RAAF F-111 nearly deployment to Gulf War 1991

[Liberator]

I was today given an inside story about the RAAF and Gulf War 1 in 1991.

A sources told me that the ALP government at the time had on ready a detachment of F-111C ready to be deployed overseas as part of the offensive force but the government backed away at the last moment.....

This untold side to the Gulf War hasnt ever been generally told as not many people were aware that the RAAF was close to sending its F-111s.... in the end the USAF F-111E and F-111Fs did the killing...

[CDF]

The inside source being facebook ?

Gulf War
During late 1990 and early 1991 the Australian Government considered deploying F-111Cs to expand the Australian contribution to the 1991 Gulf War, which mainly comprised a Royal Australian Navy task group. The Department of Defence and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (DFAT) preferred option if the Government decided to expand Australia's commitment was to deploy at least two RF-111s, though these aircraft would need to have their electronic warfare equipment upgraded to operate in this war zone. Due to the small size of the RF-111 force, the loss of any of these aircraft in combat would have inflicted a heavy blow on Australia's reconnaissance capability. The second preference in the advice put to the Government was to deploy a squadron of four to eight F-111Cs, though Defence did not support this. In the event, the Government decided to not expand the Australian force. As a result, the F-111Cs' contribution to the war was limited to conducting intensive exercises with the Naval ships as they sailed through Australian waters en-route to the Persian Gulf.

http://www.facebook.com/RAAF09/info

[Liberator]

Im still amazed of the story of a fit US pilot .................who was somehow exposed to the chemicals and injections/tablets in Saudi Arabia and a few years later after 1991 he was a suffering a horrible life with multiple organ failures, wheel chair bound and cancers etc.

[Mark Allen M]

.

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:34 am, edited 1 time in total.

[CDF]

Try it yourself, who knows some of us may thank you for it.

Been there, done that, got the message (under whelming).
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=44104

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=44103

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=44105

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=44148

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=44151
Hard to make a silk purse out of sows ear, or should that be deaf ear....

[Mark Allen M]

.

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:35 am, edited 1 time in total.

[CDF]

If you going to be supercilious at least put it in italics

[Dave Homewood]

The RNZAF's No. 75 Squadron who flew Shyhawks back then were also put on standby to go, but they too were stood down at the last minute before the war kicked off and our No. 40 Squadron was the only flying unit deployed, with its C-130's.

[Mark Allen M]

.