-9 missiles, two external fuel tanks, and a travel pod. The 614th joined Qatari and French F-1 Mirage squadrons and a Canadian F-18 squadron already at Doha. It was an advantage to have the Mirages based there. The Iraqis also flew F-ls, so dissimilar air combat training sorties gave 614th pilots the opportunity to evaluate the Mirage's characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses.

* * * U N C L A S S I F I E D * * *