The 1990–1991 Gulf War was the last major United States Air Force combat operation of the 20th Century. The command and control of allied forces deployed to the Middle East initially as part of Operation Desert Shield, later engaging in combat operations during Operation Desert Storm, were assigned to United States Central Command Air Forces (USCENTAF), the USAF component of the Joint United States Central Command.
Operation Desert Storm was an extensive aerial bombing campaign on 16 January 1991. For 42 consecutive days and nights, the coalition forces subjected Iraq to one of the most intensive air bombardments in military history. The coalition flew over 100,000 sorties, dropping 88,500 tonnes of bombs, which widely destroyed military and civilian infrastructure. The air campaign was commanded by USAF Lieutenant General Chuck Horner, who briefly served as US Central Command’s Commander-in-Chief – Forward while General Schwarzkopf was still in the US.
A day after the deadline set in Resolution 678, the coalition launched a massive air campaign, which began the general offensive codenamed Operation Desert Storm. The priority was the destruction of Iraq’s Air Force and anti-aircraft facilities. The sorties were launched mostly from Saudi Arabia and the six carrier battle groups (CVBG) in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.
The next targets were command and communication facilities. Saddam Hussein had closely micromanaged Iraqi forces in the Iran–Iraq War, and initiative at lower levels was discouraged. Coalition planners hoped that Iraqi resistance would quickly collapse if deprived of command and control.
The air campaign’s third and largest phase targeted military targets throughout Iraq and Kuwait: Scud missile launchers, weapons research facilities, and naval forces. About a third of the coalition’s air power was devoted to attacking Scuds, some of which were on trucks and therefore difficult to locate. US and British special operations forces had been covertly inserted into western Iraq to aid in the search for and destruction of Scuds.
Iraqi anti-aircraft defenses, including man-portable air-defense systems, were surprisingly ineffective against enemy aircraft, and the coalition suffered only 75 aircraft losses in over 100,000 sorties, 44 due to Iraqi action. Two of these losses are the result of aircraft colliding with the ground while evading Iraqi ground-fired weapons. One of these losses is a confirmed air-air victory.
United States Air Force units were initially deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990, being assigned directly to CENTAF with a mission to defend the kingdom. In November 1990, the decision was made to enhance the force into an offensive-capable one, and additional units were ordered deployed to CENTAF. As a result, CENTAF set up a table of organization which established provisional Air Divisions to prevent too many units reporting directly to CENTAF headquarters. These were as follows:
The 14th Air Division (Provisional) commanded deployed primarily Tactical Air Command and United States Air Forces in Europe units with the mission of destroying enemy air, missile and ground forces, as well as enemy infrastructure targets. To accomplish this mission, the 14th-controlled A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft; F-15C Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters; F-111 light tactical bombers; EF-111 Raven electronic combat aircraft and the F-117 stealth attack aircraft. The division also provided electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and in-theater attached Strategic Air Command refueling support.
The 15th Air Division (Provisional) commanded deployed Tactical Air Command units with a reconnaissance and electronic warfare mission focused on defeating enemy ground base air defenses and increasing the effectiveness of friendly formations. Aircraft deployed included RF-4C Phantom II tactical reconnaissance; F-4G Phantom II anti-radar; EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare and two prototype E-8A Joint Stars battle management and command and control aircraft.
The 1610th Air Division (Provisional) controlled Military Airlift Command C-130E/H Hercules theater airlift, aeromedical evacuation and Air Force Special Operations Command forces. Strategic Air Command deployed strategic electronic warfare and reconnaissance units also attached.
The 17th Air Division (Provisional) commanded primarily provisional air refueling wings created from active-duty KC-135/KC-10 units of the Strategic Air Command’s Fifteenth Air Force and SAC Air National Guard KC-135 units deployed within the CENTAF AOR.
The SAC 7th Air Division commanded deployed Air Refueling and B-52 Stratofortress Bombardment Wings located outside of the CENTAF AOR.
The 7440th Composite Wing was a United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Provisional Wing under Joint Task Force Proven Force that flew combat missions over Northern and Central Iraq from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.
