JP 3-01 Countering Air and Missile Threats - Defense Innovation ...

Offensive Counterair Planning and Operations
58TFS FIGHTER SWEEP/ESCORT DURING DESERT STORM
“The plan’s essence—as far as the 58th was concerned—was that twenty
F15s, in line with strategically positioned four ships (four-ship flights of
aircraft) from several squadrons, were going to be the first air-to-air
fighters to sweep across the Iraqi border after the STEALTHs, F-15E
bombers, and TOMAHAWK missiles had made a surprise attack mostly on
Baghdad’s vital command and communications centers, hopefully
knocking them out and, with them, the country’s air defenses.
Then, as the bombers, done with their surprise missions, sped back to
safety south over the border, the EAGLES, including two four ships from
the 58th would charge in over their top, engaging any enemy
fighters…and clearing a path for the waves of conventional nonstealth
bombers and other warplanes that would be following.”
SOURCE: Wings of Fury by Robert Wilcox, 1996, pp. 220–221
IV-19