Intruders over Libya: former A-6 crew members remember their participation in Operation El Dorado Canyon – The Aviation Geek Club
By January 1986 President Reagan had declared Libya to be an `unusual and extraordinary threat to the United States that had to be dealt with. Sixth Fleet now consisted of two carrier battle groups, USS Saratoga (CV-60) (CVW-17) having just returned from the IO, and Coral Sea (CVW-13), which had been on station for several weeks. Back in Norfolk, America (CVW-1) was preparing for a March departure to join them.
As told by Rick Morgan in his book A-6 Intruder Units 1974-96, Operation Attain Document, a large FONOP, began on 15 January. Libya placed its forces on full alert and declared that America was `practising state terrorism against a small, peaceful country. Fighter aircraft from both sides jousted over the Gulf of Sidra but there were no shots exchanged this time. A month later, on 12 February, Sixth Fleet returned for Attain Document II, its vessels sailing across what was now being referred to as `The Line of Death due to Gaddafis frequently dire statements. Through it all the two A-6 Intruder squadrons (VA-85 aboard Saratoga and VA-55 aboard Coral Sea) present conducted surface search and tanker support for both air wings. Attain Document III, which began on 24 March, now included the recently arrived America (with the Intruders of VA-34 aboard), increasing Sixth Fleets strength to 26 warships and 250 aircraft, many of which were now operating well into the Gulf of Sidra in what was clearly viewed as a provocative act by Libya.
Shooting started at 1452 hrs on the 24th when Libyan SA-5 missile batteries at Sirte launched SAMs at orbiting F-14 Tomcats. The US Navy responded with radar jamming and HARM shots. This pre-planned action, now referred to as Operation Prairie Fire, continued until evening when, at 2100 hrs, an E-2C picked up a single Libyan patrol boat headed north towards the three carrier battle groups. The vessel, the 250-ton French-built La Combattante II-class missile craft Waheed, was engaged by VA-34 Intruders, which fired Harpoon missiles for the first time in combat. A section of VA-85 aircraft followed up with Mk 20 `Rockeye cluster bombs, which finished off vessel.
While the Libyans continued to shoot he odd SAM at US Navy aircraft (none of which connected), at 2335 hrs a 560-ton Libyan Nanuchka-class corvette was engaged by Rockeye-dropping Black FaIcons, which held their Harpoons back due to friendly surface traffic in the area. The heavily damaged warship was able to limp back into port. Finally, on the morning of the 25th, another of the Soviet-built Nanuchkas was attacked, this time by VA-55 aircraft off Coral Sea. The vessel took a pattern of CBU-59 Anti-Personnel/Anti-Material bombs and then a Harpoon chaser from a VA-85 A-6E. The corvette, burning furiously eventually sank.
The identities of the two Libyan corvettes have been confused ever since. Official US Navy documentation says the first ship was the Ain Zaquit and the second vessel the one sunk the Ain Mara. The authoritative Janes Group, however, states that the two names are reversed, and that Ain Mara was the first ship attacked and would subsequently travel to the USSR for repairs and eventually return to Libya in 1991 as the Tariq ibn Ziyad.
It was at about this point that both sides backed off and separated to catch their breath. Saratoga departed for home and the remaining two carriers went back to routine business. The apparent bloody nose his forces had received did not stop Gaddafis rhetoric, however, and he vowed to (paraphrase) continue the struggle until victory. On 5 April a nightspot in Berlin was bombed, killing two American, servicemen. Libya was immediately implicated and the stage was set for the next action.
Ten days later US forces launched coordinated strikes into Libya itself. Referred to as Operation El Dorado Canyon, the event would involve Intruders from both remaining carriers and USAF F-111s flying out of Lakenheath, in Suffolk. Targets would be in Tripoli and Benghazi. VA-34 would strike the al-Jamahiriya military barracks in downtown Benghazi while the War Horses went after Benina airfield on the outskirts of Tripoli. The USAFs goal was Tripoli airfield and specific political locations in the city itself. Backing up those going over the beach would be a huge array of support aircraft performing defence suppression, MiG CAP, tanking and command and control.
With the UK-based F-111s having already been airborne for several hours, America began to launch aircraft at 0045 hrs on 15 April six Rlue Blasters and an equal number of A-7Es (armed with AGM-45 Shrike or AGM-88 HARM) made up the strike group. While the Corsair IIs would remain over water keeping the Libyan air defence forces heads down (they were ably to assisted in this role by the EA-6Bs of VMAQ-2 Det Y, which was also part of CVW-1), the Blaster would go over the beach.
