john@kodak.com (John Hall) (04/03/91)
From: john@kodak.com (John Hall) Was the F-14's Phoenix weapon system (AIM-54 + AWG-9) fired during Operation Desert Storm? As far as I know, it had never previously been used "in anger". Peacetime rules-of-engagement required visual target identification. Even with the Hughes TVS there was no way to accomplish that at a 50+ NM range. (Asked about ROE, an F-14 crew told me a few years ago that they would use the Phoenix "whenever the admiral said to". Simple.)