Day 15: 31 Jan 1991

31 January 1991 (Thursday): DAY 15

GENERAL:

v UK Lynx from HMS Gloucester destroys 1 x Polonchny Class LSM

v U.S. troops in Desert Storm now number one-half million. An around-

the-clock air campaign continues. Nineteen coalition aircraft have

been lost to air defense fire. A total of 29 x Iraqi aircraft have been

downed in aerial combat. In today's action, tactical fighters flew 350

sorties against Iraq's Republic Guard elite troops. It was revealed

yesterday that F-16 are participating in these attacks. 10 x B-52

strikes against the Republican Guards were also launched today.

Additional information on damage inflicted in coalition air strikes

against Iraq was revealed. Coalition forces have confirmation of heavy

damage to leadership targets, command and control facilities and Iraq's

air defense systems, since the war began two weeks ago. Coalition

forces have suffered no air-to-air combat losses. Forty-four airfields

have been targeted for attack. A total of 38 have been attacked in 1,300

sorties. Nine are non-operational. TV networks have new video of

bombing attacks on hardened aircraft shelters, bridges and other

targets. Thirty-one nuclear, biological or chemical targets have been

destroyed. These are facilities that could contribute to production of

such weapons in Iraq. An AC-130 aircraft has been reported missing

with 18-20 people aboard. It is believed to be down behind enemy

lines. Iraq fired another missile at Israel's occupied West Bank. There

were no immediate reports on damages or casualties. President Bush

has declared that Sunday, 3 February, will be a national day of prayer

for peace. Nineteen coalition aircraft have been lost to air defense fire.

Brig. Gen. Pat Stevens provided clarification about some aspects of last

night's successful effort to liberate the Saudi town of Khafji from

occupying Iraqi forces. He said the invasion was not a major action by

Iraq, but characterized it as part of a reconnaissance operation,

possibly aimed at assessing the coalition reaction. The town was

retaken by Saudi forces with U.S. helicopter gunship support. Two

Army personnel, one male and one female, were reported missing after a

transportation operation last night that didn't involve combat. Iraq

has reported that it took an American female soldier prisoner during

the Khafji fighting. As many as 160 enemy soldiers were reportedly

taken prison in battles last night The Navy has damaged or destroyed

about 60 Iraqi vessels since the war began. There are unconfirmed

reports that Iraqi troops are massing at a location across the border

from Saudi Arabia, possibly to stage what the hope will be a "set piece"

battle.

AIR WAR:

v 350 x sorties against the Republican Guard, total exceeds 32,000

v 2600 x flown today

v 10 x B-52 Sorties against Republican Guards

v B-52's start operations out of RAF Fairford in the UK & Moron, Spain

v Heavy damage inflicted on "leadership" targets

v 44 x airfields have been targeted for attack, 38 x to date have been attacked

utilizing 1300 sorties, 9 x are considered non-operational. Averages around

34 x sorties per airfield attack.

v 31 x nuclear, biological, and chemical targets have beed destroyed

v 98 x aircraft accounted for in Iran

v 3 x more Iraqi aircraft destroyed on the ground

v England agreed to let B-52's stage and operate out of UK Bases

v UK Tornado Recce jets were spotting Mech-Armour columns that were targeted

for A-10 and B-52 sorties.

v UK Helo and 2 x A-6E's damaged an OSA Class Missile Boat

F-117 HIGHLIGHTS (31Jan/Day 15):

v Day 15/Wave Three: 6 x F-117's from the 416th TFS

4 x F-117's from the 415th TFS

- takeoff during the a.m. of Day 15/31st to hit targets on Day 15/31st

- the 415th lost 1 x ground abort and the 416th lost 2 x non-availability

of aircraft leaving 7 x F-117's to press the attack

- Scored 11 hits with 12 PGM attempts (92%) & 2 no-drops

- Ammunition storage sites at An Nasiriyah, Ad Diwaniyah, Karbala, Habbaniyah, and Fullija

- Chemical & Biolological Facilities at Salmon Pak & Abu Ghurayb

v Day 16/Wave One: 7 x F-117's from the 416th TFS

9 x F-117's from the 415th TFS

- takeoff during the p.m. of Day 15/31st to hit targets on Day 16/01st

- the 415th lost 1 x air aborted, leaving 15 x F-117's to press the attack

- Scored 23 hits with 28 PGM attempts (82%)

- Bridges at Al Basrah, Tannunah, Al Madina, and Saqash

- Communications Systems Sites at As Samawah, Tallil, Ad Diwaniyah, and

Al Kuwayt

- Ammunition Storage Sites at Ash Shuybah, Ad Diwaniyah, and An Nasiriyah

KILLS:

v 29 x total aircraft now reported downed in air combat

LOSSES:

v 19 x Coalition Aircraft have been lost to enemy fire

v 1 x AC-130H gunship reported missing and presumed downed

- indications are that as the sun came up, the AC-130 was

highlighted in the sky and thus drew heavy and accurate fire and some

handheld IR SAM's which all helped to down it.

- 69-6567, became the 14th US Combat Loss

- 1st SOW, 16th SOS, "Spirit 03"

- caught at the break of dawn when tatical controllers failed to relay a return-

to-base message until 49 minutes after it was ordered

- Downed five minutes later working for Marines at Khafji, attacking a FROG

missile site, after the mission was turned down by another gunship due to

intense AAA fire. Two crewmen were actually almost charged because they

refused to man up for this mission. They eventually did go and died.

- 14 men aboard were lost and considered MIA's

Maj Paul J. Weaver Capt Arthur Galvan

Capt William D. Grimm Capt Dixon L. Walters

1st Lt Thomas Clifford Bland TSgt Robert K. Hodges

MSgt Paul G. Buegge MSgt James B. May

SSgt Timothy R. Harrison SSgt John L. Oelschlager

SSgt John P. Blessinger SSgt Mark J. Schmauss

Sgt damon V. Kanuha Sgt Barry M. Clark

- at the end of the war the remains of these men were not returned

SCUDS:

v (1) SCUD at Israel's West Bank Villages, no effect

Gulf War 1991 Chronology

Day 15: 31 Jan 1991