The REAL Top Gun Maverick - Operation Opera; Israel Bombs Saddam's Nuclear Reactor, 1981 - Animated

[@GaryDeeks]

Iran: "Never thought i'd fight side-by-side with the jews." Israel: "How about side-by-side with someone who wants to bomb Iraq too?" Iran: "Aye, I could do that."

[@PershingOfficial]

😂 accurate

[@jeanhunter3538]

I had this exact thought lmao

[@dfresh93086]

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

[@euanreid6682]

You really don't know much about their history then... which is typical... after the Americans overthrew Iran's democracy and installed the Shah a vicious dictator to help embezzle Iran's oil wealth... during the Shah's rein of terror and torture in Iran the favourite vacation spot for Iranian military personnel and SAVAK was Israel.... Mossad use to train the Shah's secret police Savak on interrogation and advanced torture technique during that time period... and btw Iran has a rather large Jewish population.

[@MALITH666]

I see a LOTR reference. I click thumbs up.

[@M4ruta]

F-16s flying a highly secret mission being spotted by an enemy king who was just chilling in his yacht. I love how 20th Middle-Eastern history is full of these funny details.

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

The movie The Countdown about a Nimitz carrier being transported to just before the Attack on Pearl Harbor might've taken that detail into account as according to the movie, a US Senator on his yacht happened to be right in the path of the attack.

[@omriarielly1]

@@randomlyentertaining8287 The Final Countdown actually released about a year before the operation

[@gulhasan7990]

Actually he was there to welcome back bitters with hand full of water lulla flowers! 😐

[@The_ZeroLine]

Actually, over the last 50 years, Jordan has usually been an ally rather than enemy of Jordan.

[@phearlock2537]

I think it was worth mentioning just how far they pushed the F-16s range on this one. Low level ingress is much less fuel efficient, the direct high altitude route home was required in order to have enough range to make it back.

[@Falkirion]

Using a naval term here but I bet the pilots were "Hanging on the vanes" on their return trip. Find it fascinating that they managed the op without tanker support. Not a short flight to make the strike

[@acoustic5738]

planes got a last refuel prior to taxy.

[@ChandranPrema123]

Well more like less Length route aswell

[@ChandranPrema123]

@@acoustic5738 well where was Refuellers in over Jordan, Syria?

[@JMChladek]

Israel had no in flight refueling assets that could tank F-16s and F-15s at that time since they used Boeing's flying boom system. Israel has that capability now, but it took a few years.

[@jayy7842]

"Unanimous condemnation by the UN council". So basically nothing.

[@cm275]

The UN is deeply concerned.

[@user-uc4vg4rg9e]

@@cm275 a strongly worded letter was even written

[@mh53j]

@@user-uc4vg4rg9e probably a VERY strongly worded letter was written... which would be suitable for lining bird cages or wrapping fish with

[@TealJosh]

UN security council does actually have teeth. They just didn't want to do anything this time. Probably because any drastic actions would've lead to veto being used by Israel's allies.

[@jayy7842]

@@TealJosh I would say not, since I think in order to the UN Security Council bring out the "teeth" a unanimous decision needs to be reached between the US, Russian Fed, CCP, UK, and France which 10/10 times doesn't happen. So basically it can't really do anything.

[@icatchflak]

If you ever have a chance, Isreal's 'Operation Mole Cricket 19'. Just a year after this. The SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) mission was the first of its kind. Isreal lost a drone and had 2 damaged F15s. Syria lost 80+ aircraft and 30 SAM batteries. Truly impressive and was later named the "Bekaa Valley Turkey Shoot"

[@lexprontera8325]

Mole Crickets, SAMs, I get it. Hehe. Clever. You try to follow the chirping (radar emissions) to spot them in the grass but the crickets run back into their hole (SAMs relocate) to avoid you ...and there are multiple species with different burrowing behavior.

[@KevinBYee]

Wow, I had never heard of this. Very interesting. Also... Israel had drones in the early '80s?? Impressive

[@romanzusman2892]

​@@KevinBYee drones? They were not like UAV's of today, but more of decommissioned small turboprop RC-controlled aircraft, IMO. But anyway impressive

[@icatchflak]

@@KevinBYee The "IAI Scout". They have actually been a leader in drone tech.

[@moodist1er]

"truly impressive", you're an idiot.

[@ekingorgu]

You are so good at this. You should do modern wars/operations more often. 2003 Invasion of Iraq air war and land operations would be really cool. Big fan!

[@ejones1577]

He's done these already: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKm1mJl4jdNpg8k

[@wolf-xf6hf]

This comment wins

[@C0mmanderX]

id say about 50% of his videos are "modern" 1980+

[@solisgod]

he already covered the air war in iraq

[@bigmike9128]

I agree 👍.

[@naitnait00]

Something I always wanted on the videos is a timestamp of when events occured (when possible) instead of being narrated out. Find it much easier to register the time when reading it than hearing it, doesn't have to be fancy or super accurate.

[@cykappa6479]

Exactly ! And if possible a scale at the bottom of the screen, especially for naval fights. The videos would litterally be perfect with those increments.

[@dragonraptor3435]

He could put a little slider on the very bottom that moves along, and in the video description there is a link?

