Less-Than-Effective NATO Weapon Systems Of World War III Part I

Weapon systems are similar to athletes, musicians and other types of celebrities in that sometimes the hype does not measure up to real world performance. If you’re an NFL fan, think of first round draft busts like Ryan Leaf and Tony Mandarich. After being drafted these two players were touted as the next greatest things …

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

AFNORTH’s preparations to commence offensive operations in the north were well underway on the morning of D+17. Additional US Marines, as well as their British counterparts were being airlifted to Banak, reinforcing the troops already on the ground there. The Norwegian air station, which had been under Soviet control until recently, would be established as …

Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+14 (23 July, 1987) Part III

1145- The eastern prong of the Iraqi advance south is halted by US Marines outside of Khafji. Casualties are heavy for the attacking force and the surviving Iraqi troops and equipment start pulling back towards the border with elements of 1/7 Marines in pursuit. Reconnaissance flights, and reports from USMC Force Recon teams on the …

The Northern Flank D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part III

Air & Land Operations in Northern Norway on D+10   Author’s Note: This entry is being done in timeline form. Apologies in advance. Feeling a bit under the weather today and don’t want to get bogged down on this entry too much since I’m planning to have the North Atlantic D+10 wrapped up by Christmas …

The Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+2 (11 July, 1987)

With the 7th MAB now on the ground and marrying up to its equipment in Dhahran, the US military presence in eastern Saudi Arabia was consolidating quickly. The Marines would be combat-ready  within twelve hours. Additional fighter squadrons, along with tankers, AWACS, and other air assets were set to arrive at airbases in Saudi Arabia, …