14th Air Division (Provisional)
Brigadier General Buster Glosson served as commander, 14th Air Division (Provisional), and director of campaign plans for U.S. Central Command Air Forces, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
1st Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27th Tactical Fighter Squadron | FF | F-15C Eagle | Deployed: 8 August 1990 – 8 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 71st Tactical Fighter Squadron | FF | F-15C Eagle | Deployed: 7 August 1990 – 8 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
- 4th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina Headquarters: Prince Sultan Air Base, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron | SJ | F-15E Strike Eagle | Deployed: 27 December 1990 – 24 June 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron | SJ | F-15E Strike Eagle | Deployed: *18 December 1990- 13 March 1991 (24 Aircraft)*Redeployed from Thumrait, Oman 8 Aug 1990-18 December 1990 |
| 53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron | BT | F-15C Eagle | Deployed: 20 December 1990 – 1 July 1991 (24 Aircraft) *from Bitburg AB, Germany with additional aircraft and personnel from the 22nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, also from Bitburg. |
| 138th Tactical Fighter Squadron | NY | F-16A Fighting Falcon | Deployed from 174th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hancock Field, New York Air National Guard (16 Aircraft) |
| 157th Tactical Fighter Squadron | SC | F-16A Fighting Falcon | Deployed from 169th Tactical Fighter Group, McEntire Air National Guard Base, South Carolina Air National Guard (24 Aircraft) |
- 33d Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, FloridaHeadquarters: King Faisal Air Base, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron | EG | F-15C Eagle | Deployed: 28 August 1990 – 12 April 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
- 37th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from Tonopah Test Range Airport, Nevada Headquarters: King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 415th Tactical Fighter Squadron | TR | F-117A Nighthawk | Deployed: 19 August 1990 – 1 April 1991 (18 Aircraft) |
| 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron | TR | F-117A Nighthawk | Deployed: 19 August 1990 – 1 April 1991 (18 Aircraft) |
| 417th Tactical Fighter Squadron | TR | F-117A Nighthawk | Deployed: 19 August 1990 – 1 April 1991 (6 Aircraft) |
- 48th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from RAF Lakenheath, England Headquarters: Taif Air Base, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 492d Tactical Fighter Squadron | LN | F-111F | Deployed: 2 September 1990 – 15 March 1991 (22 Aircraft) |
| 493d Tactical Fighter Squadron | LN | F-111F | Deployed: 2 September 1990 – 15 March 1991 (22 Aircraft) |
| 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron | LN | F-111F | Deployed: 2 September 1990 – 15 March 1991 (22 Aircraft) |
| 42d Electronic Combat Squadron | UH | EF-111 | Deployed from 66th Electronic Combat Wing Sembach AB Germany & 20th Tactical Fighter Wing RAF Upper Heyford UK: 2 September 1990 – 15 March 1991 (5 Aircraft) |
| 390th Electronic Combat Squadron | MO | EF-111 | Deployed from 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, 17 January 1991 – 6 March 1991 (5 Aircraft) |
- 354th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina Headquarters: King Fahd International Airport, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 353d Tactical Fighter Squadron | MB | A-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed: 15 August 1990 – 25 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron | MB | A-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed: 15 August 1990 – 25 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron | EL | A-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed from 23d Tactical Fighter Wing, England AFB, Louisiana, 29 August 1990 – 20 April 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 76th Tactical Fighter Squadron | EL | A-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed from 23d Tactical Fighter Wing, England AFB, Louisiana, 29 August 1990 – 20 April 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 23d Tactical Air Support Squadron | NF | OA-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed from 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, 29 August 1990 – 20 April 1991 (12 Aircraft) |
