The opening salvo of the Gulf War (1990-1991) was an aerial campaign of epic proportions. The onslaught of bombs and missiles delivered by ships, bombers and fighters devastated the military of Iraq. Before the American military launched its air campaign, the Iraqi military stood as the fifth largest in the world; only days later, it would be reduced to little more than black, twisted steel, smoke, and ash.
The United States Air Force, Navy and Marines contributed their vast fleets of warplanes to the effort with biblical results. Five of the key jets from that time include the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-15 Eagle, B-1B Lancer, F-14 Tomcat, and the F-111 Aardvark. All played a separate role that contributed to the air operation's success.
Each brought unique capabilities to the battlefield, fulfilling their specialized roles in a joint strategy that culminated in a comprehensive air campaign. 5 F-111 Aardvark (and Raven) Tactical Bomber The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was a strike-attack, tactical bomber that used low-level, high-speed tactics to hit high-value targets with laser-guided bombs. On the other branch of the family tree, the F-111 Raven was an electronic warfare (EW) support jet that provided defensive and offensive capabilities while escorting strike fighter packages through hostile airspace to their targets.
The aircraft was notable for its variable-sweep wings (one of the last of its kind), which allowed it to adjust its flight characteristics to meet the deman.
