During the air phase of the Gulf War, Coalition aircraft carried out an extensive bombing campaign against Iraqi military and strategic targets. From January 17 to February 23, 1991, aircrews flew more than 100,000 combat sorties, dropping an impressive 88,500 tons of bombs that inflicted substantial damage on Iraq’s military infrastructure and operational capabilities.
One operation stood out for its unusual execution. On February 14, two pilots flying McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle aircraft reportedly destroyed a moving Iraqi helicopter using a laser-guided bomb rather than a traditional air-to-air weapon. Accomplishing the attack required careful coordination and precise timing, and the incident is frequently highlighted as an example of the increasing sophistication and flexibility of modern air combat techniques.
An ordinary mission with extraordinary results
US Air Force Capt. Tim “Rhino” Bennett and his weapons system officer Capt. Dan “Chewy” Bakke were on the lookout for Scud missiles near Al-Qa’im when they were discovered and came under attack from Iraqi helicopters.
In an article for Air Force Magazine, Bennett recalled:
“The mission was a Scud CAP [combat air patrol] in northwestern Iraq. During the Scud CAPs, we would look around with either the FLIR targeting pod or the radar to find the mobile Scuds. My wingman had twelve Mk. 82s, and I had four GBU-10s-2,000-pound LGBs-four AIM-9s, and two external fuel tanks. I was leading the flight.”
Enemy helicopters closing in
The operation got underway at exactly 1:00 a.m.
Pilots Steve Bennett and Robert Bakke guided their F-15s through heavy cloud layers and strong winds, holding their assigned course despite the difficult weather. Partway through the mission, a Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft transmitted an urgent alert: a team of U.S. Special Forces personnel was reportedly facing an imminent threat from five Iraqi helicopters.
Relying on their aircraft’s radar systems, Bennett and Bakke detected the incoming Mil Mi-24 Hinds, attack helicopters known for their heavy armament and troop-carrying capability. Understanding the risk posed to the soldiers on the ground, the two pilots immediately moved to intercept the aircraft and prevent the attack from reaching the Special Forces team.
Plan of attack
The pair of pilots aimed their GBU-10 Paveway II laser-guided bomb at the lead Iraqi helicopter, intending to destroy it while it remained on the ground. A direct strike would have obliterated the aircraft entirely, and even if it managed to lift off, the resulting explosion could still neutralize any nearby enemy forces.
Cruising at 2,500 feet and roughly 700 miles per hour, Captain Bennett released the bomb from a distance of about four miles. Almost immediately afterward, their radar detected the helicopter climbing at approximately 100 knots. Bennett and his weapons officer, Captain Bakke, understood the bomb was likely to miss, as it was now on a trajectory that would overshoot the rapidly ascending target.
A near miss
As seconds went by with no sign that the bomb had exploded, Bennett told Bakke to keep the laser pointed on the Mi-24. He recalled saying, “There’s no chance the bomb will get him now,” but, remarkably, the helicopter turned toward them, allowing Bakke to secure the laser-guided bomb on the target.
“There was a big flash, and I could see pieces flying in different directions,” said Bennett. “It blew the helicopter to hell, damn near vaporized it.”
Worried about friendly fire
The AWACS came over the radio and told the pilot, “I understand you visually ID’d that as an Iraqi helo.” Bennett stated that, no, he hadn’t visually identified the target, but was able to tell it was an Iraqi Mi-24 using infrared technology. Both he and Bakke then grew tense, worried they’d accidentally hit a friendly helicopter. At the time, special operators were flying into Iraq in Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Lows, and Bennett wondered if they’d accidentally targeted one.
Thankfully, the AWACS confirmed that no friendly aircraft were in the area – the pair’s attack was successful.
Striker becomes the target
That wasn’t the end of Bennett’s unbelievable mission. After confirming the hit was an enemy helicopter, large flashes appeared all around. What he initially thought were surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) being fired from below were actually bombs being dropped from above.
“AWACS had sent another flight in and told them to drop bombs on a set of coordinates. Those coordinates happened to be us!” Bennett and Bakke immediately left the area, and with just 15 minutes remaining in their mission managed to strike an enemy Scud missile, before returning to base.
Tim Bennett left active duty following the Gulf War, but flew General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons with the South Carolina Air National Guard until he retired in 2017, having reached the rank of lieutenant colonel.