RAF Tornado- Operation Desert Storm 1991 by Frank Wootton.

at 2200 GMT on 16th January 1991 Tornados were launched from Dhahran, Bahrain and Tabuk on the RAFs first combat missions in Operation Desert Storm. Each Tornado was loaded with two JP23s and all were bound for airfields in Iraq. Taking the defences by complete surprise, the Tornados delivered their weapons over runways and taxiways, then made for home without loss, setting a standard of professionalism that was to be maintained throughout the campaign often in the face of far more serious opposition. The air campaign in which the RAF were engaged was crucial to the Allies overall strategy to free Kuwait. Indeed, it is not an exaggeration to say that for the first time in the history of warfare, air power was the determining factor in a major conflict, and that the visions of such men as Trenchard and Harris were at last demonstrated. While the final conclusions must be left to history, the Gulf war remains - as General McPeak, the US Air Force Chief of Staff pointed out - the first time that a field army had been defeated by air power. The plan for the Allied air campaign was divided into a succession of phases, beginning with the obtaining of air superiority and ending with the direct engagement of the enemy ground forces. To carry out this plan the Allies had built up a formidable air power force. By 16th January it numbered some 2430 aircraft based either within the Gulf region or close enough to project air power into it. The RAF contribution was 135 aircraft: 18 Tornado F3 fighters, 46 TornadoGR1 and 1A attack and recce aircraft, 12 Jaguar fighter-bombers, 17 tabkers, 3 Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft, 31 Chinook and Puma support helicopters, one BAe 125 and 7 Hercules transport aircraft. The strength of the Allied air forces continued to grow as the campaign progressed, and by the start of the land attack (G Day) it had reached 2790. RAF reinforcements during this period included 12 Buccaneers and additional Tornado GR1s.

Last print available of this sold out edition. This ex-display print has some light marks on the image.

Signed by Air Marshal Sir William Wratten KBE, CB, AFC, FRAeS.

Signed limited edition of 850 prints.

Image size 17 inches x 24 inches (43cm x 61cm)