[@feelincrispy7053]

Go into the video description and there is a transcript of the whole video. Most yt videos have it. Its done by AI so it’s not perfect but it’s pretty damn near close enough

[@ailtonjose3079]

Up

[@GoldNargacuga]

@@feelincrispy7053 people refuse to read the description to begin with. And that transcript is pretty useful even though as you said, it isn't accurate but close af.

[@UdayGarg1998]

Great video! Just a small correction, they flew at an altitude of 30m (100 feet)not feet. Flying fighter jets at 30 feet is almost impossible.

[@I_Am_This_Guy]

I knew they were good but I was skeptical of them being *that* good. You'd be kicking up dirt into any trailing aircraft at 30 feet!

[@mullenio4200]

Haha. Good one. I was so confused by that. 😁

[@andrewstorm8240]

30cms?

[@cjshardcorepunkmusicvault8474]

pffft...30mm

[@epicspacetroll1399]

lol 30 m makes a lot more sense

[@donallen8414]

About 22 years ago while working for a French company in another desert country ruled by a dictator, I met the French cook who witnessed the attack. He was still upset about the attack 19 years ealier, and I don't blame him for that. He was a real good French-style cook who took the wrong job at the wrong location and got got the shock of his life. But interestingly, he went on doing exactly the same thing in similar locations. Israel later paid compensation for the French engineer named Damien Chaussepied, who was killed during that attack.

[@IbnWobbler]

Unlike USS liberty

[@oasis1282]

Cool guy

[@Oscylot88]

@@IbnWobbler *obligatory USS Liberty reply that will get more likes than original comment* gotta love 'em

[@mmabagain]

@@Oscylot88 Doesn't make it any less true.

[@Oscylot88]

@@mmabagain It is in fact, the only thing that makes it true, these days...

[@CarneyAsada101]

I tapped on a recommended 40+ minute video about Operation Opera and it was a 2000s style tv doc. Dramatized, emotional, taking forever to or never revealing the details I’m looking for. Less than 30 seconds in I thought “someone must have created a better video about this operation” so I quit the video and did I search. These videos are above and beyond what’s been produced for mass consumption on tv for decades. I’m very grateful they exist.

[@abhaymathur9321]

The animation gets better and better! Felt like i was watching a live satellite view. Great work, and thank you for striving for continuous improvement.

[@markc7899]

Absolutely, the visual quality is improving every video. I always get reminded of that when I watch the old ones. I personally only wish he'd stop accepting every dumb sponsorship offer, they feel out of place.

[@phantompenguin1065]

@@markc7899 How do you think he gets the money to make these high quality animations?

[@markc7899]

​@@phantompenguin1065 I don't critique sponorships overall, I certainly support them being in the videos to fund the channel, I merely think that he could choose better sponsors, they're often not great choices in my opinion.

[@Powerofriend]

Live satellite view would be laggy and tediously long by comparison. Great job as always by TOR.

[@MikeJones-qn1gz]

Fun fact: this raid was a big reason for the safety test that was conducted at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 which ended in its own disaster. To simplify it the test was based around a similar scenario occurring to this raid on the plant and was meant to ensure the reactor could be switched off with minimal power in the event of an attack. But it didn’t work, I’ll leave it to you at home to learn why.

[@pietrooliani3251]

as they found out it could infact not be switched off with minimal power

[@macrando565]

@Brad Carter it is still 3.6 rontgen, completely normar phenomenon

[@Daanlikkewaan]

@@macrando565 3.6, not good, not too bad....

[@MikeJones-qn1gz]

@@Daanlikkewaan He's in shock get him to the infirmary

[@pheonix6321]

Hmmmmm. Maybe because like with most of their machinery they tried to hit it with a hammer to fix it. Da?

[@Winalot]

as an f-16 f-100/f-110 p&w jet engine mechanic in the IAF, i cannot even start to describe how stressing this kind of situation is for everyone involved

[@planetcaravan2925]

But you did start

[@Deff496]

he wasnt even alive at that period of time@@planetcaravan2925

[@taloz1121]

Loved working with you guys (helicopters/hercules), professional all around from pilot to mechanic crews. Love from Battalion 890

[@yoavtell]

a funny anecdote I heard from one of the operation planner. In order to compromise the risk of high altitude flying on the way back, they planned to attack just before sunset so that the trip back will be at night. However, due to the westward flying back to Israel, they actually chased the sun and the entire leg was under daylight.

[@petergraves2085]

Finally ! Someone makes the connection between the IDF's 1981 operation and Top Gun Maverick.

[@dougmasters4579]

I think Top gun maverick got its plot from iron eagle II, which was inspired by this story, seeing since it was filmed and financed in Israel using IAF planes.

[@JimBrodie]

@@dougmasters4579 Dude, ain't you supposed to be bits of viscera in the Barents Sea? =p Was the first thing i thought when they went over the plan. Basically the same as SWIV:ANH too.

[@dougmasters4579]

@@JimBrodie Nah that was retconned in Iron Eagle IV, Doug ejected and became a POW.

[@F15_C]

As an Israeli av-geek when I was the movie I automatically thought of that

[@GuineaPigEveryday]

@@dougmasters4579 Have you seen 633 Squadron? I think a lot of ppl point out that Top Gun Maverick was similar to Star Wars, but thats just cuz Star Wars was inspired by Dam Bombers and WW2 missions, especially insane how 633 Squadron mimicks a lot of the main structure of the Top Gun mission. I mean its the same sort of terrain, same sort of insane g-force maneuvers they have to pull off to evade AA guns, coming in from the sea and weaving through mountains, only to try to hit an impossible target and then pull super steeply out. Its very similar.

