Squadrons launch massive assault on Iraqi capital

ABOARD THE USS CONSTELLATION-Dozens of fighter planes catapulted off this aircraft carrier Friday night to play a leading role in the American military's relentless aerial assault on Baghdad.

Three separate groups of aircraft left the Constellation to take aim at targets in and around the Iraqi capital. Previous missions launched from this carrier have not gone beyond the boundaries of the United Nations no-fly zone in southern Iraq. Friday night's mission marked the first time the aircraft struck further north.

Aircraft from all squadrons on the Constellation were included in the attacks, including F-14 and F-18 aircraft. Missions were expected to last from two to six hours.

The aircraft strikes were coupled with launches of hundreds of Tomahawk and other cruise missiles from about 30 ships and submarines in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.

"This is going to be epic. This is a package that is going downtown," Navy Capt. Mark Fox, commander of the air wing aboard the carrier, told pilots during a preflight briefing. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Fox led the first strikes launched from the carrier Friday.

Rear Adm. Barry Costello, commander of the Constellation Battle Carrier Group, told pilots that they would be going into harm's way, but expressed confidence in their abilities. "As a result of what you are going to do tonight, the world will be a helluva a lot better place," he said.

Cmdr. Doug Denneny, a radar interceptor, said he spent seven minutes in an F-14 fighter dodging surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft fire over downtown Baghdad. He said he was surprised at the amount of resistance he encountered as he dropped two 2,000 pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions on targets in the city.

"It was a pretty impressive welcoming party," said Denneny of all the anti-aircraft fire.

Denneny called the strikes, which were led by U.S. Air Force and British pilots, so well coordinated "it would make a Broadway producer blush."

Lt. Tyler Nakomoto, an F-18 pilot, said a cloud layer over Baghdad glowed various colors from explosions from bombs hitting targets and surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery being launched.