ANTHOLOGY AND ANN~ATED BIBLIOGRAPHY                                         171

infrared systems (FLIR) for navigation. In the Middle East, both navigation and
targeting FLIRs were available.
   The squadron became fully operational in September 1990 and conducted two
full squadron deployments during October and November to Yuma and Nell is
Air Force Base, Nevada.
   When the call came to deploy to the Middle East, we were assigned a
primary mission of combined arms control and coordination--specifically, the
squadron flew tactical air coordinator (airborne) [TACA]       and forward air
controller (airborne [FAC(A)] missions. This included spotting for artillery and
naval gunfire.  The services sometimes use slightly different terms to describe
similar functions, but the squadron's mission is best described as that of a fast
FAC, as distinct from the turboprop-powered OV-l0DS.
   High speed was our best defense against infrared (IR) surface-to-air missiles
(SAMs) while high-speed antiradiation missiles (HARM) carried by escort
Hornets suppressed radar-guided SAMs. In addition, EA-6Bs provided standoff
jamming support for all aircraft in the Kuwait theater of operations.
   Our squadron was largely involved in preparing the battlefield and supporting
ground units in the battle to retake Kuwait.    The U.S. Central Command
established kill zones in which we operated.  These zones, squares of terrain
about 15 miles on a side, were used as limits for aircraft operating within them.
Each zone had an alpha-numeric designation but these rapidly gave way to
geographical references--the golf course, the Pentagon, the ice cube tray, and
arty (artillery) road--as the aircrews became familiar with the area.
   Armed with kill-zone charts,  2.75-inch rockets and white phosphorous
warheads, and 20-mm. ammunition, we flew our first mission into southern
Kuwait on iS January.
   Aircrews launched and proceeded directly to a Marine Corps KC-130 tanker
to top off with fuel before heading into their assigned area.  Prebriefed targets
were reconnoitered to determine which were active, and then the F/A-i 8Ds
marked the targets for the strike aircraft. Priorities--in order--were: artillery and
rocket launchers, armor, troops, and trench lines.  FAC aircraft remained on
station for about 30 minutes, working as many as 21 strike aircraft during that
time.
   After the first period, FACs cycled back to the tanker and then returned to
their assigned area for another 30 minutes before heading home.   Typical target
areas were more than 200 miles from Bahrain.
   We used high-altitude tactics during the early part of the war identifying
targets through 7- and 10-power binoculars.  Secondary explosions after initial
strike aircraft runs often confirmed active Iraqi positions.
   Aircrews flew around the clock, using night-vision goggles when required.
On the night of 29 January, when Iraqi forces moved south toward Khafji and
other Coalition positions, fast FACs used goggles to provide accurate marks for
a section of A~Es to lay a string of Rockeye antiarmor submunitions across a
column of advancing Iraqi armor, and stop it dead in its tracks. Marines on the
ground then captured the Iraqi forces.