Operation El-Dorado Canyon
15th of April, 1986
Planned Attacking Force..................................................................................................... 3
United States Air Force................................................................................................... 3
RAF Lakenheath, UK ................................................................................................. 3
RAF Upper Heyford, UK............................................................................................ 3
RAF Mildenhall, UK .................................................................................................. 3
RAF Fairford, UK....................................................................................................... 3
NAVY, USMC................................................................................................................ 4
CV-66 USS America................................................................................................... 4
CV-43 USS Coral Sea................................................................................................. 4
Attack against Benghazi ..................................................................................................... 5
Defenders of Benghazi.................................................................................................... 5
SEAD attack against Benghazi air defense..................................................................... 6
Bombing of the Jamahiriyah barracks ............................................................................ 7
Bombing the Benghazi AFB........................................................................................... 7
Attack against Tripoli ......................................................................................................... 9
Defenders of Tripoli........................................................................................................ 9
F-111F low level, high speed, precision attack method................................................ 11
SEAD attack against Tripoli air defense....................................................................... 12
Bombing of the Bab al-Aziziyah barracks.................................................................... 14
Bombing of the Tripoli AFB......................................................................................... 17
Bombing of Murat Sidi Bilal Naval base...................................................................... 20
Resources .......................................................................................................................... 21
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Planned Attacking Force
United States Air Force
RAF Lakenheath, UK (48th Tactical Fighter Wing)
24 F-111F "Aardvark" bomber attacking 3 targets at Tripoli (18 primary + 6 spares)
12 F-111F Aardvark, each armed with 4 GBU-10 LGB
6 F-111F Aardvark, each armed with 12 Mk.82/BSU-49 high-drag bombs
6 F-111F Aardvark spares, 3 armed with LGBs, 3 armed with high-drag bombs
Callsigns: [Puffy-11...14, Lujac-21...24, Remit-31...34, Elton-41...44, Karma-51...54,
Jewel-61...64]
RAF Upper Heyford, UK (20th Tactical Fighter Wing)
5 EF-111A "Raven" ECM (4 primary + 1 spare)
Callsigns: [Harpo-71...75]
RAF Mildenhall, UK
12 KC-10 “Extender” Tankers
9 KC-135 “Stratotanker” Tankers
RAF Fairford, UK
5 KC-10 “Extender” Tankers
4 KC-135 “Stratotanker” Tankers
F-111F Aardvark
KC-135 Stratotanker
EF-111A Raven
KC-10 Extender
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NAVY, USMC
CV-66 USS America
Launched against Tripoli
6 A-7E Corsair-II SEAD (VA-46 Clansmen, VA-72 Blue Hawks)
2 A-7E Corsair-II, each armed with 4 AGM-45 Shrike
4 A-7E Corsair-II, each armed with 4 AGM-88A HARMs
1 EA-6B Prowler ECM (VMAQ-2 Playboys)
1 EA-3B Skywarrior SIGINT (VQ-2 Sandeman)
4 F-14A Tomcat CAP (VF-33 Starfighters, VF-102 Diamondbacks)
2 E-2C Hawkeye AWACS (VAW-123 Screwtops)
Launched against Benghazi Jamahiriyah barracks
7 A-6E Intruder bomber (VA-34 Blue Blasters)
each armed with 12 Mk.82 Snakeye high-drag bombs
2 A-7E Corsair-II SEAD (VA-46 Clansmen, VA-72 Blue Hawks)
1 A-7E Corsair-II, armed with 4 AGM-45 Shrike
