Day 24: 9 Feb 1991

09 February 1991 (Saturday): DAY 24

GENERAL:

v low overcast obscures the ground targets

v Soviets asked for a halt on chemical plant attacks fearing civilian casualties

v USN Destroyer experiences a "near miss" from a missile...possibly a HARM

v Aircraft into Iran now number 147 with around 121 being fighter bombers that

include Fencer (Su-24), Fitter (Su-22), Frogfoot (Su-25), Flogger (MiG-23),

and Mirage F-1 with Exocet anti-ship missiles. A USN Frigate had a missile pass

close aboard and detonate, no idea where it came from. Wisconsin onloads 16" guns

on Kuwait.

AIR WAR:

v 147 aircraft now considered in Iran, 121 fighter bombers of the Su-24

(Fencer), Su-7/17/22 (Fitter), Su-25 (Frogfoot), MiG-23 (Flogger), and

F-1 Mirage type. The rest are transports including the second prototype

Adana AWACS

v coalition sorties pass 57,000

v heavy attacks against Iraqi ground forces

- 750 tanks

- 650 artillery pieces

- 600 armoured vehicles

v more than half of the 42 key bridges have been destroyed

v B-52's based in Britain make their first combat sorties

v an AH-64 Apache destroys an Iraqi radar station

v A-6E's continue attacks on patrol boats

v F-15E's witnessed the SCUD launch on Israel but could not find the TEL after they

attacked the suspected site, it launched towards Israel. Centcom HQ at Riyadh claimed

that the F-15E's prevented a second missile from launching towards Israel, but that

claim was discounted by aircrews.

v UK Tornado's attack fuel storage tanks with (32) 1000# bombs, as Jaguars use

air-burst (daisy cutter) frag bombs on the Republican Guards

F-117 HIGHLIGHTS (09Feb/Day 24):

v Day 24/Wave Three: 6 x F-117's from the 416th TFS

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

- takeoff during the p.m. of Day 23/8th to hit targets on Day 24/9th

- Scored 16 hits with 17 PGM attempts (94%)

- Chemical Warfare Bunkers at Samarra

- Note: Aircraft SN 790 blew a nose gear tire on landing and damaged the

left & right E-Bay panels and three probes

v Day 25/Wave One: 4 x F-117's from the 416th TFS

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

- takeoff before sunset on Day 24/9th to hit targets on Day 25/10th

- Scored 11 direct hits with 17 PGM attempts (65%)

- Chemical Warfare Production Facility at Habbaniyah

- Aircraft Engine Repair and Test Factory at Al Taji

- Highway Bridges at Ash Shuad and around Bagdad

- Communications Sites around Bagdad, Balad, & Injanah

- Integrated Air Operations Centers at Al Amarah and Al Kut

v Day 25/Wave Two: 8 x F-117's from the 416th TFS

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

- takeoff before sunset on Day 24/9th to hit targets on Day 25/10th

- Scored 24 direct hits with 24 PGM attempts (100%)

- 415th TFS pilots concentrated on SAM Sites

- the Shab Al Hiri Tropospheric Center

- 416th TFS focused on a Missile Production Facility at Ash Shargat

- The Ministry of Military Industry in Bagdad

- The Al Yusufiyah Military Facility

LOSSES:

v 1 x AV-8B was lost to ground fire, becoming the 25th allied loss, 18th US

- BURNO 162081 "AFM": Aug91, pg 60)

- "CG", side number 09, VMA-231, Callsign "JUMP 57"

- Capt Russell A.C. (Bart) "SHANK" Sanborn, (27)

- from Deland, Florida, captured and became POW despite great SAR effort

- Direct Air Support of USMC forces

- hit by shoulder fired SAM

- could be the USA's 18th loss

- suspect second pass due to grunt situation or switches

- quickly captured & sent to "Bagdad Biltmore"

- The book, "Bravo Two Zero", (Bantam Press 1993) by SAS Sergeant Andy McNab discusses his meeting with Russel at the "Bagdad Biltmore" after Andy had endured days of severe torture. He described Russel's downing as being hit by a SAM at 10,000 feet.

SCUDS:

v1 x fired at Israel and intercepted by Patriot, but debris caused casualties

Gulf War 1991 Chronology

Day 24: 9 Feb 1991