B-52 Bomber Survives Friendly Fire Missile Strike in Gulf War #b52bomber #missilestrike #gulf

B-52 Bomber Survives Friendly Fire Missile Strike in Gulf War #b52bomber #missilestrike #gulf

On January 18th, 1991, several B-52 bombers conducted a daring operation deep into Iraqi territory during the Gulf War. Flying at low altitudes, the B-52s were tasked with a high-risk mission. High above these bombers, F-4G Wild Weasels played a crucial protective role by defending against Iraqi surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). Although flying low was a tactic meant to avoid enemy radar, it also made the B-52s more susceptible to fast Iraqi fighter jets, meaning the tail gunners had to maintain high vigilance.

Amid the operation, one of the F-4G Wild Weasels identified an anti-aircraft artillery threat in the bombers' path and launched an AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile) to neutralize it. However, due to a malfunction in the missile's guidance system, it mistakenly locked onto the tail gun radar system of a B-52 bomber, as its radar was similar to those used by enemy anti-aircraft guns.

The HARM missile detonated directly behind the B-52, causing extensive damage and obliterating the tail gun section along with the aircraft's stabilizers. Despite the severe damage, the B-52 bomber managed a remarkable feat by safely returning to its base in Saudi Arabia. Following the mission, the damaged bomber was transported to Guam for thorough repairs, earning it the nickname "In Harm's Way" due to the extraordinary circumstances it endured.

Keywords

• B-52 bomber
• Gulf War
• Low altitude flight
• F-4G Wild Weasel
• AGM-88 HARM missile
• Friendly fire
• Tail gun radar
• Anti-aircraft artillery
• Saudi Arabia
• Guam
• In Harm's Way

FAQ

Q: What was the initial mission of the B-52 bombers on January 18th, 1991? A: The B-52 bombers were conducting a deep-penetration mission into Iraqi territory as part of the Gulf War operations.

Q: How did the B-52s protect themselves from Iraqi fighter jets? A: The B-52s relied on both their tail gunners, who remained highly vigilant, and the F-4G Wild Weasels flying above them, which provided protection against surface-to-air missiles.

Q: What malfunction occurred with the HARM missile? A: The HARM missile's guidance system mistakenly locked onto the B-52's tail gun radar system instead of the intended Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery radar.

Q: What was the extent of the damage to the B-52 bomber? A: The HARM missile blew up the B-52's tail gun section and stabilizers, causing significant damage, but the aircraft was still able to return safely to Saudi Arabia.

Q: Where was the damaged B-52 bomber repaired, and what nickname did it receive? A: The damaged B-52 bomber was repaired in Guam and was nicknamed "In Harm's Way" due to its survival of the friendly fire incident.