I was in Al Dhafra UAE. Didn't have any duty on the first day of the war. Went down to the runway to watch the launches and count airplanes on the recovery.

I vividly remember waiting in the Command Post (standing room only) for the first inflight report. It was from "Deci" (Mark Decesari...forgive the spelling),"Zero losses, target obliterated." and the place erupted with cheers. We really expected a much bigger fight on that day than we got.

Ran out to the end of the runway to watch everone come up initial. The only sign of combat was no bombs on the returning jets and one airplane with jettisoned tanks. The jettisoned tanks turned out to be the result of a switch error while trying to get rid of a hung bomb.

Deci has since passed away. He was an true fighter pilot. There was a reason he was leading on day one.

Two days later I had my first combat sortie against Talil...but that's another post.