Operation Senior Surprise, also known as Secret Squirrel,[1] was a long range B-52G Stratofortress cruise missile strike against Iraqi targets that initiated the bombing campaign during Desert Storm.

[3] Seven B-52 from Barksdale AFB were chosen to take part in this top secret mission to attack high priority Iraqi power and communication targets[4] at the start of Operation Desert Storm.

Eight targets, including power plants at Mosul and a telephone exchange in Basra, first aerial refueling rendezvous, somewhere near the Azores.

The fleet faced a strong headwind on the return trip and, with increased drag from those with retained missiles or seized engines, some of the aircraft required an additional refueling for the flight back to Barksdale.

Operation Secret Squirrel remained classified until January 16, 1992, when crewmembers and maintainers were officially presented with commendation medals for their efforts.