[@ISAF_Ace]

When you unite two mortal enemies against yourself, you're going to have a really bad day

[@thorsvenson3530]

Israel and Iran were close allies prior to the 1979 Islamic revelation. There is no reason they cannot return to be allies once the aging ayatollah regime ends in Iran.

[@Solmoun]

Interestingly, Iran took Iraq's spot in unified two enemies against them. Iran is the biggest reason for the Abraham accords.

[@FallingPicturesProductions]

@@Solmoun we have always been at war with eastasia

[@Solmoun]

@@FallingPicturesProductions Who are we? And what is Eastasia? half a continent?

[@burper-oe6tm]

Recently got to speak with Moshe Melnik, an Israeli ace that got the first F15 air to air kill ever and was in the F15 squadron covering the F16s in operation opera

[@hmmjedi]

I had the book called Bullseye One Reactor many years ago lost it during one of my many moves... an audacious plan from the Israeli's as the F-16 did not according to General Dynamics have the ability to fly this mission at the weight of the jet and munitions also they took a big chance with the wing drop tanks as they had not been tested for dropping with the 2000lb bombs... And the F-16's used where the ones that where to be sold to Iran before the fall of the Shah so the Iranians helped out more than they realised. Great video as usual.

[@markingraham4892]

It is of course a pathetic topic, Iraq had no air defenses, it was just israel flying there, bombing and leaving. Had Iraq put any effort at all to send a few spotters to catch the planes it would have failed.

[@ryanp5790]

@@markingraham4892 it’s not a matter of how easy or hard the operation itself was, it’s the mission itself. Bombing a nuclear power plant seemingly out of the blue is a big deal internationally. Most of the discussions surrounding this seems to be concerned with the latter, as opposed to this being some kind of impossible, high risk operation.

[@user-uc4vg4rg9e]

that just sounds badass

[@exploreradverturer8396]

GD make changes to Israeli machines. Israeli did indeed received Shah ordered F-16s but Israelis ones were SAR Capable. (Synthetic Aperture Radar Mode)

[@dougerrohmer]

@@markingraham4892 So who launched the SAM 7's? Iraq was at war with Iran, and had been raided by Iran before. They were as ready as they could be expected to be.

[@sirjuggles]

Wild that the King of Jordan just happened to be in the correct position to give early warning of this raid. Makes you wonder what might have been different if his message had gone through in time?

[@reway8750]

I think it's just an exaggeration that eventually became a part of the story, there's a lot of contradicting informed regarding this strike and the Israelis like that

[@SnaFubar_24]

I don't know the history of Jordan / US / Israel relations so maybe someone who is aware of state of their relations at that time can clarify it if necessary. That said, my first thought was the possibility that Jordan was not so quick to issue a warning because it was trying to remain allies with Iraq but not ruffle feathers by interfering. Maybe that isn't a possibility and me being unaware of the state of diplomatic relations causes my incorrect supposition...

[@DUDINCHI]

@@SnaFubar_24 I think it was intentionally "delayed" since Jordan and Israel had under the table security arrangements pre wadi araba treaty

[@JR9979]

@@DUDINCHI Correct. The King of Jordan even expelled the PLO and later on Soviet military advisers for other terrorist groups attacking Israel.

[@richardsears4665]

5:28 It would be funny if some guy hiking through the Saudi Desert just found a bunch of fuel tanks lying around, but that probably wouldn't happen since the wind would probably bury them under the sand, plus who would even go through the desert in the first place, there is no incentive to.

[@bomber6258]

Imagine some guy on a camel getting clobbered with a bunch of fuel tanks

[@richardsears4665]

@@bomber6258 He would have fallen off when the fighter jets zoomed by so close to the ground

[@mikester1290]

@@richardsears4665 Not to mention his transport would have ran off like a bat out of hell.

[@dnrplz]

You'd be surprised at some of the stuff Ive found while hiking around the deserts in the middle east

[@RW77777777]

you could find the tanks easy just bring really BIG combs

[@Variable7]

Great video. Note the F-15’s covering the raid had grayish camo. The pattern shown in the video is of the F15i, which arrived later, in the 90’s.

[@joshsvoss]

Right. The Gray F-15 is an A or C model, aerial superiority model. The F-15i is the Israeli version of the F-15E Strike Eagle, for ground attack.

[@TacticalAnthony]

"While the F-15's will intercept any Iraqi aircraft that rise to *challenge* them" Man, imagine being such an undefeated aircraft in warfare that if someone wants to kill you its considered as a "challenge". 100-0 KD ratio is insane

[@mobiuscoreindustries]

well it is a common military term. if an enemy is moving units with purpose, placing units in such a way that you seek to hinder their objective them is called challenging them. it does not mean that you end up fighting them but you are at least contesting their actions, potentially leading to a fight.

