Shock and Awe from the Air: Planning and Executing the Air War In the First Gulf War

Hear the story of the transformation of air power in the first Gulf War from two pioneers of the planning and execution of the Desert Storm Air Campaign. . Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.) invented the master air-attack plan and wrote the attack plans for each day of the Desert Storm air campaign, using desired end-state effects as a planning mechanism by capitalizing on the technologies of stealth and precision in a fashion never applied in warfare before. Col Al Mink, USAF (Ret.) deployed as the first bomber pilot from the Air Force’s only wing of tactically-qualified and ready bomber forces. He served as initial cadre on the secret “black hole” team to plan the shape of the air campaign applying Gen Deptula’s new campaign approach. He brought the fighter-approach of Air Tasking Orders to the nuclear bomber force. During combat operations, he coordinated the launch and refueling of the largest bomber strike in the war and flew 18-hour strike formations. This is the 49th in a series of presentations sponsored by the Museum featuring eyewitnesses to, and other experts on, significant Cold War-era events and activities. Date and Time: Sunday, August 29th, 2021 from 2:00-3:30 PM EST. THIS EVENT IS ENTIRELY VIRTUAL, WITH ONLINE ACCESS ONLY, DUE TO THE COVID HEALTH EMERGENCY. (NOTE: FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS PRESENTATION BUT CANNOT ATTEND BECAUSE THEY ARE AT A DISTANCE, HAVE A CONFLICT, ETC., THEY MAY BUY A TICKET VIA EVENTBRITE LIKE ATTENDEES, THEN ACCESS THE EVENT VIDEO ONLINE AFTER THE EVENT VIA A LINK THAT CWM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JASON HALL WILL SEND THEM. TO ARRANGE, EMAIL JASON AT JASON@COLDWAR.ORG.) Cost: $20, 100% of which is a contribution to the Cold War Museum. Location: ONLINE ONLY. Eventbrite ticket buyers will receive a link to the virtual room on the Zoom platform where this event will take place. We are recording the whole event, including the Q&A, for the Museum’s archives. FOR MORE DETAILS AND TICKETING, PLEASE CLICK ON