Pilots Tell Of Baghdad Bomb Blitz

8:52am UK, Saturday March 22, 2003

British pilots who bombed targets in Baghdad have told how they saw the city erupt in flames.

An RAF Tornado (file picture)

RAF Tornado precision bombers attacked air defence systems to open the way for heavy bombers to target Saddam Hussein and his High Command.

The city was already under a huge missile attack when the Tornados arrived to target the radar systems.

"When we approached Baghdad it was a red glow on the horizon. The missiles were already doing their work. But the Iraqis were still firing back," Wing Commander Derek Watson said.

"Baghdad was ablaze. There were explosions going off every few seconds.

"We had anti-aircraft fire to one side and multiple rocket launchers were used against us, putting up about eight to 10 missiles.

"We could see them but they were never a threat," he said after his squadron returned to its base in Northern Kuwait.

Targets

Tornado GR4 precision bombers fired Air Launched Anti Radiation Missiles (ALARM) at targets around the Iraqi capital.

"Hopefully we provided the protection we were contracted to do. We got our missiles off on time. We did the job," the pilot told Ali Al Salem of the Daily Telegraph.

"It was a remarkable sight to see them drop away from our aircraft and fire off towards their targets. I was full of admiration. They were brilliant.

"We will have to wait for a detailed damage analysis, but they were heading the right way when we turned to go. We set off with a full payload of ALARMS and we saw them all go."

After they fired their missiles and turned for home, the Tornados had to fly through "a wall of Coalition aircraft waiting to go in behind us," Wing Cdr Watson said.

"We found our way through. It was in some ways the most dangerous part.

"There was so much up there. I have never seen anything like it."

"Once we were over Iraq it thinned out and we had the place to ourselves for a while.

"It is not over yet. I felt nervous when I set off but now I have been there, done it and seen it, I don't think I will feel the same next time.

"And there will be a next time. The job is not finished but I think it is only a matter of days."

Awesome

All of his squadron returned safely, as did the Tornados of 617 Squadron - The Dam Busters - which were flying a separate and unspecified mission.

Wing Cdr Watson's navigator, Squadron Leader James Linter, said: "They talked about the attack on Baghdad being shocking and awesome, and that is what it was.

"I would not have wanted to be on the receiving end."