[@anuvisraa5786]

80 to 4 in the real world still amaizing

[@Thwarptide]

I remember seeing the news of this on TV back then. At first I was confused emotionally about the unprovoked pre-emptive strike, so I shrugged my shoulders and went on with the beginning of my adulthood. Years later and a bit wiser I was like….”oh yeah, beautiful, well done, Israel!” 👍👍

[@tomg1216]

Israeli here, ill just sprinkle some food for thought, if i could only somehow describe in words the difficulty of becoming an Israeli fighter pilot, only then maybe you could understand how missions like that are carried out, and Im not trying in any way to be cocky here, i have nothing to gain from it, it's just it always fascinated me that people like that exist in this small country. How can you be that intelligent, that fit, that brave and go through all of that learning and training. Im sure it's difficult in all air forces, but these dudes to this day ACTUALLY put their skills to work. Incredible video

[@awildpanther2031]

when you got the worlds strongest military and largest economy doing anything you want it's actually quite easy.

[@janbaer3241]

@@awildpanther2031 Zero US soldiers/pilots/sailors fought in Israel's wars.

[@ayylmao2190]

@@awildpanther2031 we didnt start helping them until after they 5v1'd the arabs twice. Since then we have also been giving saudi arabia and egypt just as much help

[@abdalrrahim]

​@@ayylmao2190 basic math says no

[@scottsnosleepofficial]

It's honestly incredible how many good videos this channel features. I've yet to watch one I actively disliked. It must be hard to keep these videos at such a high quality. Thank you for putting the time, effort, and care into making sure we enjoy our time on this channel.

[@xjamesx7047]

This is the literal inspired IRL mission in the last act of Top Gun Maverick.

[@bob-wo3ir]

btw: Top gun is actually based on an article written by an Israeli guy named Ehud Yonay

[@sublimeade]

Well they didnt have to face 5G fighters and do a stupid inverted dive

[@dongiovanni4331]

Here I thought this was the plot of Hot Shots

[@vl3005]

@@sublimeade Umm, they actually did have to, there's no other way to pull a pop-up strike without inverting. The G's will knock you out.

[@JONNOG88]

What's Hebrew for *Don't* Think! Just Do" ?? 😏😄

[@PershingOfficial]

I had no idea Iran 🇮🇷 had secret cooperation with Israel 🇮🇱. Very interesting and why I love this channel. I hope this can be a respectful comment section. You should also cover Operation Outside the Box 📦 2007 Syrian nuclear reactor air strike. Edit: also had no idea that pilot was the same man to be the Israeli astronaut on the Columbia* mission

[@lancegideondiokno1774]

respect for Israel is nonexistant in youtube comment sections

[@Nesher44]

Colombia.. Challenger was in 86 or sometime in the 80's

[@jhonnyelkins3511]

@@lancegideondiokno1774 Only white supremacist support and respect Israel regime.

[@bmoney2011]

@@lancegideondiokno1774 as it should be.

[@emelyarye2641]

@@bmoney2011 you're an embarrassing human

[@aeroil-3802]

It's true the 1981 raid was pretty much straight forward mission.. At least compare to the 2007 Syrian reactor airstrike that was much more complicated and included alot of ht EW and even cyber which neutralized the AD

[@Korporaal1]

That would be a good subject for a video too! As would the air combat over Southern Lebanon in the Bekaa-valley.

[@professionalisme]

@@Korporaal1 Fuck israel

[@tinycockjock1967]

@@Korporaal1 My uncle witnessed that battle from his tank, he never shuts up about it haha

[@ThereIsNoSpoon4]

I've watched every video you've made brother. Never disappointed. Love your content.

[@Wolvri23]

I agree, I have watched every video you have done and always wait with excitement for your next video. Keep up the great work! You bring lots of joy to so many people!

[@MikoyanGurevichMiG21]

Keeping the topic on Israel, the insane tale of the F-15 that landed with only one wing should be the next story on this channel.

[@scarecrow108productions7]

Solo-Wing Pixy's origins

[@Jon.A.Scholt]

Every day The Operations Room releases a video is a good day

[@hawk0485]

I remember asking for this one while your channel was still very small. Thanks for doing the video!

[@Balt21Raven]

Now Operation Orchard!

[@ASR84922]

I’d love to see your take on the Battle of Takur Ghar, 2002, aka “Robert’s Ridge” I’ve only read about the battle in text and seeing it in your visualized style would be very insightful.

[@cHRiSSzzzzzZ]

Simple history made a video about it, and there is some footage of it as well.

[@WhydoIsuddenlyhaveahandle]

​@@cHRiSSzzzzzZI saw those, I just would love this channel's style to tell that story

[@ttrestle]

This operation was amazing. Have watched documentary before but definitely happy you’ve done it. Watching now!

[@shevetlevi2821]

I've read full accounts of this operation but still learned alot from this video. Question for any strike pilots out there: This raid was before "smart" guidance devices and the bombs were aimed visually. After the first bombs exploded and presumably obscured the target in dust, smoke and debris how did the following 7 pilots aim and hit their target? This raid would make such a great full length movie.

[@ArchOfficial]

They very likely had steerpoints directly on top of the targets, or at least very close. Possibly directly on top if they all individually made markpoints with the HUD before the run-in, but I don't know if that happened.

[@shevetlevi2821]

@@ArchOfficial Thanks. That makes sense. So you're saying they steered to a GPS pinpoint in the HUD.