As reported by Mark Morgan & Rick Morgan in their book Intruder: The Operational History of Grummans A-6, according to Blue Blaster B/N Lt Dee Mewbourne there were a few immediate difficulties:
We had some problems with getting good targeting information from the ship. There wasnt much in the intell library on Libya or the targets in question. Still, we planned a high-speed attack, launched under EMCON, and performed a very interesting high-speed rendezvous. We went in as low and as covert as possible. The SINS wasnt working and the radars werent lit off until we approached the coast.
We managed to fly past Benghazi; as we turned into the coast we noted the radar predictions didnt match what we were seeing. Aircraft one and three turned back north then east, and entered the target area as planned. The four others came in from the opposite direction and entered the target area as planned. The CO (Cmdr. Coleman, with Lt. Cmdr. Bill Frog Balls Ballard) dropped the first bombs and No. 2 did a visual delivery. We did a backup delivery and got good hits on the target, as did everyone. The last three aircraft used Offset Aim Points and plastered the front gate.
VA-34s Lts. Joe Kuzmik and Bob Ayres were in dash six; Kuzmik has similar recollections of their squadrons raid on Benghazi:
I was a pretty junior B/N in VA-34 and didnt expect to fly the strike. Wed spent a lot of time working up plans for a variety of targets, and only found out that the F-111s would be involved about two days prior. At that time we were told to expect only four Intruders over our targets in Benghazi, which left me out. About a day prior we were told to send six, and my pilot, Bob Ayres, and I were laid on as dash-last. The target was the Revolutionary Guards barracks in downtown Benghazi, which was directed by higher authority, as was the bomb load. Four aircraft carried 16 Mk.82 Snakeyes, the last two eight Mk.83 1000-pounders with high drag mine fins (true Snakeye fins being unavailable for the Mk.83 at the time). Our plan was to go in very low in a bomber stream, a series of aircraft in a line. We would be the last over the target and well after the Skipper, which meant the air defenses would be fully alerted by the time we got there.
We covey launched from America with three bombers chasing a single KA-6D, executed a 1000-foot night over-water rendezvous, took gas, and setup for the push time. This sounds a lot easier than it really was. After the push we went in at 500-feet and were at 300-ft by coast-in. We werent even feet dry when we could see the skippers bombs going off, as well as some AAA and at least two SA-2s airborne. This was still five minutes before our TOT, so we knew things would be fully stirred up by the time we got there.
Kuzmik and Ayres were absolutely right about the reception, as Kuzmik continues:
From feet dry we were 15 seconds to TOT, so we elevated to 500-ft AGL and I found the predicted radar points, The FLIR was down, which was no big deal, since I wasnt planning to use it in a fully lit-up city anyway. The bombs came off at the right time, and we made a 5G turn back to the water. Id never seen that much ordnance explode at night before, and that along with the flashes from our chaff squibs initially made me think we were taking a lot of AAA; or maybe even on fire.
It was during the egress that we ran into trouble.
He adds:
We got indications of SAM activity and started jinking. We ballooned up to 1,200-ft and immediately were locked onto by an SA-3 site. They shot at least two missiles at us. Im screaming at the pilot to get back down and move the aircraft, which he does, but not before one of the missiles passes right behind us, where it explodes. Ive never seen anything move that fast in my life from a dot on the canopy to a streak right by the aircraft: VERY FAST! Meanwhile, we were headed back to the ground in a big hurry, and we bottomed out at about 150-ft with a 5G pullout. Wed almost hit the ground trying to dodge the SAMS but had made it.
The Rob Webers Warhorses were scheduled to launch eight A-6Es from Coral Sea and strike Benghazis Benina Airfield, while Air Wing 13 EA-6Bs and F/A-18s kept the Libyan air defense units heads down. Two Intruders aborted after launch, in strict accordance with the ROE, the which required fully up systems to reduce the chances of bombs hitting civilian targets. The remaining six A-6s dropped their loads of cluster weapons dead on target and were credited with the destruction of three MiG-23 Floggers, two Mi-8 helos, and one Dutch-built Fokker F-27 turboprop transport. They also inflicted damage on several other aircraft and hangar facilities at the field while trashing the runways. Reports on the urban area targets were more mixed, but afterwards VA-34 reported:
(the squadron) struck Libyan terrorist barracks and aircraft storage facilities, inflicting over 70 casualties to the enemy and virtually eliminating Libyan MiG-23 spare parts inventory.