1 A-7E Corsair-II, armed with 4 AGM-88A HARMs
1 EA-6B Prowler ECM (VMAQ-2 Playboys)
CV-43 USS Coral Sea
Launched against Benghazi, AFB
8 A-6E Intruder bomber (VA-55 War Horses)
2 A-6E Intruder, each armed with 12 Mk.82 Snakeye high-drag bombs
6 A-6E Intruder, each armed with 12 Mk.20 CBU-59 APAM
8 F/A-18A Hornet SEAD (VMFA-314 Black Knights, VMFA-323 Death Rattlers)
each armed with 2 AGM-88A HARMs
2 EA-6B Prowler ECM (VAQ-135 Rooks)
1 EA-3B Skywarrior SIGINT (VQ-2 Sandeman)
4 F/A-18A Hornet CAP (VFA-131 Wildcats, VFA-132 Privateers)
2 E-2C Hawkeye AWACS (VAW-127 Seabats)
Launched as Support
4 F/A-18A Hornet HAVCAP (VFA-131 Wildcats, VFA-132 Privateers)
2 F/A-18A Hornet SARCAP (VFA-131 Wildcats, VFA-132 Privateers)
EA-6B, A-7E, and F-14A launched from USS America
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Attack against Benghazi
Defenders of Benghazi
The mixed SAM regiment defending Benghazi had 6 SAM battalions:
1st SAM battalion, armed with S-75M Volhov (SA-2E) system
2nd SAM battalion, armed with 2K12 Kvadrat (SA-6) system
3rd SAM battalion, armed with S-75M Volhov (SA-2E) system
4th SAM battalion, armed with S-75M Volhov (SA-2E) system
5th SAM battalion, armed with S-125M Neva (SA-3B) system
6th SAM battalion, armed with S-125M Neva (SA-3B) system
Each of the SAM battalions had attached own target acquisition radars:
S-75M Volhov (SA-2E) battalions had P-18 (Spoon Rest-D)
S-125M Neva (SA-3B) battalions had P-19 (Flat Face-B)
2K12 Kvadrat (SA-6) battalion had P-40 (Long Track)
The EW sites around Benghazi were equipped with P-14 (Tall King), and P-19 (Flat
Face-B) radars.
The Fighter regiment stationed at Benghazi AFB had MiG-23 (Flogger) planes.
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SEAD attack against Benghazi air defense
In preparation for the bombing of targets near Benghazi, the air defenses were attacked.
This started at 1:47am, 15th of April, 1986, when the EW site of Benghazi detected the
incoming US planes. Almost immediately the EW radars were successfully jammed, but
the alerted SAM batteries started autonomous target acquisition.
From the west of Benghazi, 3 EA-6B provided jamming while 8~10 ADM-141A Tactical
Air Launched Decoy were launched to further confuse the air picture.
The SEAD planes split their attack, those arriving from the North, scored 7 hits, while the
Southern group scored 3 hit. These attacks devastated the Benghazi SAM regiment:
1st SAM battalion, SNR was hit by one ARM, launched from the South SEAD
group. SNR was a Russian acronym standing for the site’s engagement radar.
2nd SAM battalion, was hit by four ARMs, launched from the North SEAD group
4th SAM battalion, SNR was hit by one ARM, launched from the North SEAD
group
5th SAM battalion, SNR and P-15 was hit by 1-1 ARM, launched from the South
SEAD group
6th SAM battalion, P-15 was hit by one ARM, launched from the North SEAD
group
Thus by 2:00 all but two SAM battalions were put out of action and one of these had lost
its acquisition radar and was significantly hobbled.
During the attack, only the 2nd SAM battalion (2K11 Kvadrat – SA-6) launched one
missile, but this was probably against a TALD incoming from the west.
No MiG-23 fighters took off from Benghazi AFB in response to the attack.
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Bombing of the Jamahiriyah barracks
At 2:00am, 6 A-6E Intruder from the USS America bombed the barracks, using 12 Mk.82
Snakeye high-drag bombs per plane.
(One A-6E aborted the mission on deck, because of TRAM failure.)
The intruders were incoming from the North using single-plane ingress, at 150m (500ft)
altitude, with 800km/h (220m/s – 430kts), keeping 40sec separation between aircraft.
Bombing the Benghazi AFB
From the 8 A-6E Intruder launched from the USS Coral Sea, two planes aborted the
mission, one because of TRAM failure, while the other developed a RHAW problem.
At 2:00am, the first A-6E Intruder armed with 12 Mk.82 Snakeye RDB torched the alert
MiG-23, and cratered the runway.
The following 5 A-6Es, each armed with 12 Mk.20 CBU-59 APAM blanketed the apron,
demolishing 4 MiG-23, 2 Mi-8, and 1 F-27
The intruders were incoming from the South using an in-trail formation, identical to that
used by the group attacking the Jamahiriyah barracks.
