The Western Pacific D+17 (26 July, 1987)

Western Pacific D+17 0117- The first US attacks against targets in the Pyongyang area are launched. Against a pitch black, star-filled sky two explosions shatter the morning calm. Smoke and fire pour from the twisted wreckage of the Ministry of Defense building and Mansudae Hall, seat of the Supreme People's Assembly. The two F-117 stealth …

Air War on the Central Front: D+3 (12 July, 1987)

In the early morning hours of D+3, General Bill Kirk, USAF reflected on the progress of the air war on the Central Front thus far. The four star general wore two hats, serving as Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe. Like a good number of his NATO and …

The Central Front: D+0 (9 July, 1987) 0130-0400 Part II**

The post-Vietnam years were a period of reassessment, and regeneration for the US Air Force. The service’s Vietnam experience was, and still is, comprehensively regarded as an example of how an air war should not be run. Restrictive rules of engagement, micromanagement, and a cumbersome,  ineffective process of changing tactics and strategy once it became …

Search for the Stealth: D-1 (8 July, 1987) Part II **

Sergeant Richard Lawson walked into the pub shortly after 1400. The short, stocky NCO stopped and spoke to the bartender for a brief moment, then exchanged greetings with a few of the older gentlemen at the bar. Prokofiev got the idea they knew Lawson personally and were pumping him for news. On the other hand, …

Search for the Stealth: D-1 (8 July, 1987) Part I **

His diplomatic immunity was no longer valid, Sergei Prokofiev reminded himself. The British government had already declared most Soviet diplomats in the United Kingdom persona non grata. In effect, they were no longer welcomed here and the Brits were officially kicking them out of the country. The move had been announced three days ago and …