Package Q Strike
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The Package Q Airstrike was the largest airstrike of the Gulf War and the largest strike of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft in history. Many aircraft, including the F-117 Nighthawk, were used to
Remains of F-16C 87-0257 as found by U.S. Marines in Iraq during Desert Storm. The canopy was recovered by U.S. forces in the 2003 invasion.
Operation Opera
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Operation Opera, also known as Operation Babylon, was a surprise airstrike conducted by the Israeli Air Force on 7 June 1981, which destroyed an unfinished Iraqi nuclear reactor located 17 kilometres
Package Q Strike
…Tuwaitha Nuclear Research Center near Baghdad, which was the site of the Osirak Nuclear Reactor that was attacked by the Iranian Air Force in 1980 and again by the Israeli Air Force in 1981, along with many other military sites across the city. Two aircraft were shot down, with two pilots becoming POWs. The mission goal was not…
The Osirak reactor prior to the Israeli attack
Menachem Begin, Prime Minister of Israel and in charge of the operation, disembarks from an aircraft upon his arrival in the United States, accompanied by Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan.
F-16A Netz #243, flown by Colonel Ilan Ramon in Operation Opera. Here of 140 Squadron "Golden Eagle" (see tail), but at that time of 110 Squadron "Knights Of The North" at Ramat David Airbase.
Nose of F-16A #243 showing the triangular mission marking for the attack, a nuclear reactor silhouette against the Iraqi Air Force emblem.