There were dozens of anti-tank sorties during Desert Storm, but
on the morning of February 25, one in particular stood out that
was flown by a pair of A-10A pilots who set a record of sorts.
A large column of Iraqi tanks was rolling south from areas occupied
by the Republican Guard. Captain Eric Solomonson "Fish"
and Lieutenant John Marks "Karl" of the 76th TFS/23rd
TFW scrambled to engage them.
Solomonson arrived over Iraq at sunrise. Solomonson and Marks,
after considerable action already, were surprised to see no anti-aircraft
fire coming at them. A haze shrouded the target area where some
Iraqi tanks were smoldering from earlier attacks. The pilots
swooped through the haze and attacked the tanks. The maverick
missiles which detect and home on heat sources, had unusually
rich targets with the tank engines running and extremely hot.
It took 10 minutes for the pair to kill six tanks with Mavericks.
Two more tanks were destroyed under the force of their 30-mm
GAU-9/A seven barreled cannon.
The two A-10's returned to the FOL, (Forward Operating Location)
where they were told to saddle up again. Marines needed help
just southwest of Kuwait City. A Marine F-18 Hornet flying 'Fast
FAC' told the approaching A-10 pilots that two AV-88 Harriers
had already been hit. The FAC told them to continue on in because
the Americans on the ground needed help immediately.
In a fast and furious engagement, Solomonson and Marks took out
eight more tanks, six with Mavericks and two with cannon fire.
Returning to base, they rearmed and launched again to support
Marines who were now probing at the outskirts of Kuwait City.
The A-10's entered another target area and set seven more tanks
afire.
At their base, there was great celebration on their return. Marks
stated, "They said we set an all-time record for Maverick
and cannon kills. 23 tanks in one day, ain't bad at all." |