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100+ Years of Aviation Week 1916-Present

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January 21, 1991

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HEADLINE NEWS

Swedes Begin Flight Testing Second JAS 39 Gripen Prototype

LONDON A second prototype has joined the JAS 39 Gripen flight test program, and a third is scheduled to begin flying next month. The first flight of the No. 4 test aircraft took place on Dec. 20 from the Saab air field at Linkoping. The aircraft was in the air 43 mm.

HEADLINE NEWS

U. S. General Aviation Aircraft Shipments Decreased In 1990, But Billings Rose to More Than $2 Billion

WASHINGTON Led by weak single-engine aircraft deliveries, shipments of general aviation aircraft in 1990 declined more than 25% from 1989 levels, despite an increase in total billings. The industry shipped 1,144 new aircraft worth more than $2 billion last year compared with 1,535 delivered in 1989 that were valued at $1.8 billion, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Assn. (GAMA).

EDITORIAL

A Formidable Display of Air Power

War again has spread an ugly stain across the Middle East. Civilized initiatives by a range of diplomats failed to resolve the crisis caused by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s pillage of Kuwait, threats to Arab and Israeli neighbors and affronts to the world at large.

OPERATION DESERT STORM WAR IN THE MIDEAST

Air Strikes Spearhead Mideast War

Word came in a terse communique from the White House: The liberation of Kuwait had begun with what may prove to be the most lethal air war ever witnessed. Amassed against Iraq are more than 2,000 allied aircraft, capable of flying an estimated 1,300 sorties every 24 hr.

OPERATION DESERT STORM WAR IN THE MIDEAST

Allies Attack Iraqi Targets; Scuds Strike Israeli Cities

WASHINGTON American, Saudi Arabian, British and Free Kuwaiti air forces began striking targets in Iraq and Kuwait before 3 a. m. local time on Jan. 17, less than 24 hr. after the U. N. deadline for the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait expired.

By JOHN D. MORROCCO

OPERATION DESERT STORM WAR IN THE MIDEAST

Lack of Opposition Puzzles Pilots Who Flew First Missions

EASTERN SAUDI ARABIA U. S. pilots are frankly puzzled at the lack of Iraqi air force activity. “Maybe we’ve just done a great job” disrupting command and control, jamming air defenses and bombing airfields, Col. John McBroom, commander of the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, said.

By DAVID A. FULGHUM

OPERATION DESERT STORM WAR IN THE MIDEAST

Kuwaiti A-4KUs Take Part In Battle Against Iraq

EASTERN SAUDI ARABIA Kuwaiti air force/McDonnell Douglas A-4KU Skyhawk aircraft took part in combat missions in the opening phase of Desert Storm attacks against Iraq last week. The A-4KUs were flown out of Kuwait last August by the country’s air force pilots before the aircraft could be captured by invading Iraqi forces.

OPERATION DESERT STORM WAR IN THE MIDEAST

Aircraft Depart Saudi Bases To Begin Operation Desert Storm

CENTRAL SAUDI ARABIA The start of Operation Desert Storm Jan. 17 was signaled in part by the launch of control, support and tanker aircraft from bases within Saudi Arabia. At one large base in Central Saudi Arabia, a wave of U. S. Air Force KC135 tankers began taking off in fairly rapid succession in the darkness, beginning at approximately 1 a. m.

OPERATION DESERT STORM WAR IN THE MIDEAST

Sembach Hosts Navy C-9Bs

SEMBACH AB, GERMANY This home for EC-130 Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft is hosting an unusual deployment of U. S. Navy C9B transports that will ferry personnel and equipment from Europe to frontline units in the Persian Gulf war. The aircraft from Fleet Logistics Support (VR) 55 from Alameda NAS, Calif., and VR 57 from NAS North Highland in San Diego are accustomed to worldwide ferrying operations. But those missions customarily mean only about 15 air crew and maintenance personnel are out of country for up to 10 days. Tasks can be unusual: The aircraft sometimes fly sedated beluga whales and dolphins from San Diego to Hawaii for naval sonar research. But the move to Sembach is expected to last for at least the duration of the war and involve some 250 personnel, including 36 pilots and 72 enlisted air crew personnel, plus full support equipment and spares. Similar efforts were made by VR 59 from Dallas and VR 58 from Jacksonville, Fla., which have been forward deployed to NAS Naples and NAS Sigonella in Italy. In each case, about 60% of the squadron members are naval reserve personnel. All four squadrons have begun support - ing the Persian Gulf effort, including hauling support equipment and personnel for EC-130s from Sembach to the gulf region on Jan. 16. While their destinations remain classified, it was noted that one C-9B crew received permission in early January to make the first U. S. military flight since the 1940s over former Warsaw Pact nations. The flight passed over Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Romania before crossing Turkey, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s only member that borders Iraq. The McDonnell Douglas C-9 aircraft are equipped with an 82X 108-in. cargo door and quick-change seats to accommodate cargo. They have five rather than three standard fuel tanks for added range, and they are equipped with inertial and Omega navigation systems, and one UHF radio and two VHF versions. They can carry 16 tons or 90 passengers over a 2,500-mi. course. □

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