[@ArchOfficial]

@@shevetlevi2821 Steerpoints are for the inertial guidance system, although later GPS also. It's pretty common to put a steerpoint onto anything of note because the sensor point of interest in the F-16 is referenced as having zero delta relative to the current steerpoint. So you can toggle to that steerpoint, cursor zero to remove any delta and you'll have a navigation and targeting solution right onto it. However in the HUD cam there isn't a steerpoint on the bomb release point, so it's possible they just eyeballed it. Not that difficult. A bit surprising though.

[@shevetlevi2821]

@@ArchOfficial Thanks again Arch.

[@alessiodecarolis]

Don't forget also the excellent training of IDF's pilots. expecially against their (russian trained) enemies 👍

[@Bootneck-RMC]

Another superb re-telling of a military incident from The Operations Room. Thank you. 👍

[@DiesiraeL]

Crazy how the last pilot in formation was in the Columbia NASA launch tragedy

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

You know you messed up bad when two mortal enemies cooperate.

[@bmoney2011]

It's pretty incredible that all it took was one nation having a nuclear power plant.

[@obiwankenobi3574]

@@bmoney2011 when it’s Saddam having one then everyone kinda freaks out

[@bmoney2011]

@@obiwankenobi3574 and all it did was make him worse... culminating in both invasions by coalition forces, the 2nd of which thoroughly destabilized the middle east region and negatively impacted the lives of Arab peoples around the world.

[@claraedouwesdekker6389]

Thank you for these videos. They are so insightful, informative, wonderfully easy to follow in sometimes very confusing circumstances and ver accessible, even for an elderly old lady! And I can hear every word to boot! Please don’t stop providing us with this superb product. 👏🏻🇿🇦

[@lteht6919]

So glad to see this, only video ever saw about it before was a grainy video from History Channel, this video is sooo much better already.

[@MrJmd116]

How does operations room not have more than a million subs yet. Don’t forget to tell your friends. I really enjoy this channel

[@Aeronaut1975]

Ironic that israel and Iran exchanged vital info on Iraq's reactors considering that Israel is now planning to do the same to Iran's reactors.

[@pheonix6321]

Somebody should. Should have been done on North Korea too to prevent them from getting the bomb.

[@texasball5847]

Well Iran is doing to illegally.(most likely)

[@abdalrrahim]

​@@texasball5847wait so it is only illegal if it's Iran 😂

[@20052143]

Amazing videos, great commentary and great job, I am from Peru so a good video topic could be "Operación Chavin de Huantar" terrorist hold hostages for several months inside the embassy of the embassador of Japan, and were liberated by peruvian special forces coming from underground

[@theoutlook55]

I remember learning about that. It really helped cement the security credentials and reputation of Fujimori.

[@eiennofantasy]

Just reading up on the Nairobi DusitD2 complex attack and got confused how it went down. Then I had a thought that hopefully the Operations Room will cover it one day. Hope that's one the list of operations you'll cover in the future!

[@thehaus6998]

Israeli air prowess, unmatched

[@happyhammer1]

The fact that they flew only 30' above the ground is incredible.

[@antimedic4441]

not really, tornados would regulaly go much lower during combat operations over iraq at night

[@30AndHatingIt]

Yeah man, you’re right, it was sooooo unimpressive.

[@antimedic4441]

@@30AndHatingIt not unimpressive just not incredible

[@krinkovforever1872]

They actually flew at 30 meters, roughly 100 feet. Also the other guy with the USAirsoft pfp is talking nonsense about the tornado. It’s almost impossible to fly a jet at 30 feet, and definitely not “much lower”, during combat, at night.

[@krinkovforever1872]

@@antimedic4441 do you have source for that claim? That’s ridiculous. Also nice pfp

[@chrismodini7225]

Christmas has come early this year. There aren’t many things I’ll stop work for, but your videos are definitely one of them.

[@12345fowler]

I think before the raid they trained to fly for the long duration it was going to last just to train the crew and see if they could do it. . They did so by flying hours and hours inside while stricly keeping inside their national airspace.

[@621Tomcat]

I remember seeing a tv documentary on this somewhere, absolutely delighted to see it in your style

[@saddlepiggy]

Wow usually “The Real movie scene” events are only vaguely similar but this is basically exactly the same as the movie

[@Orenju11]

The coincidence That jordan king was there was ridiculous

[@cjclark2002]

Coincidences do not exist.

[@andresmartinezramos7513]

@@cjclark2002 They do

[@cjclark2002]

@@andresmartinezramos7513 then I have a giant green tower to sell you in Gaul.

[@jameson1239]

@@cjclark2002 your parents meeting is effectively a coincidence unless one was stalking the other

[@Erodkp08]

5:28 I have read 4 books on the subject and they all say it was the wing 370 Gal fuel tanks. The center they keep them throughout the raid. Proper tank separation at low altitude was a major concern in the raid. Raid on the Sun and Bullseye One reactor are must read for anyone looking into Operation Opera.

[@AllisterCaine]

Then there is also "loud and clear" by Iftach Spector. It is an amazing account of the raid too. He opened up about having a bad case of flu when he flew the attack and was the only one to miss the reactor. If I remember the book right, he was quite a bit too old for the flight but he couldn't stay home. His son omri has a KZbin channel where you can find a video of him. I also read his first book, "a dream in black and azure".

[@bassett_green]

Gotta be honest, executing all your experienced air defense officers seems like a poor way to improve your air defense

[@cm275]

The executions will continue until performance improves.