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Attack against Tripoli
Defenders of Tripoli
Two mixed SAM regiment defended Tripoli, with a total of 12 SAM battalions:
1st SAM Regiment was responsible for the East (right of the purple line):
1/1st SAM battalion, armed with S-125M Neva (SA-3B) system
1/2nd SAM battalion, armed with S-125M Neva (SA-3B) system
1/3rd SAM battalion, armed with S-125M Neva (SA-3B) system
1/4th SAM battalion, armed with S-75M Volhov (SA-2E) system
1/5th SAM battalion, armed with S-125M Neva (SA-3B) system
1/6th SAM battalion, armed with S-125M Neva (SA-3B) system
1/7th SAM battalion, armed with S-75M Volhov (SA-2E) system
1/8th SAM battalion, armed with 2K12 Kvadrat (SA-6) system
11th SAM Regiment was responsible for the West (left of the purple line):
11/1st SAM battalion, armed with S-125M Neva (SA-3B) system
11/2nd SAM battalion, armed with S-75M Volhov (SA-2E) system
11/3rd SAM battalion, armed with S-125M Neva (SA-3B) system
11/4th SAM battalion, armed with S-125M Neva (SA-3B) system
11/5th SAM battalion, armed with S-75M Volhov (SA-2E) system
A three layered air defense was employed. The north and south flanks were protected by
a line of short range Neva/Kvadrat SAM systems (green lines) with a line of medium
range Volhov (red line) battalions in between.
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Each of the SAM battalions had its own target acquisition radar:
S-75M Volhov (SA-2E) battalions had P-18 (Spoon Rest-D)
S-125M Neva (SA-3B) battalions had P-15 (Flat Face-A)
2K12 Kvadrat (SA-6) battalion had P-40 (Long Track)
All the SAM battalions were connected by the Vector IADS system.
The Vector system was fed by EW sites around Benghazi equipped with P-14 (Tall
King), and P-19 (Flat Face-B) radars.
The Fighter regiment stationed at Tripoli AFB had MiG-25 (Foxbat) aircraft.
Qaddafi’s residence, (1), had robust short-range defenses consisting of a battery of
ZSU-23-4 Shilka, (2), AAA and a French-made Crotale-II battery.
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F-111F low level, high speed, precision attack method
1, The target is approached at an altitude of 60m (200ft), with 1150km/h (320m/s –
600kts) speed, using automatic terrain following.
2, Using the ground mapping radar and onboard inertial navigation system, the Weapon
System Officer acquires the target with the AN-AVQ-26 Pave Tack FLIR camera.
3. At 6,900m (23,000ft) from the target, the plane pulls up, throwing the 4 laser guided
bombs on a ballistic trajectory.
4. After bomb release, the pilot turns away, pulling 4g, at ~850m (~2,800ft) altitude while
the WSO keeps the Pave Tack crosshair on the target. Note that left as well as the
depicted right turns are possible.
5. Five second before the bombs impact (total flight time ~26s), the Pave Tack laser is
“fired,” illuminating the target with laser energy for precision guidance of the bombs.
(If illumination started earlier then the bombs would leave the ballistic path too early and
would fall short of the target.)
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SEAD attack against Tripoli air defense
Following standard Libyan procedures, a few hours before the attack the P-14 Tall King
radar was turned off at the EW site, leaving only the P-19 operating.
Ten minutes before the bombing, 3 EF-111A (Harpo-71, -73, -74) started jamming from
the North, and one EA-6B jamming from the North-East. Harpo-75 turned back as
reserve earlier, while Harpo-72 aborted due onboard equipment failure.
From the North, 10~12 ADM-141A Tactical Air Launched Decoy were launched,
confusing the air picture further.
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The SEAD planes arriving from the North, scored 3 hits:
The Volex acquisition radar of the Crotale battery was knocked off.
The 1/3rd SAM battalion’s P-15 target acquisition radar was hit.
The only operating P-19 of the EW site was also hit, denying the Vector IADS
any target information.
The SAM battalions defending Tripoli decided to stay offline during the attacks.
