The f111s that went to libya in april 86, specifically the ones armed with gbus, a couple of questions. The mine is about 45 minutes south east of las vegas. A harpoon commanders edition scenario for the ec2003 battle for the mediterranean battleset and the hcdb603 19802015 platform database. It is a spectacular drive through windswept, cactusstrewn desert where traffic seems to hurtle at breakneck speed and motorists are. The f111f 702389 callsign karma 52, the sixth aircraft on bab alaziza target, vanished in unexplained circumstances. Considering the proximity of possible targets to civilian population centers, use ofaircraft that provided the mostpre. Libya bombings of 1986 united stateslibyan history. Pdf military deterrence of international terrorism. In 1986 qadhafi, who was maintaining some 22 terrorist camps in libya, responded to the increased us presence off libya by announcing a line of death enclosing the gulf of sirte. On april 5, 1986, a bomb exploded in a discotheque in berlin frequented by united states service personnel. A study in diplomacy, strategy, highlevel policy, deckplate operations, and the. Air force f111s departed royal air force raf base lakenheath along with five ef111s from raf heyford.
April 1986 mediterranean sea april 1986 with rising tensions between the us and libya over libyas support of international terrorism, uss american cv. Joint air operations planners will benefit from reading this book due to the complex nature of the operation. The operation was launched from uk bases and the 6th fleet on april 15, 1986. Ten days before the attacks, a bomb exploded in a discotheque in west berlin frequented by u. Explore the rocky mountain national park on this allday trip from denver or boulder. The aircraft, originally endorsed by former defense secretary robert mcnamara as a sort of early joint strike fighter. My profile inbox address book my subscription my forums log out. The mission began april 15, 1986 at two in the morning, almost at the same time the bomb exploded at the west berlin night club. Ace, bcc boulder climbing community, and eldorado state park are working together to replace old fixed hardware in eldorado canyon. On the night of april 1415, 1986, the air force undertook its first combat since vietnam.
The sad story of karma 52, the only f111 lost during. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Planners determined that a nighttime attack provided the best chance ofevading libyas formidable air defense network. Eldorado canyon is a hidden treasure right in boulders backyard. Five targets were attacked, the first four because the us believed them to be associated with libyan terrorist operations, and the last for force protection. Qaddafis 15monthold adopted daughter was killed in the attack on his residence, and two of his young. Working with carrier aircraft of the us sixth fleet, air force f111s of the 48th tactical fighter wing flew what turned out to be the longest fighter combat mission in. Discover the rugged scenery of the colorado mountains as you weave through small towns and travel over alpine passes. A like for like hardware replacement policy already exists, so what we need now is a way to track progress and get some much needed work done. Marine corps via air strikes, in retaliation for the west berlin discotheque bombing ten days earlier.
Climbing located a half hour south of boulder, eldorado canyon state park is known worldwide for its challenging and extensive rock climbing. Abc news story on the april 15, 1986 libya bombing raid code name operation eldorado canyon a joint strike force effort by the. Operation ed dorado canyon 15 april 1986 by john lehman, former secretary of the navy in on seas of glory heroic men, great ships, and epic battles of the american navy the free press, 2001. Twentyfour f111f aardvarks including six spares launched from lakenheath, supported by five ef111a raven electronic jamming planes from upper heyford, nineteen kc10a extenders and 10 kc5 stratotankers. In the early 1980s qadhafi had decided to increase pressure on the west through subsidizing terrorism. April 1986 mediterranean sea april 1986 with rising tensions between the us and libya over libyas support of international terrorism, uss america cv. Navyperiodically staged freedom ofnavigation exercises in or near the. Air force usaf f111f aardvarks from the 48th tactical fighter wing tfw took off from royal air force raf lakenheath on the orders of president ronald reagan.
He has written more than 400 articles about aviation topics and 29 books, the most. Tensions between the two nations came to a head in 1986. On the 5th of april 1986 terrorists detonated a bomb in a berlin nightclub. American failure in beirut would be partially redeemed by success against a pirate in tripoli. The airstrike was delivered starting at 0200 april 16, 1986. Participation in the strike was delegated to the f111fs of the 48th.
Colonel venkus commanded the air force component that led the attack. Contrary to international law, qadhafi had proclaimed 32 30 n, including the entire gulfof sidra, to be the northern boundaryoflibya. The joint navy and air force action, dubbed operation eldorado canyon, involved. Canyon, a series of air strikes against a select set of targets in libya. Reagans undeclared war with qaddafi stanik, joseph t. Inside the park, youll have the chance to take short hikes or simply relax. Discover this hidden jewel and take home memories that will last a lifetime. Navy retaliated after libyan forces launched surface to air missiles at navy aircraft. President reagans address to the nation on the bombing of libya, april 14, 1986 duration. The order of battle for operation eldorado canyon, which would be the first air force combat mission since the war in vietnam, started with the 24 including six spare f111f aardvarks of the 48 th tfw, based at raf lakenheath in the uk. These pave tack infrared targeting designatorequipped bombers would drop precision. Be on the lookout for wildlife such as elk, black bears, and moose. Whether its hiking amidst the towering sandstone cliffs, picnicking along scenic south boulder creek or climbing eldos sheer golden walls, eldorado canyon state park truly has something for everyone.
The operation was the conclusion of extensive joint service and multinational military cooperation designed to ensure the complete and total destruction of terrorist training camps. Reason im asking is because im surprised to find in the hasegawa. Libyan support for terrorist operations exceeded all nations except iran. As the us navy assets in the mediterranean lacked sufficient tactical strike aircraft for the mission, the us air force was tasked with providing part of the attack force. The operation started on april 14, 1986, when 24 u. Panorama point a drive up flagstaff mountain to panorama point offers one of the best vies of downtown boulder, the cu campus, the chautauqua meadows, and the roads leading in and out of boulder. The story of usaf pilots who lost their lives in f111.