Steve Pace
Aviation History Writer
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Operation Mad
Its early morning on the 24th of July 1970. Twelve North American B-70B Valkyrie strategic bombardment aircraft – four flights of three flying in V formations, are about to enter the penetration phase of Operation Mad. This operation was devised to demonstrate the resolve of the United States when it comes to the inhumane treatment of the peoples living in oppressed countries. The goal of Operation Mad is to penetrate, transverse, and then exit this particular airspace without using any weapons whatsoever as they are unarmed. A show of force if you will.
These particular B-70Bs are from the first operational wing of Valkyries – the 5th Bomb Wing (“Guardians of the Upper Realm”), based at Minot Air Force Base near Minot, North Dakota. After their takeoff, refueling and rendezvous, they flew due north and over the North Pole. Now flying due south they are prepared for their penetration phase.
Then suddenly, unbeknownst to the crews of these B-70Bs, a flock of 12 North American F-108A Rapiers of the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron join up with the Valkyries. The F-108A flight leader explains to B-70B flight leader that they came from Misawa Air Base in Japan – the northernmost USAF facility in Japan, where they were on temporary duty from McChord AFB in Tacoma, Washington. But they too are unarmed. Nevertheless they will escort the B-70Bs during Operation Mad.
The penetration began 10 nautical miles outside its territorial marker at 8:52 am local time. Almost immediately a B-70B defensive system operator or DSO in the lead flight reported radar had already lit them up. Depending on their respective positions the Valkyries and their Rapier escorts are flying at altitudes between 73,000 and 80,000 feet and at speeds ranging from Mach 2.7 to 3.2 speed. They are now more than 500 nautical miles into this Cold War enemy airspace. Although they are all painted there has been no report of intercepting aircraft or surface to air missile (SAM) launches, which is a total surprise to all of the 72 crewmembers involved. But their penetration had just begun.
Suddenly, but to no real surprise, a rather large number of SAM launches were detected. B-70B flight leader ordered maximum speed and altitude and each Valkyrie pointed its nose skyward. The leveled off at 92,500 feet at a speed of Mach 3.2. About 20 SAMs were observed arcing over some thousands of feet below and descending back toward terra firma as they had run out of propellant. To a man the B-70B and F-108A crewmembers realized if the SAMs couldn’t reach them neither could intercepting aircraft. Prudence prevailed however.
Twenty four aircraft – 12 bombers, 12 interceptors flying some 17.5 miles above unfriendly territory at about 2,370 miles per hour will soon reach the halfway point of their mission. The Rapiers are to recover at Osan Air Base in South Korea while the Valkyries will land at a U.S. air base on the atoll of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Apparently these Cold War enemies are helpless as no other actions against these very high altitude 2,000 mph intruders has been taken. Past their halfway point now the crewmembers are home base bound but not without caution as they are more than just a little tense. After all they are still being radar scanned.
Ninety six continuously afterburning General Electric J93 turbojet engines leaving heat trails of exhausted thrust aft of 24 aircraft moving forward in unison. The southern border of the territory being overflown now approaches. Operation Mad is almost over.
A flock of loitering Boeing KC-135A Stratotankers await the outbound Valkyries and Rapiers for rendezvous and one last top off of special nitrogen gas-blended JP-6 fuel for their nearly depleted tanks before they part-company and go their separate ways.
Mission accomplished!
Twelve B-70Bs and 12 F-108As are now out of country and 72 crewmen sighed their reliefs in unison. Operation Mad was over.
Its early morning on the 24th of July 1970. Twelve North American B-70B Valkyrie strategic bombardment aircraft – four flights of three flying in V formations, are about to enter the penetration phase of Operation Mad. This operation was devised to demonstrate the resolve of the United States when it comes to the inhumane treatment of the peoples living in oppressed countries. The goal of Operation Mad is to penetrate, transverse, and then exit this particular airspace without using any weapons whatsoever as they are unarmed. A show of force if you will.
These particular B-70Bs are from the first operational wing of Valkyries – the 5th Bomb Wing (“Guardians of the Upper Realm”), based at Minot Air Force Base near Minot, North Dakota. After their takeoff, refueling and rendezvous, they flew due north and over the North Pole. Now flying due south they are prepared for their penetration phase.
Then suddenly, unbeknownst to the crews of these B-70Bs, a flock of 12 North American F-108A Rapiers of the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron join up with the Valkyries. The F-108A flight leader explains to B-70B flight leader that they came from Misawa Air Base in Japan – the northernmost USAF facility in Japan, where they were on temporary duty from McChord AFB in Tacoma, Washington. But they too are unarmed. Nevertheless they will escort the B-70Bs during Operation Mad.
The penetration began 10 nautical miles outside its territorial marker at 8:52 am local time. Almost immediately a B-70B defensive system operator or DSO in the lead flight reported radar had already lit them up. Depending on their respective positions the Valkyries and their Rapier escorts are flying at altitudes between 73,000 and 80,000 feet and at speeds ranging from Mach 2.7 to 3.2 speed. They are now more than 500 nautical miles into this Cold War enemy airspace. Although they are all painted there has been no report of intercepting aircraft or surface to air missile (SAM) launches, which is a total surprise to all of the 72 crewmembers involved. But their penetration had just begun.
Suddenly, but to no real surprise, a rather large number of SAM launches were detected. B-70B flight leader ordered maximum speed and altitude and each Valkyrie pointed its nose skyward. The leveled off at 92,500 feet at a speed of Mach 3.2. About 20 SAMs were observed arcing over some thousands of feet below and descending back toward terra firma as they had run out of propellant. To a man the B-70B and F-108A crewmembers realized if the SAMs couldn’t reach them neither could intercepting aircraft. Prudence prevailed however.
Twenty four aircraft – 12 bombers, 12 interceptors flying some 17.5 miles above unfriendly territory at about 2,370 miles per hour will soon reach the halfway point of their mission. The Rapiers are to recover at Osan Air Base in South Korea while the Valkyries will land at a U.S. air base on the atoll of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Apparently these Cold War enemies are helpless as no other actions against these very high altitude 2,000 mph intruders has been taken. Past their halfway point now the crewmembers are home base bound but not without caution as they are more than just a little tense. After all they are still being radar scanned.
Ninety six continuously afterburning General Electric J93 turbojet engines leaving heat trails of exhausted thrust aft of 24 aircraft moving forward in unison. The southern border of the territory being overflown now approaches. Operation Mad is almost over.
A flock of loitering Boeing KC-135A Stratotankers await the outbound Valkyries and Rapiers for rendezvous and one last top off of special nitrogen gas-blended JP-6 fuel for their nearly depleted tanks before they part-company and go their separate ways.
Mission accomplished!
Twelve B-70Bs and 12 F-108As are now out of country and 72 crewmen sighed their reliefs in unison. Operation Mad was over.
