Operator’s Handbook
Desert Storm was the combat debut for this venerable Cold War bomber
A1960s design that first flew in 1974 and entered RAF service in 1982, the Tornado GR1 proved to be one of the most versatile and longest-ser ving RAF jets. Created by a tri-national consor tium of the UK, West Germany and Italy, the type was sold to Saudi Arabia as well, who also operated it during Operation Desert Storm.
The distinctive swing-wing design was optimised for low-level high-speed interdiction, and the RAF crews had trained to launch night attacks on Soviet airfields and infrastructure over Germany for NATO. This role translated directly into the 1991-2 coalition air campaign, and the Tornado’s first ever combat sorties were spent attacking Iraqi airfields. Even with extensive training and experience, these operations were a risky business. Five Tornados were lost at low-level during the opening days of the war, and a sixth after their switch to medium-level operations (three more were lost in accidents). After the successful suppression of the Iraqi air force, some GR1s switched to medium-level operations, using laser-guided bombs. Usually operating with
Blackburn Buccaneers carrying the designator pods, the Tornados continued to attack Iraqi infrastructure, especially bridges and logistics centres. This combination obtained levels of precision previously unheard of in the RAF.
The GR1a reconnaissance variant continued to fly at low levels throughout the war, gathering intelligence on potential targets. The end of Operation Desert Storm in February 1991 was followed immediately by a move to enforce no-fly zones, and from there the Tornado conducted a further 29 years of continuous operations over Iraq.
ARMAMENT
In the opening nights of Desert Storm, RAF Tornados focused their attacks on Iraqi airfields with JP233 airfield denial weapons, which spread a mix of nearly 500 bomblets and mines over a wide area to break up airfield surfaces. Freefall bombs weighing 1,000lb (450kg) were also used. After taking heavy losses on low-level operations, and discovering that the Iraq air defences had been suitably reduced, the GR1s changed to mid-level (over 20,000ft) operations deliverin
