Great choice Dwight! I've been waiting for a UK-based F-111.
As far as I'm concerned, the 48th TFW were based a Lakenheath, Suffolk, during the 1970's and 80's, as part of a long-range strike force whose potential targets would have been in Germany and the FOB in the case of a war with the Soviet Union / Warpac. The fact that they were involved in 'El Dorado' is secondary to their main role - they just happened to be the unit tasked with the mission. Therefore, they, and the model, are a prime candidate for the Cold War GB.
Incidentally, I used to watch their F-111's at low-level over the North East coast of England, en-route to the bombing ranges at Otterburn and north, and engaging in DACT over the North Sea Ranges. I've got some pics somewhere, but haven't a clue where they're hiding!
WOOT! We have a winner!
Would love to see those pics Terry.
Okay here we go then - for those of you who remember the mission and for those who don't, here is the background, the operational details and aftermath of Operation El Dorado Canyon (also known as "Gaddafi gets hosed")
The first of two parts:
Prelude to Operation El Dorado Canyon
After years of occasional skirmishes with Libya over Libyan territorial claims to the Gulf of Sidra, the United States contemplated a military attack to strike targets within Libyan land territory. In March 1986, the United States, asserting the 12-nautical-mile (22 km; 14 mi) limit to territorial waters recognized by the international community, sent a carrier task force to the region. Libya responded with aggressive counter-maneuvers on March 24 that led to an engagement during which a Libyan patrol boat and 2 Nanchuka class frigates were sunk by USN aircraft and several SA-5 surface-to-air missiles sites near the coastal town of Surt were destroyed after firing SAMs at US aircraft. (see photo at the bottom of the post). Less than two weeks later on April 5, a bomb exploded in a West Berlin disco, La Belle, killing two American servicemen and a Turkish woman and wounding 200 others. The United States claimed to have obtained cable transcripts from Libyan agents in East Germany involved in the attack.
After several days of diplomatic talks with European and Arab partners, President Ronald Reagan ordered the strike on Libya on April 14. Eighteen F-111F strike aircraft of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, flying from RAF Lakenheath supported by four EF-111A Ravens of the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, from RAF Upper Heyford in England, in conjunction with A-6, A-7, F/A-18 attack aircraft and EA-6B Prowler Electronic Warfare Aircraft from the aircraft carriers USS Saratoga, USS America and USS Coral Sea on station in the Gulf of Sidra, struck five targets at 02:00 on April 15, with the stated objective that their destruction would send a message and reduce Libya's ability to support and train terrorists.
For the Libyan raid, the United States was denied overflight rights by France, Spain and Italy as well as the use of European continental bases, forcing the Air Force portion of the operation to be flown around France, Spain and through the Straits of Gibraltar, adding 1,300 miles (2,100 km) each way and requiring multiple aerial refuelings.
Operation El Dorado Canyon
THE NAVAL STRIKE
As the F-111Fs neared Libya, the carriers USS America and USS Coral Sea started to ready for their part of strikes. Around 22:20, they finally turned into the wind, and then launched a total of three E-2Cs and six F-14s, which were, together with at least one EP-3A from Rota, Spain to cover the USAF strike. Around 22:35, these planes were in the air some 200km north of Tripolis, while two other Tomcats and at least two EA-6Bs, launched at 22:30, deployed towards Benghazi, to cover the USN strike.
Between 22:45 and 23:15hrs, 18 F/A-18As of VFA-131 "Wildcats", VFA-132 "Privateers", VMFA-351 and VFMA-323 "Death Rattlers", all armed with AGM-88b HARMs, together with eight A-6Es and one EA-6B. were launched from USS Coral Sea, The USS America simultaneously launched six A-7Es of the VA-46 "Clansmen" and VA-72 "Blue Hawks", armed with HARMs and AGM-45 Shrikes, six A-6Es of VA-34 "Blue Blasters", one EA-6B and eight F-14As of VF-33 "Tarsiers" and VF 102 "Diamondbacks". The whole operation was controlled by a single E-3A of the 960th AWCS/552nd AWCW, while at least one RC-135E also monitored the Libyan radio communications.
The Naval strike force was tasked with destroying the following targets:
- SAM sites surrounding the Beghazi target area
- Jamahiriyah Guard Barracks / Benghazi Military Barracks in Benghazi, - a terrorist command post. Like Aziziyah Barracks, it was a billeting area for Gadhafi's elite Jamahiriyah Guard. It also contained a warehouse for storage of MiG components.
- Benina Military Airfield southeast of Benghazi. Although not directly related to terrorism, Benina Military Airfield was selected for attack to ensure that its MiG fighters would not intercept or pursue US strike forces.
The attack against targets in Benghazi area was initiated around 23;45, when, supported by heavy jamming from EA-6Bs, Hornets fired a number of AGM-88 HARMs against active Libyan radars and SAM-sites from long range. This was followed by more HARMs - as well as some AGM-45 Shrikes - fired by Corsairs. Reportedly, up to 30 missiles were fired in less than three minutes, and around 23:49, the RC-135E intercepted the communication between one of Libyan SAM-sites and its superiors, that they are under "murderous" fire and that "all radars are destroyed".
In the wake of the SEAD-assets, and the salvo of ARMs, USN bombers supported by additional EA-6Bs approached their targets. Exactly at 00:01, A-6E Intruders of VA-55 from the Coral Sea crossed the Libyan coast. Guided by their Norden AN/APQ-148 radars and TRAMs, and closely escorted by EA-6Bs, they found the Benina AB, and plastered it with Mk.82s and Mk.83s. Four MiG-23s were instantly confirmed destroyed and 12 were either badly damaged or disabled, two Fokker F.27s and two Mi-8s were also destroyed. Simultaneously, A-6Es from USS America obliterated the al-Jamahuriyah barracks with Mk.82s and Mk.83s, destroying most of larger buildings. At least 80 Libyans were said to have been killed in these two strikes, and the inflicted damage was heavy. The USN suffered no losses and by 01:58 all were back on their carriers.
Photo of a Nunchaka Class Corvette of the Libyan Navy burning before sinking