On this special 4th of July episode of Memphis Mike and Friends, we honor a daring top secret Air Force mission called Operation Secret Squirrel that launched the opening strikes of Operation Desert Storm in January, 1991.
Seven B-52G Stratofortresses took off from Barksdale AFB for a record-breaking 35-hour, 14,000 mile journey, carrying a top-secret weapon: the AGM-86C Conventional Air-launched Cruise Missile (CALCM). This was the first time this long-range strike capability was used in combat!
Hear about this historic mission from two men who were part of the group of 57 men that created a lot of “shock and awe” in the desert! Co-pilot Colonel Warren Ward (ret) and Radar Navigator Lt. Colonel Pat “Cruise” Hobday (ret) flew the third plane in the formation nicknamed “Grim Reaper II” and they discuss in amazing detail this thrilling mission (Well, not everything. Some things are still considered Top Secret!)
A huge shoutout to the courageous crew members, the "Secret Squirrels," who risked it all on this historic mission! Their dedication and skill paved the way for a new era of airpower. ✈️ 🇺🇸
#OperationSecretSquirrel #DesertStorm #AirForce #MilitaryHistory #B-52#
