When Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990 20 Squadron were based at RAF Laarbruch, Gernany flying the Tornado GR1. They were tasked to prepare crews and aircraft to deploy to the Middle East as part of the UK's response to the invasion of Kuwait, codenamed Operation GRANBY.
The Squadron's crews intensified their combat training and the aircraft were modified to carry the new ALARM anti-radiation missile, which they were tasked to introduce to operational service. It was during this workup phase that Sqn Ldr Graham died as a result of a mid-air collision with another Tornado off Spurn Head. The Squadron deployed to the Royal Saudi Air Force base at Tabuk, in the Northwest of the country and was declared operational by Christmas 1990.
The air war against Iraqi forces started on 17 January 1991. The Squadron attacked major Iraqi airfields, command and control facilities, oil refineries and ammunition dumps, and the guns and surface-to-air missiles that defended them. By February, a new capability had arrived at Tabuk in the form of two 13 Squadron Tornados equipped with Thermal Imaging and Laser Designation pods. 20 Sqn now concentrated on attacks with Laser Guided Bombs, which were far more accurate and required fewer weapons per target. The Squadron only lost one aircraft during the conflict, caused by a mechanical failure after take-off after which both crew ejected successfully. The war finished on 28 February 1991, following the liberation of Kuwait and the surrender of Iraqi forces.
The Gulf War of 1991 was a turning point in air warfare, with the introduction of new weapons and today's 20 Sqn remembers its predecessor's key part in this. If you were involved in 20 Squadron's detachment to Saudi Arabia in any capacity, do get in touch with us - we'd love to hear your story.
