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B-52 Crews from Operation Desert Storm to Reunite at Dayton Air Show
Members of seven B-52 crews that flew a top-secret mission to kick off the Gulf War will gather at the CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show.
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
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More than 35 years after their historic mission at the start of Operation Desert Storm, members of seven B-52 bomber crews are reuniting this summer at the CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show. The crews were part of a top-secret attack that launched the first strikes of the Gulf War in 1991, flying a 33-hour journey from Louisiana to Iraq to fire missiles at specific targets. Their story will be recounted in an upcoming book titled "Doom 34: A Firsthand Account of the Top-Secret Mission that Launched Operation Desert Storm."
Why it matters
The reunion of these B-52 crews at the Dayton Air Show provides a rare opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of one of the most significant military operations in recent history. Their mission was a pivotal moment that kicked off the Gulf War, and their story has parallels to the famous Doolittle Raid on Japan during World War II.
The details
The seven B-52 crews flew a coordinated attack that required them to fire missiles at an exact time, despite having to refuel several times and encountering a Soviet naval fleet along the way. "The pressure was on us to ensure that we make that window, because the overall air campaign had us in this very narrow window to strike very specific targets deep into Iraq that no other capability could reach other than what we had," said retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Trey Morriss, who was part of the mission.
- The B-52 crews flew their top-secret mission at the start of Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
- The crews are reuniting this summer at the CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show.
The players
Trey Morriss
A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel who was part of the B-52 crew that flew the top-secret mission at the start of Operation Desert Storm.
Doom 34
The title of an upcoming book that will recount the story of the seven B-52 crews and their historic mission.
What they’re saying
“That was the pressure in the - of us to ensure that we make that window, because the overall air campaign had us in this very narrow window to strike very specific targets deep into Iraq that no other capability could reach other than what we had.”
— Trey Morriss, Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel (whio.com)
What’s next
The book "Doom 34: A Firsthand Account of the Top-Secret Mission that Launched Operation Desert Storm" is set to be released next month, providing more details on the B-52 crews' historic mission.
The takeaway
The reunion of these B-52 crews at the Dayton Air Show offers a rare opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of a pivotal moment in military history, drawing parallels to the famous Doolittle Raid and highlighting the enduring legacy of these airmen who played a crucial role in launching the Gulf War.
