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File: 120596_aacxi_01.txt4404 TFW(P) COMBAT OPERATIONS SYNOPSIS, DAY 5 DAY FIVE; COMBAT OPERATIONS Place: A1 Kharj; AFB, Saudi Arabia Date: 21 January l991 Operation hours: 0600-1505 Hours FMC Rate: 96% No. Bombs Dropped: 0 No. Planes: 32 No. Wing Tanks Dropped: 0 No. Sorties: l6 No. Battle Damaged A/C: 0 No. Code One: 10 No. Ground Aborts: 0 No. Code Two: 3 No. Air Aborts: 0 No. Code Three: 5 SYNOPSIS: MISSION I: For the second day 1n a row thick morning fog covered the air base. Despite the overcast, 16 SCANG F-l6's started their engines at 0600 hours in preparation for the morning mission. Again bad weather prevailed and at 0620 hours the mission was canceled and the aircraft engine were shut down. Airplane no. 299 was put in for an Aircraft Phase Inspection and will be out of commission for approximately two day. Lead Pilot: Major Barry K. Clone - A/C Tail No.: 29O MISSION II: Under a clear sky and warm weather, l6 F-l5's carrying two CBU-87 bombs apiece started their engine at 1220 hours. The SCANG fighters were preparing for the afternoon's mission against Iraqi ground forces in Kuwait. However, the mission was cut short as the planes turned back early from the target due to bad weather. The F-16's returned to base with no battle damage and carrying all their bombs and wing tanks. Lead Pilot: Major George R. Jernigan A/C Tail No.: 29O DAILY LOG: At 2200 hours the air base went on a Red Alert, MOP Level IV. Personnel were warned to take cover but the alert was called off after a short period of time. A1 Kharj Air Base was then put on a Yellow Alert, MOP Level II which meant that people, for the second time in three nights, had to sleep in their chemical warfare gear. A wake up call was not long in coming. At 0100 hours the base went on a Red Alert, MOP Level IV and base personnel were warned to take cover. During the alert the condition changed from Red to Black for the first time since hostilities began on 17 January l991. Condition Black indicates that biological or chemical weapons are present. At 0145 the all clear was sounded but the OP Level was kept at II which required people to stay in their chemical warfare suits throughout the night. The alerts were prompted by nine Iraqi SCUD missiles being fired at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They were the first missiles fired at the capitol city since hostilities began. Six of the missiles aimed at the city were downed by U. S. Army Patriot SAMs. The three remaining missiles went over the Arabian capitol with two meeting the same fate as the first six, and the last missile crashing into the sea. Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney reported to the news media today that Iraq has plenty' of SCUD missiles and about 40 launchers. The launchers are more important as they are the means to deliver the missile to a target. At 0745 hours the base went on another Red Alert, MOP Level IV but this alarm was called off after only five minutes. 12
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