The Southern Flank D+21 (30 July, 1987)

AFSOUTH planning for offensive operations accelerated when word was received from Brussels that the NATO counterattack in Northern German was underway. Debate raged in Naples over what shape NATO’s counterblow on the Southern Flank would take. Sixth Fleet was pressing for a campaign against Soviet ports and airbases on the Black Sea coastline while officers …

The Southern Flank D+19 (28 July, 1987)

Rescue operations in Madrid were well underway on D+19. AFSOUTH continued to direct rescue and relief assets into the area. Torrejon, the US airbase situated just east of the Spanish capital received considerable damage. Air operations were impossible for the time being. Madrid–Barajas Airport, the international airport that serviced the city, was in no better …

The Southern Flank D+17 (26 July, 1987) Part I

From the NATO perspective, conditions on the Southern Flank were leaning in favor of the alliance. The successful attacks by US carrier aircraft on the Soviet amphibious group off the coast of Bulgaria had removed the threat of a Pact landing at the Bosphorus from the board. Meanwhile, the Pact offensive into Thrace was making …

The Southern Flank D+16 (25 July, 1987) Part II

The Warsaw Pact advances into Thrace on D+16 closely resembled those of the previous day: Strong resistance by the Greek and Turkish defenders and minimal gains by the Bulgarian 1st and 2nd Armies. The lack of progress by Pact forces since crossing the border two days earlier appeared to indicate a likely failure of the …

The Southern Flank D+16 (25 July, 1987) Part I

The start time for Sixth Fleet’s planned airstrikes on the Soviet amphibious group in the Black Sea had been pushed to 0500 in order to coincide with other NATO air attacks set for the early morning hours. Kennedy’s airwing, with it’s two A-6 Intruder squadrons, was tasked to hit the Soviet amphibs. CVW-17 off Saratoga …

The Southern Flank D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part II

Kennedy and Saratoga’s airwings went to work in the pre-dawn darkness of D+15. From midnight until 0500 CVW-3 and CVW-17 aircraft struck army-level headquarters, airbases, and fuel reserve sites in Bulgaria. They were augmented by a small number of US Air Force F-111s flying from bases in Turkey. Opposition was weaker compared to the previous …

The Southern Flank D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part I

The centerpiece of land operations on the Southern Flank on D+15 continued to be in Greco-Turkish Thrace. Two Bulgarian army groups that crossed the border on the previous day continued their advances south and east. The main effort was in the east where the 1st Bulgarian Army was pressing towards the Bosphorus. The secondary advance …

The Southern Flank D+14 (23 July, 1987) Part III

The Sixth Fleet carriers continued flying combat sorites against targets in Bulgaria through the early morning hours of D+13. At 0400 the last aircraft trapped aboard Kennedy and a short time later the two-carrier task force was steaming west. Carrier Air Wing 3 had received its baptism of fire and acquitted itself well. Its two …

The Southern Flank D+14 (23 July, 1987) Part II

The remainder of the day in Thrace continued along the same lines as the first part. Heavy fighting, especially in eastern Thrace, coupled with minimal advances. The first echelon of Warsaw Pact ground forces was made up primarily of the two Bulgarian army groups, with a small number of Soviet regiments in accompaniment. The plan …

The Southern Flank D+14 (23 July, 1987) Part I

The storm broke in Thrace at 0445 hours on 23 July, 1987 (D+14). The long awaited Warsaw Pact ground offensive commenced when Bulgarian forces crossed into Greek and Turkish territory. This was preceded by a moderate number of Soviet air attacks targeting NATO airbases, headquarters, and air defense sites in Greece, and Turkey. The air …