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

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

COMBAT AIR PATROL MISSIONS
The following aircraft, based at Saudi Arabian airfields, enforced the no-fly zone over southern Iraq as part of UN Security Council Resolution 688. U.S. forces carried out this mission under Operation Southern Watch, the UK under Operation Jural, and France under Operation Alysse. Saudi Arabian aircrews also participated, though their involvement was sporadic and cautious.
- F-15C Eagle (US Air Force)
- F-16C Block 30 Fighting Falcon (Air National Guard - Various States)
- Tornado F.3 (UK Royal Air Force)
- Mirage 2000C (French Air Force)
- F-15C Eagle (Royal Saudi Air Force)
- Tornado ADV (Royal Saudi Air Force)

SUPPORT MISSIONS
Aside from combat air patrols, Saudi Arabia allowed only unarmed or defensively armed aircraft to operate in Iraqi territory. I provided mission planning forecasts for a variety of support missions including aerial refueling, air defense suppression, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, surveillance, and transportation. Some support aircraft also operated from bases in the United Arab Emirates.
* C-130H Hercules (US Air Force / Air National Guard)
- E-3B Sentry (US Air Force)
- EF-111A Raven (US Air Force)
- F-16CJ Block 50 Fighting Falcon (US Air Force)
- KC-135R Stratotanker (US Air Force)
- RC-135V Rivet Joint (US Air Force)
- RQ-1A Predator (US Air Force)
- U-2S (US Air Force)
- Tornado GR.4A (UK Royal Air Force)
- Mirage F.1CR (French Air Force)

AIR DEFENSE
In addition to the combat air patrol aircraft, U.S. Army air defense artillery units and U.S. Navy offshore surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) provided extra layers of defense for Saudi airspace.
- MIM-104F PAC 3 Patriot / AN/MPQ-53 (US Army)
- RIM-66 SM-2MR (US Navy)

STRIKE MISSION
Following Iraqi attacks on anti-regime civilians and Allied forces within the no-fly zone, the U.S. imposed a "no-drive zone" for Iraqi military equipment. Since Saudi Arabia did not allow strike missions from its territory, strike aircraft operated out of bases in Kuwait.
- OA-10A Thunderbolt II (Air National Guard - Various States)
- F-16C Block 40 Fighting Falcon (Air National Guard - Various States)
- F-16CG Block 50 Fighting Falcon (US Air Force)
- F-117A Nighthawk (US Air Force)
- F-18CK Hornet (Kuwait Air Force)

NAVAL AVIATION
U.S. Navy aircrews on the USS Carl Vinson in the Persian Gulf also participated in joint air operations. Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9) could independently execute any JTF-SWA mission as required.
- A-6E Intruder (US Navy)
* C-2 Greyhound (US Navy) [VRC-30]
- E-2C Hawkeye (US Navy)
- EA-6B Prowler (US Navy)
* ES-3A Shadow (US Navy) [VQ-5]
- F-14D Tomcat (US Navy)
- F/A-18C Hornet (US Navy)
- S-3B Viking (US Navy)
* SH-60F Seahawk (US Navy) [HS-4]

OPERATION DESERT STRIKE
In response to Iraqi attacks on anti-regime Kurds in Irbil, the U.S. executed Operation Desert Strike. This operation targeted Iraqi air defenses to protect U.S. and Allied evacuation efforts and to continue strikes against Iraqi offensive capabilities.
- B-52H Stratofortress (US Air Force)
- F-14D Tomcat (US Navy)
- RGM-109E/UGM-109E Tomahawk (US Navy)
* 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