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• Two key fighters developed
• McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
• General Dynamics F-16 Fighting
Falcon
• Close air support led to A-10
Thunderbolt
• Rockwell B-1B Lancer
• Boeing E-3 Sentry (AWACS)
• Peacekeeper Missile
2

Second Generation Weapons
 Stealth aircraft
• Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
• Northrop B-2 Spirit
 New airlifter
• McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster
 Boeing/Grumman E-8 Joint STARS
 New, advance fighter
• Lockheed Martin F-22
3

4

• Prime Minister killed in coup in 83 and increased influx of Russian/Cuban influence
• US objectives
• Protect US citizens, 1000 medical students
• Neutralize hostile Grenadian/Cuban elements
• Restore the legitimate government
• Operation URGENT FURY
• Army Rangers and 82nd Airborne Division
• Supported by Air Force resources
5

Military Ops in the 80’s
“
Grenada”
•
• All services must plan and coordinate jointly before the operation occurs
• Applying overwhelming force quickly is the key to victory
*
6

Military Ops in the 80’s
“
Libya”
• Muammar Qaddafi linked to terrorism and specific bombing of disco in Berlin
• Libyan targets struck in Apr 86
• Operation EL DORADO CANYON
• AF F-111s
• Navy and Marine aircraft
• Four of five main targets severely damaged
7

Military Ops in the 80’s
“Libya”
*
•
• Superb joint coordination
• US able to strike terrorists when targets were identified
• That the US was willing to strike terrorist targets
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Military Ops in the 80’s
“
Panama”
•
• Indicted on drug trafficking charges
• US forces harassed in the Canal Zone
• Implied threats to security of the Canal
• Marine Lt killed in an incident
• President Bush ordered Operation
JUST CAUSE
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Military Ops in the 80’s
“
Panama”
• Objectives of Operation JUST CAUSE
• Remove Noriega from power
• Safeguard the Panama Canal
• Restore the democratic government in Panama
• Dec 89 operation began
• AC-130 Spectre gunships used
• First use of F-117
• Noriega surrenders after seeking refuge in
Vatican embassy
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Military Ops in the 80’s
“
Panama”
•
• Strike quickly with overwhelming force using mobility, surprise, and precision
• Army and Marines recognized the need for light deployable forces
• Joint coordination had vastly improved since Grenada!
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