[@tomerm2881]

Fun fact: Ramon volunteered to be the last aircraft to bomb the reactor, thus putting himself at the highest risk of getting shot down, because he was the only pilot from the squadron without a wife and kids.

[@thatmattmills9940]

This might well be the best channel on KZbin. great content.

[@HiteshBhagatGameTech]

am so glad your channel has grown so big, top quality mil content. glad to be with you since you were at 5k subs.

[@JoshuaC923]

As always an excellent presentation. Mind-blowing to see Iran and Israel working together, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. One thing is certain, you do not mess with Israel

[@Tigershark_3082]

Just look at what they did to Palestine, just for wanting independence

[@eliramh]

@@Tigershark_3082 *just* wanting (sending suicide bombers, shooting thousands of rockets on random civilian targets, many random knife and axe attacks), eh, wanting independance. Right.

[@rainmanhart2809]

@@eliramh traps people in the gaza strip and forbid any gazans from leaving an open air prison until they have approval to leave by the israelis whuch is almost a no, when people try to protest during the great march of return they gunned downed and sniped a hundred unarmed protesters claiming it they're human shields when there's literally no one shooting at the israelis (not suprise they arrested and shoots kids with rocks, you didn't have to be a threat to get arrest just like that one kid with down syndrome is considered a threat and was arrested. Under international law gaza is permited to use armed resistance against israel espeacially where israel purposefully attack the the west bank to provoke gaza. They claimed that whoever was near hamas military sites, offices or people are considered human shield(only one small problem, hamas is the goverment of gaza who have been democratically voted in by the people and that means the whole of gaza is human shields) justifying bombing hospitals and schools. Armed israel soldier are everywhere among civillian areas and have military bases in populated areas like the main idf hq in the the residential area of tel aviv and a major shopping centre or broadcast from an apartment tower (ironically doing the same thing they accused others of. Funny how israel take pride in the large military and victories but are *threatened* and has the *right defend itself* against the people they put on a diet and and every few years needs to mow the grass in gaza.

[@alessiodecarolis]

Or you can see (the irony) how hard are all these attacks against Iran's nuclear program (Hey, they just said it was peaceful)! Naturally all the high tech material was Franco/German, plus some help by the Norsks

[@ayylmao2190]

@@Tigershark_3082 Israel sent signed two-states solutions to the Palestinians, THEY rejected each and every one

[@redDL89]

Pretty ironic that Iran and Israel secretly cooperated with each other on this mission, despite being bitter enemies. As they say...there are no permanent friends or foes in geopolitics. Only self-interest.

[@thorsvenson3530]

Israel and Iran were close allies before the Islamic revolution of 1979. No reason they can't return to being allies in the future if the aging ayatollah regime comes to an end. Note: dictators need to create foreign enemies to keep the domestic population from rising up against them. There are countless examples...

[@ReSSwend]

@@thorsvenson3530 A typical "analysis" of a person from Scandinavia. It's not just about the ayatollah regime. You don't know anything about the Middle East. It was not the ayatollahs who invented Israel the enemy.

[@ReSSwend]

@@thorsvenson3530 HAHAHAHAHA. Of course. And democracies do not need a scarecrow like Russia, which turned out to be a paper bear, unable to capture a city 5 km from its border.

[@Solmoun]

@@ReSSwend I am Israeli, and I have met many Iranians from abroad and from Iran itself, and we all agree on that. In fact, Jews are an influential and significant part of the Shia religion, which contrasts with the Sunny belief. Also, most of Iran used to be secular. Up to this day, most Iranians still favor us, which comes after 30 years of incitement. On your second point, you are partly right, everyone needs enemies, but in democracies, it doesn't work that good. And that has nothing to do with Russia being an evil empire of old times which still trying to conquer territories like we are in the 1700s, using displacing tactics just like the Ottomans did years earlier. You are already the biggest country in the world. Leave others alone.

[@GeorgeLucas1138]

I love how Israel always gets blamed for having to defend themselves lol

[@sovietbanana4589]

Ah yes, defending themselves from a nuclear reactor and kids with rocks.

[@Shlam26]

​@@sovietbanana4589It wasn't kids with rocks who killed 1200 Israelis, raped Israeli women, and kidnapped 200+ people

[@avnigoyal8565]

​@@sovietbanana4589 throwing rocks is actually considered a punishable offense.

[@ahmadkamal2215]

The Iranian attack on those iraqi airfields “attack on H2” incredible

[@yusuf.alajnabi]

There should be a video on that soon

[@acoustic5738]

If my history doesnt fail me, it was a carnage for Iran.

[@moji-mojo]

It was H3 I believe

[@yusuf.alajnabi]

@@moji-mojo that is correct

[@shlomomark2275]

By the way, the original code name of the operation was "Ammunition hill" - after a famous battle in the Six Day war in 1967

[@NATO32Nations]

I’ve always seen your videos and I’m a HUGE fan. Have you ever thought about making non-combat incidents (ex: Frank E. Evans-Melbourne Collision or the Green Ramp Disaster)?

[@valfahr126]

there was one about the Evergreen

[@ethanlohan7589]

You should look at Plainly Difficult that’s a similar channel that covers stuff like that

[@NATO32Nations]

@@ethanlohan7589 Thanks for the recommendation.

[@oof6205]

Operations Room and Mustard always drop quality when they upload.