The USAF F-111Fs hit their targets as well, and benefiting from a much better video recording system than the Intruder carried, had their FLIR imagery featured on news reports worldwide a point noted by the US Navy. One F-111 was lost with its crew, while the remaining aircraft returned to England (with one diverting into Spain) alter an impressive 15-hour combat flight.
While the US Navy quickly stated that El Dorado Canyon had achieved its limited objectives, the US State Department would later say that Gaddafi continued his sponsorship of international terrorism a view that was supported by the destruction of a Pan Am Airlines Boeing 747 over Scotland on 21 December 1988. The violent loss of a French airliner over Chad the following year was also traced to Libyan agents. Nonetheless the US government still asserted that the United States had not only the means but the will to deal effectively with international terrorism.
Photo credit: U.S. Navy
Original post:
Intruders over Libya: former A-6 crew members remember their participation in Operation El Dorado Canyon - The Aviation Geek Club
- Syrias challenges are even greater than those Libya faced in 2011 - Chatham House - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Libya's warring factions agree to form unity government to end deadlock - Africanews English - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at a UN Security Council Briefing on Libya - United States Mission to the United Nations - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Exclusive | Russia Withdraws Air-Defense Systems, Other Advanced Weaponry From Syria to Libya - The Wall Street Journal - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- LBC organising a trade delegation to Romes Libyan Italian Business Forum in February 2025 - Libya Herald - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- UN announces plan to address political impasse, overdue elections in Libya - Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Fallout of Assads ouster in Syria ripples down the Mediterranean to Libya - Yahoo News UK - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Libya: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) urges scaled-up support to Sudanese refugees amid growing numbers and escalating needs - Social News... - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Closely following situation of Indian workers in Libya: Ministry of External Affairs - The Hindu - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Libya parties hold talks in Morocco to resolve divisions - Middle East Monitor - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- After Fleeing Syria, russia Will Try to Take Foothold in Libya Where the 3rd Civil War Can Break Out Any Moment - Defense Express - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Russia withdraws air defense systems and other weaponry from Syria to Libya - RBC-Ukraine - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Can Syria avoid becoming another Libya or Iraq? A week after Assads fall, here are 3 possible futures - The Conversation Canada - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- UN announces initiative to overcome political deadlock in Libya - The Associated Press - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Libya Economic Monitor : Stabilizing Growth and Boosting Productivity (Fall 2024) [EN/AR] - ReliefWeb - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Libyan Air Ambulance announces receipt of two Bell 429 helicopters - Libya Herald - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- UN announces initiative to overcome political deadlock in Libya - OODA Loop - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- AU, Government of Rwanda and UNHCR in joint rescue of asylum seekers and refugees in Libya - African Union - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Russia Moves Air-Defense Systems, Other Advanced Weaponry From Syria to Libya - MSN - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- EU hosts Berlin Process Economic Working Group Co-Chairs in Tripoli: Economic stability and a unified budget discussed - Libya Herald - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- UN announces initiative to overcome political deadlock in Libya - wnky.com - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Libyas oil, gas and condensate production continues to rise: NOC - Libya Herald - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Planning Ministry and USAID sign agreement to strengthen Libyas planning and development frameworks - Libya Herald - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- After Assad: Iran's path in Syria and the lessons of Libya - IranWire | - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Family of murdered photojournalist Anton Hammerl bring case against Libya before United Nations Human Rights Committee - Doughty Street Chambers - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- The Northwestern Regions of Libya Affected by Severe Weather Event on 5 & 6 December 2024 - World Meteorological Organization WMO - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Why Is Russia Expanding Its Military Presence In Libya? OpEd - Eurasia Review - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Restrictions on 1,800 Libyan bank accounts in Malta lifted another bank to follow soon - Libya Herald - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa: Libya - Flash update #1 - Floods (As of 10 December 2024) - ReliefWeb - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Russia, facing loss of Syrian base for Africa operations, seen turning to war-torn Sudan or divided Libya - bne IntelliNews - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Libya announces the launch of the National Water Security Strategy formulation process - UNDP - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Ministry of Interior holds second meeting with the Mini Dublin Group to enhance security cooperation - Libya Herald - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Use of card and e-payments on the increase helping to resolve Libyas bank cash liquidity problem - Libya Herald - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Libyan Express receives its new Boeing 737 at Tripolis Mitiga airport - Libya Herald - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Libya and Japan to form joint technical committee to prepare enhanced industrial cooperation work programme - Libya Herald - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- LBC participates in the Libyan French Oil and Gas Forum in Tunis - Libya Herald - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Libya to Offer 22 New