Day 28: 13 Feb 1991

13 February 1991 (Wednesday): DAY 28

GENERAL:

v The Danish Freighter "Arktis Sun" was robbed by Pirates in the Gulf

v Soviets again "confirm" that all advisors have been pulled out of Iraq

v Germany allows low-level flying for aircraft & crews bound for the Gulf

AIR WAR:

v 2800 sorties flown

v 46 x F-111F aircraft based at Taif AB and configure with 4 x GBU-12's per

aircraft to execute "tank plinking" missions destroy 132 tanks and APC's

v 20 x F-111F on another mission destroyed 77 tanks

v total sorties passes 67,000

v troop strength passes 514,000

v the Palais des Congress Convention Center is destroyed in Bagdad

v A-10's attack observation towers in Kuwait

v UK Tornado's destroy the Faluja Bridge, but one LGB hits market area

v 1 x A-6E sinks an Iraqi Patrol Boat

v 2 x F-111F/Pave Tack aircraft configured with two each special penetrator

bombs (GBU-28) attack and destroy a Command Bunker in a residential neighborhood of Bagdad. The well guarded and multi-level Bumker seems to have been a shelter

for hundreds of key family members of the Ba'ath Party elite. The bombs were

dropped from high altitude (35,000 ft) which enabled them to get a true

90° down trajectory. The LGB kit that it was configured with had a stability

augmentation system to keep it straight down. Five were made, four were

carried, three were dropped, two hit and exploded, one may remain a dud around

250 feet underground in the bunkers dept. The special penetrator bombs were

made from naval 8" gun barrels cut into 15 foot lengths and stuffed with shape

charged explosives and a penetrator rod in the nose behind the LGB guidance

seeker (GBU-15). The F-111's dropped the weapons in a steep dive. Originally

over 500 casualties were reported, but that was changed to 314.

Note: After the war it was reported that an F-117 dropped a Penetrator

I-2000 on this target and that it was not one of the GBU-28's from

an F-111 reported above.

F-117 HIGHLIGHTS (13Feb/Day 28):

v Day 28/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 27/12th to hit targets on Day 28/13th

- Scored 17 hits with 20 PGM attempts (85%)

- Miscellaneous Bridges

Missile Site (SCUD) at Al Adbaliyah

- Command, Control, & Communications Bunker at Al Firdos

- Various Headquarters Buildings in Bagdad

- Abu Ghurayb Command, Control, and Communications Bunker

- The Ministry of Information and Culture in Bagdad

v Day 29/Wave One: 6 x F-117's from the 415th TFS

4 x F-117's from the 416th TFS

- takeoff before sunset on Day 28/13th to hit targets on Day 29/14th

- Scored 15 direct hits with 19 PGM attempts (79%)

- Military Barracks at Al Jahrah

- An Arab Conference Center in Bagdad

- Communications Facilities at Al Basrah, Ad Darraji, An Naayim, & Al Maqwa

- Command Posts at Hsiu Az Zabi and An Naayim

- Commando Camp at Al Matla Umm Al Aish

KILLS:

v 4 x Iraqi Transport aircraft are destroyed on the ground

v 2 x MiG-21's are parked near a religious site at Ur

v 1 x F-14A reportedly downed 1x Super Frelon Helo with Exocet

- never verified

LOSSES:

v 1 x RSAF F-5E Tiger

- downed over Kuwait dropping ordnance on Guards

- suspect ground fire or handheld SAM, aircraft missing

- pilot MIA or Missing

SCUDS:

v UK Tornado's hit SCUD fuel facility

NOTE:

v excellent weather continued

Gulf War 1991 Chronology

Day 28: 13 Feb 1991