Pyongsong 

March 31, 2003

Through our limited human intelligence in North Korea, spy plane over-flights and satellite imagery we have been able to determine that the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) is in possession of one nuclear device and is striving to produce more.  Expelling the IAEA monitors and removing monitoring equipment, the North announced that it has joined the nuclear club but that it had no desire to produce additional weapons.  Given Kim IL Sung’s history of lying and deception no one looking at the facts in an objective way could believe him.  Hostile statements toward the US and aggressive movements in and around the DMZ have increase the tension between all parties involved.  The Japanese have started discussions about “re-evaluating” their military posture, hinting at a move towards a force with capabilities beyond mere defense, the South Koreans are preparing for an invasion that they pray will never come.  The final straw was the unsuccessful attempt to capture a US surveillance plane and it’s crew by DPRK MIGs.  The decision was made prior to the onset of hostilities in Iraq to eliminate the North’s weapons of mass destruction and expel North Korea from the nuclear club.  This mission will be conducted without consultation with the world debating society now known as the UN. 

With the attention of the world firmly focused on the war in Iraq military planners and political leaders in the United States and South Korean secretly devise and OK a plan to take out the nuclear power plant at Pyongsong just south and east of Pyongyang.  The initial plan called for a strike by one B-2 bomber traveling from it’s base in the United States but it with this fleet flying 36 hour missions into Iraq it was determined that the strain on the airplanes and flight crews would be too much.   The idea of using sea or air-launched cruise missiles was also discounted, as they could not ensure total destruction of the site nor destruction of other assets that might be present at the plant (nuclear scientist) and they did not have the ability to be recalled once launched.  The agreed upon plan involved a strike launched from South Korean airbases in the early morning hours.  The time of arrival on target would allow for the maximum opportunity to take out the nuclear scientist cadre of the north at the same time.   

The Air Tasking Order came down at 2000 hours with a scheduled take off time of 0600 the following morning.   The strike package will consist of four F16Cs each loaded with two 2000-pound Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs) and appropriate armaments to defend itself from air-to-air treats.  Another three ship of F16s will provide escort service and will sprint ahead into the target area to clear it of enemy air moments before our arrival.  In the moments preceding our arrival a Four ship of F18Ds will strike the air defense systems the service the area. 

I have the honor of leading the mission that will be flown by a hand picked crew of the Air Force, Navy/Marine, and Republic of Korea pilots, the best in the theater. 

 0330, a PFC flashing a small light in my face and shaking me interrupts my restful sleep.  “Sir…sir it’s time to go get up sir”.  I grumble something I sure was not too polite and sit up on my bunk.  Gathering my thoughts for a minute I assure the airman that I am awake and I will make the briefing on time.  I drag myself to the head, brush my teeth and shower up.  I want to be clean if I have occasion to meet North Koreans later today, I laugh as I towel off.  Into my flight suit and off to the briefing room were the rest of the crew assembles. Small talk in the room as old friends re-acquaint, Grinavic (Dawg) has been selected to lead the Escort element and Vick Zaveduke (Duke) will take on the SEAD chores.   Of course I will lead the strike.  These guys were flown in specifically for this mission; it is like an old Wolfpack reunion.  After a few hugs and small talk the room is called to attention.  We snap as General Diaz enters with a couple of CIA types in tow.  “Take your seats gentleman” “As you know we are totally engaged in Iraq.  That being said we have another serious problem a few short miles from here.  This morning you will solve that problem.  Your birds are being armed and fueled as we speak. Jack.”  The General passes the mic.  “Gentleman, the administration has decided to act know against the nuclear plant at Pyongsong.  Your mission is to level this facility and kill as many of the scientist as you can.  You are scheduled to arrive over target at 0630.  Our Intel is that the weapons specialists work off hours to try and conceal their activities.  The plant should be full of the best an brightest from the North when your bombs start falling.”  We continue to listen as the CIA hump punches up a series of surveillance photographs up on the screen. “This first shot shows the plant before the reactors were started.”  He moves to the second slide, “this is after restarting the reactors, the plumbs of smoke coming from the chimney are clear indication that the reactor is active.”  Gentlemen your primary target with be this building located just west of the smoke stack.  Nothing should be left of this building…after that all other structures within the plant are fair game.  Don’t linger though, get in fast do your business and get the hell out.”  “Gentleman, the United States will not participate in this mission, we have every intention to deny any involvement.  You all must come home and leave nothing American behind enemy lines.”  You will take off in a manner consistent with your normal training routine, this way the enemy will think nothing of the launch.  Once formed you will dive low under enemy radar coverage.  You will ingress to the north and towards the target at very low level.  At 50 miles from the target the Escort will sprint ahead and climb to cover you.  By this time the first of the HARMS should start to impact the area.   Strikers will then stage bombs and lineup for release.  After taking down the facility follow the route through the mountains and head south as fast as you can.  As I mentioned the US will deny any involvement in this so if you are captured you are on your own.  If anyone wants to opt out of this thing now is the time.”  “I didn’t think so.” He returns the mic to General Diaz “OK boys, the pertinent data has already been downloaded into your flight computers, go do what you do.”  With that the room comes to attention and the General leaves the room. 

