After Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait in August 1990 and tensions in the Gulf Region reached a new peak, not only US forces prepared for a possible combat mission in the Persian Gulf. It became pretty clear that also Great Britain as one of Americas oldest Allies would participate in a possible war to liberate Kuwait. Part of the British detachment to the Gulf region was also a batch of warriors from the Cold War era, the SEPECAT "Jaguar" GR1A. Developed during the 1960s as a tactical fighter bomber for both, the French and British Air Forces, its main role in Central Europe was for several decades a Nuclear one. Armed with British WE-177 tactical nuclear bombs, British "Jaguars" would have penetrated Eastern European airspace on low level flights to deliver its deadly ordnance in a case of an Soviet invasion into Western Europe.
As No. 41 Squadron, based at RAF Coltishall, located in the East of England, deployed with their "Jaguars" first to Oman and then in late 1990 to Bahrain, they were fully prepared for their mission. Their aircraft got a new temporary Desert paint with the typical British light pink tone in it and some improvements and upgrades for their mission in the Gulf. This upgrade package, named after the Operational Name of the British part of the Operation, "Granby", included several specific modifications. The Rolls Royce engines were for example modified for the hot climate in the region, new radio equipment was installed and the "Jaguars" were equipped with AN/ALQ 101 ECM pods, carried under the left inner wing (Also visible on the photos) and Philips-MATRA Phimat chaff dispensers, carried on inner right wing (Also visible on the photos).
Main armament during Operation "Granby" were AIM-9L "Sidewinder" AAM and 1000lbs bombs, rocket pods and cluster ammunition. One large 264 lmp Gallon tank was carried on a centerline pylon, which freed the underwing pylons for other payloads like up to four 1000lbs bombs. This tank is also visible on the photos.
Different to it`s Cold War mission, RAF planners decided against low level missions and instead followed USAF tactics with medium level sorties. A much safer way as both Air Forces expected a dense and powerful Iraqi air defense network. But the British "Jaguars" not only conducted air strikes, but also reconaissance flights. One of the main tasks of No.41 Squadron during the Cold War era, as the unit used their Jaguars in both roles. Ground attack and reconaissance. For that role the "Jaguars" in the Gulf carried BAe reconaissance pods.
It became quickly clear that the "Jaguars" performed in a pretty effective way, despite of their age of almost 40 years in 1991. They became quickly to a kind of workhorse of British RAF forces in the Gulf and conducted over 150 combat sorties against Iraqi forces until the liberation of Kuwait in late February 1991.
These Cold War Warriors hammered in a very effective way on Iraqi troop concentrations, SAM sites and military installations. It was the first time that British "Jaguars" performed in its primary role as ground attack aircraft and proved extremely well.
Iraqi forces experienced a deadly bite of the Jaguar in early 1991.