Only the ZSU-24-4 Shilka AAA battery stayed on air with guided fire.
Taking their lead from the SAMs, no MiG-25 fighters took off to contest the attack.
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Bombing of the Bab al-Aziziyah barracks
The first target of Tripoli was the Bab al-Aziziyah barracks, where Qaddafi’s tent was set
up.
According to the plan, against Bab al-Aziziyah, three flights of Remit, Elton, and Karma
(3 planes each) would bomb with 4 GBU-10 LGB per plane. (all together 36 bomb)
The reserve planes (Remit-34, Elton-44, and Karma-54) turned back earlier, and three
other aircraft aborted.
Elton-41 developed a Pave Tack problem.
Elton-42 had a delayed refueling and was unable to meet the required TOT.
Elton-43 had to abort due bleed air overheat, and later diverted to Rota, Spain.
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The remaining 6 F-111Fs flew the ground track shown by the green arrows with a Time
Over Target for the first aircraft of 2:00am. The remainder of the flight followed at 30sec
intervals. The flight path of the bombs is marked with the red arrow.
1st F-111F, Remit-31
The four bomb barely missed Qaddafi’s tent, killing his adopted infant daughter.
Qaddafi’s tent on Remit-31 Pave Tack monitor.
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2nd F-111F, Remit-32
INS failure caused the plane to deviate from the planned path. The WSO was unable to
identify the target on the ground mapping radar and so the plane did not drop its bombs;
it flown across Tripoli at low altitude.
3rd F-111F, Remit-33
Pave Tack failure after bomb release caused the bombs to fall without laser guidance.
They landed at the northern side of the Bab al-Aziziyah complex.
4th F-111F, Karma-51
INS failure caused the plane to deviate from the planned path. The WSO misidentified
the target on the ground mapping radar and after dropping bombs, could not find the
target area in the FLIR picture. The four LGB was impacted without guidance, nearly
hitting the French embassy.
5th F-111F, Karma-52
This plane, piloted by Fernando Ribas-Dominicci and Paul Lorence, was shot down, by
the ZSU-23-4 AAA battery.
6th F-111F, Karma-53
Pave Tack failure caused this plane not to drop bombs.
ZSU-23-4 is opens fire beside the Bab al-Aziziyah barrack
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Bombing of the Tripoli AFB
The second target of Tripoli was the apron of the Tripoli AFB, where the military Il-76D
transport planes were parked.
According to the plan, two flights of 3 aircraft each – callsigns Puffy, and Lujac – would
attack with 12 Mk.82/BSU-49 high-drag bombs per plane. (all together 72 bomb)
The reserve planes (Puffy-14, and Lujac-21) turned back earlier, and one other plane
aborted. That was Puffy-12 which had developed a terrain following system problem.
The remaining 5 F-111F were incoming (green arrow) from the south, at 30sec interval.
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1st F-111F, Puffy-11
At 2:06am, over flying the parking Il-76D planes at 60m – 200ft, demolished all the five
waiting transporter at the apron.
(Mk.82/BSU-49 bombs are marked with red circle)
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2nd F-111F, Puffy-13
Misidentified the target on the ground mapping radar.
Aborted the bombing run.
3rd F-111F, Lujac-22
Bombed the burning apron, but not caused any further damage.
4th F-111F, Lujac-23
Bombed the burning apron, but not caused any further damage.
5th F-111F, Lujac-24
Aborted the bombing run due bombing computer malfunction.
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Bombing of Murat Sidi Bilal Naval base
The third target in Tripoli was the Murat Sidi Bilal Naval training base.
According to the plan, Jewel flight (3 planes) would bomb with 4 GBU-10 LGB per
plane. (all together 12 bomb) The reserve plane (Jewel-64) turned back earlier.
All three plane (Jewel-61,-62,-63) succesfully bombed the target.
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Resources
Joseph T Stanik
El Dorado Canyon
Naval Institute Press
Alfred Price
The History of US Electronic Warfare vol.III
Association of the Old Crows
Flight Journal, Dec 2007
Target Libya
Todd R. Phinney
Airpower vs Terrorism
Maxwell AFB, Alabama
www.vko.ru
2004, No.17
Earth.google.com
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