Night of the Stormshadow

RAF Tornados of 617 Squadron (The Dambusters) took part in a daring and top
secret mission to drop a revolutionary new bunker busting missile, Storm Shadow,
on key regime targets in Iraq, it was revealed today.
Storm Shadow, an airborne long range cruise missile, was rushed into service
early in a highly classified operation and early indications suggest it worked
well, piercing heavily reinforced installations use by Saddam Hussein’s High
Command and exploding inside.
Tornado GR4 aircrews based at Ali Al Salem, close to the Iraqi border in
northern Kuwait, were tasked to carry out the mission on the 60th anniversary
of their squadron’s formation to deliver bouncing bombs to breach dams on the
Rhur during the Second World War.
“It was an historic mission for us,” said Wing Commander Dave Robertson, 45,
who led his formation into the skies over Iraq in the face of hostile fire.
Two of his aircraft came under missile attack and were forced to take evasive
action. One was forced to drop its fuel tanks in order to out-manoeuvre a
surface to air missile and completed its mission running close to empty.
Storm Shadow, ironically an Anglo-French production, was delivered to Ali Al
Salem and, given its unique capability, was offered to American battle planners
who readily accepted it.
Such was the secrecy surrounding its deployment that it was moved around the
base under cover of darkness.
“We were concerned about satellite detection and were determined that no one
should know it was here,” said Group Captain Simon Dobb, the RAF detachment
commander at Ali Al Salem.
“It was not due to enter service until later in the year. 617 Squadron was
the lead squadron and had been flying with dummies from their base at RAF
Lossiemouth. But it was untried in an operational environment, and was a hearts
in mouth operation for us because we have never flown with the real thing and
had no idea how well it would work.”
“The Storm Shadow production line had been working flat out and the missiles
were whisked out to theatre in batches,” said Gp Capt Dobb. “It was a very
tight schedule. The missile has been designed and built to a British military
specification by Matra BAe Dynamics (UK) Ltd and each missile costs #750,000.”
It is conventionally armed and has a navigation system that guides it to
specific targets, avoiding collateral damage. Initial battle damage assessment
indicates the missiles hit their intended targets with pinpoint accuracy, said
Gp Capt Dobb.
“We have had a telephone call of congratulations from Sir Peter Squire, the
Air Chief Marshal. He was very pleased.”
Tornados of 617 Squadron took off with a full payload of Storm Shadows on
Friday as the massive opening aerial bombardment of Baghdad was beginning.
Even though Storm Shadows can be released 230km (175 miles) from their target,
reducing the risks to aircrews, his flight came under anti-aircraft fire soon
after crossing the border.
One of his Tornados, flown by pilot Squadron Leader Noddy Knowles and
navigator Flt Lt Andy Turk, was locked on to by a surface to air missile. In the
course of taking evasive action they had to jettison their under wing fuel
tanks.
“We were flying to targets north of Baghdad. Storm Shadows are heavy at
1,350kg each, and we use more fuel. Noddy and Andy were fuel critical so we let
them go in first to fire their missiles and return home. Then, as we entered
our attack run, we too came under missile attack. We were targeted by what I
think was an Iraqi SA2 missile.”
He and his pilot, Sqn Ldr Andy Myers, used their on-board counter measures and
took evasive action before continuing on to deliver their Storm Shadows.
“We were operating in a high-threat environment.
As they headed back to base they climbed to a higher altitude and were able to
look down on Baghdad. Looking back I can say I was nervous. And I was excited,
not in a joyful sense, but because I knew we were making history.
“I believe in what we are doing and I am confident that we are selecting
regime targets using weapons that are accurate. I am proud of what we have
achieved so far.”
end MAR 03