| 511th Tactical Fighter Squadron | AR | A-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed from 10th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Alconbury, England, 15 August 1990 – 25 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 706th Tactical Fighter Squadron | NO | A-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed from 926th Tactical Fighter Group, NAS New Orleans, Louisiana Air National Guard, 15 August 1990 – 25 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
- 363d Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, South CarolinaHeadquarters: Al Dhafra Air Base, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17th Tactical Fighter Squadron | SW | F-16C Fighting Falcon | Deployed: 9 August 1990 – 13 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 33d Tactical Fighter Squadron | SW | F-16C Fighting Falcon | Deployed: 9 August 1990 – 13 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron | HR | F-16C Fighting Falcon | Deployed from 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hahn Air Base, Germany, 28 December 1990 – 10 May 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 1705th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135 Stratotanker | Attached from SAC 7th Air Division. Composed of elements of the 11th (Altus), 905th (Grand Forks), 924th Air Refueling Squadrons (Castle). (7 Aircraft) |
- 388th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah Headquarters: Al Minhad Air Base, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron | HL | F-16C Fighting Falcon | Deployed: 28 August 1990 – 27 March 1991 |
| 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron | HL | F-16C Fighting Falcon | Deployed: 28 August 1990 – 27 March 1991 |
| 69th Tactical Fighter Squadron | MY | F-16C Fighting Falcon | Deployed from 347th Tactical Fighter Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, 8–28 January 1991. Located at King Fahd International Airport, 29 January – 4 March 1991 |
- 401st Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from Torrejón Air Base, Spain Headquarters: Doha International Airport, Qatar
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron | TJ | F-16C Fighting Falcon | Deployed: 28 August 1990 – 27 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
- 4410th Operational Support Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from Eglin AFB, Eglin Aux Fld#3, FloridaHeadquarters: King Khalid Military City, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 728th Tactical Control Squadron | TPS-43E Tactical Radar | Deployed: 8 August 1990 – 17 April 1991 (440 Tons/280 PAX) |
Air Division, Provisional, 15
- 35th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from George Air Force Base, CaliforniaHeadquarters: Doha International Airport, Qatar
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron | WW | F-4G Phantom II | Deployed: 16 August 1990-March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron | SP | F-4G Phantom II | Deployed from 52d Tactical Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, 16 August 1990-March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron | BA | RF-4C Phantom II | Deployed from 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas, 14 January-10 May 1991 (6 Aircraft) |
| 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron | BH | RF-4C Phantom II | Deployed from 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Birmingham International Airport, Alabama Air National Guard (6 Aircraft) |
| 192d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron | RJ | RF-4C Phantom II | Deployed from 152d Reconnaissance Group, Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Nevada Air National Guard (6 Aircraft) |
- 552d Airborne Warning and Control Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma Headquarters: King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron | E-3 Sentry | Deployed: 17 January 1991 – 28 February 1991 |
- 41st Electronic Combat Squadron (Provisional)
Deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ArizonaHeadquarters: Al Banteen Air Base, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates EC-130H Compass Call (Tail Code: DM), 27 August 1990–17 April 1991
- 4411th Joint Stars Squadron
Headquarters: King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait, Saudi ArabiaE-8A Joint Stars, December 1990-March 1991 (2 Aircraft)
1620th Air Division (Provisional)
- 314th Tactical Airlift Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas Headquarters: Al Bateen Air Base, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50th Tactical Airlift Squadron | LR | C-130E Hercules | Deployed 14 August 1990 – 12 May 1991 |
