The General Dynamics F-111 was one of the most technically innovative
designs among military aircraft, introducing the variable-sweep wing,
terrain-following radar, military-rated afterburning turbofan engines
and a self-contained escape module among other features. Designed as a
cost-saving, multi-role interceptor, naval fighter and strike bomber,
its evolution prioritised the latter role and it became the USAF's most
effective long-range strike aircraft during three decades of service.
Rushed into combat in Vietnam before some of its structural issues were
fully understood, the type suffered several early losses and gained an
unfairly negative reputation that dogged it for the rest of its career,
and restricted funding for more advanced versions of the design.
However, in Operation Linebacker in 1972 the F-111 flew 4000 nocturnal
under-the-radar missions, delivering, with unprecedented accuracy, many
decisive blows that would have resulted in heavy losses for any other
attack aircraft.
Post-war, F-111E/F variants were concentrated in two USAFE wings in the
UK, and one of these was chosen in April 1986 to deliver a punitive
strike on Libya in response to a series of terrorist attacks on US
targets in Beirut and Europe. The 48th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) flew
a 14-hour mission direct from its Lakenheath base, hitting several
military targets around Tripoli. Five years later both UK-based wings,
including their sophisticated EF-111A defence suppression aircraft, led
the attack on the first night of Operation Desert Storm, decimating
Iraq's huge military capability. For the rest of the campaign the F-111s
were crucial in destroying bridges, airfields and deep-seated command
bunkers with pinpoint accuracy using laser-guided munitions.
