MILNET: Forces in Gulf Region, Feb. 1998
Updated, Feb. 20, 1998

Overview

Between the U.S. and British combat forces, there are (or will be within a few days), some 160 ground attack aircraft (bombers, fighter-bombers, etc.), 96 air-to-air aircraft (some of which may be able to launch ground attack missiles), 112 support aircraft such as tankers, combat search and rescue, helo transports, ELINT/SIGINT recon aircraft, EW&C, AWACS, and others. Naval forces total up to 4 aircraft carriers, 11 other surface combatants (many of which carry and launch tomahawk cruise missiles on land targets), and 3 attack submarines also capable of launching tomahawks via their torpedo tubes.

Of course, each U.S. aircraft carrier carrys a minimum of 24 F-14 and 24 F-18 aircraft, and the British carriers 14 Harrier jump jets. U.S. carriers also carry numerous support aircraft, notably the E-2C Early Warning and Control (EW&C) aircraft which operate in a similar fashion to the E-2 Sentry AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft already stationed in the region. These two types of aircraft are part of a network of command and control aircraft with mounted airborne radomes that allow controllers to see all aircraft in the area, and vector air-to-air aircraft to airborne targets. This assures full control of the air assuming there are enough air-to-air forces to respond.

During the Gulf War, U-2 and the E-8A JSTARS aircraft (a Boeing 707 derivative with a special down looking radar mounted underneath the fuselage) were also able to transmit realtime battlefield target information, thus performing a similar function on the ground as the AWACS and EW&C aircraft perform in the air. In mid February, the Defense Department announced the orders for JSTARS to deploy to a base in Kuwait, thus signalling a serious intent for military action.

A new feature of this air campaign will be the addition of two B-1B bombers which should be their first test in combat. The DoD has repeatedly denied that B-2 Stealth bombers would be used.

In support of the forces in theatre, the U.S. has also embarked the Guam Amphibious Ready Group (GUAM ARG), which consists of support ships and the U.S.S. Guam LHA which features helicopter (both support and gunships), and some 2,500 U.S. Marines to provide a flexibile ground force if needed, however the DoD says no ground deployment into Iraq is in the current planning. In mid February, additional forces (bringing the total to around 6,000 deployed in Kuwait) from Ft. Stewart, Georgia were ordered to deploy, presuambly to round a full fighting unit and to man all the prepositioned equipment in Kuwait.

Returning to battle are the now well respected F-117 Nighthawks and venerable B-52 bombers. F-117s sneak in and attack at night without being detected, and the B-52 bombers can stand off at great distance and launch numerous land attack cruise missiles from their internal rotary launchers. They may also be armed with tomahawks on wing launch, rails, however, this is speculation.

The typical U.S. attack aircraft can carry AGM-64 Maverick, a guided attack missile typically guided by the pilot via a tv camera right into the target (remember film footage of a missile going into the window of a truck), or other smart bombs such as laser designated (they home in on a reflected laser light). And of course, just plain old iron bombs from 500 to 2000 lbs can be carried as well. Another weapon carried by attack aircraft are cluster units which disperse bomblets, used against areas that are to be denied to an agressor such as a radio antenna array on the ground, a portion of an airfield, or a mobile command and control center laid out over an area on the ground.

Newly added to the arsenal are "bunker buster" bombs, which use hypervelocity and special triggering to penetrate concrete protection and explode deep within a target such as a chemical round storage bunker, or command and control bunker. Also, a new weapon has been fielded which not only pentrates but uses special fusing and explosive content to burn rather than detonate quickly, used to thoroughly burn chemical or biological warfare agents. While new, both these new weapons are considered to be available for an air campaign in 1998.

Details of U.S. and British Troops in the Gulf
February, 1998

* Note: U.S. Aircraft Carriers each carry approximately 54 combat aircraft which include F-14 Tomcat, and F-18 Hornet which are capable of attacking ground and air targets (dual role). The U.S. carriers also carry helicopters, anti-submaine warfare, Air-to-Air refueling, and E-2C Hawkeye EW&C aircraft. The two British carriers embark approximately 14 Harrier jump jets. Also, each carrier battle group includes replenishment ships (fuel and arms) and possibly submarine tender(s). All U.S. cruisers are assumed to have large loads of Tomahawk cruise missiles, typically in vertical launch tubes which can be launched quite rapidly to create salvos of ground attack vehicles without risk of human pilots. Note that the 3 carrier battle groups alone are more than adequate to wage a devastating air campaign.

*2 Note: Totals for seaman and airman is only available as totals, based upon ships roster and base manning documents, and are totals for both U.S. and British service men and women.

milnet@milnet.com