1D-USAF Service: JTF-SWA (1996)

In 1996 I was temporarily assigned to produce weather forecasts for the Joint Task Force-Southwest Asia (JTF-SWA), US Central Command (USCENTCOM), and Air Force Central Command (AFCENT). I worked alongside mission planners to create coordinated Air Task Orders for the entire theater of operations. This collection covers the US and Allied combat aircraft for which I provided weather support during that assignment.

COMBAT AIR PATROL MISSIONS
The following aircraft flew out of Saudi Arabian Air bases to impose a no-fly zone over southern Iraq and enforce UN Security Council Resolution 688. US forces performed this activity as Operation Southern Watch. The UK operated under Operation Jural, and France under Operation Alysse. Saudi Arabian aircrews were also involved in no-fly zone policing, but seemed to be hesitant participants.
- F-15C Eagle (USAF)
- F-16C Block 30 Fighting Falcon (ANG)
- Tornado F.3 (RAF)
- Mirage 2000C (French Air Force)
- F-15C Eagle (RSAF)
- Tornado ADV (RSAF)

SUPPORT MISSIONS
Aside from the combat air patrols, Saudi Arabia allowed only unarmed or defensively armed aircraft to fly into Iraqi territory. I provided mission planning forecasts for aircraft based in Saudi Arabia performing aerial refueling, air defense suppression, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, surveillance, and transportation missions. Several aircraft also flew from the United Arab Emirates.
* C-130H Hercules (USAF)
- E-3B Sentry (USAF)
- EF-111A Raven (USAF)
- F-16CJ Block 50 Fighting Falcon (USAF)
- KC-135R Stratotanker (USAF)
- RC-135V Rivet Joint (USAF)
- RQ-1A Predator (USAF)
- U-2S (USAF)
- Tornado GR.4A (RAF)
* Mirage F.1CR (French Air Force)

AIR DEFENSE
Although the combat air patrol aircraft provided excellent defense of Saudi airspace, the US Army provided additional security with an Air Defense Artillery brigade and the US Navy also used offshore SAMs.
- MIM-104F PAC 3 Patriot / AN/MPQ-53 (USA)
- RIM-66 SM-2MR (USN)

STRIKE MISSION
Following Iraqi attacks on anti-regime civilians and Allied military forces in the southern no-fly zone, the US chose to impose a no-drive zone for military equipment in the same area. Because Saudi Arabia would not allow strike missions to be flown from their territory, strike aircraft flew from air bases in Kuwait.
- OA-10A Thunderbolt II (ANG)
- F-16C Block 40 Fighting Falcon (ANG)
- F-16CG Block 50 Fighting Falcon (USAF)
- F-117A Nighthawk (USAF)
- F-18CK Hornet (Kuwait Air Force)

NAVAL AVIATION
US Navy aircrews, operating from the USS Carl Vinson in the Persian Gulf, also participated in joint air operations. On a smaller scale, Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9) could perform any of the JTF-SWA missions autonomously.
- A-6E Intruder (USN)
* C-2 Greyhound (USN) [VRC-30]
- E-2C Hawkeye (USN)
- EA-6B Prowler (USN)
* ES-3A Shadow (USN) [VQ-5]
- F-14D Tomcat (USN)
- F/A-18C Hornet (USN)
- S-3B Viking (USN)
* SH-60F Seahawk (USN) [HS-4]

OPERATION DESERT STRIKE
In response to an Iraqi military campaign to eliminate anti-regime Kurds based in the city of Irbil, the US planned and executed Operation Desert Strike. The attack targeted Iraqi air defenses to ensure the safety of US and Allied aerial evacuation of refugees and continued strikes against Iraqi offensive weapons.
- B-52H Stratofortress (USAF)
- F-14D Tomcat (USN)
- RGM-109E/UGM-109E Tomahawk (USN)
* CVN-70 Nimitz-class (USS Carl Vinson)
* CG-67 Ticonderoga-class (USS Shiloh)
* DDG-58/59 Arleigh Burke-class (USS Laboon/Russell)
* DDG-966 Spruance-class (USS Hewitt)
* SSN-759 Los Angeles-class (USS Jefferson City)

* Wishlist