Coastal Command History

The Gulf War Campaign Diary

This page will cover the 14th to the 21st of February

Every day at 19:30hrs this page will be updated with the reports that were issued for that day. Each page in the calendar section will contain one weeks reports.

February 13th/14th

Yesterday evening, further Tornado TIALD missions were flown against an airfield. One mission achieved direct hits against all DMPIs, but a second wave had only one direct hit due to evasion necessary against a missile threat. The supporting ALARM mission was also successful.

Further Tornado/Buccaneer missions yesterday afternoon against a road/rail bridge and an airfield were successful. A large number of hits were recorded on the bridge and it is reported as unusable. At the airfield, a number of hardened aircraft shelters (HASs) were destroyed by LGBs. During these raids, the Tornados flew their 1,000th sortie.

Tornado GR1As flew a number of successful linesearches.

Tornado F3s continue to mount CAPs, and a total of 489 have been flown since hostilities started.

February 14th

Tornado attacks today concentrated on airfield and hardened aircraft shelters. Tornados and Buccaneers attacked the first airfield this morning with five HASs reported hit. One Tornado was shot down by what was believed to be an optically guided SAM-2 or -3. The aircraft crashed some distance from the target. It is not known if the crew survived.

Aircraft from Tabuk, some with TIALD fitted, carried out further HAS attacks at another target. Two had their doors blown off and were on fire; a third was emitting smoke.

GR1s from Dhahran and Buccaneers hit four HASs at a third target airfield.

This afternoon, Tornados from Dhahran and Buccaneers attacked yet another airfield. One HAS was hit. The first target of the day was revisited later in the day by yet another Tornado/Buccaneer package and three HASs hit.

Jaguars from Muharraq attacked artillery positions, and a further mission, supported by two reconnaissance Jaguars attacked an artillery battery.

February 14th/15th

The missions flown yesterday included an attack by Buccaneers and Tornados against an airfield. One HAS received a number of direct hits, but further battle damage assessment is unavailable. Two waves of Tornados, each including one TIALD aircraft, flew against another airfield yesterday evening. One TIALD aircraft and one bomber aborted, but bombs were successfully delivered on three HASs.

Tornado GR1As were again in action yesterday evening. One aircraft was forced to abort, but the others successfully completed a series of line searches.

Yesterday afternoon, two Jaguar reconnaissance aircraft flew in support of an attack against artillery. The target was obscured by smoke but useful imagery was obtained of the general area.

February 15th

A large number of Tornados, assisted by TIALD and Pavespike Buccaneers, were tasked against military targets early this morning.

GR1s from Dhahran, accompanied by Buccaneers from Muharraq, successfully attacked an airfield, but one aircraft could not release its weapons. Another Tornado/Buccaneer package was forced to abort following problems with AAR. The next package, this time from Muharraq, successfully attacked an airfield. Further Tornados successfully attacked an airfield with TIALD and LGBs, and good hits were reported. This afternoon, a further wave of Tornados were targeted against another airfield. Despite two aircraft having to abort, TIALD worked well and the remaining aircraft scored direct hits on two HASs.

Jaguar operations during the day saw attacks against command posts, command and control vehicles and artillery positions with CBU-87; good hits were reported. Following one attack on an artillery battalion, all aircraft reported hits, and also that this area was 'a target rich environment' which, following attacks by other allied aircraft, was devastated.

February 15th/16th

Late yesterday, RAF Tornados and Buccaneers carried out a series of attacks against HASs at a number of locations. A total of four were hit and an aircraft on the ground was also destroyed. Other HASs were damaged in the attacks. Further TIALD-equipped Tornados attacked DMPIs with some success.

Jaguar reconnaissance sorties located a number of artillery pieces, main battle tanks and a command bunker. Tornado GR1A sorties achieved varying levels of success.

A Nimrod flying in support of naval forces assisted in the attack a surface unit. Battle damage assessment reports the contact destroyed with a large surrounding oil slick.

February 16th

Today, Tornado GR1s, assisted by TIALD and Buccaneers with Pavespike, continued their attacks on military targets but with mixed results.

Tornado GR1s from Dhahran supported by Buccaneers from Muharraq were en-route to their target when one Buccaneer became unserviceable. This forced some of the Tornados to abort and return to base. The remaining aircraft continued with the attack with good results. Later, a further combined Tornado/Buccaneer force attacked the same target scoring three hits.

Tornados from Tabuk experienced a number of problems designating their targets and their attacks were unsuccessful. Further Tornado raids launched from Tabuk were also unsuccessful.

Finally, Jaguars tasked against a number of artillery targets were forced to air abort because of thick smoke in the target area. However, further waves carrying CBU-87s successfully attacked a M46 gun emplacement and command post. Secondary targets were also strafed with explosions and fires observed.

Pumas remain on standby for a Divisional exercise whilst Chinooks have been involved in a US casualty evacuation mission.

February 16th/17th

Yesterday's later missions included Tornado raids against an airfield with TIALD. The weather proved unsuitable for TIALD use and no hits were recorded. Subsequent TIALD missions were cancelled.

Tornado GR1As carried out a number of line searches with success during the latter part of yesterday.

In two Nimrod sorties flown yesterday, five contacts of potential interest were identified but no attacks were initiated.

Further RAF Regiment assets in the shape of No 58 Squadron are due to eploy to the region from Leeming today to Muharraq and assume the defence duties of No 1 Squadron. No 1 Squadron RAF Regiment will then move to join the support helicopter force.

