Desert Shield became Desert Storm, it's hard to believe that it was that long ago! I was stationed at Barksdale AFB and I remember hearing the B-52's taking off on their "Secret Squirrel" mission - Barksdale to Bagdhad non-stop 35 hours.
From Wikipedia
Quote:
The 2d Bomb Wing flew what was then the longest combat mission in the history of military aviation at the start of Desert Storm in 1991 when seven B-52s flew a 35-hour mission and, for the time in U.S. Air Force history, fired a devastating barrage of conventional air-launched cruise missiles. The 2d Bomb Wing delivered one-fourth of all U.S. Air Force bombs during Desert Storm.
I wasn't personally involved with the mission, but I've always been proud to say I was a B-52 Crew Chief in the 2nd Bomb Wing. My hat is off to all who made that mission happen. They had to sit and watch the "Classified News Network (CNN)" give all the credit to the F-117's and not be able to say a word about thier historic misson for at least a year. If I'm not mistaken the CALCM's they launched cleared the path so none of the precious F-117's would get scratched. Karma does exist, because BUF's are still flying and dropping bombs and F-117's are static displays in museum's or in the boneyard.
To all of Desert Storm Vets out there, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY and THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!
