Day 18: 3 Feb 1991

03 February 1991 (Sunday): DAY 18

GENERAL:

v War costs estimated at $15 Billion for US citizens and another $51 Billion for

the remain ing coalition supporters

v Saddam supposedly authorizes Front Line Commanders the use of Chem Weapons

v Iraq claims 200 coalition losses

v An Air Force B-52 crashed in the Indian Ocean returning from a strike over

Iraq. Three crewmen were recovered, three are missing. A USMC AH-1W

Cobra Gunship crashed in northern Saudia Arabia. Both were considered non-

combat losses. War costs estimated to be $15 billion for US citizens and another $51 billion coming from coalition supporters.

AIR WAR:

v sorties total over 41,000

- 2500 flown this date

v total tonage on Iraq exceeds thast dropped during WW II

F-117 HIGHLIGHTS (03Feb/Day 18):

v most of the 02-03Feb night was a standdown, 1st Wave launched in p.m. on 3rd

v Day 19/Wave One: 8 x F-117's from the 416th TFS

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

- takeoff during the p.m. of Day 18/3rd to hit targets on Day 19/4th

- maintenance standdown to get an 8 + 8 Raid, but bad weather persisted

- Scored 17 hits with 23 PGM attempts (74%)

- Bagdad Telecommunication Exchanges

- Highway Bridges at

- Nuclear Research Center

- Al Taqaddum and Mudaysis Airfields

- Chemical & Biological Warfare Facilities at Samarra & Abu Ghurayb

KILLS: None Recorded

LOSSES:

v Total losses: 21: 14 (US), (5) UK, (1) Kuwait, and (1) Italy

v 10 non combat losses: 8US/1UK/1Saudi

v 12 known POW's: 8US/2UK/1It/1Ku

v Iraq has claimed downing over 200 coalition aircraft

v 1 x B-52 was lost returning to Diego Garcia(USAF)

- 4300th BW(P), Diego Garcia AB from 42nd BMW at Loring AFB

- mechanical problems after an engine loss in combat

- enroute back to Diego Garcia experienced a total electrical failure

followed by a complete power loss of the remaining seven engines

- 2-3 miles off of Diego Garcia, maximum confusion in the cockpit

and crew continued to glide towards the water, 1:00 am local, 5pm EST (Sat)

- at around 1200 feet to 200ft, all of the crew ejected or bailed out

- down-ejecting crew hit water hard and drowned

- 3 recovered, 3 MIA and assumed lost

- post war debriefs imply that pilots were confused and screwed up

the emergency procedures sequence resulting in late (low) ejections

and bail-out call

- considered 9th US Non-Combat Loss

v 1 x AH-1W "Whiskey" Cobra (USMC)

- mechanical problems inside of Saudia Arabia

- close support/escort mission

- both pilot and gunner KIA

- non-combat loss

Gulf War 1991 Chronology

Day 18: 3 Feb 1991