Operation Secret Squirrel — the U.S. Air Force's classified kickoff to the 1991 Gulf War air campaign — launched on January 16, 1991, when seven B-52G Stratofortresses departed Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, on the longest combat mission in history at the time: over 14,000 miles and 35+ hours nonstop. Nicknamed "Secret Squirrel" by crews (a playful cover for the ultra-secret Operation Senior Surprise), the bombers fired 35 conventional AGM-86C cruise missiles at critical Iraqi command, control, and power targets from standoff range. All aircraft returned safely after multiple aerial refuelings, delivering precision strikes that helped blind Saddam Hussein's forces and proved the power of long-range, stand-off airpower in modern warfare.
