Posted on 03/27/2003 6:26:23 AM PST by ladtx
03/25/03 - WASHINGTON -- B-1B Lancers, combining the latest in technology with old-fashioned elbow grease, are taking the air war of Operation Iraqi Freedom to regime and military targets in every inch of that country.
| RELATED LINKS |
| Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| B-1B Lancer video |
| B-1B Lancer |
| Printable Version |
"The B-1 is so flexible because of its (long range) and ability to carry more munitions than any aircraft (except the B-2 Spirit, armed with cluster bombs)," said Col. Peter Kippie, 405th AEW vice commander. "We have a very dynamic capability to strike across the area of operations.
"There is no target within Iraq that is not at risk when we take off," he said.
The Lancers, Kippie said, are taking off at unprecedented rates, thanks to the efforts of the unit's maintenance corps.
"We had broken airplanes on the first night, but they were repaired in an incredibly short time," he said. "We got every airplane airborne, over target and striking the targets when they should have been.
"Not a single B-1 was turned away either because of maintenance, threats or enemy defenses," Kippie said.
According to Capt. Ty Newman, a Lancer weapons systems officer, the B-1 crews are challenged on every mission by Iraqi defense forces.
"The threat is certainly out there, and on any given mission we take every precaution and use all our tactics to minimize the threat to our aircraft as we go on strikes inside Baghdad," Newman said.
One highly publicized Iraqi countermeasure was the purchase of "GPS jammers," which were designed to thwart America's use of precision-guided munitions. In theory, by overriding global positioning satellite signals, the "smart" weapons could be confused into missing their targets.
"If the Iraqis are spending money to buy this stuff, they're wasting their cash," said Col. James Kowalski, 405th AEW commander.
According to Kowalski, the B-1s themselves can not be jammed, so the bombs will hit their targets one way or the other.
"The weapon has an inertial navigation system, so even if it never gets a lock (on the GPS signal), it's going to land within about 40 feet from the target," he said.
B-1s, which can carry 24 2,000-pound bombs, typically take off with a plan to strike a number of targets and then wait for targets of opportunity to appear.
"Most of the time we go up there, hit some targets and find a tanker," Kowalski said. "While we're on the tanker, we'll get additional targets and then go strike again."
Cutting-edge technology is keeping Combined Air Operations Center war planners connected with the B-1s, ensuring rapid placement of their weapons.
"Sometimes the front moves so fast we're getting additional targets (after) we get into Iraq," Kowalski said. "We're using satellites to transmit targeting data -- basically, e-mails from the CAOC that update us with time-sensitive targets.
"We have all the players linked up now," Kowalski said. "It allows us to react much more quickly to changes on the battlefield and to what we detect via intelligence."
With battle plans changing so quickly, aircrews don't have much time to think about what they're doing, said B-1 pilot Maj. Jeff Paterson.
"It all falls back on training," he said. "You spend years and years training to go to war, training to be the best at what you do. Once you take off and the wheels are in the gear well, you don't really dwell on it a lot. You just get the job done."
Mom & Dad
Thanks for the updates and thanks for the emails guys. it really does help to hear from you all. Dad all I can say is that was probably what you thought it was over b'dad. I will tell you all about it when I get back.
I have definitely felt that feeling in the pit of my stomach while flying. You know what I mean Dad, when you're taking fire and missiles are in the air.
We are performing like kings here. I am proud to be a part of this Squadron,and proud of all my boudros. Keep the emails coming and Mom I did get the package, thanks.
The news does not know half the real story and they are giving credit to the wrong people. I would say that we have done over 50% of all drops and damage. Anyway, better go.
love
Brian
Somebody please clarify this. I thought the B-52 takes the prize - at 70,000 pounds of ordinance. And the B-2, I thought, carries the least due to the aerodynamic trade-offs to stealth.
SONG FOR TODAY, FOR THE WAR ON ENDURING FREEDOM (long load of music and war pictures)
And to think Jimmah Cahtah tried to kill it.
We've killed or captured about 750 Iraqis for every Coalition casualty.
As we learn more about how the enemy fights, we will be even more effective at destroying him.
A more appropriate song might be, "Because we're Americans (and Brits!), we're only going to kill you if you deserve it".
Iraqi resistance so far has amounted to squat - we're injuring EACH OTHER far more effectively than any of Saddam's forces.
God bless your boy, ladtx, you should be one proud papa.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.