The Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile was used in this 35-hour mission under the codename Operation Senior Surprise, also known as Secret Squirrel
The crews at Barksdale Air Force Base (AFB) were awakened by the alert “All Sierra crews report to the vault” at 3 a.m. on the soggy morning of January 16, 1991. The first strike of Operation Desert Storm was launched, quickly weakening Saddam Hussein’s command and authority, and ultimately setting a new standard for air warfare. It marked the start of a historic attack led by seven B-52s.
The Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missile was used in this 35-hour mission under the codename Operation Senior Surprise, also known as Secret Squirrel (CALCM). The strike, which was developed in complete secrecy, dealt crushing hits to targets deep inside enemy territory.
According to Bossiernow.com, a panel discussion at Barksdale AFB was held on Friday, Jan. 25 at 2:30 pm to discuss the 35-hour, 14,000-mile, highly classified round-robin operation.
People who were involved in the strategy and execution of the historic operation made up the panel’s members.
Read our article on Operation Secret Squirrel here.
Photo by U.S. Air Force