[@bzed88]

Great video, you guys have improved so much! Also love your soothing but manly voice too:)

[@hawklp9150]

New Video! Didn't even read the title yet, but I love your stuff!

[@fafinaf]

I love the more modern operations! Can't wait to see more :)

[@bobjenkins9208]

loving the cool animation improvements, your videos just keep getting better and better, thanks again.

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🏆🏆🏆👍🇺🇲🙏 I remember this happening. The volunteer pilots figured it was going to be a one-way trip. Thank you for sharing

[@joeyd1404]

hope you do the other IAF bombing of the reactor in Syria - Operation Orchard

[@rakeenabdurrajjaque1564]

As someone who read "Raid On The Sun" by Rodger Claire, this was a story that should have had a movie by now.

[@adamm3611]

Ilan Ramon is an absolute legend

[@notvisibleconfusion]

Rip Ramon and the rest of the STS-107 crew

[@KoobLis100]

This channel has changed since the last 4 months I've watched the Ops Room. And their animations are amazing!

[@emesshots1161]

I love when the UN condemns Israel’s self defense tactics, and Israelis are just like “Oh no! Anyway...”😂😂

[@kx7500]

Define self defense in this case tho

[@emesshots1161]

@@kx7500 credible evidence that Sadaam Husain would use his weapons on Israel.

[@NexusWarior211]

>Self defence Ye just like the Holocaust was German self defence.

[@aediasnaini4918]

In facts Iran and israeli still friend untill today.. all the threat made by Imam Khomeini and shia cleric is just rethoric. I wont believe anything till one missile from iran hit tel aviv.

[@balmorrablue3130]

@@emesshots1161 it’s not self defense to attack someone for possibly possessing a weapon you don’t think they should have

[@marcolian]

I have been waiting for you to do a video on Operation Opera. The quality is what I've come to expect from The Operations Room. Thank you so much!

[@martinarnold4999]

Who ever is making these videos is really good. And your steady, clear voice is outstanding for narration.

[@babushka3920]

While the narration was happening, I couldn’t stop hearing Maverick’s voice

[@alexanderleach3365]

This was Israel's most bold raid ever. It ultimately killed Saddam Hussein's nuclear ambitions.

[@bmoney2011]

What evidence is there to suggest he purchased this reactor to develop nuclear weapons? Because I've not found any evidence that concludes what the French sold Iraq was capable of doing so.

[@mobiuscoreindustries]

​@@bmoney2011 a civilian nuclear plant alone is incapable of being used this way. it was a common critique of nuclear but mostly used by politicians and militaries to prevent it's spread so they would keep all the cards. enriched uranium for reactor grade cannot be used for a bomb, far from it, and the plutonium left i. the waste is not pure enough to be used in a plutonium bomb. nuclear breeders are easy to find due to all of the isotopes they make that are spewing gammas everywhere. this was exclusively done to hurt the enemy nation and placing them infer severe energy constraints for the foreseeable future.

[@Mr.Cool628]

@@bmoney2011 french sold nukes to Israel earlier that what would happen with Iraq and mossad shouldn't give you the proof they don't care about your opinion :)

[@brad4266]

Great video. I love it when you do these lesser known operations.

[@ozymandias7592]

In the military aviation world, its one of the more well known operations.

[@franagorn]

@@ozymandias7592 This.

[@brad4266]

@@ozymandias7592 But lesser known than, say, the Battle of Midway or D-Day, no?

[@Presidentofthepresident]

“A unanimous condemnation by the un” Wow what a surprise. Their sheer and utter uselessness never fails to disappoint me

[@monkeycat48]

Even though Ayatollah Khomeini hated Israel he actually traded information to the Israelis interesting I never knew that. It’s true what they say and enemy of my enemy is my friend.

[@roadhigher]

As much as Iran hates Israel and vice versa, Israel wasn't the one invading Iran and killing Iranians by the tens of thousands when this went down. Similar to what happened between the USSR and Allies in WW2. Both sides hated the other, but had to set aside those differences to focus on a shared enemy who was much more dangerous to both of them than they were to each other.

[@Solmoun]

@@roadhigher, Israel, and Israelis dont hate Iran or Iranians. Just waiting for a regime change.

[@GaneshPatil-yc8fh]

No bullshit background music, No fake heavy accent just point to point perfect story telling👍 Could please make same story on bombing of Syrian reactor or share link if you have already done.

[@maxjohn6012]

Your videos are always interesting. Thanks for taking the time to make them!

[@paulhan1615]

I don't know if The Operations Room will ever reply, but I'm just gonna ask it anyway. As a South Korean, this operation has always baffled and dumbfounded me. First I want to applaud the Israelis for their determination to keep their country free from the nuclear threats of her hostile neighbor. What I cannot applaud is my country's belated and somewhat pathetic response to the current North Korean nuclear crisis that began in the 90s. No direct or practical actions have been taken so far and the crisis only aggravated as the years passed. What I find hard to consume is that, in this case, America, the leading power in world's surveilence and intelligence asset was actively involved from the get go, trying to stop NK from building nuclear arsenal. Why wasn't it possible then to deter the Kim dynasty's nuclear ambition in a simar air strike that Israel has demonstrated so well in this operation (and also in operation Orchard, Israel's air strike against Syria's nuclear facility)? I get why my country alone would not have the intel nor the capacity to execute such a task, but why not America? What stopped them from utilizing military option against those nuclear reactors when they still had the chance?

