Air Commodore Jerry Witts
Bomber pilot who was awarded the DSO for his attacks on Iraqi targets during the first Gulf War
AIR COMMODORE JERRY WITTS, who has died aged 69, led a formation of Tornado bombers to attack an Iraqi airfield on the first night of the Gulf War in January 1991. His leadership over the next few weeks led to the award of the DSO.
When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait on August 2 1990 the RAF deployed aircraft to join the Us-led coalition. This included a force of Tornado attack aircraft drawn from squadrons in the UK and in Germany. After three months there was a change over of the crews and Witts was appointed to lead one of the three replacement detachments.
Witts commanded 31 Squadron, and crews and aircraft from five other Tornado squadrons reinforced his unit. Among the 33 crews under his command were three other squadron commanders, an unusual situation that Witts handled with tact and understanding. His detachment, based at Dhahran in Saudi Arabia, was the largest of the three Tornado forces, with 21 aircraft and 400 ground tradesmen in addition to the aircrew.
Witts and his crews arrived in early January 1991 and immediately began a period of intensive training. They were combat ready by January 15, a day before the UN deadline to Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait.
On the afternoon of the 16th, Witts was briefed that air attacks were to be launched just after midnight and he decided to lead the first mission by four of his Tornados. Their target was the airfield at Mudaysis in central Iraq. Each aircraft carried two of the JP 233 runway-cratering and airfield-denial weapons.
Flying at 200 feet and at high speed against intense anti-aircraft fire, the four bombers released their weapons successfully before returning to base, landing after a four-hour flight.
Within a few days it was clear that the Iraqi Air Force no longer posed a threat so the Tornados reverted to bombing infrastructure targets from medium level. With the arrival of a force of Buccaneer aircraft to provide laser target marking, the Tornados were then able to drop guided bombs with great accuracy against bridges and airfield facilities, including hardened shelters which housed Iraqi combat aircraft.
Witts led formations of four and eight aircraft against these targets and by the end of February he had completed 14 operations, all as the leader. In addition to planning, co-ordinating and leading these hazardous missions, Witts had to deal with an intrusive media, pressures from higher authorities, and the morale of his large force.
One of his officers commented: “Throughout all the troubles, Jerry stood tall, taking a pragmatic view at all times. His leadership was outstanding and I do not know any one of 400 of us out there who would not follow him anywhere.”
A former chief of the air staff described him as: “An outstanding airborne leader and a brave man as he so convincingly demonstrated during Gulf War 1.”
Witts was awarded the DSO. The citation highlighted his concern and quiet encouragement of his young crews and for ensuring that when losses were suffered it did not affect morale. It concluded: “Wing Commander Witts has led his squadron with consummate courage, outstanding flying skill, and in a manner that reflects the highest traditions of the Service.”
Jeremy John Witts was born in Wiltshire on June 18 1950 and educated at Marlborough Grammar School. As a cadet in the Air Training Corps he learned to fly, gaining his pilot’s licence before he could drive a car. He joined the RAF in September 1968 to be a pilot.
After two tours flying the Vulcan, first as a co-pilot in Cyprus and then as a captain on 44 Squadron at RAF Waddington, near Lincoln, Witts trained to fly the Buccaneer. He found the transition to the high-speed, low-level tactical strike/attack role challenging, but by sheer determination and doggedness he succeeded.
He was posted in late 1979 to 16 Squadron based in Germany and rose to become a formation leader and eventually one of the squadron’s flight commanders.
Witts spent five years in Germany on the Buccaneer force before starting a tour at the headquarters of Strike Command, where he was dealing with the operational support of the Uk-based Tornado ground attack squadrons. After attending Staff College he served in the flight safety department in the Ministry of Defence.
He returned to flying duties in November 1988 and a few months later assumed command of 31 Squadron based at RAF Bruggen on the Dutchgerman border.
At the time of Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, Witts and his squadron were in Canada on an exercise. They were recalled and Witts immediately set about preparing and training his squadron for a possible future deployment. His forward thinking and planning ensured that his crews were ready when the time came for them to head for Dhahran at the beginning of January 1991.
After the Gulf War he returned to
MOD, this time in the important RAF plans and policy division, where he proved to be an excellent staff officer. On promotion to group captain he served as the air executive officer to the Commander of Allied Air Forces Central Europe based at Ramstein in Germany, where his USAF general held him in high regard.
In December 1997 Witts assumed command of RAF Northolt, the home of the Royal Squadron, where he was responsible for arrangements for the many VVIPS and VIPS who used the airfield. He also had under command numerous other units as the base expanded to accommodate those deployed at various locations around London.
During this period he was appointed an ADC to the Queen. He was a popular station commander, and a road was named after him on his departure two years later.
In 1999 Witts was the air commander at Solenzara in Corsica, where Tornados were based for operations over Kosovo. His final appointment in the RAF was as air attaché and deputy defence attaché in Washington. He retired in September 2005. He was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Witts became the director of finance and administration at University College School, Hampstead, and gained an MSC in International Security and Global Governance from Birbeck, University of London. He was the chairman of governors at Westminster Academy.
He remained at Hampstead until his health began to deteriorate in 2013. He was later diagnosed to have a brain disease known as corticobasal degeneration. Over the years that followed his condition steadily worsened, eventually requiring 24-hour care. Throughout his ordeal he received the devoted attention of his wife Liz, and his stoicism and courage were greatly admired and an inspiration to others.
Witts had a great interest in the Battle of Britain and in 2009 became a trustee of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust at Capel le Ferne near his home in Kent. He was elected a life vice-president in 2019. He was also president of London and South East Region Air Cadets.
A big man, Witts exuded steadiness and determination, which gave confidence to those who served with and for him. Until his health prevented his attendance, he never missed the gatherings of his colleagues at the annual “Buccaneer Blitz”, an event that epitomises the deep and lasting friendships that he enjoyed and helped to make.
Jerry Witts married his first wife Maggie in October 1971. They were divorced in 2002, and a year later he married Liz, who survives him with a son and two daughters from his first marriage and three stepchildren.
He led his squadron, his DSO citation said, with ‘consummate courage’ and ‘outstanding flying skill’