Silence as me and the other flight crew contemplate what we might face in the coming hours.  We file out of the room and head over to planning.  There is already a flight plan laid out for us but I want to tweak it just a bit.  I have the SEAD coming in from a different direction and a couple minutes earlier than the strikers as this could lead to some confusion on the part of the DPRK.  Since the planning has already been done we have time for a very early breakfast and then down to the flight line for pre-flight.  Ten pretty birds all in a row, Six F-16s and four F-18.  I am dropped off in front of the lead F-16 where I crawl up the ladder to retrieve the logbook.  I start to thumb through the book looking for any problems our history of problems with my airplane. 

After I am satisfied I tuck the book in my jacket and start the preflight.  By flashlight we all conduct our inspections.  Once my jet is code one, I climb back up the ladder and slip into the ejection seat.  The seat is reclined and comfortable for the moment.  I continue down my checklist to ensure that all systems are operating, as they should.  Looking to my right I can see the others in the package are keeping pace with everyone in their jet.  Staging my radios I bring the canopy down just as Sting1 through 4 roll past my nose. 

 After running through the startup procedure the turbines are turning but the sound is muted under the cockpit.  “Falcon1 to Falcon, check in when ready.” I command “two, three” is the reply.  “Falcon1 to Mandumi ground, we are a flight of 3 requesting taxi instructions”  “Falcon, hold your position” a few moments later, “Falcon1 you are cleared to runway 20 hold short contact tower for takeoff instruction, winds are out of the south 5 knots it is 20 degrees good morning sir,” with that I bump the throttle and establish a forward roll.  Picking up the center taxi line I turn left followed by the others in the flight.  Looking to my right I watch and a pair of Hornets thunder down the runway.    Rolling down the taxiway I scan my instruments again to ensure all is well.  As I turn right towards the runway I can look down the taxiway to see the rest of my flight following me.   Holding short of the runway I switch over to the tower frequency “Mandumi tower, Falcon1, holding short runway 20”  “Falcon1 Mandumi tower, your are cleared for takeoff runway 20 Left contact AWACS after clearing Mandumi airspace, good day sir” With that I nudge the nose of my Falcon out onto the runway and line up with the centerline.   Once more I scan the inside of the jet.  Pushing my head back into the headrest I push the throttle past the last detent into re-heat.  Accelerating like a shot thru a gun my head is pressed further into the headrest.  Although I have felt this sensation hundreds of times it is always exhilarating.  Keeping an eye on the airspeed I rotate the nose skyward at 180 knots.  Although heavy with bombs Falcon1 comes off the runway like a feather.  Once I have established positive climb rate I pull the gear in and bank gently to the left.  I can see the morning dew as it strikes my wing surface and produces vapors flowing from my wingtips.  A sly grin comes across my face “man I can’t believe they pay me for this” I think as I pick up a heading towards the second steer point and level off at 5000 feet.  Looking to my left I can see Cowboy blasting down the runway.  Switching to the flight freq I call for the formation to close up and push the nose over into a very shallow dive.  Knowing the North Koreans monitor our comms and their radars were tracking us we assume the normal training flight formations and course.  Punching up the AWAC “Sentry11, Falcon1 we are a flight of 3 clearing Mandumi inbound to training area X-ray”  “Roger Falcon, continue on your present course contact range control upon arrival X-ray.”  “Roger” I flash my lights, the pre briefed signal to maintain radio silence.

