One Hundred Years of Flight USAF Chronology ... - The Air University
One Hundred Years of Flight USAF Chronology ... - The Air University
One Hundred Years of Flight USAF Chronology ... - The Air University
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1992<br />
ended on February 28 <strong>of</strong> the next year, 46 <strong>USAF</strong> transport aircraft had<br />
airlifted more than 23,000 tons <strong>of</strong> food, water, medical supplies, and<br />
other relief cargo to Somalia and to Somali refugees in Kenya.<br />
August 25: A day after Hurricane Andrew smashed into southern Florida,<br />
the <strong>Air</strong> Force embarked on one <strong>of</strong> its largest domestic humanitarianairlift<br />
operations. Despite devastation that caused the closing <strong>of</strong><br />
Homestead <strong>Air</strong> Force Base, by September 25, <strong>Air</strong> Mobility Command,<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Force Reserve, and <strong>Air</strong> National Guard transports, augmented by<br />
airliners under contract, had delivered more than 21,000 tons <strong>of</strong> relief<br />
supplies and had transported more than 13,500 passengers.<br />
August 26: <strong>The</strong> United States launched Operation SOUTHERN WATCH to<br />
enforce United Nations sanctions against Iraq. <strong>USAF</strong> aircraft began<br />
patrolling a no-fly zone south <strong>of</strong> 32 degrees north latitude in southern<br />
Iraq to provide protection to Shiite Muslims living there and to discourage<br />
any renewed Iraqi military activity against Kuwait or Saudi Arabia.<br />
September 12–October 18: Following Typhoon Iniki, which devastated<br />
Kauai in the Hawaiian archipelago, <strong>Air</strong> Mobility Command, Pacific <strong>Air</strong><br />
Forces, <strong>Air</strong> Force Reserve, and <strong>Air</strong> National Guard aircraft and crews<br />
airlifted 6,888 tons <strong>of</strong> relief equipment and supplies to Hawaii. <strong>The</strong><br />
operation also airlifted more than 12,000 passengers, including evacuees<br />
as well as military and civilian relief workers.<br />
September 13–29: During Operation IMPRESSIVE LIFT, <strong>Air</strong> Mobility Command<br />
moved United Nations peacekeeping troops from Pakistan to<br />
Somalia. In 94 missions, <strong>USAF</strong> cargo aircraft moved 974 passengers<br />
and 1,168 tons <strong>of</strong> equipment and supplies. <strong>The</strong> troops attempted to<br />
ensure a fair distribution <strong>of</strong> food being delivered in Operation PRO-<br />
VIDE RELIEF.<br />
December 4: President George H. W. Bush launched Operation RESTORE<br />
HOPE I, which transported some 32,000 international troops to Somalia<br />
to establish order for international famine-relief efforts. Most <strong>of</strong> the<br />
troops flew on contracted commercial airliners, but by the end <strong>of</strong> the<br />
operation on May 4, 1993, the <strong>Air</strong> Force had airlifted 32,000 tons <strong>of</strong><br />
their equipment and supplies.<br />
December 16: On a night flight, a 668th Bombardment Squadron B–52 lost<br />
two <strong>of</strong> its eight engines when one exploded and damaged its neighbor.<br />
At about the same time, two more engines on the same side <strong>of</strong> the aircraft<br />
flamed out. Frantically working, the crew was able to restart the<br />
two flamed-out engines and land safely. For this extraordinary feat, the<br />
crew earned the Mackay Trophy.<br />
December 27: A <strong>USAF</strong> pilot patrolling the southern United Nations no-fly<br />
zone in Iraq shot down an Iraqi MiG–25, scoring the first aerial victory<br />
142