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#1815 495th FS, F-111F Aardvark print

495th FS, F-111F Aardvark print
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£10.00 €11.52 $13.49
43.8 cm x 29.2 cm
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Print
F-111F Aardvark
70-2391
495 FS, 48 FW
RAF Lakenheath
US - Air Force
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Description

Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1815 - 70-2391, F-111F Aardvark, 48th TFW Combat Operations Eldorado Canyon and Desert Storm.

On 14-15 April 1986 the 48 TFW launched 18 x F-111Fs on a 6400 nautical mile, 13 hour round trip mission to send Libya ruler Muammar Gaddafi a message that terrorist attacks against the U.S. would not be tolerated. The F-111Fs were the principal attack aircraft in a mission with 100 total aircraft. Tragically, Karma 52 was shot down by an SA-6 with the loss of Maj Fernando Ribas-Dominicci and Capt Paul Lorence of the 495 TFS. Despite this loss, Eldorado Canyon was an exceptional strategic success as the U.S. displayed an intent and a capability to launch very long-range precision attacks.

On 2 August 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait, President Bush formed a 35-nation coalition on 7 August 1990.  The 48 TFW was one of the first units tasked, deploying 18 x F-111Fs on 25 August in Operation Desert Shield.  Unfortunately, Cougar 41 crashed on a night GBU-24 delivery with the loss of Capt Art Reid and Capt Tom Caldwell of the 495 TFS.  Eventually, the 48 TFW deployed more aircraft and aircrew of the 492nd, 493rd 494th, and 495th Tactical Fighter Squadrons.  Desert Storm began on 17 January 1991 and precision weapons delivered by the F-111F’s Pave Tack laser designation system was crucial in CENTAF’s “Shock and Awe” air campaign.  The 48th flew nearly 2500 combat sorties, dropped 2561 precision guided weapons and was deemed “the most effective strike aircraft in the conflict” by the definitive Gulf War Airpower Survey.

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