- 317th Tactical Airlift Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina Headquarters: RAFO Thumrait, Oman
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1681st Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | PB | C-130E Hercules. | 16 Aircraft Composed of elements of the 39th, 40th and 41st Tactical Airlift Squadrons |
| 1682d Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | PB | C-130E Hercules | 16 Aircraft Composed of elements of the 39th, 40th and 41st Tactical Airlift Squadrons |
- 435th Tactical Airlift Wing (Provisional)
Deployed from Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany Headquarters: Al Ain International Airport, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37th Tactical Airlift Squadron | C-130E Hercules | Deployed: 15 August 1990 – 20 March 1991 | |
| 1630th Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | C-130E Hercules | 8 Aircraft Composed of elements of West Virginia ANG 130th Tactical Airlift Squadron (4 aircraft) and 4 aircraft of Texas ANG 181st Tactical Airlift Squadron. Deployed: October 1990-24 June 1991 | |
| 1632d Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | C-130H Hercules | 8 aircraft Composed of elements of Missouri ANG 180th Tactical Airlift Squadron. Deployed: 28 December 1990 – 24 June 1991 |
- 1640th Tactical Airlift Wing (Provisional)
Detached from Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, IllinoisHeadquarters: Masirah Air Base, Oman
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1640th Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | PB | C-130E Hercules | Composed of elements of the 317th Tactical Airlift Wing, Pope AFB, North Carolina. Deployed: 15 August 1990 – 20 March 1991 |
| 1707th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135 Stratotanker | Attached from SAC 7th Air Division. Composed of elements of the 901st, 905th, 919th Air Refueling Squadrons. (15 Aircraft) |
- 1650th Tactical Airlift Wing (Provisional)
Detached from Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, IllinoisHeadquarters: Sharjah International Airport, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1650th Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | C-130E Hercules | Apparently included “all aircraft and numerous aircrews and support personnel” from 914th Tactical Airlift Group, Niagara Falls International Airport, NY (AFRES) (source 914 AW article) | |
| 1611th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (P) | C-130E Hercules | Composed of elements of the 1st Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Pope AFB, North Carolina and 2nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Rhein Main AB, Germany |
- 1670th Tactical Airlift Group (Provisional)
Detached from Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, IllinoisHeadquarters: Prince Sultan Air Base, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1670th Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | C-130H Hercules | Composed of elements of the 773d Tactical Airlift Squadron, 463d Tactical Airlift Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas (4 Aircraft) | |
| 1671st Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | C-130H Hercules | Composed of elements of the 772d Tactical Airlift Squadron, 463d Tactical Airlift Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas (4 Aircraft) |
- Air Force Special Operations Command (Provisional)
Detached from Headquarters AFSOC, Hurlburt Field, Florida Headquarters: King Fahd International Airport, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 719th Special Operations Squadron | AC-130A Spectre Gunship | Deployed from 919th SOG, Duke Field, Florida |
| 16th Special Operations Squadron | AC-130H Spectre Gunship | Deployed from 1st SOW, Hurlburt Field, Florida |
| 850th Special Operations Squadron | MC/EC-130 Hercules MH-53J | Composed of elements from 1st SOW, Hurlburt Field, Florida; 919th SOG, Duke Field, Florida, 193d SOG, Harrisburg International Airport, Pennsylvania Air National Guard |
| 1675th Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | C-130 Hercules | |
| 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) | MH-60, MH-47 | United States Army unit, located at King Khalid International Airport |
- 1612th Military Airlift Squadron (Provisional)
Detached from Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, IllinoisHeadquarters: King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait, Saudi ArabiaC-21 Learjet, (8 Aircraft)C-12 Huron (7 Aircraft)RU-21 Learjet (7 Aircraft)
Provided Special Air Mission transport for CENTAF/CENTCOM leadership and civilian VIPs from coalition nations and the United States.
