Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+12 (21 July, 1987) Part III

0220- The level of air activity on the Arabian Peninsula continues to rise. With the first wave of Iraqi aircraft outbound from their targets in Kuwait, the Il-76 Candid transport aircraft carrying men and equipment of the 328th Guards Airborne Regiment, along with their MiG-29 Fulcrum escorts began lifting off from Al-Taqaddum Airbase. Around the …

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, …

The Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf: D+1 (10 July, 1987) Part II

US Air Force assets on the ground in Saudi Arabia on the morning of 10 July were as follows: 2 squadrons of F-15A Eagles from the 49th TFW,  1 squadron of F-16C Falcons and a detachment of A-10 Warthogs were staked out at Dhahran Air Base. A detachment of 4 E-3A Sentries, and a growing …

The Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf: D+1 (10 July, 1987) Part I

Time was running out for the Soviets. Opportunities to interdict the MPS ships en route to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia had largely been exhausted as dawn broke on 10 July. Submarine attacks on MPSRON 2 and its escorts resulted in the sinking of a US frigate at the cost of two subs. The seven cargo ships …

Peripheries: Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D-1 (8 July, 1987) **

By D-1 CENTCOM was in the best possible shape considering the circumstances of the moment. A brigade of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division was on the ground at Cario West Air Base in Egypt. A detachment of E-3 Sentries, and two fighter squadrons, one of F-15s and the other of F-16s, aas well as …