Oil and Gas Blocks in Upcoming Public Tender - Energy Capital & Power - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- 37 young men held hostage in Libya after being lured to Italy - Prothom Alo English - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Libya: Elections Are Only Solution to the Situation in the Country (Head of GNU) - AL24 News - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Libya signs contract with UAE for gene therapy treatment of children with spinal muscular atrophy - Libya Herald - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Egypts exports to Libya reach $1.25B in first 8 months of 2024 - Egypt Today - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Libya signs economic cooperation agreement with Tunisian think tank IACE - Libya Herald - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Libyas crude oil and condensate production exceeds 2024 target by 22,000 barrels: NOC - Libya Herald - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Libya's Berniq Airways takes delivery of first A330-200 - ch-aviation - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Libya signs health Cooperation Protocol with Japan - Libya Herald - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Spanish Embassy to hold a Flamenco concert in Tripoli at the former Kings Palace - Libya Herald - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Aldabaiba to support increased oil and gas production through development projects - 22 new exploration plots to be tendered - Libya Herald - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- FRANCE 24 in Libya: Rebuilding Murzuq and Sebha after years of war - FRANCE 24 English - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Over 160 Somali Migrants Assisted to Return Home from Libya - EEAS - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Financial Officer in Medical Supply Organisation detained for wrongly spending LD 1.5 billion - Libya Herald - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Libya's coast guard has intercepted and returned nearly 21,000 migrants in 2024 - InfoMigrants - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Tripoli Transport Minister seeking to activate Transit Roads to Niger and Sudan - Libya Herald - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- OPEC Raises Oil Production Thanks To Libya's Contributions - Finimize - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- NOC discusses with international oil companies the expansion of their investments in Libya - Libya Herald - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Libyan and Russian ministries of health sign cooperation agreement in development, training and experience exchange - Libya Herald - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Libyas total oil production increases by another 5,377 bpd: NOC - Libya Herald - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- UNSMIL to facilitate inclusive youth political dialogue in Tripoli on 11 December - Libya Herald - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Libya will launch licensing round soon after 17-year hiatus - Upstream Online - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Libyas oil production exceeds 1.4 million barrels per day the highest since 2013 - Libya Herald - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Royal Marines medics train personnel in Libya for first time in ten years - Royal Navy - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Armed men in speedboats make off with women and children when a migrants' dinghy deflates off Libya - Yahoo! Voices - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- The International Exhibition of Traffic Safety and Security Equipment: Benghazi 18 to 20 January - Libya Herald - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Sands of Time: Unraveling 8,000 Years of Human History in Libya - SciTechDaily - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Libya: France will continue to provide its support for the essential work of the ICC - France ONU - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- African Development Bank and the Government of Libya Sign Agreement to Strengthen Public Financial Management through support of FAPA - African... - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- NOC reports further oil and gas production increases - Libya Herald - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Libya: Every day we die a thousand times: Impunity for crimes against humanity in Tarhouna [EN/AR] - ReliefWeb - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- LFB, Bank UBAE Italy and Simest hold meeting to strengthen banking operations in Libya - Libya Herald - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Libya Food 2025 will be held in Tripoli Fairgrounds from 26 to 29 January - Libya Herald - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Second Libya International Mining Forum and Exhibition (26 to 28 November) ended in Benghazi - Libya Herald - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Congo/Libya : Sassou to visit Libya for first time in 13 years - Africa Intelligence - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Aldabaiba reviews progress of Tripoli International Airports first terminal expected to be completed mid 2025 - Libya Herald - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Democracy is the only way forward for Libya: Aldabaiba to Libyan youth - Libya Herald - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- NOC says it succeeded in laying first building blocks of partnership with the private sector - Libya Herald - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Sold Out Libya Business Fair was an inspiring event that underscored the strengthening of UK-Libya partnerships - Libya Herald - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Finland to receive Afghans, Congolese, Syrians, Venezuelans and evacuees from Libya under refugee quota - Valtioneuvosto - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- From Iraq, Libya To The United States - Women Across The World Pushed Back In Time - Outlook India - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Libya: Authorities must drop plans to impose compulsory veiling amid wider crackdown on morality grounds - Amnesty International - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Bulgarian Libyan trade in first eight months of 2024 up to more than USD 337 million up from USD 173.9 in 2023 - Libya Herald - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Libyas oil production reaches a new record level of 1.374 million bpd: NOC - Libya Herald - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]