Dropping down to 400 feet I look to my right to see the other two Falcons loaded down with GBU24/bs.  They are beautiful.  The abort windows slams shut as we cross the border into North Korea.  The SEAD boys should have crossed some minutes ago.  The RWR gives no indications that the North is expecting or even looking for an attack.  We continue north on our flight path hugging the terrain as we go.   We ride in silence deep into North Korea hoping that the enemy does not sight us.  Approaching the third steer-point I arm up may laser in preparation for the coming assault.  After staging my bombs I wag my wings to signal the two trailing members of my flight to fall into trail.  As they do this Cowboy picks up speed and accelerates past our formation.  I watch as we pass the third steer-point and Cowboy climbs out into position.  No doubt now that the North has picked up our escort as they climb into radar coverage.  As Cowboy is picked up on the enemy search radar the ground below comes to life with small arms fire and surface to air missiles.  Everything seems to be directed at Cowboy flight as we stay in the weeds.  In the distance the tail tail signs of HARM missile launches are easy to discern.  Long white smoke trails starting out horizontal to the ground and then arching high into the morning sky before selecting target radar and diving into to it.  We start our climb towards the IP and are immediately picked up by enemy search radar but within a matter of seconds the radar signal disappears.  The SEAD strike right on time and right on target.  With the enemy Integrated Air Defense System no longer integrated the enemy fires blindly into the sky.  Arches of tracer fire can be seen over the target and missiles are launched into the sky with no guidance and with no effect.  Level at 15000 feet I give a single command “attack” and then I pick up the nuclear plant and pick up the primary target building.  Moving my target designator box over the building and designate.  Lining up for my run I switch to guard and listen as things start to heat up for Cowboy.  I line up to release my bomb as I listen to the air fight developing to our front.  It seems that the North has a trio of MIG 29s up to investigate.  No time to worry about them for now as my first LGB falls from the rail and starts to ride the laser towards the target.  I turn right and head east as my bomb and the other bombs from my flight close on the target.  I watch with great satisfaction as my bomb impacts directly through the center of the primary target followed by two more bombs that obliterate what remained of the building.  Satisfied that the primary target has been destroyed I swing back for another run to clean up the facility.  Locking on the reactor building I give the command “bolo” meaning to attack auxiliary targets.  I drop my bomb and initiate a shallow dive as I turn south for home.  Faclon12 and 13 do the same each picking out a predetermined target.  Straining to look behind me I smile as secondary explosions send concrete and steel several hundred feet into the air. 

Picking up a valley running south to north we duck in between the hills and head for home to our front flies the Hornets that took down the air defenses and to our rear were the Escort who seemed to be in deep trouble with MIGS all around.  Pulling into a steep vertical climb I raise to 20000 feet and bend back towards Pyongsong.   Pushing into MRM mode our radars show a swirling fight going on.  This was feared but minus our bombs we can assist.  Putting the formation in spread we start to sort targets, I pair of MIG23s and three MIG29s mixed in with the Falcons.  Locking onto a MIG23 I pickle off a Amraam and give the others the order to “attack targets.”   I watch as my missile streaks toward the target a once it goes active I search for more.  I don’t think the MIG ever knew he was being target as he turned into an Amraam missile that explodes against his fuselage.  I watch as smoke and debris falls to earth.  Also in the distance another MIG is engulfed in smoke and fire as it takes a missile.  The remaining MIG breaks for home and we decide to do the same before his buddies show up.  Looking to my left I can still see the fires burning furiously below.  We punch into reheat and break for the valley below, a flight of three becomes a flight of six as we blast for home.  

Not knowing what the reaction of the Kim regime all forces in the South were put on alert at the time of our departure and as we cross back into South Korea the air in the south is full of allied fighters. 

All planes returned safely to Manumi.  We touch down at Manumit to congratulations from those who were aware of our mission and get our BDA from CNN.  Although the North claims the facility is still operational the photos from satellite and CNN indicate differently.    Over the condemnation of the UN, the French, Russian, Germans, and Chinese in particular, the United States and South Korea staunchly deny any involvement in the operation. 

LTC. Arnold "Puma" Bell

Fly this mission now: Pyongsong Strike