[@feelsgoodnow]

It is possible. The problem lies not the ability to preform a successful strike. It comes more in the diplomatic problems, caused with China, by directly striking North Korea. Also trying to keep tensions low in the area for the sake of our close Allies who happen to border North Korea. You know, South Korea.

[@jackzhang8677]

Iraq had no real way to attack Israel except with ballistic missiles and aircraft, the latter of which Israel could easily defend against. The ballistic missiles Iraq had were very inaccurate and too few in number to pose a significant risk. North Korea has hundreds of artillery tubes in range of Seoul. The retaliation would be massive and cause massive casualties.

[@zachcarter7535]

China intervening, Kim regime instability, nearby American assets within artillery striking distance, coupled with an already delicate situation is a recipe for keeping off

[@eesmaaura4961]

As Jack Zhang has stated the biggest treat NK have toward SK is not it's nuclear arsenal, those weapons are just to keep the regime treat relevant on international stage, the real treat is the hundreds of hundreds artillery's train on SK City especially Seoul.

[@Tidalx]

israel can get away with attacking their neighbors, south korea can't.

[@ttrestle]

I was pretty disappointed that you failed to mention that the lead bomber overshot the position and knew this so before he released his bombs he left to move to the back of the formation and drop his bombs successfully. This meant that the second bomber became the leader bummer. At least I believe this is why it was explained in the history channel documentary on the subject.

[@acoustic5738]

Yes indeed, and tbe f15s didnt take off with the f16. The history channel was doing promotional work for the realease of the book Raid on the Sun.

[@user-od1yi5iq1k]

Where can I find the explosion animation you use in your videos?

[@timurryssuly305]

3:26 slowly started questioning who was really the bad guy here

[@ggtt2547]

Great content as always. Thank you very much!

[@FirstDagger]

Two inaccuracies I have noticed, the F-15s should be grey as only F-15I have that camo pattern, and the F-16s should be single seaters not twin seaters as shown.

[@alexnovak3319]

jezus fucking christ an f16 is an f16 and an f15 is an f15... its a fucking yt video briefing not a military 3D OP...

[@IDFVids]

Israeli f16s are twin seaters

[@singleplayerreview3238]

There are a lot of other collors and a lot more models the camo is off you fucking pice of shit i hope you grow up and stop complaining about every shit you fucking pice of shit

[@FirstDagger]

@@IDFVids ; 1981 buddy, F-16C Barak (single seater) and F-16I Sufa (twin seater) didn't exist back then, F-16A Netz (single seater) did the strike. Strange that you don't know about ISR Vipers given your user handle.

[@acoustic5738]

@@IDFVids tbey used singles

[@Matt-tx1tc]

Damn the animations now are incredible! Good Job!

[@Mrgunsngear]

Thanks

[@Wedgetail14]

Also, the real life Iron Eagle 2...? Nah, too well-written and high-quality for that.

[@donmcmaine9213]

Interesting topic. How much artist liberty do you have to use? Not just for this video but for others as well. Are there detailed reports that have the location and activities of planes/ships/troops, etc?

[@bobkay2827]

The movie is an adaptation of the attack on the Death Star. Substitute Hornets for X-Wings, replace gaps in the surface with canyons. The vent shaft, is pretty much the same.

[@Tigershark_3082]

With some Area 88 ravine raid thrown in there

[@alessiodecarolis]

They were Fighting Falcons, not F18, and at least they didn't had to worry about TIEs & a Dark Lord of the Sith 😜

[@originalguy4535]

Is this story really true? Or hiding some vital information?

[@jnik_3234]

Does someone know what program aka how they animate their videos / where they get the maps, aircraft models etc?

[@paulwunderlich4522]

Would you be able to add a photo when introducing a new military vehicle? Sometimes you do in your videos and it always adds so much to my experience when I can get a real life visualize to go along with the top down animation. Such a huge fan of your channel!

[@pyrobytee]

The most beautiful opera in history

[@ttrestle]

I remember from previous documentary on this topic that the weight of the fuel and jettison the fuel tanks was always going to be a big concern. Interested to see what you say on that topic and if it’s in the vid. Just started watching.

[@jacobswing3661]

At 1:27 you mention that the planes took off from Etzion Airbase. The raid happened in 1981, but the airbase was handed over to the Egyptians as part of the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace deal. Does this mean the airbase was still operated by the Israelis 2 years after the peace deal? I did some quick research, and everything I find says this airbase was used in the raid, but that it was also demilitarized in '79. I'm wondering if you found an explanation to this in your research? Love your videos btw!

[@tinycockjock1967]

In times of need agreements fly out the window and shady stuff happens

[@rigelbound6749]

In 1979 the peace agreement was signed. It took a few years to evacuate all Israeli military and civilian infrastructure from Sinai. Etzion airbase was finally evacuated a few months after this operation

[@shero113]

Etzion was dismantled as part of the final stage of the withdrawl in 1982. In exchange the Americans built Ramon airbase in the Negev (named for the nearby crater, not the pilot!).

[@Ingens_Scherz]

This channel is very, very cool ;)

[@crystallineentity]

Holiday tomorrow and Operations Room tonight! Best start ever