Operation Mole Cricket 19 - 1982

Israeli Air Force VS. Syrian Air Force Location: Beqaa Valley Date / Time: June 9th 1982, 13:00:00 Local ; 11:00:00 Zulu Background: During the 1981 SAM crisis in Lebanon, The Syrian Military moved SAMs into the Beqaa Valley in Eastern Lebanon. During the 1982 Offensive into Lebanon, it became apparent that this developement would threaten Israeli Air Superiority over Lebanon as Syria would then have the ability to create an extensive missile umbrella over their forces in Lebanon akin to that created by the Egyptians over Sinai during the Yom Kippur War. As Syrian Forces moved more SAMs into the region, Prime Minister Sharon ordered strikes against the SAM sites to prevent Syria from building up a missile umbrella over the Damascus-Beirut Highway and to insure the safety of Israeli aircraft over Lebanon. Historical Outcome: As many as 84 Syrian Aircraft were shot down while trying (in vain) to protect the SAM sites in the Beqaa valley. The SAMs themselves proved ineffective against the Israeli Air Force and victory in the operation was decisive, however the operation was called off before all of the SAM sites had been destroyed (a decision heavily criticized by Prime Minister Sharon). The SAMs that had not been destroyed that day were later destroyed during air operations later that evening and the next day. No Israeli aircraft were lost to enemy fighters and only 3 were lost to SAMs or other causes.