February 17th

Poor weather caused the cancellation of most of today's planned missions. However, some Tornados, including a number with TIALD successfully attacked an airfield. One bomb failed to guide, but the remainder hit their designated targets. Other GR1s, supported by Buccaneers, attacked another airfield, but cloud in the target area caused the bombs to fall unguided. Also, Tornado GR1s were also tasked against a road/rail bridge and reported a number of direct hits. A hole was observed at one end of the bridge, but it was reported as passable. Today also saw the dropping of the 5,000th 1,000lb bomb. The AAR force has now transferred in excess of 8,000 tonnes of fuel to allied aircraft.

February 17th/18th

During the evening (17 February) Tornado GR1As carrying out linesearches reported heavy flooding in some areas north of the Saudi border. GR1s, including TIALD aircraft, attacked a bridge with at least one span and some decking damaged.

During a Nimrod sortie, contact was made with a fast moving target and a SUCAP attack initiated. However, the aircraft tasked had to abort its attack due to a shortage of fuel and the target escaped.

February 18th

Once again, poor weather caused the cancellation of about half of today's planned sorties. That said, Muharraq Tornados and Buccaneer 'spikers' attacked revetted POL tanks with laser-guided bombs. Later, Tornados from Dhahran, again accompanied by Buccaneers, attacked an airfield. Large secondary explosions were observed. Aircraft from Tabuk did not release their weapons during a planned attack against a road/rail bridge due to fog in the target area.

Jaguars from Muharraq successfully attacked a logistics site with CBU-87 and 1,000lb bombs.

All aircraft returned safely.

February 18th/19th

Yesterday afternoon, Tornado GR1s, accompanied by Buccaneers, attacked an airfield successfully and secondary explosions were observed. Another mission attacked a second airfield but cloud cover prevented precise guidance, but because no danger of collateral damage existed, the attack was pressed home with the bombs unguided. In the late afternoon, a further attack against a highway bridge was successfully carried out with damage to both ends observed.

In the evening, Tornados fitted with TIALD returned to one of the airfields attacked earlier and scored three direct hits on communications facilities, missile and POL storage areas.

Overnight, Tornado GR1As carried out linesearches with some good imagery of enemy positions being returned.

Forward operating bases (FOBs) are being established for Pumas and Sea Kings at many field hospitals in the north of Saudi Arabia.

February 19th

A force of Tornados from Dhahran and Muharraq and Buccaneer aircraft attempted to attack an airfield with laser-guided bombs. However, the target was obscured by cloud and haze which prevented effective laser designation. All the bombs dropped however, did land on the airfield.

Tornados from Tabuk with TIALD and LGBs attacked another airfield. A number of direct hits caused very large secondary explosions and an instant mushroom cloud to 15,000ft.

Meanwhile, Jaguars from Muharraq attacked artillery targets. Although there was extensive smoke in the region, the attacks were successful. Reconnaissance sorties flown by Jaguars produced no useable imagery because of haze and cloud.

February 19th/20th

Two Tornado GR1 missions, accompanied by Buccaneer spikers, attempted to attack an airfield but poor weather thwarted the attack. Later, however, a third mission was successful with aircraft achieving direct hits on a hangar.

Tornados, including some with TIALD, attacked another airfield. Some aircraft reported direct hits and another reported hitting the aircraft pan.

Jaguars were prevented from attacking their nominated artillery position by the weather, however they achieved direct hits on a secondary target of enemy revetments.

Tornado GR1As completed a number of linesearches during the night.

Nimrods, operating with naval forces, identified multiple targets, and one was tasked to SUCAP. The target was identified and attacked with LGBs and Rockeye missiles. Two hits were observed but the vessel escaped to a safe area. Possible mines have also been reported in some areas.

February 20th

Once again meteorological influences, worse today than yesterday, played a significant part in hindering air operations.

A large number of Tornado sorties, supported by Buccaneers and armed with LGBs, were tasked to attack targets but all had to air abort because of poor weather.

Similarly, smoke and poor weather prevented Jaguars armed with CBU-87 from attacking their primary target, a rocket battery, but they scored hits on their secondary targets, fuel storage sites and revetments. Later in the day, more Jaguars attacked the original rocket battery. Hits were reported by those aircraft able to attack with possible secondary explosions.

February 20th/21st

Yesterday's poor weather caused all daytime Tornado GR1 sorties to air abort. However, overnight, Tornados equipped with TIALD attacked an airfield and scored direct hits on the runway and a taxiway intersection.

Jaguars also flew a reconnaissance mission but the weather prevented good photography.

During the afternoon and evening Tornado GR1As flew a number of successful linesearches. One search revealed considerable numbers of vehicle artillery and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRSs) on the tri-border area.

Once again, Nimrods located a number of surface vessels, but following visual identification, no attacks were initiated.

February 21st

Poor weather continues to hamper air operations with over 35 Tornado and Jaguar sorties aborted. On one Tornado GR1 mission against an airfield, although his companions weather aborted, one aircraft succeeded in dropping 3 Paveways on the edge of the runway.

A Tornado GR1A flew a lengthy reconnaissance sortie and reported two small tented sites and obtained images of possible electronic vehicles and a group of isolated, but active, buildings.

Self-propelled guns and main battle tanks were pinpointed by a later Jaguar reconnaissance mission.

All aircraft returned safely.

Date Last Updated : Saturday, October 9, 2004 1:19 AM

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