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 Aircrews from the 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, nicknamed the T-Bolts, used inertially aided munitions from their deployed location during Operation Enduring Freedom combat missions. Instead of using lasers or television cameras, CBU-103 wind-corrected munitions dispensers and GBU-31 joint direct attack munitions use navigation systems to steer to the target. Because of the all-weather capabilities of the munitions, pilots say they can drop the new bombs through clouds, fog, and snow.
“Adding inertially aided munitions gives us a better probability of hitting enemy air defense targets,” said Lt. Col. Tom Lawhead, 389th EFS commander. “This new category of weapons also opens up the use of our Block 52 F-16s for interdiction missions and close air support missions. We were brought to Operation Enduring Freedom specifically for our ability to drop inertially aided munitions. While our basic suppression of enemy air defense mission hasn’t changed, we have added some new weapons to our quiver.”
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