17th Air Division (Provisional)
- 1700th Strategic Wing (Provisional)
Detached from Headquarters 7th Air Division, Strategic Air Command, Ramstein AB, Germany Headquarters: King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1700th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (P) | RC-135 | Deployed from the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Offutt AFB, Nebraska (4 Aircraft) |
| 1704th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (P) | U2/TR-1 | Deployed from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, Ca and 95th Reconnaissance Squadron, 17th Reconnaissance Wing, RAF Alconbury, UK. On 21 September 1990 Operating Location-Crested Harvest (OL-CH, often known to USAF personnel as “Camel Hump”) was designated the 1704th Reconnaissance Squadron (Provisional). |
| 1700th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135 Stratotanker | 10 Aircraft Assigned |
| 69th Bombardment Squadron (P) | B-52G Stratofortresses | Deployed from 42d Bombardment Wing, Loring AFB, Maine (7 Aircraft) |
- 1701st Air Refueling Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1709th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135E/A Stratotanker | Deployed from 336th Air Refueling Squadron, 452d Air Refueling Wing, March AFB, California (6 Aircraft, 31 December 1990, 5 January 1991-March 1991) Deployed from 68th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, (3 Aircraft, 31 December 1990-March 1991) Deployed from 72d Air Refueling Squadron, 434th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom AFB, Indiana (4 Aircraft, 5 January 1991-March 1991) |
| 1710th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-10 Extender | Deployed from 336th Air Refueling Squadron, 452d Air Refueling Wing, March AFB, California (6 Aircraft, 31 December 1990, 5 January 1991-March 1991) Deployed from 68th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, (3 Aircraft, 31 December 1990-March 1991) |
- 1701st Strategic Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 807th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135R Stratotanker | Deployed from 90th Air Refueling Squadron, 19th Air Refueling Wing, Robins AFB, Georgia (16 Aircraft, 11 August 1990-March 1991) |
- 1702d Air Refueling Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: Seeb International Airport, Muscat, Oman.
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1702d Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135R Stratotanker | Deployed from 41st Air Refueling Squadron, 416th Bombardment Wing, Griffiss AFB, New York (1 Aircraft, 28 August 1990) Deployed from 301st Air Refueling Squadron, 301st Air Refueling Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Montana (1 Aircraft, 29 August 1990) Deployed from 905th Air Refueling Squadron, 319th Bombardment Wing, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota (3 Aircraft, 28 August 1990) – March 1991 |
- 1706th Air Refueling Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: Cairo West Airport, Egypt
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1706th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135R Stratotanker | Deployed from 905th Air Refueling Squadron, 319th Bombardment Wing, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, 28 September 1990 – March 1991 (3 Aircraft) Deployed from 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, California, 9 October 1990 – March 1991 |
| KC-135E Stratotanker | Deployed from 126th Air Refueling Squadron, 128th Air Refueling Wing, General Mitchell ANGB, Wisconsin Air National Guard, 30 December 1990 – March 1991 (10 Aircraft) Deployed from 116th Air Refueling Squadron, 141st Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild AFB, Washington Air National Guard, 30 December 1990 – March 1991 (5 Aircraft) |
- 1708th Bombardment Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia20 B-52G Stratofortresses. The lead unit within the 1708th BW (P) was the 524th BS/379th BW from Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan. Aircraft and crews were also drawn from the 62d and 596th BS/2d BW Barksdale AFB, Louisiana; 69th BS/42d BW at Loring AFB, Maine; 328th BS/93d BW, Castle AFB, California, and the 668th BS/416 BW at Griffiss AFB, New York. B-52 operations at Jeddah were not possible prior to the initiation of combat so the wing gained its aircraft when the conflict began. Six aircraft from the 42d BW were moved to Jeddah from Diego Garcia on 17 January, and 10 more flew in from Wurthsmith, attacking targets en route. Although launched from Wurtsmith and flown by 379th BW crews, three of the aircraft came from the 93d BW at Castle and two from the 42d BW at Loring.
