Were there any low level missions flown by the B-52 in DESERT STORM?
Crews from Loring AFB, Maine and Castle AFB, California, deployed to Diego Garcia back in August of 1990. They had spent the last six months training for these low level missions. The first three nights these crews flew a total of 36 low level missions, at night, at extremely low altitude, using night vision goggles. Every one of these missions hit their scheduled target and all returned safely to base. One B-52G did have its gun turret blown off by either AAA or a missile. That is open to a lot of speculation as to what struck the plane and whether it was enemy or friendly fire. There are a lot of theories, but I don’t know what really happened. The pilot, Major Linwood Mason, my Flight Commander, managed to keep aircraft control and return for an emergency landing. He was later decorated for his excellent airmanship. Q: Were you shot at on any of your missions? A: Yes, we were routinely shot at by large and small caliber AAA. Most of the shells exploded well below us, however a few d
