Beyond the Gulf War
Operation Desert Fox
Day One-December 16th
Day Two-December 17th
Day Three-December 18th
Day Four-December 19th
Casualties
In response to Iraqi attempts to maintain their biological and chemical weapons capability from UN weapons inspectors, the United States and Britain launched a series of air strikes on Iraq.
NOTE: Baghdad Time = (EST + 8) (i.e. Midnight Baghdad = 4:00PM EST)
4:00 EST Air raid sirens
sound in Iraq
4:51 EST Anti-aircraft
fire in Baghdad
4:56 EST "Thuds" reported
of loud explosions in Baghdad
5:11 EST White House announces
"Substantial Military Action."
5:21 EST British Prime Minister
Tony Blair announces British involvement
6:00 EST US President Clinton
announces Operation Desert Fox
8:00 EST US Defense Secretary
Cohen briefs Congress
The strikes on December 16th apparently were divided into two waves. The first wave included up to 200 cruise missiles launched from cruisers and other ships in the Gulf region. A second wave of F/A-18 Hornets and F-14 Super Tomcats attacked the headquarters of Iraqi Security Police, one of the eight presidential palaces of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi Intelligence Headquarters, and other targets around Iraq. Iraq has claimed that the attacks also included the house of Saddam Hussein's daughter, several industrial facilities currently being monitored by the UN via cameras, and residential neighborhoods. However, it is possible some of these areas were struck by falling anti-aircraft missiles, as was the case during the Gulf War. It was also later disclosed that Lt. Kendra Williams and First Lt. Cherry Lamoureux (USAF) became two of the first women pilots to take part in combat, following a decision several years ago to allow women to fly in combat aircraft.
2:03 EST Cruise missiles
land in Baghdad
4:34 EST Air raid sirens
in Baghdad
7:26 EST Russia recalls
their ambassador from the United States
8:04 EST Cruise missiles
arrive in Baghdad
9:55 EST Air raid sirens
again in Baghdad
On December 17, additional attacks were launched. However, approximately 250 of the 350 cruise missiles on board ships have already been used in the first strike, so other assets were called upon, including Air-Launched Cruise Missiles from B-52s operating out of Diego Garcia. The ALCM contained a 2,000 lbs warhead, unlike the Tomahawk missiles fired from ships, which had 1,000 lbs warheads. 100 ALCMs were fired on the second night. British aircraft also came into play this evening, launching air strikes against Iraq from bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. For the first time, the B-1 Lancer bomber was used in combat, operating out of bases in Bahrain. 200 sorties, both combat and support, were launched today. Targets included air fields, air defense systems and surface-to-air missile sites. The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson with its battle group of six surface ships should be on station within the next 24 hours. 12 RAF Tornadoes from No.12 Squadron took part in air strikes twice on this day. MPs from all the major British political parties expressed their support for the air strikes when Tony Blair addressed them, as the Tornadoes were returning from their first strike mission.
8:08 EST Some of the heaviest
attacks in Baghdad area take place.
11:30 EST Saddam Hussein
makes first televised statement since attacks
12:00noon EST Cohen briefs
press on current military status
December 18th also saw the 22-nation Arab League condemn the US-Britain air strikes, while Israel supported the air strikes.
December 19 was the start of the Moslem holy month of Ramadan, a fact that has been cited as a reason for starting the attacks on the day they did. Nonetheless, air strikes continued on this fourth day, with attacks being carried out on new targets and secondary strikes being launched on targets that were not completely destroyed in earlier waves of sorties. The USS Carl Vinson also arrived in the Gulf today, doubling the number of Navy aircraft in the region available for strikes. At the end of the day, the US announced they were ceasing operations in the region, after approximately 600 sorties and 400 cruise missile attacks. For the next few weeks, bomb damage assessment was conducted and the White House refused to rule out additional attacks.
Post-strike operations continued as Iraqi aircraft rose to challenge the American and British air patrols in both the northern and southern no-fly zones, and continued until the beginning of NATO strikes in Kosovo, during March 1999.
January 5 saw the first US air-to-air combat since 1993, with US fighters engaging Iraqi MiGs and Mirage fighters in the no-fly zone. The American F-14 Tomcat aircraft launched Phoenix air-to-air missiles, at $1,000,000 per, at the Iraqi plane, but failed to score a hit. For reasons unknown, however, the Iraqi aircraft crashed due either to pilot error or low fuel. Following the air strikes, Iraq announced they would no longer recognize the Northern and Southern no-fly zones.
On February 1st 1999, Saddam Hussein announces a $14,000 reward for any Iraqi who shoots down an Allied aircraft.
During the Desert Fox operations the RAF Tornadoes flew 32 medium-altitude sorties against pinpoint targets using 1,000lb Paveway II and 200lb Mk13/18 Paveway III laser-guided bombs. A total of 61 (55 Paveway II and Six Paveway IIIs) were actually dropped on 11 targets during the 28 completed sorties over Iraq on the three nights. The RAF targeted air defence sites, command and control centres, Talil Airfield and two Republican Guard buildings.
Skirmishes persist over Iraq between Iraqi air defences and US/RAF aircraft retaliating when tracked by Iraqi radar or fired upon by the Iraqi air defences. The RAF presence in the Gulf and over Iraqi airspace looks to continue for the foreseeable future.
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2002 James Paul & Martin Spirit. All rights reserved.
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