Barksdale Panel to reveal details on Operation Secret Squirrel, the BUFF Top Secret mission that launched the first strike of Operation Desert Storm

Barksdale Panel to reveal details on Operation Secret Squirrel, the BUFF Top Secret mission that launched the first strike of Operation Desert Storm

By Dario Leone
Jan 24 2019
Share this article

Code named Operation Senior Surprise, aka Secret Squirrel, this 35 hour mission was the first combat use of the Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile

At 3:00 a.m. on the rainy morning of Jan. 16, 1991, Barksdale Air Force Base (AFB) crews were awakened to the alert, “All Sierra crews report to the vault.” It was the beginning of a historic attack led by seven B-52s that would launch the first strike of Operation Desert Storm, immediately weaken Saddam Hussein’s command and influence — and ultimately set a new precedent for air warfare.

Code named Operation Senior Surprise, aka Secret Squirrel, this 35 hour mission was the first combat use of the Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile (CALCM). Developed in total secrecy, the strike delivered crushing blows to targets deep inside enemy territory.

Barksdale Panel to reveal details on Operation Secret Squirrel, the BUFF Top Secret mission that launched the first strike of Operation Desert Storm

This model is available from AirModels – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS.

As reported by Bossiernow.com, Barksdale AFB will host a panel discussion on Friday, Jan. 25 at 2:30 p.m. revealing details of the 35-hour, 14,000 mile, highly-classified, round-robin mission.

Members of the panel will consist of individuals who were involved with the planning and the execution of the historic operation.

You can read our article on Operation Secret Squirrel here.

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. B-52H Stratofortress 2nd BW, 20th BS, LA/60-0008 “Lucky Lady IV”. Barksdale AFB, LA

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force

Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com


Share this article

Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Share this article


Share this article
Share this article

Always up to date! News and offers delivered directly to you!

Get the best aviation news, stories and features from The Aviation Geek Club in our newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.



    Share this article
    Back to top
    My Agile Privacy
    This website uses technical and profiling cookies. Clicking on "Accept" authorises all profiling cookies. Clicking on "Refuse" or the X will refuse all profiling cookies. By clicking on "Customise" you can select which profiling cookies to activate.
    Warning: some page functionalities could not work due to your privacy choices