Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!newstop!sun!amdcad!amdcad!military
From: scott@sandstorm.Berkeley.EDU (Scott Silvey)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Air losses in the Gulf
Message-ID: <1991Apr4.042518.12876@amd.com>
Date: 3 Apr 91 10:36:40 GMT
References: <1991Apr3.024658.24093@amd.com>
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Lines: 48
Approved: military@amd.com

>[I doubt the air defenses were very integrated after the first
> night, and my understanding is that only F-117s went into
> Baghdad.  --CDR]

Actually, I believe I recall more than one pilot being interviewd on TV who
  said they had flown over Baghdad (they weren't F117 pilots).  I believe one
  was a Strike Eagle pilot who was on the first raid.  Although I'm not
  positive about this, I'm pretty sure.  He was describing the "Fourth of July"
  analogy and explaining how he had to force himself to concentrate on his 
  mission because the AA fire was such an awesome sight.

In any case, I would like to hear a confirmation either way on this question...
	
	[Me too.  I believe that was Lt. Col Don Kline, who said
	 "It was an awesome display, it truly was."  I don't recall
	 whether he overflew Baghdad or saw it from afar. --CDR]

On Iraqi air defenses ...

There are many factors contributing to the ineffectiveness of the Iraqi air 
  defenses.

First, most of the Iraqi fixed EWR (early warning radar) sites were knocked
  out after the first few raids.  This allowed subsequent strikes to be short-
  notice suprises for the Iraqis during the rest of the war.

Also, most of the Iraqi SAMs were old, outdated low-performance systems which
  were somewhat vulnerable to countermeasures.

Although the Iraqi's had vast quantities of AAA, these were not often a factor
  since most allied raids were conducted above their effective altitude.
  When coaltion aircraft did fly into the AAA threat envelopes, the defending 
  guns weren't often able to significantly damage the attackers, even though
  they managed to score some hits.  Also, many of the raids were conducted at 
  night-time when most of the AAA was virtually useless.  Radar AAA is also
  subject to both active and passive electronic countermeasures as employed by 
  ALQ pods, the EA-6 Prowler, and the EF-111 Raven.

Also, much use was made of iron-hand support in which dedicated aircraft
  specifically engage and suppress local air defenses while other attack craft
  go after the real targets.  Such missions often employ anti-radiation 
  missiles like HARM which are very effective at attacking radar-emitting
  defense systems.  

And, of course, everyone knows the Iraqis chose not to use their air force, 
  leaving the coalition with free roam of the skies.
  
Scott