RAF Tornado Units of Gulf War I

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When the Gulf Crisis of 1990 erupted due to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, the RAF deployed Tornado F 3 fighters to Saudi Arabia for defense. This was followed by the arrival of Tornado GR 1 strike/attack aircraft in Bahrain, establishing three wings across Bahrain, Tabuk, and Dhahran, along with a Tornado GR 1A reconnaissance detachment. At the onset of hostilities in January 1991, the Tornado GR 1 wings executed night-low-level attacks on Iraqi Main Operating Bases using the JP233 runway denial weapon. Simultaneously, Tornado F 3 wings conducted Combat Air Patrols to secure Saudi airspace. Once air supremacy was achieved, the Tornado GR 1s transitioned to medium-level operations, targeting Iraqi oil production and storage facilities both at night and during the day. The introduction of laser designation capabilities with Pave Spike/Buccaneer and TIALD/Tornado facilitated precision strikes on Iraq's transport system, effectively isolating frontline troops from resupply. This was followed by systematic destruction of airfield facilities. Additionally, Tornado GR 1A reconnaissance missions were crucial in locating Scud missile launchers and aiding in the planning of the land offensive, while the Tornado F 3 wing at Dhahran conducted defensive operations to protect base areas throughout the conflict.