File: aacwr_22.txt
Page: 22
Total Pages: 49

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Of the remaining number, 251 decided to stay until such time that noncombatant evacuation was directed and the others awaited the resolution of customs, administrative, or health problems.

Within hours of General Jamerson's arrival at Incirlik AB and the Turkish government's formal approval on 17 January, JTF Proven Force launched its first offensive air operations in support of Operation Desert Storm from Incirlik against targets in northern Iraq. Takeoff was at 2350Z on 17 January, and the targets were four early-warning sites. Over the next six weeks, Proven Force flew 3,830 combat sorties and 1,155 support sorties against over 100 command and control facilities, airfields, and nuclear, biological, and chemical production facilities, some as far south as Baghdad. The task force did not lose aircraft to enemy action, but a 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-16C crashed at Diyarbakir AB on 20 February. The airplane was on its way to a target in northern Iraq when it lost thrust. The pilot tried to land at Diyarbakir but could not reach the field and ejected safely less than a mile from the runway.

The 7440th Composite Wing's F-15 crews accounted for six of the coalition's 36 aerial combat victories. Captain David S. Prather and First Lieutenant David G. Sveden, Jr., achieved the first two victories on the evening of 19 January, when they shot down two Iraqi F-1 Mirages. Captain Donald S. Watrous shot down a MIG-23 on 28 January, and on 2 February Captain Gregory P. Masters destroyed an Iraqi IL-76 transport. Five days later, Major Randy W. May added to the tally when he shot down an Iraqi attack helicopter. Captains Steven B. Dingee and ark T. McKenzie shared credit for destruction of another Iraqi attack helicopter on 11 February.

Effect of the War on USAF's NATO Mission

USAFE provided USCENTCOM and JTF Proven Force with large quantities of equipment, planes, and people to support Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The temporary loss of these resources had a significant effect on the command's ability to meet its NATO commitments. The command sent 15.7 percent of its assigned personnel and 34 percent of its assigned primary aircrew personnel in support of the war effort. What was significant about this was Usafe, like other overseas commands, was manned at 85 percent of its authorizations. By the war's end, USAFE had 5,405 personnel in Southwest Asia, 1,772 others deployed within USEUCOM, and another 2,676 in turkey for Proven Force. People deployed

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