Pre-Order Red Eagles: America's Secret MiGs: [ Ссылка ]

Support me with a coffee! [ Ссылка ]

Discussion on Discord: [ Ссылка ]

Welcome to this special 10 percent true broadcast commemorating the 34th anniversary of the so-called raid on Libya – a retaliatory, but limited strike, on key targets in Libya designed to show then-leader of Libya, Col Gadaffi, that President Reagan would not put up with state sponsored terrorism.

The raid was a multi service affair that involved air and sea elements provided by the US Air Force and US Navy.

This short episode focuses on the experiences of on of the Air Force pilots who took part in the raid, and it not intended to be a documentary of any description. Rather, it is intended provide an extremely rare first-hand retelling of the raid, spoken by someone who was there.

This is rare – it may even be the first time that the story has been broadcast using the voice of one of the Air Force participants – because all of the Air Force participants decided to remain anonymous after the event. They may have told friends and family, but they have never gone public.

The man I interviewed was the pilot of F-111F call sign Puffy 12. He told me that I could reveal his identity if I wished. However, I have chosen not to. The act of going public must be his to take, not mine.

The Air Force portion of the raid, which launched from four RAF Stations in the UK on 14 April 1986, was called Operation El Dorado Canyon. The first bombs were dropped at 0200 hours Libyan time on 15 April, and the mission became, at that time, the longest combat mission in history.

El Dorado Canyon involved F-111F precision bombers from the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath; EF-111A Raven tactical jamming aircraft from 20th FTW at RAF Upper Heyford; and KC-10 and KC-135 refuellers, which launched from RAF Fairford and RAF Mildenhall.

The F-111Fs were to fly against three target sets, while US Navy strike fighters protected against SAMs and MiGs.

Militarily, the mission was a success – the Libyans lost many MiGs and major threat radars – even if the F-111s enjoyed only mixed success.

However, one F-111 failed to return – the two-man crew of KARMA 52 drowned when their aircraft impacted the water in the Gulf of Sidra. The pilot, Major Fernando Ribas, was repatriated in 1989, but the body of the Weapons Systems Officer, Capt Paul Lorence, was never found.

Fernando was my neighbour and something of a boyhood hero. Many times, he had taken me on base to see the 1-11s and he was always kind and patient.

One day, I hope to write the definitive book about the raid to properly honor Fernando and Paul’s sacrifice. Until then, rare and all-too-short glimpses into the raid like that kindly given by Puffy 12 will have to do…

I started the interview by asking about his Air Force career prior to the raid…

свернуть