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Show NEWS March 77, 1991 Hilltop Times 7(oiD(dl(ofe(o SAUDI ARABIA (AFNS) "This war fully validates the lethality, the flexibility and the firepower of modern air operations. It also attests to the excellence of our training and the quality of our people." So says Lt. Gen. Charles A. Horner, who, as commander of Central Command Air Forces, directed the world's most massive air campaign in history. The general discussed how coalition air forces dominated the skies over the Arabian Peninsula and how innovative techniques destroyed Saddam g capability. In a interview he also talked about how superior air power prepared the Desert Storm battlefield for allied ground forces. A-1- 0 Thunderbolt is our ability to seize control of the air. Of course, that has tremendous implications on the advanced tactical fighter program," the general said. Coalition forces downed 42 Iraqi aircraft in aerial battles and destroyed numerous more on the ground. But some of the more innovative techniques demonstrated in the war involved operations to reduce Hussein's artillery, armor and his terror weapon, the Scud missile. wide-rangin- "We were able to seize the initiative and establish air superiority from day one," he said. "Our goal was to put them (the Iraqis) into shock and to destroy their ability to defend their homeland. We did that by having massive attacks across the full spectrum of targets primarily his (Hussein's) command Killer scouts and control capabilities, his surface-to-ai- r missiles and control over his air force. Once we did that, we "There were times when we sent aircraft out to held the advantage and were able to conduct all destroy armor units only to find the armor wasn't other campaigns at a time and place of our where we thought it would be," General Horner said. choosing." "This caused the flight lead to have a difficult time General Horner, wearing a flight suit instead of getting a valid target for his flight. "What we did was put F-- l 6s over the battlefield. his usual desert camouflaged uniform, had just finished a brief trip within theater to visit some of We called them killer scouts. Their job was to patrol box and find targets. Then we fed attack the units contributing to the air campaign. He chat- a ted and joked with those who staff the Tactical Air sorties to that area and the F-- l 6 pilots would point Control Center, the very place from which he direct- out where the tanks were, making our efforts much more efficient. We did the same thing at night used the air war. with But he was very forthright as he discussed what ing bombs," he said. "We were able to respond to situations as they this war means to the future Air Force. arose. That's the strong suit of tactical air power," he added. Finding and destroying the mobile Scuds was an "There's no doubt about it that the need for even bigger challenge. Coalition forces worked hard stealth technology was substantiated during this to locate these fleeting and targets. e war. The F-- l 17 has been a tremendous system in our "To do that we used the LANTIRN operations. I also think we fully certified the impor- Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) systance of precision munitions. And we certainly tem pods on and a variety of and the demonstrated our capability to operate at night. intelligence sources to provide the quick data we "One thing we must pay continued attention to needed. Then we used our command and control net 20-mi- le laser-guide- d A Stealth needed time-sensitiv- e (Low-Altitud- F-15- Es n F-16- s, For COME SEE OUR NEW DANCE FLOOR 3 II work to put the airplanes over the target at the right time. "I think our success in that campaign was shown in the rapid drop-of- f in the number of Scud firings." the general said. The speed of the allied forces' ground offensive was a credit to the successful air crusade against Iraq's armor and artillery. General Horner recalled the story of one captured Iraqi division commander who was asked. "Why didn't you use your artillery?" The commander replied, "My artillery was destroyed by air 100 percent before the ground campaign started. And when I called for artillery support from the division next to mine, their artillery was destroyed 100 percent by air while they were in transit to support my division." Valiant campaign Which led General Horner to conclude, "I think the ground campaign was very well done and very valiantly fought by the allied forces. But I think the speed with which they were able to accomplish their mission, in large measure, shows the success we had in destroying such things as artillery and armor." When asked about his future plans, the general replied, "Take my people and go home. They've done their jobs." The general reserved his highest praise for his people. "The ones who put this whole plan together were absolutely brilliant. And the people who executed it had great courage, individual integrity and very high standards of performance." Editor's note: Article courtesy of CENTAF News Service. a job well done! SUITG SPECIAL I WELCOME HOME! 7 Includes Buffot Breakfast Any Friday, Saturday or Sunday Based on double occupancy Subject to availability Private Club T 909 West Riverdale Must show military I.D. Offer expires May 31, 1991 Rd. Saturday night stays may have our wonderful Sunday Brunch for 2 for an additional $9.00 393-120- 7 A private club for members of Charlie Brown's MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS WERE FIGHTING FOR OURUFE 2510 Wash. Blvd. Association h Ogden, UT. 84401 sjoL |