Buccaneer Op GRANBY (3)

OPERATIONS


Pavespike Pod  We had no electronic interface between the aircraft’s navigation system and the Pavespike laser. Consequently we had no electronic means of  directing the laser onto the target.  


We had to rely on the aircrew harmonising the laser bore-sight with the

pilot’s  sight on an object in the foreground prior to taxiing. When airborne the pilot had  to visually acquire the target, aim his sight at it, and then call “sight on” to the navigator, who then opened his view-finder, hopefully to see the target. This is what passed as modern technology!


Nevertheless, it worked most of the time. However, very small alignment errors made on the ground, at short range, (typically 100-200 yards), could turn into significant differences in the air when the visibility was sometimes 20 miles or more, and particularly so when there were several examples of the same type of target clustered together. This caused problems on more than one occasion.


Interdiction (or isolating the enemy  forces from reinforcement or resupply).  


Virtually all logistic support for the Iraqi Forces in Kuwait came through Iraq by road. So, our first targets were to be the many bridges where main routes crossed the major rivers.  


We operated a standard “package” consisting of 2 Buccaneer laser designators (in case one Pavespike failed) and 4 tornado bombers. We were protected by 2x US F-15 Eagle fighters. 2x Wild Weasel SAM suppression aircraft, (usually F-16 Fighting Falcons), one F-111 E “Raven” Jammer, and all this under the very comforting overview of an AWACS radar/surveillance aircraft which periodically transmitted a much appreciated “only friendly’s airborne”. Actually we met no Iraqi aircraft in the air at all.


I think most squadron commanders have a mental image of how they think they will go into battle for the first time. It  usually consists of  leading the aircrews and aircraft that we have trained with for months, or even years. On my first mission reality was rather different. As we transited over Iraq, heading for the bridge at As Suwaira I wasn’t leading at all - the Tornados were. We were at high level, not low-level and over land not over sea. The Middle East is always envisaged in burning sunshine! I was in cloud, staring at a Tornado’s wingtip. I was

…...continued

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