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| B-52G Stratofortress | Deployed from 524th BS/379th BW (5 Aircraft); 668th BS/416 BW (3 Aircraft); 596th BS/2d BW (1 Aircraft) | |
| B-52G Stratofortress | Deployed from 69th BS/42d BW (5 Aircraft); 328th BS/93d BW (3 Aircraft); 668th BS/416 BW (3 Aircraft) |
- 1709th Air Refueling Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| KC-135A/E Stratotanker | Composed of 13 Air National Guard tanker unit elements. First tankers to arrive at Jeddah in August 1990-March 1991 (76 Aircraft) Known units that deployed aircraft were:101st Air Refueling Wing, Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine Air National Guard 126th Air Refueling Wing, O’Hare Air National Guard Base, Illinois Air National Guard 128th Air Refueling Group, General Mitchell International Airport, Wisconsin Air National Guard 134th Air Refueling Group, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee Air National Guard 141st Air Refueling Group, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington Air National Guard 151st Air Refueling Group, Salt Lake City International Airport, Utah Air National Guard 157th Air Refueling Group, Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire Air National Guard 160th Air Refueling Group, Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Indiana Air National Guard 161st Air Refueling Group, Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona Air National Guard 170th Air Refueling Group, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey Air National Guard 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pittsburgh Air National Guard Base, Pennsylvania Air National Guard 190th Air Refueling Group, Forbes Air National Guard Base, Kansas Air National Guard |
- 1712th Air Refueling Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: Al Banteen Air Base, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1712th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135E Stratotanker | Deployed from 126th Air Refueling Wing, O’Hare Air National Guard Base, Illinois Air National Guard. Deployed 19 December 1990-March 1991 |
- 1713th Air Refueling Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: Al Banteen Air Base, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1713th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135E Stratotanker | Deployed from 134th Air Refueling Wing, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee Air National Guard, 19 December 1990 – March 1991 |
7th Air Division
- 801st Air Refueling Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: Morón Air Base, Spain
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 801st Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135 Stratotanker | Deployed from 2d Bombardment Wing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana (15 Aircraft) August 1990-March 1991 |
- 801st Bombardment Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: Morón Air Base, SpainThe 801st BW (P) consisted of 28 B-52G Stratofortresses and was formed around a nucleus provided by he 2d Bombardment Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana and drew aircraft from the crews of the 524th BS/379th BW, Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan; the 668th BS/416th BW at Griffiss AFB, New York and from 69th BS/42d BW at Loring AFB, Maine. One B-52G (52-6503) was sent from the 340th BS/97th BW at Eaker AFB, Arkansas.
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 801st Bombardment Squadron (P) | B-52G Stratofortress | Deployed from 2d BW (7 Aircraft); 69th BS/42d BW (2 Aircraft); 668th BS/416th BW (8 Aircraft) January–March 1991 |
| 802d Bombardment Squadron (P) | B-52G Stratofortress | Deployed from 524th BS/379th BW (8 Aircraft); 340th BS/97th BW (1 Aircraft); 524th BS/379th BW (8 Aircraft) January–March 1991 |
- 802d Air Refueling Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 802d Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135 Stratotanker KC-10 Extender | Composed of flights (August 1990-March 1991) from97th Bombardment Wing, Eaker AFB, Arkansas (KC-135)2d Bombardment Wing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana (KC-135) (KC-10)92d Bombardment Wing, Fairchild AFB, Washington (KC-135)7th Bombardment Wing, Carswell AFB, Texas (KC-135) |
- 804th Air Refueling Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 804th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135 Stratotanker | August 1990-March 1991 |
- 806th Bombardment Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: RAF Fairford, England The 806th BW (P) was formed around a cadre of air and ground crews provided by the 97th Bombardment Wing, Eaker AFB, Arkansas. It consisted of a total of 11 B-52G Stratofortresses, also being drawn from the 668th BS/416th BW at Griffiss AFB, New York; 596th BS/2d BW, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, and the 328th BS/93d BW at Castle AFB, California.
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 806th Bombardment Squadron | B-52G Stratofortress | 97th BW (6 Aircraft); 596th BS/2d BW (2 Aircraft); 668th BS/416th BW (2 Aircraft); 328th BS/93d BW (1 Aircraft) January–March 1991 |
- 807th Air Refueling Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 807th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135 Stratotanker | August 1990-March 1991 |
- 810th Air Refueling Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 810th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135 Stratotanker | August 1990-March 1991 |
- 4300th Bombardment Wing (Provisional)
Headquarters: Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory [BIOT] The lead unit for the 4300th BW (P) was the 69th BS/42d BW from Loring AFB, Maine. Aircraft were also drawn from the 328th BS/93d BW at Castle AFB, California. Six aircraft were transferred to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 17 January 1991 and they were replaced by six B-52Gs from the 1500th SW (P) at Andersen AFB, Guam.
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4300th Bombardment Squadron (P) | B-52G Stratofortress | Composed of 69th BS/42d BW (16 Aircraft); 328th BS/93d BW (16 Aircraft) |
