The Secret Squirrels Turn 26

Members of Operation Senior Surprise, better known as “Secret Squirrel” celebrate a toast to commemorate the twenty-sixth anniversary of the historic mission at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 17, 2017. The mission, which lasted more than 35 hours and covered more than 14,000 nautical miles, was the opening salvo of the first Gulf War in 1991. Using GPS-guided Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missiles for the first time, seven B-52 Stratofortress’ were able to eliminate Iraqi forces ability to effectively communicate and fight off ensuing Air Force sorties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ted Daigle/Released)

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The Secret Squirrels Turn 26

Operation Senior Surprise commemorative glasses line the wall of the Barksdale Global Power Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 17, 2017. Every year, veterans of the mission gather to toast members of the operation still serving, those who have retired, and those who have passed away as symbolized by a red napkin in their glass. The operation was so highly classified, members could not tell anyone about it for a year after its completion. Because of the silence surrounding the mission, Airmen involved began referring to themselves as the “Secret Squirrels”. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ted Daigle/released)

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The Secret Squirrels Turn 26

U.S. Air Force Col. James Morriss, III, 307th Bomb Wing vice-commander, enjoys a light moment with other guests gathered to honor the veterans of Operation Senior Surprise, better known as “Secret Squirrel”, at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 17, 2017. Morriss served as an electronic warfare officer on the historic mission, flying more than 35 hours to knock out communication systems of Iraqi forces during the first Gulf War. The historic mission was the opening sortie of the war and paved the way for U.S. air dominance for the rest of the campaign. The longest air combat mission at the time, Secret Squirrel also was the first to use GPS-guided Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missiles in combat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ted Daigle/Released)

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The Secret Squirrels Turn 26

U.S. Air Force General Robin Rand, Air Force Global Strike Command commander, listens intently as Lt. Col. (retired) Richard Cole, speaks to the audience gathered to commemorate the twenty-sixth anniversary of Operation Senior Surprise, better known as “Secret Squirrel”, at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 17, 2017. Cole is the last surviving member of Doolittle’s Raiders, the group of Airmen that first bombed Tokyo during World War II. During his talk, Cole drew comparisons between the Doolittle’s Raid and Secret Squirrel. He said both missions pushed the boundaries of modern airpower and proved that no enemy was out of range for the Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ted Daigle/Released)

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The Secret Squirrels Turn 26

Published Jan. 19, 2017
By Tech. Sgt. Ted Daigle
307th Bomb Wing

Barksdale Air Force Base -- Members of Operation Senior Surprise, better known as “Secret Squirrel” celebrate a toast to commemorate the twenty-sixth anniversary of the historic mission at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 17, 2017. The mission, which lasted more than 35 hours and covered more than 14,000 nautical miles, was the opening salvo of the first Gulf War in 1991. Using GPS-guided Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missiles for the first time, seven B-52 Stratofortress’ were able to eliminate Iraqi forces ability to effectively communicate and fight off ensuing Air Force sorties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ted Daigle/Released)