Celebrating the 26th anniversary of Secret Squirrel

Glasses, engraved with the names of each Operation Secret Squirrel crewmember, sit on display at the Barksdale Global Power museum on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 17, 2017. Jan. 16, 1991, seven B-52G Stratofortresses from Barksdale took off heading toward Iraqi targets, launched 35 conventional air launch cruise missiles, and returned in secret in support of Operation Desert Storm. The mission, Operation Senior Surprise, remained classified until Jan. 16. 1992, when the crewmembers who made the mission possible were presented with air, achievement and commendation medals for their efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexis Schultz)

Celebrating the 26th anniversary of Secret Squirrel

Veterans, Barksdale members, family and friends attended the 26th anniversary of Operation Secret Squirrel at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 17, 2017. At the start of Desert Shield, August 1990, a select group of aircrew and maintainers from the 596th Bomb Squadron were briefed about the conventional air launch cruise missiles. Those members would go on to support Operation Senior Surprise, also known as Secret Squirrel, launching the first combat sorties for the liberation of Kuwait in Support of Operation Desert Storm. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexis Schultz)

Celebrating the 26th anniversary of Secret Squirrel

Retired Col. Warren Ward, 596th Bomb Squadron B-52G Stratofortress co-pilot during Operation Senior Surprise, gives closing remarks at the 26th anniversary of Operation Secret Squirrel at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 17, 2017. Operation Senior Surprise, known to aircrew and maintainers as Secret Squirrel, remained classified until Jan. 16, 1992, when crewmembers and maintainers who made the mission possible were presented with air, achievement and commendation medals for their efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexis Schultz)

Celebrating the 26th anniversary of Secret Squirrel

Crewmembers from Operation Secret Squirrel give a toast during the 26th anniversary of Operation Secret Squirrel at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 17, 2017. The aircraft that supported the operation, Jan. 16, 1991, were the first combat sorties launched for the liberation of Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Storm, and at the time marked the longest combat sortie flight totaling 14,000 miles in 35 hours and 24 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexis Schultz)

Celebrating the 26th anniversary of Secret Squirrel

Gen. Robin Rand, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, speaks with retired Lt. Col. Richard Cole, the last living Doolittle Raider at the 26th anniversary of Operation Secret Squirrel at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 17, 2017. Operation Senior Surprise was a secret mission that helped kick off Operation Desert Storm. Senior Surprise was the official name of the mission, but aircrew and maintainers creatively came up with the name Secret Squirrel so they could track schedules and discuss the mission in unclassified areas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexis Schultz)

Celebrating the 26th anniversary of Secret Squirrel

Published Jan. 19, 2017
By Airman 1st Class Alexis C. Schultz
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Glasses, engraved with the names of each Operation Secret Squirrel crewmember, sit on display at the Barksdale Global Power museum on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 17, 2017. Jan. 16, 1991, seven B-52G Stratofortresses from Barksdale took off heading toward Iraqi targets, launched 35 conventional air launch cruise missiles, and returned in secret in support of Operation Desert Storm. The mission, Operation Senior Surprise, remained classified until Jan. 16. 1992, when the crewmembers who made the mission possible were presented with air, achievement and commendation medals for their efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexis Schultz)